When the guys at Mammoth Overland walked into Overland Expo West in May with the Mammoth Overland SKL prototype, they asked one very direct question: What if a roof tent was more than just a piece of fabric stretched across a few poles? Six months later, we have the answer—in the form of a brutally tough, 30-second-setup, all-season aluminum cabin that looks like it was assembled from the fuselage of a Cessna.
If you brand Mammoth Overland sounds familiar – you’ve probably heard of their HV and Tall Boy trailers, which are almost mythological beasts among overlanders. But a lesser-known fact: the guys come from the aviation world. Their parent business, Vashon Aircraft, was assembling airplanes in Woodinville, Washington. Then they said to themselves: Why not apply the same technology to wilderness camping? So – the Mammoth Overland SKL.
That's how it came about SKL – Mammoth's first roofing product, built in the same style as their legendary trailers: from riveted aluminum monocoque, the kind of construction usually reserved for airspace, not dirt roads. And the result? 300 pounds (approx. 136 kg) of pure strength with R5 insulation – this is not a tent, this is a bunker with panoramic windows.
Finally a place to sleep – without tactical kicks in the ribs
The SKL's interior has been significantly upgraded compared to the prototype. The front doors now open elegantly from the floor (which is more practical than it sounds), and the layout is – believe it or not – completed in half a minute. Interior space? King-size length, width somewhere between queen and full size. Enough for two adults who don't want to sleep in the Tetris pose.
And then comes the Mammoth signature – six round windows for daylight, dual LED lighting for dinners, and three-speed electric fan, which breathes in both directions. All this works on the basic 6Ah Renogy batteries, with the option to upgrade to 104Ah or 208AhYes, solar panel pre-installation is already included. Because who else camps without the sun?
Rooftop tank – ready for storms
The aluminum shell isn't just there for aesthetic robustness - although it does shine like a newly polished airplane wing. The key is resilience: while a regular tent will become a sail for the Atlantic at the first gust of a hurricane, the SKL stands like granite. Layer R5 insulation between the inner and outer layers ensures four-season comfort without condensation or icy surprises.
You can add more roof rack, which can withstand 500 lbs (static, meaning: does not jump up while driving) – which is more than 1.5 times the weight of the tent itself. On the side, two auxiliary LED spotlightsso you don't miss the toilet at three in the morning.
Mammoth Overland SKL Specifications:
| Property | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction | Riveted aluminum monocoque with R5 insulation |
| Weight | 136 kg (basic), 150 kg (with 104Ah battery), 163 kg (with 208Ah battery) |
| Dimensions (folded) | 226cm x 150cm x 46cm |
| Dimensions (open) | 226cm x 150cm x 165cm |
| Sleeping capacity | 2 adults |
| Batteries | 6Ah (basic), 104Ah – +1500 €, 208Ah – +3000 € |
| Roof rack | Optional, +500 € (250 lbs dynamic / 500 lbs static) |
| The price | from €11,500 (with €1,000 deposit) |
What is overlanding anyway?
If all this has impressed you, but you feel that "overlanding"some hipster fashion from Pinterest boards - well, not exactly like that. It's about traveling by vehicle (usually SUVs), where the emphasis is on self-sufficiency, exploring and – of course – sleeping in the middle of nowhere, without hotel bills and wifi passwords.
Overlanding is a fusion of adventure, camping and mobility. In other words: your vehicle is your home, your kitchen counter, and – now with the Mammoth SKL – your aviation-insulated bedroom.
Conclusion: Tent? No, thank you.
SKL is for those who don't like compromise. Who don't believe that camping has to be uncomfortable, humid, and full of mosquitoes. And especially for those who understand that when airplane technology finally comes down to earth, you deserve more than just fabric between you and the storm.
In other words: if you're serious about overlanding, it might be time to pack up your tent – for good.
