Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition vs Howling Moon Solar
The Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition and the Howling Moon Solar are both hardshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Direct4x4 and Howling Moon take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition brings 54.6 kg, 3.56 m² of floor, 115 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Howling Moon Solar counters with 60 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 140 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The TrailTop Expedition is 5.399999999999999 kg lighter at 54.6 kg against 60 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 3.56 m² and 3.36 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Headroom separates them further: 140 cm in the Solar against 115 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The Solar lists about 11% lower than the TrailTop Expedition.
They open differently: the TrailTop Expedition is a fold-out and the Solar a clamshell. That is not cosmetic — it decides whether headroom is even across the tent or tapers towards one end, and how much of the roof the tent occupies when closed. Canvas differs too: poly-cotton, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, waterproof 10,000 mm against 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated. Closed, the Solar sits 5 cm lower on the roof — 27 cm against 32 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Direct4x4
TrailTop Expedition
The TrailTop is one of Direct4x4's hard-shell rooftop tents, sold in 3-person and 4-person configurations with a gloss-black aerodynamic shell that folds open. The 3-person version opens to 162 x 220 cm and weighs about 54.6 kg, while the 4-person version opens to 220 x 225 cm at roughly 70 kg. It uses a 65% polyester / 35% cotton poly-cotton canvas rated to a 10,000 mm water column and ships with a 4 cm mattress and a telescopic aluminium ladder.
- Offered in both 3-person and 4-person sizes
- Poly-cotton canvas rated to a 10,000 mm water column
- Includes a 4 cm mattress and telescopic aluminium ladder
- Manufacturer does not publish a warranty period or season rating
Howling Moon
Solar
The Solar is a clamshell hardshell tent with a hard lid and gas-assisted struts, an openable roof window for stargazing and an 85 mm high-density foam mattress. Roof-bar mounting points allow fitting a solar panel or other accessories, and it has insect-screened windows and doors with a ventilated flysheet layer.
- Openable roof window for stargazing
- Roof-bar mounts for a solar panel or accessories
- Published open dimensions and interior height
- Two different weights (60 kg and ~70 kg) appear in the listing
Which one to pick
Take the TrailTop Expedition 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 3— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,920— worst of the tents compared | $1,710— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 120 lb— best of the tents compared | 132 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 10.6 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 38.3 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 36.2 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 1.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 3.3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | Poly-cotton, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, waterproof 10,000 mm | 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | Yes |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Howling Moon product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition and the Howling Moon Solar.