Eezi-Awn Family vs Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent
The Eezi-Awn Family and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent 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 Smittybilt take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Gen2 Overlander XL Tent is 35 kg lighter at 63 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 Gen2 Overlander XL Tent gives 5.98 m² of sleeping floor against 5.37 m², about 11 percent more, though both are rated for 4. 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 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly.
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
Smittybilt
Gen2 Overlander XL Tent
The Gen2 Overlander XL is the larger of Smittybilt's two soft-shell fold-out rooftop tents, sleeping 3-4 on a king-size 92.5" x 74.8" mattress. It shares the 600D ripstop polyester construction, anodized aluminum frame and LED strip of the standard model but adds a wider footprint and a higher 770lbs/350kg load rating. It is backed by a 2-year warranty.
- King-size mattress and wider footprint than the standard Gen2 Overlander
- 770lbs/350kg rated load
- Integrated LED strip and mosquito screens
- Manufacturer does not publish tent weight or mattress thickness
Which one to pick
Take the Gen2 Overlander XL Tent if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Gen2 Overlander XL Tent 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 | 4 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | — | $1,949.99 |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 216 lb— worst of the tents compared | 139 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | — | 6 ft 4 in |
| Packed width | — | 3 ft 11 in |
| Packed height | — | 11.5 in |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 8 ft— best of the tents compared | 6 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared | 10 ft 2 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 57.8 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 64.4 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 3 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.6 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 | — | — |
| Fabric | 360GSM double-stitched heavy-duty ripstop canvas | 600D heavy-duty ripstop polyester, waterproof polyurethane-impregnated top; 420D oxford rainfly |
| Warranty | — | 2years |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | — | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | — | — |
| Annex available | — | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Eezi-Awn product page | Smittybilt product page |
Related comparisons
- FamilyvsBasecamp 2200
- FamilyvsApproach 2 L
- FamilyvsCross 1200 MK2
- Gen2 Overlander XL TentvsElements Gen II 140
Or read the full spec sheets for the Eezi-Awn Family and the Smittybilt Gen2 Overlander XL Tent.