Overland Vehicle Systems HD Mamba vs Overland Vehicle Systems XD K2
Both of these are Overland Vehicle Systems tents, so the question is not which brand to trust but which size and configuration suits your vehicle and how you camp. The HD Mamba and the XD K2 share Overland Vehicle Systems's construction and warranty; where they part company is in the numbers below.
The HD Mamba is 19.5 kg lighter at 80.3 kg against 99.8 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 XD K2 gives 3.49 m² of sleeping floor against 3.21 m², about 9 percent more, and it sleeps 2 to the HD Mamba's 3. Headroom separates them further: 149.9 cm in the HD Mamba against 129.5 cm, which is the difference between sitting up to dress and doing it lying down. The HD Mamba lists $900 lower, at $2,399.99 against $3,299.99. Overland Vehicle Systems also backs the XD K2 for 6 years against 4.
The HD Mamba uses honeycomb aluminum; the XD K2 uses honeycomb insulated aluminum. Canvas differs too: 280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford against 320g rip stop polycotton Oxford. The XD K2 adds a heater or HVAC port and integrated LED lighting, which the HD Mamba does not offer. Closed, the HD Mamba sits 8.889999999999997 cm lower on the roof — 16.51 cm against 25.4 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
Overland Vehicle Systems
HD Mamba
The HD Mamba is an aluminum clamshell hardshell marketed for two to three people, with a 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area and a tall 59 in interior height. It includes removable crossbars but no skylight, interior lighting or heater port as standard. OVS gives a 4-year fabric and structural warranty and states a setup of under 2 minutes.
- Roomy 90 x 51.5 in sleeping area
- Tall 59 in interior height
- Removable crossbars included
- No skylight, LED or heater port as standard
Overland Vehicle Systems
XD K2
The XD K2 is a dual-action aluminum clamshell in Overland Vehicle Systems' premium XD line, sleeping two on a 78 x 50 in mattress. It carries an integrated adjustable crossbar rack rated to 45 lb open / 100 lb closed, an LED light strip and a heater/AC port, with a 6-year fabric and limited lifetime structural warranty. Dry weight is 220 lb and OVS states a roughly 2-minute setup.
- Integrated adjustable crossbar rack (45 lb open / 100 lb closed)
- LED strip and heater/AC port included
- 6-year fabric, limited lifetime structural warranty
- Heavy at 220 lb dry
Which one to pick
Take the HD Mamba if the budget is fixed. Take the HD Mamba 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 | Hardshell | Hardshell |
| Opening style | Clamshell | Clamshell |
| Sleeps | 3— best of the tents compared | 2— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,399.99— best of the tents compared | $3,299.99— worst of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 177 lb— best of the tents compared | 220 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 7 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 4 ft 7 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 6.5 in— best of the tents compared | 10 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 6 in— worst of the tents compared | 7 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 4 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 9 in— best of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 34.6 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 37.6 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | 4 ft 11 in— best of the tents compared | 4 ft 3 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Mattress thickness | 2.5 in— best of the tents compared | 2 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | 2 min | 2 min |
| Shell material | Honeycomb aluminum | Honeycomb insulated aluminum |
| Fabric | 280g rip stop poly cotton Oxford | 320g rip stop polycotton Oxford |
| Warranty | 4years— worst of the tents compared | 6years— best of the tents compared |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | No | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | No | Yes |
| Roof skylight | No | — |
| Annex available | No | — |
| Solar ready | No | — |
| Carries cargo on top | Yes | Yes |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Overland Vehicle Systems product page | Overland Vehicle Systems product page |
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Or read the full spec sheets for the Overland Vehicle Systems HD Mamba and the Overland Vehicle Systems XD K2.