Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout vs Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3
The Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3 are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Direct4x4 and Overland Vehicle Systems take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout brings 66 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 130 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3 counters with 49 kg, 3.44 m² of floor, 129.5 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
The LD TMBK 3 is 17 kg lighter at 49 kg against 66 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 3.36 m² and 3.44 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The LD TMBK 3 lists about 33% lower than the Expedition Foldout.
Canvas differs too: 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm against 600D rip stop poly cotton Oxford.
Direct4x4
Expedition Foldout
The Expedition Foldout is Direct4x4's soft-shell fold-out tent for three (two adults and a child), available in sand, granite grey and forest green. It opens to 240 x 140 cm with a 130 cm interior height on a 2.5 cm corrosion-resistant aluminium/polyurethane sandwich base and folds down to 29 cm tall at 66 kg. The 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas is rated to a 2,000 mm water column, and the tent ships with a fold-out ladder, mosquito net, zip-on annex skirt and a waterproof travel cover.
- Available in three colours (sand, grey, green)
- Ships with a zip-on annex skirt, mosquito net and travel cover
- 6 cm high-density foam mattress
- Canvas water-column rating is 2,000 mm
Overland Vehicle Systems
LD TMBK 3
The LD TMBK 3 is Overland Vehicle Systems' entry-level fold-out soft-shell, sleeping three with a 600D poly-cotton body and a 108 lb dry weight. It includes a skylight, aluminum crossbars and an optional annex, and OVS rates it as 4-season ready. Warranty is 2 years fabric and structural, and an LED kit is optional.
- Entry-level price within the OVS range
- Low 108 lb dry weight
- Skylight and 4-season rating
- Short 2-year warranty
Which one to pick
Take the LD TMBK 3 if the budget is fixed. Take the LD TMBK 3 if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $1,650— worst of the tents compared | $1,099.99— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 146 lb— worst of the tents compared | 108 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 11.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 37 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared | 2.3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | 3 min |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm | 600D rip stop poly cotton Oxford |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Overland Vehicle Systems product page |
Related comparisons
- Expedition FoldoutvsWild Cruiser 160
- Expedition FoldoutvsScout
- Expedition FoldoutvsTanami Light 140
- Expedition FoldoutvsWalkabout 56 2.0
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3.