Tuff Stuff Overland Elite vs Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
The Tuff Stuff Overland Elite and the Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) 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. Tuff Stuff Overland and Vickywood take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) is 20 kg lighter at 68 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 4.04 m², about 21 percent more, and it sleeps 5 to the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)'s 3. The BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) lists $552 lower, at $2,473 against $3,025.
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
Vickywood
BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
The BIG WILLOW 4.0 in its 160 width is the smaller of two BIG WILLOW sizes, a large soft-shell fold-out rated for up to 3 people with side-mounted gas struts assisting setup. Open dimensions are given by the maker as approximately 245 x 165 cm. It includes a dimmable USB-C LED and large roof windows.
- Large fold-out floor area
- Gas-strut assisted setup
- Headline weight states it includes mattress and ladder
- Tent fabric material not specified
Which one to pick
Take the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) if the budget is fixed. 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 | 3— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | 4-season | — |
| List price | $3,025— worst of the tents compared | $2,470— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 194 lb— worst of the tents compared | 150 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 5 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 16.1 in— worst of the tents compared | 15.4 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 6 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 8 ft— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 52.7 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 43.5 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 9 in |
| 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 minest. |
| Shell material | — | Aluminum honeycomb base with rubberized surface |
| Fabric | 280 g cotton/poly ripstop PU; 420D Oxford rainfly; 1000D PVC cover | — |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Tuff Stuff Overland product page | Vickywood product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Tuff Stuff Overland Elite and the Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160).