Overland Vehicle Systems XD Sherpa vs TentBox Cargo
The Overland Vehicle Systems XD Sherpa and the TentBox Cargo are both hybrid 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 TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
Inside, the XD Sherpa gives 3.19 m² of sleeping floor against 2.79 m², about 14 percent more, though both are rated for 2. Headroom separates them further: 145 cm in the Cargo against 132.1 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Setup is not close. The Cargo opens as a clamshell in 30 seconds; the XD Sherpa takes 2 minutes. Over a trip with a new campsite every night, that gap compounds. The XD Sherpa lists $1,491 lower, at $1,449 against $2,940. Overland Vehicle Systems also backs the XD Sherpa for 6 years against 5.
They open differently: the XD Sherpa is a fold-out and the Cargo a clamshell. 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: 320g rip stop poly cotton Oxford against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head. The XD Sherpa adds a heater or HVAC port, which the Cargo does not offer. Closed, the Cargo sits 6.399999999999999 cm lower on the roof — 19 cm against 25.4 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Overland Vehicle Systems
XD Sherpa
The XD Sherpa is a coverless hybrid soft-shell in OVS's XD line, offered from solo up to 4-person; the 2-person opens to 52 x 95 in and weighs 140 lb dry. It includes LED lighting, a skylight, two crossbars and heater/AC ducting, with a 6-year fabric and limited lifetime structural warranty. Dimensions above are for the 2-person size.
- Coverless hybrid with quick ~2-min setup
- Offered from solo to 4-person
- LED, skylight, crossbars and heater/AC ducting included
- Coverless design offers less enclosed protection than a hardshell
TentBox
Cargo
An aluminium exoskeleton rather than a moulded shell, which is how it packs to 19 cm and still carries bikes or boards on cargo bars above the tent. Thirty seconds to open, and 145 cm of headroom under the peak.
- 19 cm closed profile
- Carries bikes or boards on top of the tent
- 30-second setup, and 145 cm headroom
- 72 kg before your rack
Which one to pick
Take the XD Sherpa if the budget is fixed. Take the Cargo if you move camp most days. 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 | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2 | 2 |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $1,449— best of the tents compared | $2,940— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | — | 159 lb |
| Packed length | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 10 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.5 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 34.3 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 30 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.4 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 min— worst of the tents compared | 30 sec— best of the tents compared |
| Shell material | — | Aluminium exoskeleton with stainless steel hardware |
| Fabric | 320g rip stop poly cotton Oxford | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | 6years— best of the tents compared | 5years— worst of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | Yes | No |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Overland Vehicle Systems product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Overland Vehicle Systems XD Sherpa and the TentBox Cargo.