Howling Moon Solar vs Trustmade Pioneer Series
The Howling Moon Solar 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. Howling Moon and Trustmade 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 Trustmade Pioneer Series counters with 115.7 kg, 3.36 m² of floor and sleeps 3.
The Solar is 55.7 kg lighter at 60 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 3.36 m² and 3.36 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Pioneer Series lists about 18% lower than the Solar.
They open differently: the Solar is a clamshell and the Pioneer Series 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: 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated against 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ (CPAI-84). Closed, the Solar sits 6 cm lower on the roof — 27 cm against 33 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
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 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 | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,710— worst of the tents compared | $1,398— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 132 lb— best of the tents compared | 255 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 5 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 10.6 in— best of the tents compared | 13 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in | 6 ft 11 in |
| Sleeping width | 5 ft 3 in | 5 ft 3 in |
| Floor area | 36.2 sq ft | 36.2 sq ft |
| Interior height | 4 ft 7 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 3.3 in— best of the tents compared | 2 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 aluminium |
| Fabric | 370gsm military-spec poly-cotton canvas, fluorocarbon impregnated | 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ (CPAI-84) |
| Warranty | — | 1year |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | — | No |
| Solar ready | Yes | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Howling Moon product page | Trustmade product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Howling Moon Solar and the Trustmade Pioneer Series.