OVS XD Lhotse Clamshell Aluminum Hard Shell Roof Top Tent - 2 Person
OVS XD Lhotse Clamshell Aluminum Hard Shell Roof Top Tent - 2 Person
The XD Lhotse (also listed as the XD Lohtse) is Overland Vehicle Systems' top-tier clamshell, and it is built for people who camp in conditions that punish cheaper tents. Two nitrogen gas-charged open-assist struts lift the shell in about two minutes, and it closes just as fast. The cantilever design opens the shell rearward, so you get full standing headroom at the entry rather than a wedge that pinches down at the foot end.
What separates the XD line is the insulation package. The base and shell are honeycomb insulated aluminum rather than plain composite. The interior carries a blackout coating that blocks both light and heat. An anti-condensation mat sits under the mattress. And a cold weather liner is included rather than sold as an add-on. Add 320g ripstop polycotton with a 5000 PU waterproof rating and military-spec sealing, and this becomes a genuine four-season shelter rather than a fair-weather tent with a hard lid.
Built Around Insulation
Honeycomb Insulated Aluminum
The base and shell use smooth black honeycomb insulated aluminum rather than plain composite. That structure resists heat transfer in both directions, so the tent stays cooler in sun and holds warmth better on cold nights.
Blackout Interior Coating
An interior coating blocks light and reduces heat buildup. That means sleeping past sunrise instead of waking when the shell starts glowing, and a noticeably cooler interior through the morning.
Cold Weather Liner Included
An easy-to-install insulation kit that meaningfully reduces cold transfer. Most manufacturers sell this as an accessory. OVS includes it with the XD, which is a large part of the four-season claim.
Anti-Condensation Mat
Sits under the mattress to allow airflow and block moisture from collecting between the mattress and the base. Condensation is the most common complaint about hardshell tents, and this addresses it directly.
320g Ripstop, 5000 PU
Polycotton Oxford at 320 gram weight with a 5000 PU waterproof rating and military-spec waterproof sealing. Substantially heavier fabric and a higher rating than most rooftop tents in the category.
120g Fadeless Mesh
Environmental fadeless breathable gaze on the window screens. Keeps insects out while maintaining airflow, and holds its color through seasons of UV instead of yellowing and going brittle.
Integrated LED Lighting
Built into the tent rather than an aftermarket strip you stick on later. Interior light where you need it without adding another thing to pack.
Ballistic Nylon Handles
Heavy-duty ballistic nylon on both the carry handles and the pull-down strap. These take real force every single time you close the tent, which is exactly where cheaper webbing frays.
FMVSS 302 Certified
OVS follows Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and uses 302 certified flame retardant fabric, so this tent meets the vehicle-mounted fire safety standard.
It Carries Gear on Top
The XD Lhotse includes a storage rack with two crossbars on the shell. That gives you mounting surface most hardshell tents simply do not offer.
| Load Capacity, Tent Open | 45 lbs |
| Load Capacity, Tent Closed | 100 lbs |
Those two numbers matter and people mix them up. 100 lbs applies while the tent is closed, which covers driving with a kayak, traction boards, or a cargo box up top. 45 lbs applies while the tent is open, because the struts and shell are already carrying the deployed structure. Load to the closed rating for transport, then be conscious of what stays up there when you pop the tent at camp.
Interior Storage
There is enough interior space to store your bedding when the tent is closed, so sleeping bags and pillows stay in the tent between trips rather than taking up room in the vehicle. On current models the ladder stows inside the tent as well. Older models required storing the ladder externally, so if you are comparing against a used XD Lhotse, that is one of the changes.
XD, HD, or LD: Which OVS Tent Line?
OVS builds three tiers of rooftop tent. The chart below shows how they compare across the range.
The XD line sits at the top. It is where the honeycomb insulated aluminum, blackout coating, included cold weather liner, and 5000 PU fabric live. If you camp in shoulder seasons, at elevation, or anywhere the overnight low genuinely matters, the XD package is what you are paying for. If your camping is mostly fair-weather summer trips, an HD or LD model covers that for less. Call us at 844-200-3979 and we will walk through which tier suits how you actually camp.
