Howling Moon Solar vs Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMON
The Howling Moon Solar and the Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMON 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. Howling Moon and Overland Vehicle Systems take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Howling Moon Solar brings 60 kg, 3.36 m² of floor, 140 cm of headroom and sleeps 2. The Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMON counters with 68 kg, 2.67 m² of floor, 165.1 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Solar is 8 kg lighter at 60 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 Solar gives 3.36 m² of sleeping floor against 2.67 m², about 26 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 165.1 cm in the LD TMON against 140 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated against 600D rip stop poly cotton Oxford. The Solar adds a roof skylight, which the LD TMON does not offer. Closed, the LD TMON sits 11.76 cm lower on the roof — 15.24 cm against 27 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Overland Vehicle Systems
LD TMON
The LD TMON is an entry-tier aluminum clamshell hardshell for two, with a tall 65 in interior height and a fast roughly 1-minute setup. It has interior lighting and a flexipanel storage system but no skylight, annex or heater port, and uses a heavier 600D poly-cotton body. OVS lists a 2-year fabric and structural warranty and a 150 lb dry weight.
- Fast ~1-minute setup
- Tall 65 in interior height
- Interior lighting included
- Short 2-year warranty
Which one to pick
Take the Solar if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Solar 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 | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,710— best of the tents compared | $1,749.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 132 lb— best of the tents compared | 150 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 10.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 5 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 28.7 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 5 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 3.3 in— best of the tents compared | 2.5 in— worst 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 aluminum |
| Fabric | 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated | 600D rip stop poly cotton Oxford |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | No |
| Annex available | — | No |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | No |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Howling Moon product page | Overland Vehicle Systems product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Solar and the Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMON.