Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 vs TentBox GO
The Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 and the TentBox GO 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. Ironman 4x4 and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The GO is 23 kg lighter at 33 kg against 56 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 Cross 1200 MK2 gives 4.38 m² of sleeping floor against 2.75 m², about 59 percent more, and it sleeps 3 to the GO's 2. Headroom separates them further: 128.02 cm in the Cross 1200 MK2 against 114 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. List prices are within $6 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one. TentBox also backs the GO for 5 years against 3.
Canvas differs too: 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. The Cross 1200 MK2 adds a heater or HVAC port and integrated LED lighting, which the GO does not offer.
Ironman 4x4
Cross 1200 MK2
The Cross 1200 MK2 is Ironman 4x4's softshell fold-out tent, whose fold-out design roughly doubles its footprint to a 120.5 x 56.3 inch open floor sleeping two adults and a child. At a published 125 lbs it is lighter than the brand's hardshell tents and uses 420D polyester Oxford fabric with a 2.8-inch high-density foam mattress. Ironman 4x4 sells a matching Cross 1200 annex room, and the tent is rated for 3-season use.
- Lighter than Ironman 4x4's hardshell models (125 lb published)
- Optional matching Cross 1200 annex room available from the brand
- Integrated star-gazing sky windows and a heater/AC hose inlet
- Rated 3-season, versus the 4-season rating on the brand's hardshells
TentBox
GO
At 33 kg this is the lightest tent in the database by a wide margin, and it opens within the vehicle's own footprint rather than folding over the side. That combination puts a rooftop tent within reach of small cars whose roof limits rule out everything else.
- 33 kg, lighter than any other tent here
- Opens within the vehicle footprint
- 5-year warranty, longer than most tents near its price
- 45 cm closed height is the tallest packed profile here
Which one to pick
Take the GO if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Cross 1200 MK2 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
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 3-season— worst of the tents compared | 4-season— best of the tents compared |
| List price | $1,299— best of the tents compared | $1,310— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 125 lb— worst of the tents compared | 73 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 16.9 in— best of the tents compared | 17.7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 10 ft— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 47.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 29.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.8 in | — |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | 60 sec |
| Shell material | Soft shell | — |
| Fabric | 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | 3years— worst of the tents compared | 5years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | No |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | No |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Ironman 4x4 product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
- Cross 1200 MK2vsGalaxy
- Cross 1200 MK2vsLite Cruiser 120 XL
- Cross 1200 MK2vsExpedition Foldout
- GOvsLite Cruiser 120 XL
Or read the full spec sheets for the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 and the TentBox GO.