RooftopTentCompare

Howling Moon Meteor Delux vs Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha

The Howling Moon Meteor Delux and the Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha are both hybrid tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Howling Moon and Tuff Stuff Overland take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.

The Alpha is 15.200000000000003 kg lighter at 79.8 kg against 95 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 Meteor Delux gives 4.62 m² of sleeping floor against 4.22 m², about 9 percent more, and it sleeps 2 to the Alpha's 3. The Meteor Delux lists $391 lower, at $3,212 against $3,603.

The Meteor Delux uses aluminium hardshell with scratch-resistant RAPTOR coating; the Alpha uses ABS with FRP reinforcement. Canvas differs too: 329gsm ripstop poly-cotton canvas, UV50+, breathable against 280 g poly/cotton ripstop; 210D Oxford PU 5000 mm rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor.

Howling Moon

Meteor Delux

The Meteor Delux is a hard-lidded fold-out tent with an aluminium hardshell and scratch-resistant RAPTOR coating, a gas-strut lifting system and a 60 mm high-density mattress. It folds out to a wide roughly 210 x 220 cm floor and uses waterproof YKK zippers. It is the widest-floored tent in Howling Moon's current line-up.

  • Wide ~4.6 sq m fold-out floor, the largest in the Howling Moon range
  • Aluminium hardshell with RAPTOR coating
  • Waterproof YKK zippers
  • Heaviest model at 95 kg

Tuff Stuff Overland

Alpha

A side-opening ABS-shelled hybrid that folds out beyond the vehicle over the ladder, with a skylight and dual-colour LED lighting.

  • Lighter ABS shell
  • Side-opening with skylight
  • Annex available
  • 176 lb

Which one to pick

Take the Alpha if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Meteor Delux 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

Side-by-side specifications for Howling Moon Meteor Delux, Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha
Specification

Howling Moon

Meteor Delux
Hybrid
  • Cheapest
  • Most floor space
Check current price

Tuff Stuff Overland

Alpha
Hybrid
  • Lightest
Check current price
Overview
TypeHybridHybrid
Opening styleFold-outFold-out
Sleeps2— worst of the tents compared3— best of the tents compared
Season rating——
List price$3,210— best of the tents compared$3,603— worst of the tents compared
Weight and size
Weight209 lb— worst of the tents compared176 lb— best of the tents compared
Packed length6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared6 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared
Packed width4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared
Packed height14.2 in— best of the tents compared15 in— worst of the tents compared
Living space
Sleeping length6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared6 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared
Sleeping width7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared
Floor area49.7 sq ft— best of the tents compared45.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared
Interior height3 ft 7 in—
Mattress thickness2.4 in— worst of the tents compared2.8 in— best of the tents compared
Setup and build
Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice.~3 minest.2 min
Shell materialAluminium hardshell with scratch-resistant RAPTOR coatingABS with FRP reinforcement
Fabric329gsm ripstop poly-cotton canvas, UV50+, breathable280 g poly/cotton ripstop; 210D Oxford PU 5000 mm rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor
Warranty——
Features
Integrated LED lighting—Yes
Heater / HVAC port——
Roof skylight—Yes
Annex available—Yes
Solar ready——
Carries cargo on top——
Sources
Last verifiedHowling Moon product pageTuff Stuff Overland product page

Related comparisons

Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Meteor Delux and the Tuff Stuff Overland Alpha.