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Overland Vehicle Systems HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever vs Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder

Both of these are Overland Vehicle Systems tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever and the HD Sidewinder share Overland Vehicle Systems's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.

The HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever is 5.5 kg lighter at 94.3 kg against 99.8 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 HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever gives 4.83 m² of sleeping floor against 3.21 m², about 50 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the HD Sidewinder's 2. The HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever lists $200 lower, at $2,299.99 against $2,499.99.

The HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever uses single-piece polymer; the HD Sidewinder uses honeycomb aluminum. On features they trade blows: only the HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever has a roof skylight, while only the HD Sidewinder has the ability to carry cargo on the shell. Closed, the HD Sidewinder sits 13.969999999999999 cm lower on the roof — 16.51 cm against 30.48 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.

Overland Vehicle Systems

HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever

The HD Bushveld 4 is the larger of OVS's two Bushveld cantilever hardshells, sleeping four across a two-section floor. It uses a single-piece polymer shell, carries a 39 x 25.5 in skylight and a 4-season rating, and is annex-compatible. Dry weight is 207.9 lb with a 1 in quilted foam mattress.

  • Sleeps four across a two-section floor
  • 4-season rating and 39 x 25.5 in skylight
  • Annex-compatible
  • Only a 1 in mattress

Overland Vehicle Systems

HD Sidewinder

The HD Sidewinder is a side-opening (side-load) aluminum clamshell for two, with a long 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area and 48 in interior height. OVS lists it without interior lighting, skylight or heater port and gives a 4-year fabric and structural warranty. Dry weight is 220 lb and packaged weight 277 lb.

  • Side-load opening suits certain rack layouts
  • Long 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area
  • Thicker 2.5 in mattress
  • No interior lighting, skylight or heater port

Which one to pick

Take the HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever 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

Side-by-side specifications for Overland Vehicle Systems HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever, Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder
Specification

Overland Vehicle Systems

HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever
Hardshell
  • Lightest
  • Cheapest
  • Most floor space
Check current price

Overland Vehicle Systems

HD Sidewinder
HardshellCheck current price
Overview
TypeHardshellHardshell
Opening styleClamshellClamshell
Sleeps4— best of the tents compared2— worst of the tents compared
Season rating4-season
List price$2,299.99— best of the tents compared$2,499.99— worst of the tents compared
Weight and size
Weight208 lb— best of the tents compared220 lb— worst of the tents compared
Packed length7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared7 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared
Packed width4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared
Packed height12 in— worst of the tents compared6.5 in— best of the tents compared
Living space
Sleeping length7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared7 ft 6 in— best of the tents compared
Sleeping width7 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared
Floor area52 sq ft— best of the tents compared34.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared
Interior height4 ft
Mattress thickness1 in— worst of the tents compared2.5 in— best of the tents compared
Setup and build
Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice.2 min2 min
Shell materialSingle-piece polymerHoneycomb aluminum
Fabric280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford
Warranty4years4years
Features
Integrated LED lightingNoNo
Heater / HVAC portNoNo
Roof skylightYesNo
Annex availableYes
Solar ready
Carries cargo on topNoYes
Sources
Last verifiedOverland Vehicle Systems product pageOverland Vehicle Systems product page

Related comparisons

Or read the full spec sheets for the Overland Vehicle Systems HD Bushveld 4 Cantilever and the Overland Vehicle Systems HD Sidewinder.