Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 vs Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger 65
The Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 and the Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger 65 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 Tuff Stuff Overland take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 brings 56 kg, 4.38 m² of floor, 128.02 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger 65 counters with 74.4 kg, 4.03 m² of floor and sleeps 3.
The Cross 1200 MK2 is 18.400000000000006 kg lighter at 56 kg against 74.4 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 4.38 m² and 4.03 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
Canvas differs too: 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh against 280 g poly/cotton ripstop; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum and fibreglass floor.
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
Tuff Stuff Overland
Ranger 65
A mid-priced fold-out softshell that opens over the side of the vehicle to a 65-by-96-inch floor, with an optional annex room.
- Lower price
- Annex-room compatible
- Aluminium and fibreglass floor
- Slow ~10–15 min setup
Which one to pick
Take the Cross 1200 MK2 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 | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | 3-season | — |
| List price | $1,799— worst of the tents compared | $1,705— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 125 lb— best of the tents compared | 164 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared | 5 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— worst of the tents compared | 15 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 10 ft— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 47.1 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 43.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 2 in | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.8 in— best of the tents compared | 2.8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | Soft shell | — |
| Fabric | 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh | 280 g poly/cotton ripstop; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum and fibreglass floor |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Ironman 4x4 product page | Tuff Stuff Overland product page |
Related comparisons
- Cross 1200 MK2vsStargazer
- Cross 1200 MK2vsHD Nomadic 3 Extended
- Cross 1200 MK2vsWalkabout 56 2.0
- Ranger 65vsHD Nomadic 3 Extended
Or read the full spec sheets for the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 and the Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger 65.