Trustmade Nomad vs Trustmade Scout MAX
Both of these are Trustmade tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Nomad and the Scout MAX share Trustmade's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
On weight they are effectively level — 93.9 kg against 95.3 kg — so the roof load question resolves the same way for both. Floor area is close to identical at 2.6 m² and 2.81 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Setup is not close. The Scout MAX opens as a clamshell in 60 seconds; the Nomad takes 2 minutes. Over a trip with a new campsite every night, that gap compounds. Both list at $1,198, so price cannot decide this one at all. Trustmade also backs the Scout MAX for 2 years against 1.
The Nomad uses stainless steel frame; the Scout MAX uses honeycomb aluminium. Canvas differs too: 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+ against 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+. Closed, the Scout MAX sits 10 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 28 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Trustmade
Nomad
A budget stainless-framed clamshell hardshell for two, opening in about two minutes to an 82-inch floor.
- Low price for a hardshell
- ~2 min clamshell setup
- 1-year warranty
- 600D/280 g fabric rather than heavy canvas
Trustmade
Scout MAX
A low-profile 7-inch aluminium clamshell for three, with a skylight and a 3000 mm poly-cotton canopy.
- Low price for an aluminium hardshell
- Slim 7 in closed profile
- 2-year warranty
- US-only availability
Which one to pick
Take the Scout MAX 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,198 | $1,198 |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 207 lb— best of the tents compared | 210 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 28 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 30.2 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2 in | 2 in |
| 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 | 60 sec— best of the tents compared |
| Shell material | Stainless steel frame | Honeycomb aluminium |
| Fabric | 600D Oxford / 280 g canvas, PU 2000 mm, UV50+ | 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ |
| Warranty | 1year— worst of the tents compared | 2years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | No | No |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Trustmade product page | Trustmade product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Trustmade Nomad and the Trustmade Scout MAX.