Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout vs TentBox GO
The Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the TentBox GO 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 TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The GO is 33 kg lighter at 33 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. Inside, the Expedition Foldout gives 3.36 m² of sleeping floor against 2.75 m², about 22 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the GO's 2. Headroom separates them further: 130 cm in the Expedition Foldout against 114 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. List prices are within $89 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. Closed, the Expedition Foldout sits 16 cm lower on the roof — 29 cm against 45 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
TentBox
GO
At 33 kg this is the lightest tent in the database by a wide margin, and it opens within the vehicle's own footprint rather than folding over the side. That combination puts a rooftop tent within reach of small cars whose roof limits rule out everything else.
- 33 kg, lighter than any other tent here
- Opens within the vehicle footprint
- 5-year warranty, longer than most tents near its price
- 45 cm closed height is the tallest packed profile here
Which one to pick
Take the GO if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Expedition Foldout if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout
| |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $1,220— best of the tents compared | $1,310— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 146 lb— worst of the tents compared | 73 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.4 in— best of the tents compared | 17.7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 10 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 29.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.4 in | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | 60 sec |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 285 gsm poly-cotton ripstop canvas, PU impregnated, water column 2,000 mm | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | — | 5years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | No |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
- Expedition FoldoutvsFeather-Lite II
- Expedition FoldoutvsFlinders
- Expedition FoldoutvsGalaxy
- Expedition FoldoutvsCross 1200 MK2
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 Expedition Foldout and the TentBox GO.