Direct4x4 ClamTrekk vs Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening
The Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening are both hardshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Direct4x4 and Smittybilt take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The ClamTrekk lists $415.99 lower, at $1,984 against $2,399.99.
The ClamTrekk uses honeycomb aluminium; the Aluminum Side Opening uses aluminum.
Direct4x4
ClamTrekk
The ClamTrekk is Direct4x4's two-person hard-shell clamshell tent, built around a honeycomb aluminium shell that opens on gas struts from either side. Direct4x4 publishes closed dimensions of 210 x 130 x 20 cm and a 76 kg weight but does not list the open dimensions, interior height or mattress thickness. It ships with a telescopic ladder, two door poles, a camping light with 12V internal sockets, an anti-condensation mat, boot bags and two roof-rack bars.
- Honeycomb aluminium shell opens quickly on gas struts
- Ships with ladder, camping light, 12V sockets and two roof-rack bars
- Fabric rated to a 10,000 mm water column
- Open dimensions and interior height are not published
Smittybilt
Aluminum Side Opening
The Aluminum Side Opening RTT is a hard-shell rooftop tent with a low-profile aluminum shell that opens to the side, sleeping 2-3 people. It uses gas-assisted struts, a 2.5" high-density foam mattress, an LED light strip with inline remote, internal mesh storage and external roof rack bars on the shell. Smittybilt rates it for a 661lbs load and backs it with a 5-year warranty.
- Aluminum hard shell with 5-year warranty and gas-assisted setup
- External roof rack bars allow cargo carrying on the closed shell
- 2.5" mattress and LED strip with remote
- Manufacturer does not publish tent weight or season rating
Which one to pick
Take the ClamTrekk 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 2— worst of the tents compared | 3— best of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $1,980— best of the tents compared | $2,399.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 168 lb | — |
| Packed length | 6 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 7 ft 1 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 7.9 in— worst of the tents compared | 7.1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | — | 7 ft 1 in |
| Sleeping width | — | 4 ft 7 in |
| Floor area | — | 32.5 sq ft |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 2 in |
| Mattress thickness | — | 2.5 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~60 secest. | ~60 secest. |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminium | Aluminum |
| Fabric | 65% polyester / 35% cotton, mould-proof, water resistant 10,000 mm | — |
| Warranty | — | 5years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Direct4x4 product page | Smittybilt product page |
Related comparisons
- ClamTrekkvsOrion 1 Plus
- ClamTrekkvsBush Cruiser V2 Pro 120
- ClamTrekkvsPolaris 2
- Aluminum Side OpeningvsAluminum Pop-up
Or read the full spec sheets for the Direct4x4 ClamTrekk and the Smittybilt Aluminum Side Opening.