The DIRT Staff

One of the great things about venturing off the paved roads and exploring the great outdoors in your truck or off-roader is that you can get really close to nature and breathtaking vistas, of course in a responsible manner. When you reach an appropriate spot to stop for the night, pitching a tent seems like the most viable option, but there may be reasons where a traditional tent is not ideal. For example, the terrain may not be flat or conducive for this. There's also the chance that nasty creepy crawlies, or even bigger predators lurk in the forest, and you may not desire unwanted midnight visitors.

This is where a rooftop tent shines, as you literally carry it with you. No more faffing about with ropes, tent poles, pegs, and supports, finding suitable trees to tie things to, or ensuring that the ground is flat enough. You simply climb into your rooftop tent that's atop your off-roader or truck, and retire for the night.

At 4 Wheel Parts, we carry a broad array of rooftop tents, and one of the most desired brands is Smittybilt, with their Overlander range. There's the Gen 1 and Gen 2, in regular as well as XL size for you to choose from. You can also add an annex, purchase a ladder to make climbing in and out easier, and install an awning for a sunrise or sunset porch experience. Let's compare the features of the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Overlander Rooftop Tents to help you make a choice.

Features of Gen 1 Smittybilt Overlander Rooftop Tent

The OG Overlander, the Smittybilt Overlander Roof Top Tent 2783 is the daddy, the first generation. Coming in a restrained shade of Coyote Tan, this sturdy tent boasts heavy-duty 600D rip-stop polyester, stainless steel hinges, mosquito screens, telescoping ladder that can support up to 260lbs, anodized aluminum poles, LED strip light and includes all mounting brackets. It's rated to sleep up to three persons, with a maximum load carrying capacity of 661lbs. It costs around $1,300 at 4 Wheel Parts. In terms of dimensions, it's 95 inches wide, 56 inches long and 51 inches tall when fully extended.

If you need something larger, the Smittybilt Overlander XL Roof Top Tent 2883 comes in at around $1,500 and can accommodate up to four persons, with a maximum load carrying capacity of 770lbs. It has the same characteristics and construction of the regular sized one. Height stays the same on this one, but length width stretches to 122 inches and length goes to 76 inches when fully extended. The color remains Coyote Tan, which is great as you want to blend into the forest, not stick out like a sore thumb.

Features of Gen 2 Smittybilt Overlander Rooftop Tent

Building on the successful reception of the Gen 1, the company released the Smittybilt Gen 2 Overlander Rooftop Tent 2583. Coming in at approximately $1,400 on 4 Wheel Parts, the dimensions and maximum load carrying capacity remain the same as on the Gen 1, however the Gen 2 packs some useful upgrades in a few areas. The color has been changed from Coyote Tan to Gray, which is still sober and blends into the forest well, although some buyers may prefer the old color.

The new ladder is also telescopic up to 93 inches, and can handle up to 300lbs, and is wider too. The fabric remains the same, but the tent poles have been beefed up in terms of diameter. There's a new fast-fold design for keeping extra fabric tucked in when folding the tent, but you'll probably save a minute, tops with it over the Gen 1. Notably, the PVC cover on the Gen 2 has been upgraded, with stronger material and now uses a zipper instead of Velcro.

As with the Gen 1, there's an XL offering in the shape of the Smittybilt Gen 2 Overlander Rooftop Tent 2683, which packs the exact dimensions of the Gen 1 XL offering, and adds the upgrades that we've just described. It costs around $1,600 which is once again $100 over the Gen 1.

Which Generation Is Right For You?

This is a tough one, because while the price difference is just $100 between comparable Gen 1 and Gen 2 offerings, the upgrades are moderate, but not revolutionary. The Gen 2 is not a totally different animal to the Gen 1, rather a face-lifted version. That said, the increased durability in areas such as the tent poles and vinyl cover is hard to ignore.

There's also an important point to mention, and that's the warranty. Smittybilt offers a one-year warranty on the Gen 1, and a two-year warranty on the Gen 2. That swings the balance more in favor of the Gen 2, although the Gen 1 still remains relevant – of course it must be, since they are still selling it.

The most prudent way to make a choice would be to consider your usage scenario, in terms of load. Do you plan to pack your rooftop tent close to its maximum carrying capacity, and venture into the woods on a regular basis? If so, the sturdier construction of the Gen 2 would be ideal, but if it's just going to be you and one more person with the occasional sojourn into the woods, why not save $100 and go for the Gen 1? There's also the color matter – Coyote Tan or Gray, which are exclusive to the Gen 1 and Gen 2 respectively, so if color is a major determinant for you, the choice is already made.

Overlanding Gear for the Serious 4WD Driver

Why should you choose 4 Wheel Parts, you say? Well, we've got over 90 stores strategically located nationwide, so our nearest store may be closer than you think. You can check out thousands of off-road products in person, gently guided by our in-store experts. If you prefer letting your fingers do the walking and talking, simply hit up our website and purchase from the comfort of your favorite chair. With six distribution centers nationwide, your purchases will be at your doorstep pronto. We offer a price-matching policy, and comprehensive after-sales service and support too. That should help alleviate any concerns you have, and once you've shopped at 4 Wheel Parts, we're sure you'll become a regular, as have the majority of our customers.