Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition vs Trustmade Pioneer Series
The Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition and the Trustmade Pioneer Series 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 Trustmade take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The TrailTop Expedition is 61.1 kg lighter at 54.6 kg against 115.7 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. The Pioneer Series lists $522 lower, at $1,398 against $1,920.
Canvas differs too: poly-cotton, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, waterproof 10,000 mm against 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ (CPAI-84).
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
Trustmade
Pioneer Series
A fold-out hard-shell that extends off the side of the vehicle for more floor than a clamshell of the same footprint, with an insulated ceiling.
- Fold-out floor beyond the vehicle
- Insulated ceiling
- 1-year warranty
- 255 lb
Which one to pick
Take the TrailTop Expedition if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Pioneer Series if the budget is fixed. 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 | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,920— worst of the tents compared | $1,398— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 120 lb— best of the tents compared | 255 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 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— best of the tents compared | 13 in— worst 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 | — |
| Mattress thickness | 1.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 2 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 sec |
| Shell material | — | Honeycomb aluminium |
| Fabric | Poly-cotton, 65% polyester / 35% cotton, waterproof 10,000 mm | 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ (CPAI-84) |
| Warranty | — | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | No |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Trustmade product page |
Related comparisons
- TrailTop ExpeditionvsOrion 1 Plus
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- TrailTop ExpeditionvsRoamer
- TrailTop ExpeditionvsSirius 1 Plus
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 TrailTop Expedition and the Trustmade Pioneer Series.