An Interesting combination! Darche Nebula and 270 degree awning.

Deep dive into the Darche 270 awning and the Nebula swag. What we’ve found to be great and some considerations before you buy. These have provided us with a comfortable camping solution that gets us away from towing a trailer. For us that means we can travel wherever the vehicle can go.
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[@MadMatt4WD]

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[@thebigw3377]

I’m with you Matt - It’s a tent not a swag !!

[@jasonwebber9811]

No it’s a swent 😆

[@chadsmall9447]

I’ve got the anaconda swag the dune king titan and it’s a basic , cheap swag and even that has the canvas on the inside of the windows and when I was seasoning it I was amazed how water proof it was straight out of the box

[@adelarsen9776]

I stopped eating Seed Oils, Sugars, Carbs and Processed Foods 2 years ago and the peeing at night stopped. It's caused by Insulin Resistance-Metabolic Syndrome-Type 2 Diabetes. Cut out all seed oils (vegetable oils- they are in everything), sugars (sugar is in everything), all carbs (not essential) and processed foods. I stopped drinking too and life got so much better. After 40 you need to clean up and eat human food - Not junk. Channels which may assist you are Dr Sten Ekberg, Dr Eric Berg, Dr Jason Fung. I wish you good health and happy touring.

[@bvward]

I am happy for you,

[@jackfourbee3609]

Great Video Matt. Very informative. I agree with a high vent. They come in handy when the wife eats beans. 😬 Keep up the great work Matt 👏👏👏

[@MadMatt4WD]

Beans beans the musical fruit, the more ya eat, the more ya toot.

[@dalesadventure]

Don’t think I’ve ever used my awning in good weather crazy winds,rain and snow and it’s stood the tests over the last few years would buy again !

[@robertlewis7237]

THANK YOU FOR GREAT DETAILED VIDEO

[@LimestoneCoastCustoms]

We've had the Darche 270 Deg awning for a few years & it's now on a 2nd 4wd (actually we had to pre order it & wait, we got the first one in S.A.) Anyway, I have made a made a few mods to help support the arms when it's packed up & patched a few holes that rubbed through with the standard way of folding it (we've got a different way now) bar that, we have loved ours. It's survived some of the roughest out back roads over a long time. Darche have recently sold us some extra zips so we can add a section where that 3rd wall goes, so it will join up to another room as part of our roof top tent for longer stays or wet weather *we are yet to have that custom made) The ease of setup/pack up was the game changer for us, though there are now many others available & as you say, so called "free Standing" I too am a little sceptical of those. Our model doesn't have those "designed to fail" joints, I presume that is a new thing?

[@MadMatt4WD]

Gee wiz you could teach me a few things about these warnings then. I’d love to know how you support the arms.

[@NasTimeAdventures]

Well done Matt. Couple of tips for you. I keep a cheap thin blanket under my mattress to absorb any moisture. It's much easier to dry in the morning as I can take out the blanketa nd still pack up the swag. Also, I have a square piece of fake carpet out the front which I reckon would be nicer than a piece of canvas. Thanks for the detailed review. Darche are great for customer service btw.

[@MadMatt4WD]

I like the idea of the blanket. Very good.

[@orangepickel2]

Good video

[@MatthewDoyle81]

Nice review Matt, pretty much the same way we use ours. I’ve got the Nebula 1550 and the Eclipse 180 with the wall kit. It’s a great combination and sets up really easily as you’ve said and shown. Looking forward to seeing if they make that double stretcher, sounds the goods. Thinking of getting the kids a single swag each and have them under the angled ends of the awning.

[@MadMatt4WD]

We put our boys in swags really young around 8-10 and they loved it and still now as adults camp all the time. Prior to this we have them in single pop up tents.

[@MatthewDoyle81]

@@MadMatt4WD that’s the same as us, both in a tent, I’m over putting that up and all of the sleeping setup, time for a swag each!

[@cyclemoto8744]

I have a 10 year old king single 2 pole 100% oz canvas swag from a local Melbourne mob (Aussie campers, i think) who unfortunately went out of business during Covid. It's essentially a straight pole version of an original swag unlike the modern hoop style swags. As much as I'd like a swag with a little more room, particularly head room, I am yet to find any swag which is as quick to setup or has a window at the head with an external flyscreen and internal zip canvas flap - thus allowing airflow to be controlled from the inside. It boggles my mind that the main players haven't worked out that they should reverse the design of at least one "window": fly outside, canvas inside. Thanks for your time Mr & Mrs MM. Cheers

[@MadMatt4WD]

Great comment.

