Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3 vs Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead
The Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3 and the Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead 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. Overland Vehicle Systems and Tuff Stuff Overland take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3 brings 49 kg, 3.44 m² of floor, 129.5 cm of headroom and sleeps 3. The Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead counters with 49.9 kg, 3.46 m² of floor, 127 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
On weight they are effectively level — 49 kg against 49.9 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 3.44 m² and 3.46 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: 600D rip stop poly cotton Oxford against 600D polyester Oxford PU 3000 mm UV50+; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor.
Overland Vehicle Systems
LD TMBK 3
The LD TMBK 3 is Overland Vehicle Systems' entry-level fold-out soft-shell, sleeping three with a 600D poly-cotton body and a 108 lb dry weight. It includes a skylight, aluminum crossbars and an optional annex, and OVS rates it as 4-season ready. Warranty is 2 years fabric and structural, and an LED kit is optional.
- Entry-level price within the OVS range
- Low 108 lb dry weight
- Skylight and 4-season rating
- Short 2-year warranty
Tuff Stuff Overland
Trailhead
Tuff Stuff's entry two-person fold-out softshell, a simple 3-season tent that opens to a 56-by-96-inch floor with a 50-inch peak.
- Lowest price in the range
- One-person setup
- Ships with mounting hardware
- 3-season only
Which one to pick
These two are closely matched on the numbers that usually decide it. Read the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex — and let whichever of those you will actually use break the tie.
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 | 4-season— best of the tents compared | 3-season— worst of the tents compared |
| List price | $1,099.99— best of the tents compared | $1,183— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 108 lb— best of the tents compared | 110 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.5 in— best of the tents compared | 13 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 37 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 37.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.3 in— best of the tents compared | 1.7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 3 min | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Fabric | 600D rip stop poly cotton Oxford | 600D polyester Oxford PU 3000 mm UV50+; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor |
| Warranty | 2years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | No | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Overland Vehicle Systems product page | Tuff Stuff Overland product page |
Related comparisons
- LD TMBK 3vsJazz
- LD TMBK 3vsFeather-Lite II
- LD TMBK 3vsGen2 Overlander Standard Tent
- TrailheadvsFlinders
Or read the full spec sheets for the Overland Vehicle Systems LD TMBK 3 and the Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead.