TentBox Lite vs Classic vs Cargo

TentBox sells five roof tents. The Lite, the Classic and the Cargo are the three people search for most; the GO and the Lite XL are here too. Every figure comes from that model's own page on tentbox.com, read on 27 October 2026, and is linked in the sources at the end. We have not tested any of them.

The short answer

• Lite: soft shell that folds out by hand in about 5 minutes; 50 kg, and the shortest when closed, at 110 cm long.^[2]
• Classic: hard shell that opens itself on gas struts in under 60 seconds; 67 kg, with room to leave bedding inside.^[4]
• Cargo: aluminium hard shell that opens in about 30 seconds; 72 kg, 17 cm tall closed, with bars on top for bikes or boards.^[5]
• GO is the lightest at 33 kg,^[1] and the Lite XL is the only one that sleeps 4.^[3]

Opening and closing

The Lite and the Lite XL open by hand in about 5 minutes: TentBox's steps are remove the cover, extend the ladder, fold out the base and insert the poles.^[2][3] The Classic opens on gas-assisted struts in under 60 seconds,^[4] and the Cargo opens automatically in about 30 seconds.^[5] The GO opens by hand in about 60 seconds.^[1]

On the roof: size when closed

Closed, the Lite folds to 110 cm long and 25 cm tall, half its open length; the Lite XL folds to 120 cm long and 25 cm tall but is 183 cm wide.^[2][3] The Classic and the Cargo stay full length when closed (218 cm and 215 cm) and are 35 cm and 17 cm tall.^[4][5] The GO is 225 cm long and 45 cm tall closed.^[1]

Inside: space and bedding

The Lite XL has a 240 × 180 cm mattress and sleeps 4; the other four sleep 2.^[3] In the Classic you can leave bedding inside when it is closed, including thick pillows; the Cargo takes bedding too, but only thinner pillows.^[4][5] The Lite's mattress stays inside when it is packed down.^[2]

Hard shell or soft shell

TentBox doesn't use these terms, so this is our label from the materials each page states. The Classic has an ABS shell and the Cargo an aluminium shell: we call those hard shell.^[4][5] The Lite and the Lite XL fold out and pack under a travel cover: soft shell.^[2][3] The GO's page lists powder-coated aluminium tubing and no shell, so we don't label it.^[1]

Weight and your roof load limit

The five weigh from 33 kg (GO) to 72 kg (Cargo).^[1][5] TentBox says your car's roof load limit must be greater than the weight of the tent.^[6][7]

Thule's rooftop tent guidelines call that limit the dynamic weight capacity, "the weight capacity permitted while driving". Static capacity is the weight with "people inside the tent when the vehicle is parked", and it "can exceed dynamic weight". Thule gives 3 times the dynamic figure only as a guideline for its own roof racks.^[8] Check your car's handbook or a dealer for your roof's limits, and the car maker if the roof is glass or panoramic.^[8]

Roof bars and driving

Every TentBox comes with what it needs to fit it, except the roof bars.^[2] TentBox asks for bars from a reputable maker, tested (for example TÜV), approved for your vehicle and rated for the tent, in aluminium with an oval aero (wing) shape and a through-bar design, where the bar runs past its foot.^[6] Thule recommends using a roof tent on raised rails only if they are supported.^[8]

TentBox also says to retighten the bars after the first night, because bars loosen slightly once first loaded, and not to go over 60 mph with a TentBox fitted.^[6]

Roof bars whose listings state a load rating, other makers' roof tents and awnings are on our roof tents kit page.