Specifications
| Sleeping Capacity | 2 person |
| Closed Dimensions | 84" x 52" x 8" |
| Open Dimensions | 84" x 52" x 57" |
| Sleeping Area | 76" x 44.5" |
| Mattress | High density foam with cotton cover, 2.0" thick |
| Dry Weight | 230 lbs |
| Packaged Weight | 250 lbs |
| Setup / Takedown | 2 minutes each |
| Body Color | Blue and black |
| Body Fabric | 320g ripstop polycotton Oxford |
| Base and Shell | Smooth black honeycomb insulated aluminum |
| Waterproof Rating | 5000 PU, military spec waterproof grade sealing |
| Window Screens | 120g environmental fadeless breathable gaze |
| Flame Retardant | FMVSS 302 certified fabric |
| Blackout Coating | Interior coating, blocks light and reduces heat |
| Anti-Condensation Mat | Included |
| Cold Weather Liner | Included, easy install insulation kit |
| Gas Struts | 2x open-assist nitrogen gas charged |
| Handles and Pull Strap | Heavy-duty ballistic nylon |
| Storage Rack | 2 crossbars, 45 lbs open / 100 lbs closed |
| Interior Storage | Stores bedding when closed. Ladder stows inside on current models |
| Mounting Hardware | Included |
Check Your Rack Before You Order
At 230 lbs dry, the XD Lhotse is a heavy tent. Your rack needs a dynamic load rating that comfortably covers 230 lbs plus anything on the storage rack, and your vehicle's roof needs to handle it. Static capacity, which applies when parked and sleeping, is the number that covers occupants.
Installation is a multi-person lift or a job for an engine hoist. Plan that before delivery. Call us at 844-200-3979 with your vehicle and rack and we will confirm your setup can carry it.
Pros
- Genuine four-season insulation package: honeycomb aluminum, blackout coating, anti-condensation mat, and cold weather liner all included
- 5000 PU waterproof rating with military-spec sealing, well above most rooftop tents
- 320g ripstop polycotton is substantially heavier fabric than the category norm
- Two minutes up and two minutes down on nitrogen gas-charged struts
- Storage rack with 2 crossbars carrying 100 lbs closed and 45 lbs open
- Cantilever design gives full headroom at the entry rather than a pinched wedge
- Stores bedding inside when closed, and current models stow the ladder internally too
- Integrated LED lighting and ballistic nylon handles and pull strap
- FMVSS 302 certified flame retardant fabric
Cons
- 230 lbs dry is heavy. Confirm your rack's dynamic rating and your roof capacity before ordering, and plan a multi-person install
- The 2.0" mattress is thinner than some competing hardshells. Many owners add a topper for longer trips
- Storage rack drops to 45 lbs capacity once the tent is open, so plan what stays up there at camp
- A 2-person tent at this footprint, so families need a larger model or a ground tent alongside
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my roof rack handle this tent?
At 230 lbs dry, you need a rack with a dynamic load rating that comfortably covers the tent plus anything on the storage rack, and a vehicle roof rated to carry it. Dynamic rating is what applies while driving. Static rating, which is always higher, is what applies while parked with people sleeping in the tent. Call us at 844-200-3979 with your vehicle and rack model and we will confirm before you order. Browse platform roof racks here.
Is this really a four-season tent?
Yes, and the insulation package is what earns that. Honeycomb insulated aluminum base and shell, an interior blackout coating that blocks light and heat, an anti-condensation mat under the mattress, and a cold weather liner included in the box rather than sold separately. Combined with 320g ripstop polycotton at 5000 PU and military-spec sealing, this handles genuine cold and wet rather than just claiming to.
How much can I carry on the storage rack?
100 lbs while the tent is closed, and 45 lbs while it is open. The closed rating is what applies for transport, so a kayak, traction boards, or a cargo box travels fine up there. The open rating is lower because the struts and shell are already carrying the deployed tent structure. Practically, load to the closed rating for driving and be conscious of what remains on the rack when you pop the tent at camp. The rack includes two crossbars.
Can I leave bedding inside?
Yes. There is enough interior space to store bedding with the tent closed, so sleeping bags and pillows stay put between trips instead of taking up vehicle space. On current models the ladder also stows inside the tent. Older XD Lhotse models required the ladder to be stored externally, which is worth knowing if you are comparing against a used unit.
XD, HD, or LD: what is the difference?
XD is the top tier and where the insulation package lives: honeycomb insulated aluminum, blackout coating, included cold weather liner, and 5000 PU fabric. HD and LD models step down in materials and features at lower price points. Choose XD if you camp in shoulder seasons, at elevation, or anywhere overnight temperatures genuinely matter. Choose HD or LD if your camping is mostly fair-weather. Call us at 844-200-3979 and we will match the tier to how you camp.
Is it the XD Lhotse or the XD Lohtse?
Both spellings refer to the same tent. Overland Vehicle Systems names its XD tents after Himalayan peaks, and Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world, sitting on the same massif as Everest. You will see it written as XD Lohtse in some listings and as XD Lhotse in others, including on OVS product photography. There is only one version of this tent, so whichever spelling brought you here, this is it.
How thick is the mattress?
The mattress is 2.0 inches of high density foam with a cotton cover, over a 76" x 44.5" sleeping area. That is on the thinner side compared to some competing hardshells, and plenty of owners add a topper or a thin pad for longer trips. The anti-condensation mat underneath is what keeps moisture from collecting between the mattress and the base, which matters as much as thickness for comfort over multiple nights.
Complete Your Setup
Let Us Check Your Rack First
Tell us your vehicle and rack and we will confirm it can carry 230 lbs before you order.
844-200-3979
