Tuff Stuff Overland Elite vs Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead Pro
Both of these are Tuff Stuff Overland tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The Elite and the Trailhead Pro share Tuff Stuff Overland's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The Trailhead Pro is 33.6 kg lighter at 54.4 kg against 88 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 Elite gives 4.9 m² of sleeping floor against 3.42 m², about 43 percent more, and it sleeps 5 to the Trailhead Pro's 2. The Trailhead Pro lists $1,525 lower, at $1,500 against $3,025.
Canvas differs too: 280 g cotton/poly ripstop PU; 420D Oxford rainfly; 1000D PVC cover against 280 g poly/cotton ripstop PU 3000 mm UV50+; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor. Closed, the Trailhead Pro sits 11 cm lower on the roof — 30 cm against 41 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Tuff Stuff Overland
Elite
A large 4-season softshell that unfolds over either side of the vehicle and ships with its annex room included, sleeping up to five.
- Sleeps up to 5
- Annex room included
- 4-season, six windows
- Slow ~10–15 min setup
Tuff Stuff Overland
Trailhead Pro
A light two-person fold-out softshell with a skylight and awning-covered windows, opening to either side or the rear in about five minutes.
- Light for a softshell at 120 lb
- 4-season with skylight
- One-button telescoping ladder
- Mattress thickness not published
Which one to pick
Take the Trailhead Pro if the budget is fixed. Take the Trailhead Pro 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 | 5— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | 4-season |
| List price | $3,025— worst of the tents compared | $1,500— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 194 lb— worst of the tents compared | 120 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft | 4 ft |
| Packed height | 16.1 in— worst of the tents compared | 11.8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 8 ft— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 11 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 52.7 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 36.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | — |
| Mattress thickness | 2.8 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 | — | — |
| Fabric | 280 g cotton/poly ripstop PU; 420D Oxford rainfly; 1000D PVC cover | 280 g poly/cotton ripstop PU 3000 mm UV50+; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum honeycomb floor |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Tuff Stuff Overland product page | Tuff Stuff Overland product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Tuff Stuff Overland Elite and the Tuff Stuff Overland Trailhead Pro.