Black Wolf Turbo 300 Plus Review: Our Lite Version Five Years On

Are you thinking of buying a Black Wolf Turbo 300 Plus tent but want to know more? Then you have come to the right place. We have been living in our Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 tent on and off for six months and absolutely love it. Through rain and shine we have enjoyed our camping lifestyle and feel more than qualified to give our review.

Our Quick Verdict

We bought the Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 in 2021 and lived in it on and off for six months while travelling around Queensland and Western Australia. It handled two weeks of constant rain in Bundaberg and strong winds in WA, and it sets up easily within a few minutes. Five years on we still have it, and apart from some sun fading and a main zip that needs a gentle hand, it’s held up well. If you camp for long stretches and want space without the weight of canvas, it’s the tent we’d buy again.

Why buy a Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300?

Buying a tent is hard especially for those who have never camped or have unpleasant memories of camping. Understanding your individual needs before buying is essential in making the right decision. Apart from those needs most choices come down to easy setup, the right amount of space to make camping comfortable and durability, the Black Wolf Turbo Plus 300 delivers on all three.

The Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 isn’t the cheapest tent on the market but like all things you get what you pay for.

To begin with you have a choice of the Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 which is made of a lightweight polyester construction or the more durable canvas Black Wolf Turbo Plus 300 tent. Both have the same design, but your choice will depend on whether you like the convenience of a lightweight tent or the longer lasting durability of a canvas tent.

Click here for pricing of the Black Wolf Turbo Lite 300 Polyester version

Click here for pricing of the Black Wolf Turbo 300 canvas version

Choosing the Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300

We did a lot of research before deciding to buy our Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 tent. Each time we felt that we had found the “one” we always detected flaws in ease of setup and durability. We wanted something that was going to last the distance and make the outlay of the tent worthwhile.

The Blackwolf Turbo 300 plus had everything we were looking for in a tent and we found the setup of the tent to be super easy and the tent was roomy enough to feel like home.

Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 Features

After spending so much time in our tent we have come to love many of the tent’s features and here are a few of our favourites.

Durability

During our travels we have been shown time and time again the durability of our Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 tent.

We have used our tent in all kinds of weather and have always managed to stay cosy inside our tent. For example, we endured 2 weeks of constant rain and stayed dry and comfortable while other tents flooded. We also battled high winds in Western Australia and managed to stay intact while other tents were blown across the campground. 

Size

The Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 is a two room tent which has capacity for 8 people but is ideal for accommodating 3 people with a living space. The tent has two rooms which are separated by a curtain and is ideal for families.

If like us, you want to use it as a 2 person tent with living space you will find plenty of room for a double high blow up mattress and small table and chairs. We found this living space perfect for rainy days and cold evenings when we would bring the table and chairs inside for warmth.

We have also been camping with 3 people and had room for a double high and single blow up mattress, small table and a chair with plenty of room to move inside the tent.

We were also impressed with the size of the awning which is a great entertainment area and gives shelter from the elements.

Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 dimensions:

• External: 670L x 310W x 210H cm
• Sleeping compartment: 480L x 300W cm
• Packed down in carry bag: 145L x 34W x 35H cm

Tent Weight & Transportation

We chose the Turbo Lite Plus 300 because at 27kg it was lighter than the canvas Turbo Plus 300 which weighs 35kg and would take up less room in our vehicle. The Turbo Lite Plus 300 tent fits easily into our medium size car with the back seats folded down.

Other Features

Other features we liked were the pockets in the bedroom of the tent which were the perfect size for storing an iPad, phone and drink bottle.

We also liked the zipped guy rope pockets on the sides and front of the tent. They made pitching and packing up the tent quicker as the guy ropes are neatly stored in these easy to reach pockets.

Turbo Lite Plus 300 vs Turbo Plus 300 Canvas

Both tents share exactly the same layout: a 3m x 3m main room plus a 3m x 1.8m rear room, with a 210cm ceiling and the same three-pole front awning. The difference is the fabric, which affects weight, durability and price.

	Turbo Lite Plus 300	Turbo Plus 300 (Canvas)
Fabric	Ripstop polyester	Polycotton canvas
Weight	27kg	35kg
Best suited to	Three-season camping, touring where weight matters	Year-round camping, colder or harsher conditions
Light inside	Lets in more light	Darker, better for sleeping in
Price	Cheaper	More expensive

We chose the Lite version because we needed to pack the tent in our car and wanted to keep the weight down. It was also cheaper, and being lighter, we knew it would be easier for the two of us to set up. Having lived in it for months at a time, we’re happy with that choice. If you plan to camp through winter in Victoria or Tasmania, or want the tent to last decades of hard use, the canvas version is worth the extra weight and cost.

