Eezi-Awn Family vs Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2
The Eezi-Awn Family and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2 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. Eezi-Awn and Ironman 4x4 take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Cross 1200 MK2 is 42 kg lighter at 56 kg against 98 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 Family gives 5.37 m² of sleeping floor against 4.38 m², about 23 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the Cross 1200 MK2's 3. Eezi-Awn does not publish a list price for the Family, so a direct cost comparison means getting a quote from a dealer.
Canvas differs too: 360GSM double-stitched heavy-duty ripstop canvas against 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh.
Eezi-Awn
Family
The Family is the largest tent in Eezi-Awn's Serie III soft-shell range, erecting to 2200mm wide x 2440mm long x 1300mm high with a removable central dividing wall and two separate 65mm SABS-approved foam mattresses. It uses 360GSM double-stitched ripstop canvas with a reinforced PVC flysheet and includes two fully retractable 230cm anodised aluminium ladders. Doors and windows have zip-up privacy panels and mosquito nets with heavy-duty YKK zippers.
- Two separate mattresses plus a removable dividing wall for split sleeping areas
- Published erected dimensions and interior height
- Two retractable aluminium ladders and YKK zippers
- Manufacturer does not publish price, weight or packed dimensions
Ironman 4x4
Cross 1200 MK2
The Cross 1200 MK2 is Ironman 4x4's softshell fold-out tent, whose fold-out design roughly doubles its footprint to a 120.5 x 56.3 inch open floor sleeping two adults and a child. At a published 125 lbs it is lighter than the brand's hardshell tents and uses 420D polyester Oxford fabric with a 2.8-inch high-density foam mattress. Ironman 4x4 sells a matching Cross 1200 annex room, and the tent is rated for 3-season use.
- Lighter than Ironman 4x4's hardshell models (125 lb published)
- Optional matching Cross 1200 annex room available from the brand
- Integrated star-gazing sky windows and a heater/AC hose inlet
- Rated 3-season, versus the 4-season rating on the brand's hardshells
Which one to pick
Take the Cross 1200 MK2 if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Family if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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 | 4— best of the tents compared | 3— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | 3-season |
| List price | — | $1,299 |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 216 lb— worst of the tents compared | 125 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | — | 4 ft 9 in |
| Packed width | — | 4 ft |
| Packed height | — | 16.9 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft— worst of the tents compared | 10 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 8 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 57.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 47.1 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.6 in— worst of the tents compared | 2.8 in— best of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | — | Soft shell |
| Fabric | 360GSM double-stitched heavy-duty ripstop canvas | 420D polyester Oxford fly; 120gsm super-fine insect mesh |
| Warranty | — | 3years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | Yes |
| Roof skylight | — | Yes |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Eezi-Awn product page | Ironman 4x4 product page |
Related comparisons
Or read the full spec sheets for the Eezi-Awn Family and the Ironman 4x4 Cross 1200 MK2.