Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger 65 vs Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
The Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger 65 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.
By the numbers, the Tuff Stuff Overland Ranger 65 brings 74.4 kg, 4.03 m² of floor and sleeps 3. The Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) counters with 68 kg, 4.04 m² of floor, 115 cm of headroom and sleeps 3.
The BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) is 6.400000000000006 kg lighter at 68 kg against 74.4 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 4.03 m² and 4.04 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. The Ranger 65 lists about 31% lower than the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160).
Tuff Stuff Overland
Ranger 65
A mid-priced fold-out softshell that opens over the side of the vehicle to a 65-by-96-inch floor, with an optional annex room.
- Lower price
- Annex-room compatible
- Aluminium and fibreglass floor
- 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 Ranger 65 if the budget is fixed. Take the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) 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 | 3 | 3 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,705— best of the tents compared | $2,470— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 164 lb— worst of the tents compared | 150 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 5 ft 5 in— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 15 in— best of the tents compared | 15.4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 5 ft 5 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 | 43.4 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 43.5 sq ft— best 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 poly/cotton ripstop; 420D Oxford rainfly; aluminum and fibreglass floor | — |
| 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 Ranger 65 and the Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160).