Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent vs TentBox Lite
The Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent and the TentBox Lite 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. Smittybilt and TentBox take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
By the numbers, the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent brings 63 kg, 5.98 m² of floor, 129.54 cm of headroom and sleeps 4. The TentBox Lite counters with 50 kg, 2.93 m² of floor, 105 cm of headroom and sleeps 2.
The Lite is 13 kg lighter at 50 kg against 63 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 Gen2 Overlander XL Tent gives 5.98 m² of sleeping floor against 2.93 m², about 104 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Lite's 2. Headroom separates them further: 129.54 cm in the Gen2 Overlander XL Tent against 105 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. Their list prices are within a few percent of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one. TentBox also backs the Lite for 5 years against 2.
Canvas differs too: 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly against stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head.
Smittybilt
Gen2 Overlander XL Tent
The Gen2 Overlander XL is the larger of Smittybilt's two soft-shell fold-out rooftop tents, sleeping 3-4 on a king-size 92.5" x 74.8" mattress. It shares the 600D ripstop polyester construction, anodized aluminum frame and LED strip of the standard model but adds a wider footprint and a higher 770lbs/350kg load rating. It is backed by a 2-year warranty.
- King-size mattress and wider footprint than the standard Gen2 Overlander
- 770lbs/350kg rated load
- Integrated LED strip and mosquito screens
- Manufacturer does not publish mattress thickness
TentBox
Lite
TentBox's fold-out two-person tent, and one of the slimmest soft-shells here at 25 cm closed. The rainfly comes off entirely for what TentBox calls summer mode, leaving mesh panels and double skylights.
- 25 cm closed, slim for a soft-shell
- Removable rainfly for open-sky nights
- 5-year warranty
- Five minutes to pitch
Which one to pick
Take the Gen2 Overlander XL Tent if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. Take the Lite 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 | 4— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | 4-season |
| List price | $1,949.99— best of the tents compared | $2,070— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 139 lb est.— worst of the tents compared | 110 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 3 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 3 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11.5 in— worst of the tents compared | 9.8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 10 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 64.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 31.5 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 3 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.4 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | 5 min |
| Shell material | — | Aluminium frame with heavy-duty hinge |
| Fabric | 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly | Stormproof breathable UV-resistant fabric, 3000 mm hydrostatic head |
| Warranty | 2years— worst of the tents compared | 5years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | No |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | No |
| Carries cargo on top | — | No |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Smittybilt product page | TentBox product page |
Related comparisons
- Gen2 Overlander XL TentvsPioneer 2 Tent
- Gen2 Overlander XL TentvsBAOBAB AIR 135
- Gen2 Overlander XL TentvsStargazer
- LitevsMeadowlark 2 XL
Or read the full spec sheets for the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent and the TentBox Lite.