Trustmade Scout MAX vs Trustmade Scout Plus
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 Scout MAX and the Scout Plus share Trustmade's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Scout MAX is 31.700000000000003 kg lighter at 95.3 kg against 127 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 2.81 m² and 2.81 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Both list at $1,198, so price cannot decide this one at all.
Canvas differs too: 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ against 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ (CPAI-84). Closed, the Scout MAX sits 5 cm lower on the roof — 18 cm against 23 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Trustmade
Scout Plus
The Scout Max clamshell supplied with a load-bearing roof rack, for carrying gear above the closed tent.
- Includes a cargo roof rack
- Skylight and CPAI-84 canvas
- 2-year warranty
- 280 lb with the rack
Which one to pick
Take the Scout MAX 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,198 | $1,198 |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 210 lb— best of the tents compared | 280 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft | 7 ft |
| Packed width | 4 ft 4 in | 4 ft 4 in |
| Packed height | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared | 9.1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft | 7 ft |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 4 in | 4 ft 4 in |
| Floor area | 30.2 sq ft | 30.2 sq ft |
| 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. | 60 sec | 60 sec |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminium | Honeycomb aluminium |
| Fabric | 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ | 300 g flame-retardant poly-cotton ripstop, PU 3000 mm, UV50+ (CPAI-84) |
| Warranty | 2years | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | No | No |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Trustmade product page | Trustmade product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Trustmade Scout MAX and the Trustmade Scout Plus.