What About the Turbo BLK Lite Plus 300?

Black Wolf now also sells the Turbo BLK Lite Plus 300. It has the same layout as our tent, but the inside of the fly has a triple black coating designed to absorb light and reduce heat, plus mesh panels in the roof of the inner tent for airflow. Black Wolf claims it’s up to 10% cooler and up to 96% darker than the original Turbo.

We haven’t used the BLK version, but after camping through Queensland and WA heat, a darker and cooler tent would have been welcome on summer mornings. If you camp mostly in warm weather or like a sleep-in, it’s worth comparing prices on both. Keep in mind that no tent stays cool pitched in full sun, so shade still makes the biggest difference.

Comparison Chart of accessories for Black Wolf Turbo Tent 300 Plus

Below is a handy table of the tent and the main optional extras available. The tent, side panels and front panels come in various configurations which are interchangeable with the polyester or canvas version of the tent.

Product	Image	Material	Price
Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 Tent		Polyester	SEE
Black Wolf Turbo Plus 300 Tent		Canvas	SEE
Black Wolf Turbo Groundsheets		Groundmesh	SEE
Black Wolf Turbo Lite Deluxe Front Panels		Polyester	SEE
Black Wolf Turbo Deluxe Lite Side Panel		Polyester	SEE

First time using our tent

Being travel writers we wanted something that was going to stretch our travel dollar further and even though we hadn’t been camping for over 40 years buying a tent seemed to be the best option.

To be honest we were a little worried that camping may not be our style and I know many of our friends thought we were crazy. Another difficulty was that we lived in an apartment and couldn’t do a trial setup before we left for the road.

My wife was having nightmares for weeks about setting up the Black Wolf Turbo Lite 300 tent and was extremely nervous the day we left home. We arrived at our first caravan park at Yeppoon in the late afternoon and with an eager audience of park patrons we set up the tent, thankfully it was easy, and we looked like seasoned professionals.

Since that time, we have a fine-tuned routine for pitching camp and always feel comfy cosy in our tent. We love the camping lifestyle and always get compliments on our tent and camping gear.

Setting up the Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300

A Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 review wouldn’t be complete without instructions on putting up the tent. For us the Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 setup was separated into 3 parts, laying the groundsheet, putting up the tent and draping the fly.

The Groundsheet

The groundsheet is optional, but we believe it is well worth the extra cost as it is made of a heavy duty mesh that allows dirt and moisture to fall through for a clean and dry living space. This is a great feature especially under the awning as the outdoor area stays cleaner for a lot longer.

The groundsheet also makes the setup of the Black Wolf Turbo 300 tent a lot easier as it is a template for the positioning of the tent.

Check here for pricing and reviews of the groundsheet.

The Tent

After pegging down the groundsheet it’s time to pop up the tent. Take the tent out of the bag, unclip the ties holding the tent secure and unfold and clip the legs straight. Pull the legs out into a square shape making sure that the front doorway zippers are facing the front.

Position the tent at the point where the groundsheet widens at the front, leaving a section for the awning floor. Spread the legs to the corresponding groundsheet peg loop, unzip the tents door and fly screen before stepping inside to pop up the tent. Make any last minute adjustments to the placement of the tent and peg down the leg tapes at their stretching point.    

Unclip the back section of the tent, assemble and thread through the poles and frames. Arrange the frame with legs facing forward so the back of the tent sits taunt and peg down to secure.

The Fly

The fly is the most time consuming part of the tent set up but well worth it for the shade, tent insulation and extra living space under the awning.

Take the fly out of the carry bag and establish back from front. You will find that the front has three tentpole eyelets and triangular guy rope pouches and the back has one guy rope pouch in the centre of the fly.

Place the curved arms of the fly over the four corresponding corners of the tent and once in the correct position attach to the frame with the Velcro strips and clips. Unzip all the guy rope pockets and peg down the guy ropes. Make sure everything is secure before starting on the awning.

Under the awning take the extended awning reach pole and hook it into the black hub on the roof of the tent. Pull the reach pole out to the front of the awning and thread the spigot of the awning pole through the reach pole and middle awning eyelets. Unzip the guy rope pouches and secure with the guy ropes.

The two shorter awning poles are hooked through the eyelets on the outer edges of the awning and secured with guy ropes.

At this point your mission is complete you’ve successfully put up the tent and it’s time to have fun at your campsite.

Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 Review of Accessories

Black Wolf Turbo 300 Plus and Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 both have a range of accessories which come in canvas or the lighter polyester. Both tents are the same design and accessories are interchangeable so polyester accessories can be placed on the canvas Black Wolf Turbo 300 Plus.

