Inspired Overland Trailpeak Review: A Lightweight Side-Opening Rooftop Tent

 8 min read

Inspired Overland Trailpeak Overview

The Inspired Overland Trailpeak targets one goal: real living space in a rooftop tent light enough for a small SUV. At 84 pounds, it ranks among the lightest side-opening tents you will find. I spent time with it at Spirit of 1876 in Castle Rock, Colorado, during a visit where I went hands-on with their full rooftop tent lineup. In particular, the Trailpeak stood out for its open interior and its low, tidy profile on the rack.

This tent suits weight-conscious overlanders and weekend campers who want to sit up and move around. Unlike a wedge, the Trailpeak opens with near-vertical walls, so both sleepers get headroom. As a soft shell rooftop tent, it packs a hard tonneau-style vinyl cover over a fabric body. Spirit of 1876 lists it at $1,899, the going rate across retailers. However, at publication it showed out of stock there, so check current availability before you plan. If you have weighed a rooftop tent versus a truck camper, the Trailpeak keeps the tent side light and affordable.

Picture rolling into camp after a long trail day. You release the cover, the gas struts lift the body, and you set the support poles. Setup runs about a minute, a bit more involved than a two-latch hardshell. Still, you trade those extra seconds for a bigger, taller room. For many campers, the swap makes sense.

Across the best rooftop tents we have tested, weight and livability drive most buying decisions. The Trailpeak chases both at once.

Specs at a Glance

Here are the core numbers for the Inspired Overland Trailpeak, drawn from the brand and the Spirit of 1876 listing. Metric figures are converted to US units.

Specification	Details
Brand and model	Inspired Overland Trailpeak
Type	Soft-shell, side-opening (tonneau-grade vinyl cover)
Weight	84 lb
Sleeps	2 adults
Sleeping area	78 x 48 in
Closed dimensions	82 x 50 x 7 in
Open peak height	About 52 in (roughly 45 to 48 in head height)
Mattress	Dual-density foam (1.5 in rebound + firmer base) with anti-condensation mat
Body fabric	2000D UV Oxford, waterproof; high-density mesh
Frame	Powder-coated aluminum; soft PVC floor
Setup	Gas struts + 4 support poles + 4 tension rods, about 60 seconds
Ventilation	Two side vents, heater port
Included	Telescopic ladder, mounting hardware
Warranty	1 year
Price	$1,899 at Spirit of 1876 (often sells out; check stock)

Build and Materials: Vinyl Top, Aluminum Frame

The Trailpeak wraps a fabric tent body under a heavy-duty vinyl cover. Inspired Overland uses a tonneau-grade shell, similar to a truck bed cover, stretched over the top. In the video below, Mike from Spirit of 1876 tugs on it to show it resists rips and tears. Underneath, you also find a powder-coated aluminum frame and a 2000D UV Oxford body. Notably, the 2000D fabric resists abrasion and UV better than lighter tent fabrics.

This material choice keeps weight down, the whole point here. In the short term, the vinyl top sheds rain and hail well, and reviewers report it resists tears. Over several seasons, though, a soft cover will not match an aluminum hardshell for durability. Because the Trailpeak is new, treat its long-haul wear as unproven. Inspired Overland backs it with a one-year warranty, which softens the risk.

Setup: More Than a Wedge, Still Quick

Setup is the Trailpeak’s main tradeoff. First, you unclip the vinyl cover and let the gas struts raise the body to about 90 degrees. Then you add four support poles: one long tension rod up top and three structural poles to brace the walls. Finally, four tension rods shape the rainfly and the door awning. The whole routine takes around 60 seconds.

Compared with a clamshell hardshell, this asks more of you. A hardshell pops up on two latches in seconds. However, the Trailpeak rewards the effort with a taller, squarer interior. One owner noted the shape adds a little setup time, yet stays a one-person job. Also, the ladder mounts only on the side opening, unlike some wedges with several ladder spots.

Living Space, Headroom, and Sleeping Comfort

Open the Trailpeak and you get a 78 by 48 inch sleeping area. Peak height reaches about 52 inches, with roughly 45 to 48 inches of usable head height. Because the walls rise near-vertical, two adults sit up without stooping. In the Spirit of 1876 walkthrough, a 6-foot-3 host reports plenty of room. For a lightweight rooftop tent, the interior feels genuinely open.

A dual-density foam mattress covers the floor, roughly 1.5 inches of rebound foam over a firmer base. In addition, an anti-condensation mat sits underneath to cut moisture. Reviewers call the pad comfortable for its thickness. However, the angled open roof trims shoulder room on one side. Taller couples should test the fit before a long trip.