[@peterrichardson8671]

I have the same setup except the awning is a 23Zero Falcon and I have a UTE. I've had the Nebula for a few years and the quality is brilliant. The ventilation is fine with the fly and side rolled up but I reckon you're pointing out a simple and obvious improvement regarding the ends. I'm just back from Fraser and it performed brilliantly in rain and gale-force winds. A stretcher underneath would be brilliant. At only 16kg it's worth the extra effort over my heavy hardshell because I do a lot of 4WDing and I noticed a huge improvement in how the 4by performed when I swapped over, plus I don't have to deal with the RTT's ladder and Fraser's fine sand (happens to all telescopic ladders as far as I can tell). The swag bag is huge but I roll the swag and mattress up separately and use two other large swag bags which makes it easier to pack. Great video as always.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Thanks. That’s really cool to hear your feedback as well.

[@eroffroad5438]

I would've mentioned the shape compared to the traditional double swag where the sides fall in. The Darche looks like it holds a good shape keeping it more spacious.

[@MadMatt4WD]

None of my swags have an issue with the sides drooping so I guess I didn’t think of that. So thanks for pointing it out as that’ll help someone else for sure.

[@ReplaysBud]

Fantastic review as always Matt, Just quick question regarding the kozi mattress you have put in, Which size one did you end up going with? I have just bought the Nebula plus and am looking to add another mattress to it so would be curious to hear what size you went with as the actual sleeping area is the exact same between the 2 swags

[@MadMatt4WD]

We ave the queen mattress

[@jasonwebber9811]

Me and the Mrs spent 7 months doing a lap of Aus last year with our nebula 1550 and couldn’t fault the quality. Agree 1000% about the shade bits on the end being useless with the door opening from the bottom and not having any internally opening windows is a massive let down. The mattress that comes with it is useless & takes up too much space. We got a Zempire monsta mat for it, packs up tiny (trick is to get most of the air out of the mattress Before you roll the swag up) and the comfort of it is ridiculous, absolutely no need for another mattress with it. We ran a Darche 2.5 standard awning, got creative with a side wall and made it work during rainy times

[@MadMatt4WD]

That’s a way better testimony than mine. I’ve not heard of the zempire mat. I’ll look into it. But yes the Nebula is an awesome swag no doubt about it.

[@scottstrailbikeadventures9259]

Hey Matt have you had the 270 awning in heavy rain with the walls on I have the same awning with all the walls found in constant rain it leaked threw the zippers they have also upgraded the crappy bag as well mine leaked and caused the awning to go mouldy they are great with warranty replaced the hole awning no questions asked I found using a wax/candle stick on the seams and zippers fixed the the leaking problem

[@MadMatt4WD]

Another fella here mentioned the same thing. I’ve not had that problem. I’ve had it up in what I would call moderate rain. I believe Darche are very responsive to warranty concerns.

[@harryridley2714]

Hey Matty what did you say the self inflating mattress was an size ? Cheers cob , another very great vid with great information

[@MadMatt4WD]

Hey MadHarry. It’s the Darchy self inflating mattress. Kosi series and it’s a queen size.

[@harryridley2714]

@@MadMatt4WD ripper Matty

[@srpacific]

You’re missing the pole at the front of the vehicle…crucial one for keeping everything properly tensioned!

[@MadMatt4WD]

It doesn’t have a pole there unless you fit an extra one. I agree it would help keep it tighter.

[@Australian_Outdoor_man]

👍

[@ashdell4493]

Hi Matt do you roll the swag up with the Kozi mattress and the the mattress that comes with the Nebula?

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yes mate.

[@gmsinding1766]

good review, hey if you arent using pine pellets for the thunder down under bucket hah, start using them they are brilliant. thinking about a swag, but I need a smaller one, darche are good, but for one the nebula is just too big. bloody bad neck Thanks for the review mate.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Check out the dirty Dee and put it on a stretcher. That’s been my go to for years now. I love it.

[@gmsinding1766]

@@MadMatt4WD will do....need something that cuts down set up times, got the awning on the range so a swag on a stretcher seems simple

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@gmsinding1766 I find the swag on stretcher easy although not necessarily fast.