When we purchased our tent the only optional extra we bought was the groundsheet. The awning front and side panels were also available and cheaper to buy with the tent but at the time we weren’t sure how we were going to like camping, so we decided not to buy them. We came to regret this decision because had we purchased them when we bought the tent it would have been cheaper.

Why Buy Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 Accessories?

After camping for a month, we realised that the awning side panels would be a useful addition for keeping out the sun, wind and an extra barrier if it rained. We purchased 2 side panels and decided to buy the deluxe front panel as well as we thought it may come in handy. We are so glad we bought these accessories as they have been invaluable during our travels.

Black Wolf Turbo Lite Side Panels

Black Wolf Turbo Lite Side Panels are perfect for protection from the elements and privacy. When camping we usually put both side panels up and roll them back when we don’t need them. We find that they are used every day and they are fabulous for keeping the wind away when you are cooking.  

Click here for pricing of the side panels.

Black Wolf Turbo Lite Deluxe Front Panel

We don’t use the Black Wolf Turbo Lite Deluxe Front Panel as much but when we do it is essential. There have been a couple of instances where our campsite was in full sunshine, on these occasions we only put up the front panel which blocked out the sunshine and the absence of side panels allowed for good airflow through the annex.

Click here to check pricing of the front panel.

Using the Front and Side Panels Together

Nobody likes camping in the rain, but it is all part of the camping experience. We endured 2 weeks of constant rain in Bundaberg and the only reason we didn’t pack up and leave is because the front and back panels came to our rescue. Once attached we had an extra living space and were dry and comfortable in our tent.

During this time, we found that along with the groundsheet the additional undercover area played a large part in keeping the inside of our tent clean and dry.

This gave us lots of options, if the rain stopped, we could open the front panel door and window for extra ventilation, roll back one or two of the side panels for easy access or have them all closed to make another room. We fell in love with the versatility of the panels and are happy that they don’t take up much space as they fold down into a flat carry bag when not in use.

Five Years On: How Our Tent Has Held Up

We still own our Turbo Lite Plus 300, although it hasn’t been out this year as we spent about six months travelling in Asia. When we first bought it we used it full time for most of the year while travelling through Queensland and Western Australia, so it’s had plenty of hard use.

Everything still works and the inside of the tent is in good condition. The two things we’ve noticed are fading from the Australian sun and the main entry zip.

Sun Fading

After months of being pitched in the harsh Australian sun, the outside of the tent has faded. It still looks fine, but it naturally doesn’t look new anymore, which we think is normal for any tent that has been used as much as ours. If you’re pitching for long periods, choosing a shaded site if possible and using a UV protectant spray made for tent fabric may help slow the fading.

The Main Entry Zip

The main zip into the tent has jammed a few times. It still works, but we’ve learnt to take care opening and closing it. To be fair, we were fairly rough with it in the early days, and now that we’re used to it, it doesn’t cause us any problems. Our advice is to use two hands, keep the fabric taut as you zip, and never force it when it catches.

Warranty

Black Wolf used to offer a limited lifetime warranty on its tents, but retailers now list a 3 year warranty. Check the current terms with the retailer before you buy.

Last Words on Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 Review

We hope this Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 review has helped you choose your perfect tent and like us make many happy memories on your camping holidays.

We are very happy with our purchase and can thoroughly recommend the Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300 and its canvas version the Black Wolf Turbo Plus 300 as good quality and comfortable tents.

Do you have a Black Wolf Turbo Lite Plus 300? What is your favourite feature? We would love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment. You can find more of the gear we’ve tested in our travel gear reviews.

You may also be interested in our detailed reviews of other popular tents.

Black Wolf Turbo 300 Plus FAQ

What is the difference between the Turbo 300 and Turbo 300 Plus?

The Turbo 300 has a single 3m x 3m room. The Plus adds a 3m x 1.8m room at the back, which can be closed off with a curtain. We never used the curtain as we preferred the open space.

Is the Turbo Lite Plus 300 waterproof?

Yes. We stayed dry through two weeks of constant rain in Bundaberg.

How long does it take to set up?

The first few times, it took us about 20 minutes including the fly, which is the fiddly part. With practice, we had it set up in 10 to 15 minutes. The tent itself pops up in under a minute and is very easy. What takes the time is pegging everything down and putting the fly over the top. A couple of times when we were only staying one night, if the forecast was for no rain we didn’t bother with the fly, and setup took just a few minutes.

What mattress do you use?

We use a double high inflatable mattress which fits comfortably in the rear room.

Does the Black Wolf Superfly fit the Turbo 300 Plus?

No. The Superfly is designed for the standard Turbo 240 and Turbo 300, not the Plus models. For the Plus, Black Wolf makes the Basecamp Plus Fly, which extends over the rear room.

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