Trustmade Pioneer Series 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 Pioneer Series and the Scout MAX share Trustmade's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.

By the numbers, the Trustmade Pioneer Series brings 115.7 kg, 3.36 m² of floor and sleeps 3. The Trustmade Scout MAX counters with 95.3 kg, 2.81 m² of floor and sleeps 3.

The Scout MAX is 20.400000000000006 kg lighter at 95.3 kg against 115.7 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 Pioneer Series gives 3.36 m² of sleeping floor against 2.81 m², about 20 percent more, though both are rated for 3. The Scout MAX lists about 14% lower than the Pioneer Series. Trustmade also backs the Scout MAX for 2 years against 1.

They open differently: the Pioneer Series is a fold-out and the Scout MAX 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: 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ (CPAI-84) against 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+. Closed, the Scout MAX sits 15 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 33 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.