[@dirtbnb8863]

Hello, I've had the 270 G2 for a number of years now and aside from the leaking bag, mould build up and sagging canvas its a great sunny day shade provider. Here in SE QLD the humidity and water ingress from the bag isnt kind to it. I also have the Darche Dirty Dee 1100 swag and used to set it up exactly as you did yours until it rained and water leaks through the zippered sections when the walls are on. How do you combat this known leaking issue (your vid demonstrated it perfectly with daylight seen in the zippered section between wall and awning) when the walls are on?? Also, when your swag is in the position you said it always is (against the annex wall) how do you combat the wicking effect and water getting onto, and in my case, into the swag? I relocated the swag to the area under W2 similar to your demo ... sadly water still leaks through the zipper and a constant drip is heard. Be great to know how you've combatted these issues and to see the set up during the rain. Many of us would be incredibly grateful to see that! Cheers DirtBnB

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’m also in seq and as yet have not had these problems. I also use the dirty Dee on a stretch and have for five years and never had any water leakage or wicking issues. So I’m actually not sure how I can help. I do make sure the zip covers are properly over the zips when I climb in.

[@dirtbnb8863]

@@MadMatt4WD Im referring to the water leaking through the zips of the awning and walls down onto the swag underneath. Its a known issue that when the walls are connected to the annex it leaks through the zip and above where the material is supposed to over lap. From first hand experience its really bad and Darche have confirmed its a known issue when the walls are connected. Also your vid shows clearly the swag against the wall of the annex which is why Im asking about the wicking effect onto the swag when it rains or when the humidity is up as it often is here in SE QLD. Or is it that you do not put the walls on when it rains and have not yet experienced the water leaking through the zippered wall and annex section? Hence the request for a vid showing your set up in the rain. The Nebula Tent is massive and would significantly reduce the amount of dry space available if and when the walls are on and it rains and you move it from under the drip zones (ie wall and annex meeting points). Ill be posting another vid of the issues 'we experience with the awning and wall combo shortly which is why I am really keen to see your set up and recommendations in the rain. Cheers

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@dirtbnb8863 hey. Thanks for the clarification. We have had a couple of nights with rain late last year and I don’t recall having any leaks. I’ll certainly be on the lookout for them. We’re heading to Fraser in a few weeks. Now of course we don’t want rain but we’ll have this setup so if it does rain we’ll find out. I would be disappointed i those zips leaked that would be a definite fail in my book. As for the wicking again I’ve not had an issue.

[@hensdentures]

Matt. Does your awning bag take in water when it rains? Even after darche supplied a "canvas nose cone" to go over the front. It still gets water inside even if your car is sitting in the rain and not moving.

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yeah it can but mine never seems to be bothered by mold issues.

[@caseygoh2225]

Hi Mitch. We had water pooling and a bit of mould. Darche honoured warranty for us and long story short, using a different transit cover from Darche now. It's a fully enclosed replacement cover which works awesome. No more water pooling worries.

[@hensdentures]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I need to get back in touch with darche. Apart from the water ingress issue I'm having there a wicked awning

[@danbusey]

What drawer set is that?

[@MadMatt4WD]

It’s from Offroad systems here in australia. Search drawer system on here and you should find a full rundown. I’m sure they could flatpack you one.

[@offroadsystems780]

It's one of our fridge pack drawer systems! 👍

[@benhowell5790]

How good is Darche gear!

[@MadMatt4WD]

I’m consistently pleased with it yes

[@benhowell5790]

@@MadMatt4WD just got a Darche awning extender, great for the home base tent while hunting tracks. Thanks for the content mate

[@bvward]

Matt, in the 'States, swag is a slang term for stolen goods... Took me a second☺

[@MadMatt4WD]

Ha ha ha. You guys really need to catch up with us Aussies. 🤟🤟😂😂

[@bvward]

@@MadMatt4WD Matt, don't ask how long it took me to understand the meaning of a "Bunning's Snag"...

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@bvward lol. It’s funny the different terms we all have.

[@thegingerpowerranger]

There's no way that's a swag Its a tent!

[@MadMatt4WD]

Yeah I get that but they call it a swag. How cares it is what it is and it works

[@thegingerpowerranger]

@@MadMatt4WD have you considered a roof top tent?

[@MadMatt4WD]

@@thegingerpowerranger like this? :) Could this be the best Roof Top Tent?!? Watch this before you buy Darche Highrize Roof Top Tent kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4XKfIqlnMSNeLs