7 min read

Desert Cruiser V2 130 vs Desert Cruiser

The Desert Cruiser has long been one of our best-selling hardshell models – a low, fast and easy roof tent for two. Now there's the updated Desert Cruiser V2 130, and many people ask whether to choose the new version or the classic Desert Cruiser in 120 or 140.

In short: the V2 130 is an across-the-board upgrade where most things have improved. The old Desert Cruiser is still a good tent and has one important practical advantage – load bars are included. Here's what sets them apart.

Quick summary

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 is the new, refined version. It keeps everything that made the Desert Cruiser popular – low profile, fast handling and the practical benefits of a hardshell – but it's more comfortable, more aerodynamic and better insulated than before.

The main reason to choose the classic Desert Cruiser 140 (or 120) instead is that it ships with load bars. The V2 130 is so new for the season that load bars aren't yet available, so if you want to load gear on top of the tent right away, the old model is the safe choice for now.

What's new in the V2 130

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 builds on the classic model but adds several meaningful upgrades:

A thicker, more comfortable mattress. The Desert Cruiser has always been a best-seller, but the mattress was historically its weak point. In the V2 it's substantially improved.
A more aerodynamic shape with rounded corners, for a sleeker and quieter tent on the roof.
Better tent fabrics with more tri-layer construction, giving improved insulation.
A built-in power socket with three outlets to charge several devices inside the tent (you'll need your own power source feeding it).
A dimmable LED strip that now also has an orange, mosquito-repelling light.
Extra storage pockets inside the tent.
A wider opening angle, which makes the tent feel considerably roomier – almost like the old 140 width, despite the more compact format.

Size and space

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 sits as a middle ground between the old Desert Cruiser 120 and Desert Cruiser 140. It suits 2 adults, or 2 adults and 1 child, and is still compact and easy to place on many car roofs.

Thanks to the wider opening angle, the V2 130 feels roomier than its format suggests – many find it feels almost as airy as the wider 140 model, but with a sleeker profile on the car.

Loading on top of the tent

This is the most important practical difference. The classic Desert Cruiser ships with Wild Land Crossbars V4, mounted directly on the hardshell. That lets you load bikes, solar panels or extra gear on top of the tent right from the start.

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 has an aluminium honeycomb hardshell built to carry load on top, but since the model is brand new for the season, the load bars aren't yet available to buy. So if you want to load on top of the tent right away, the old Desert Cruiser is the more practical choice until the V2 load bars arrive.

What's not included in the V2

It's worth knowing a couple of things that don't come with the Desert Cruiser V2 130:

No backrest or Air Pillow is included – both can be bought separately.
Load bars are not included, and currently can't be bought separately either, since the model is new for the season.

For many people the V2's upgrades outweigh this, but if you've already decided you want to load on top of the tent, it's worth factoring in.

Our advice

If you want the best overall experience, we recommend the Desert Cruiser V2 130. You get a more comfortable mattress, better insulation, a more aerodynamic shape and a roomier feel inside – while keeping all the easy handling that made the Desert Cruiser so well liked.

Choose the classic Desert Cruiser 140 if you want to load on top of the tent right away, or if you want the widest possible sleeping area. The Desert Cruiser 120 is the option if you want the most compact format. If you're unsure what suits your car and your trips, we're happy to help you choose.