- Jul 16
- By jiahaofu
Explore Our Aluminum Hard Shell Roof Top Tents: The Sirius 2 Spotlight
When you're putting together your camping rig, your gear needs to last. Upgrading to an aluminum hard shell roof top tent is a really smart move. It's tough, handles bad weather great, and sets up way faster than old-school soft-shell tents.
At Naturnest, our Aluminum Shell lineup is built for all kinds of trips. Here's a quick look at the family:
Clamshell
Polaris Plus
Sleeps 2 | 1-Minute Setup
Clamshell
Polaris 2
Sleeps 2 | Panoramic Views
Fold-Out
Sirius 2 Aluminum
Sleeps 2-3 | Spacious Comfort
Fold-Out
Sirius 2 XL Aluminum
Sleeps 3-4 | Family Size
Why Choose Aluminum?
If you're tossing up between an ABS shell and an aluminum one, it usually comes down to durability versus weight. ABS shells are fantastic for keeping costs and weight down. However, extreme weather can be tough on plastics. Sizzling summer heat and freezing winter temperatures can eventually cause ABS to become brittle and prone to cracking over time.
Aluminum is a different story. It won't warp, crack, or get brittle, regardless of how extreme the weather gets. It's built to take a beating on tight, branch-heavy trails without you constantly worrying about it. The catch? Aluminum is naturally heavier and costs a bit more upfront.
But if you want gear you don't have to baby on the road, aluminum is a solid, dependable choice. That's why we built our Sirius 2 Aluminum tent. It gives you the dependable toughness of a metal exterior, while the wide fold-out design ensures you still have plenty of room to stretch out inside once camp is set up.
Spotlight: Checking out the Sirius 2 Aluminum
Clamshells are super fast, but fold-out tents give you so much more room to actually live in. If you want the best of both worlds, the Sirius 2 Aluminum is an aluminum roof tent that gives you a solid heavy-duty shell plus serious comfort.
💡 Quick Tip: Because the aluminum shell gives you a great flat base, a lot of campers easily pair this tent with a Rooftop Tent Annex Room to build an awesome basecamp. (Just remember to double-check your roof rack's weight limits first!)
01
Plenty of Headroom
With a 47.2-inch interior height, the cabin comfortably fits two adults and one child. You get plenty of space to sit up, stretch, and just hang out comfortably without bumping your head.
02
Power & Lights Built-in
It comes with integrated USB and Anderson ports, so you can charge your phone right in bed. Plus, the Dual LED light strips let you switch between cool white, warm orange, and honey gold tones.
03
Tough Aluminum Shell
The all-aluminum shell takes a beating from branches and bad weather without a problem. It also completely blocks out harsh UV rays, giving you solid, reliable shade when you need a break from the sun.
04
Quick 30-Second Setup
Even though it opens up huge, the built-in gas struts do most of the heavy lifting. Once you get the hang of it, you can pop it open or pack it away in about 30 seconds.
Community Feedback & FAQ
We love hearing from campers. Here are some straightforward, honest answers to the most common questions we get about our tents.
Aluminum vs. ABS Shell: What's the real difference?
Let's look straight at the actual specs to see how the Sirius 2 Aluminum compares to the Sirius 2 ABS model. The main differences basically come down to the shell material, the overall weight, the height when it's closed, and the canvas color.
| Specs | Sirius 2 Aluminum | Sirius 2 ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Material | All Aluminum | ABS Shell |
| Tent Weight | 181.6 lbs (82.36 kg) | 165.13 lbs (74.9 kg) |
| Closed Height | 11.81 inches (30 cm) | 11.0 inches (28 cm) |
| Thermal Behavior | Cools down quickly after sunset | Tends to hold ambient heat slightly longer |
| Canvas Color | Night Black | Sunset Khaki |
Are car tents suitable for all weather conditions?
Yes, they handle the weather great! But when you're camping in the cold, condensation is totally normal. Since the hard shell is so well-sealed, moisture from your breath can build up on the inside walls overnight.
Quick Fix: Just leave the vents cracked open a bit to let the air flow. If it's really freezing outside, a lot of folks use a portable diesel heater to stay warm and bone-dry.
Can I close the tent with all my bedding and pillows inside?
Yep, usually you can! Thanks to the generous height of the aluminum shell (it's nearly 12 inches tall when closed), there's enough room inside for your gear.
You can generally leave most standard sleeping bags and blankets right on the mattress. Just fold the tent up and latch it—there's no need to pack and unpack your bed every single morning.
How does an aluminum roof tent affect gas mileage and wind noise?
Putting anything on your roof changes your car's aerodynamics a bit. The Sirius 2 Aluminum weighs around 181.6 lbs.
The Good News: The hard shell has a sleek, low-profile design that cuts through the wind nicely. Most campers tell us they don't notice any crazy wind noise or huge drops in gas mileage on the highway. Of course, your exact MPG will always depend a bit on your specific vehicle and how fast you drive.