Showroom and Owner Notes

My time with the Trailpeak came at the Spirit of 1876 showroom, not on a long field test. Even so, hands-on inspection tells you plenty about materials and layout. Specifically, the vinyl top felt tough, the frame felt solid, and the interior felt airy. Owners of Inspired Overland tents back up the value story. Most praise the light weight and the easy solo mounting.

For a full walkthrough, Mike from Spirit of 1876 tours the Trailpeak in the video below.

On the road, owners say a sub-90-pound tent barely changes handling or fuel use. Moreover, the low profile keeps wind noise down. On the critical side, Inspired Overland’s older Standard tent drew owner complaints, mainly about a weak rainfly and, for some, the zippers. Newer Standard units appear to ship with revised rainfly poles. Because the Trailpeak is new, treat its long-term durability as unproven for now.

A few more notes deserve your attention. First, condensation shows up on cold nights, so use the vents and the anti-condensation mat. Second, the frameless floor flexes a little between supports. Third, no published wind rating exists yet, and Mike himself calls wind performance a to-be-determined item. Plan tie-downs for exposed, stormy sites.

Inspired Overland Trailpeak vs a Lightweight Wedge

The core choice pits the Trailpeak against lighter wedge tents. Inspired Overland’s own Standard weighs about 76 pounds and sets up faster, though it tapers toward the foot. A lightweight hardshell such as the Wasatch Lite Pro pops open in seconds, yet limits sitting room. The Trailpeak instead opens with tall, straight walls and more headroom.

Weight frames the rest. At 84 pounds, the Trailpeak stays featherlight for a side opening rooftop tent. Rival side-openers with aluminum hardshells, like the OVS Sidewinder, run well over 200 pounds. However, those hardshells resist weather and wind better than a vinyl top. Still, for a budget rooftop tent buyer chasing low weight and real space, the Trailpeak splits the difference well.

Price seals the argument for many buyers. At $1,899 through Spirit of 1876, the Trailpeak undercuts most aluminum side-openers by a wide margin. Similarly, the included ladder and mounting hardware trim add-on costs. For the weight and the room, few soft shell rooftop tents match this blend.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

The Inspired Overland Trailpeak fits campers who want soft-shell space at hardshell-adjacent weight. Its 84-pound build and open, near-vertical interior are the headline strengths. Add a comfortable mattress and a fair price, and the appeal lands.

Trade-offs come with the territory. Buyers who want two-latch speed will prefer a wedge or a clamshell hardshell. Campers in constant high wind should wait for a published rating. Anyone sharing the tent should check shoulder room first.

On value, the Trailpeak argues its case. A $1,899 price makes it a strong budget rooftop tent pick, with the ladder and mounting hardware included. Because Inspired Overland has sold lightweight tents for years, the platform is proven even while this model is new. If you are still deciding whether a rooftop tent is worth it, the low weight lowers the barrier.

For weight-focused overlanders, the Trailpeak earns a close look. If you need the fastest setup, a lightweight hardshell wedge fits better. For everyone chasing space, low weight, and value together, this side opening rooftop tent delivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Inspired Overland Trailpeak weigh?

The Trailpeak weighs 84 pounds. For a lightweight rooftop tent with this much room, the number stays low. Most factory and aftermarket racks handle it without special reinforcement.

How long does the Trailpeak take to set up?

Setup runs about 60 seconds once you learn the routine. You release the cover, let the gas struts lift the body, and add four support poles. Takedown then reverses the steps.

How many people does the Trailpeak sleep?

Inspired Overland rates the Trailpeak for two adults. Because the walls rise near-vertical, both campers sit up on the 78 by 48 inch floor. A small child fits for short family trips.

Is the Trailpeak good in rain and wind?

The vinyl top and 2000D body shed rain and hail well, per the dealer. However, Inspired Overland lists no wind rating yet. For exposed, stormy sites, add tie-downs and pick a sheltered spot.

Soft shell or hard shell rooftop tent, which is better?

Each format wins somewhere. A soft shell rooftop tent like the Trailpeak saves weight and adds room. A hardshell sets up faster and resists weather harder. For more detail, see our hardtop rooftop tent buyer’s guide.

Where to buy the Inspired Overland Trailpeak?

Spirit of 1876 in Castle Rock, Colorado, stocks Inspired Overland tents and ships nationwide. Buying from a stocking dealer gives you hands-on support and a direct contact for questions. Both buttons above head to their Trailpeak listing.