Dometic TRT 140 AIR vs Thule Approach 2 L
The Dometic TRT 140 AIR and the Thule Approach 2 L 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. Dometic and Thule take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The TRT 140 AIR is 21 kg lighter at 47 kg against 68 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 Approach 2 L gives 4.47 m² of sleeping floor against 3.16 m², about 41 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the TRT 140 AIR's 2. Headroom separates them further: 115 cm in the TRT 140 AIR against 102 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The TRT 140 AIR lists $1,100 lower, at $2,500 against $3,600.
They open differently: the TRT 140 AIR is an inflatable and the Approach 2 L a fold-out. 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: 300D ripstop polyester against 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant.
Dometic
TRT 140 AIR
The only inflatable tent in this database. A single-point AIR frame replaces poles entirely, which is how it reaches 47 kg and why it packs to 82 cm wide — narrow enough for hatchback crossbars that most rooftop tents overhang.
- 47 kg, and no poles to bend or snap
- 82 cm closed width fits small car racks
- No poles to break or bend
- 3.2 cm mattress is thin
Thule
Approach 2 L
The largest Approach 2, with a 4.47 m² four-person floor. It is the only four-person tent here that stays under 70 kg, which keeps it inside the dynamic roof limit of several full-size trucks and SUVs.
- Lightest four-person tent here at 68 kg
- 4.47 m² floor
- Heating port and panoramic skylights
- 183 cm closed width needs a wide rack
Which one to pick
Take the TRT 140 AIR if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the TRT 140 AIR 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Inflatable | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 4— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $2,500— best of the tents compared | $3,600— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 104 lb— best of the tents compared | 150 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 2 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 12.2 in— worst of the tents compared | 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 34 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 48.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 3 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 1.3 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 2 min— best of the tents compared | 3 min— worst of the tents compared |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 300D ripstop polyester | 600D recycled polyester ripstop, water resistant |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Dometic product page | Thule product page |
Related comparisons
- TRT 140 AIRvsBIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
- TRT 140 AIRvsBasecamp 2200
- TRT 140 AIRvsAir Cruiser
- TRT 140 AIRvsSkyRise HD
Or read the full spec sheets for the Dometic TRT 140 AIR and the Thule Approach 2 L.