7 min read

Desert Cruiser V2 130 vs Rock Cruiser Pro

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 and Rock Cruiser Pro are two easy-handling hardshell tents for anyone who wants quick setup, a low profile and a comfortable tent for two adults. Both also suit two adults and a small child, but they prioritise different things.

In short: the Desert Cruiser V2 130 is the more modern, lighter and more aerodynamic choice, while the Rock Cruiser Pro is better if you want maximum simplicity, more room for bedding and load bars included from the start.

Quick summary

Choose the Desert Cruiser V2 130 if you want a low, modern and well-equipped hardshell tent with smart features, lower weight and a more aerodynamic shape on the car.

Choose the Rock Cruiser Pro if you want a tent that's especially easy to set up and pack down, where you can normally fit both duvets and pillows, and where load bars are included from the start.

The biggest practical difference is that the Rock Cruiser Pro is more convenient for storing bedding and loading on top of the tent, while the Desert Cruiser V2 130 is lighter, lower and more modern in its construction.

What stands out about the Desert Cruiser V2 130

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 is the newer model and has several upgrades compared to older low-profile tents. The biggest advantages are:

A rounder, more aerodynamic hardshell.
A low profile on the car.
Lower weight than the Rock Cruiser Pro.
Built-in power sockets.
A dimmable LED light with an orange, mosquito-repelling mode.
An improved mattress and interior comfort.
A wide opening angle that gives an airier feel.
A more modern overall feel on the car.

What stands out about the Rock Cruiser Pro

The Rock Cruiser Pro is built to be as simple as possible to use. It sets up very quickly with gas struts and is one of the most hassle-free hardshell tents in everyday use. The biggest advantages are:

Very fast setup.
Easy pack-down.
More room for duvets and pillows when the tent is closed.
Load bars included.
A comfortable interior feel and good mattress comfort.
Removable soft parts for easier servicing and winter storage.

Weight and roof load

Weight is an important difference. The Desert Cruiser V2 130 is lighter than the Rock Cruiser Pro, which gives a little more margin on cars with a limited roof load – especially when you also have to count the weight of the roof bars.

The Rock Cruiser Pro still works on many cars, but since it weighs more you need to be extra careful about the car's roof load and the roof bars' capacity. If you're unsure, we're happy to help you check what your car can handle.

Profile and room for bedding

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 is lower when folded and has a rounder, more aerodynamic shape. That makes it feel sleeker on the car and can give less wind drag and a smoother feel while driving.

The Rock Cruiser Pro is built up a little more in height, but that's also what gives its clearest advantage: more space when folded, so you can normally fit both duvets and pillows in the tent when it's closed.

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 is more low-profile and designed to hold part of your sleeping kit, but you shouldn't expect the same margin as in the Rock Cruiser Pro. If you want to close the tent without thinking much about bedding, the Rock Cruiser Pro is the easier choice.

Loading on top of the tent

The Rock Cruiser Pro ships with Wild Land Crossbars V4, which lets you load gear on top of the tent right from the start. That's a big advantage if you want to bring things like solar panels, lighter luggage, a kayak or other equipment.

The Desert Cruiser V2 130 has an aluminium honeycomb hardshell built to carry load on top with the right load bars, but load bars are not included. Always check the current availability of load bars for the V2 before counting on being able to add them right away.

If loading on top of the tent matters from day one, the Rock Cruiser Pro is the safer choice.

Comfort and handling

Both tents are comfortable, but in different ways. The Desert Cruiser V2 130 has a more modern interior with smart features like power sockets, dimmable LED lighting with a mosquito-repelling mode and an improved mattress. The wider opening angle also makes the tent feel airy relative to its size.

The Rock Cruiser Pro feels more spacious in use, mainly because the construction gives more room for bedding. It's also built to go up very quickly and is easy to pack down again, which makes it hassle-free when you often move between different spots.

Our advice

Choose the Desert Cruiser V2 130 if you want the more modern overall experience: lower weight, a lower profile, a more aerodynamic design and smart details like power sockets and updated lighting.

Choose the Rock Cruiser Pro if you prioritise the simplest possible handling, want to keep duvets and pillows in place without trouble, and want load bars included from the start.

For many customers the Desert Cruiser V2 130 is the most modern and streamlined choice on the car. But if you want maximum everyday convenience and the ability to load on top of the tent right away, the Rock Cruiser Pro is a stronger option.