DARCHE 180 DEGREE AWNING REVIEW

Check out my review of the awesome Darche 180 awning and let me know what you think
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/ camping_downunder

[@darcheoutdoorgear]

Thanks heaps for this awesome review Paul! We're glad that someone as passionate as you won - keep up the great reviews!

[@Campingdownunder]

Thank you so much I've been ecstatic with it. It's completely changed my setup forever 😀 it's definitely going to get plenty of use lol. Glad to hear you enjoyed the review

[@buttigiegjames]

Cheers mate, thanks for actually pointing out the little trick when folding it up!!!

[@silknfeathers]

The walls are brilliant. So long as you are staying a couple of nights (or don't mind and extra 10 minutes packing after 1 night) they provide a huge amount of sheltered room and privacy. If we are staying for two or more nights I also add two of the additional walls to the rear, making an almost complete enclosure. After 4 years and many K's travel, very happy with my 180...

[@benjacka7210]

Loving your reviews and videos mate, top job

[@Campingdownunder]

Thanks mate 👍 I'm glad your enjoying them 😀

[@davidfromdownunder]

Great review, much appreciated 👍

[@travelling_two]

Love my Darche 180 degree - have it on my 200 Series and use an optional sidewall to create a 270 coverage over the tailgate area. I particularly like the forward coverage which is much more than most other awnings. I've not used my side walls yet but carry them in case the weather closes in. Great review

[@Campingdownunder]

Yeah fantastic awning especially the side walls 👌

[@tentworld]

Congrats on the Win! Great video - we're big fans of the Darche awnings.

[@Campingdownunder]

Thank you so much 😀 I'm absolutely loving it 😍 I can't wait to get the side walls in the future & hopefully one day upgrade to one of their fantastic rooftop tents. Our setup definitely gets a workout. We go camping every single weekend. I can't get enough of the outdoors 😍

[@tentworld]

@@Campingdownunder lucky you're in SA then! One of the lucky states to be allowed to go camping again soon!

[@Campingdownunder]

@@tentworld yep I'll finally be able to get out there again this weekend. I'm so excited 😀 going down the river for just a couple hours and not being able to have a campfire under the stars just isn't the same

[@achtzylind]

Thanks for the great video. I was convinced - and also bought one. Looking forward to try it out ...

[@Campingdownunder]

You'll love it mate 👍 I still love mine 😀

[@heatherwenthiking]

Awesome review. I just got one today but haven’t set it up yet so was searching for tips and tricks to make sure I do it right. Heading out camping tomorrow so will be testing it out over the weekend. I lost my kings awning to an overhanging branch when I was lost on a bush track, folded it into a 90 degree angle 😬😅 will be a bit more careful with this one!

[@Campingdownunder]

They are super simple to setup. Just follow the steps in the video. One more thing tie the straps as high as you can rather than on the bullbar like I did 👍

[@bonkerjohn1543]

I recently got the Darche 270 Eclipse, very happy with it. It held up to some heavy rain last weekend while camping at Clancy's Creek. One trick I did was tie the drainage points to the pole pegs, less ropes in the way and less pegs to trip over lol.

[@Campingdownunder]

Great tip mate 👍

[@bonkerjohn1543]

@@Campingdownunder 👍 The wife and I are looking forward to your next video :)

[@robertanderson5796]

I have an Eclipse 180 and am absolutely stoked with it. I bought the awning package and it's a great bit of kit also. The only issue I've had is when it rains with a bit of wind behind it, the front area over the bonnet is very exposed. I'm looking at a drop down like a curtain to fix this. The 270 has an extra flap over this area. Other than that it's bloody brilliant.

[@Campingdownunder]

I'm pretty sure there's a wall you can buy to cover that area 👍

[@silknfeathers]

You can use the extender walls (you just need to cut a little plastic away to expose the sailtrack fixture). I use one each side, excellent set-up.

[@DestinationOffroad]

Awesome review bud. Love the design

[@Campingdownunder]

Thanks mate I'm so impressed with it 😍💪🏻

[@DestinationOffroad]

@@Campingdownunder you would be. Makes me wonder. Hahaha

[@healthierlife50]

Nice review 😊😊😊

[@Campingdownunder]

Thanks mate 👍one of these would be great on your 4wd lol

[@agwils2011]

Hey mate, I just found you’re channel. Awesome stuff. I am interested to know when you’re canopy door is open on how it clears the awning??? Would like to see a vid on that as I have a similar setup and I am looking at this awning. You have you’re self a new sub 👍👍👍

[@Campingdownunder]

Thanks mate 👍 the door just touches the arm of the awning when open so I put a bit of foam tape under the arm of the awning to stop it rubbing the paint off of the canopy door

[@4xplore64]

@ Camping_downunder great review mate👍🏽 I’m looking for the perfect awning if there is such a thing... I sold my Drifta 270 as I didn’t like the hassle of the poles during set up and pack down, as well as the longevity of the plastic knuckles for anchor points. I’ve been looking at the new 270 XT from the bush company which is free standing, similar to the one from Quick Pitch, like the idea of not needing poles unless there’s a fair bit of wind. Maybe one improvement for the Darche one would be to have the poles magnetically attach for storage instead of velcro 🤔

[@Campingdownunder]

The Velcro isn't too bad. It's also used to hold the canvas down aswell. Yeah it's a shame not too many are completely free standing but I wouldn't really want all that extra weight needed to re-enforce the awning to make it strong enough. I'll do another review in a few months and see if anything is annoying me with it. I've only used it twice so far lol

[@tyrausfarrelly6257]

@@Campingdownunderdownunder, Hi I'm a bit late on this one but can you mount the outside poles alongside the two inner poles in the Velcro strap and pack it all up together? Thanks for the great review!

[@Campingdownunder]

All good mate 👍 no unfortunately the outer poles won't fit in with the inner poles. They do say you can tuck them in the bag before zipping it up but then you risk them falling out when you open it

[@johngrant7979]

Looking to add one to the side of my camper, BUT I can’t find any specifications for the LENGTH of the upright poles

[@Campingdownunder]

Just measured them for you as I'm sitting under it right now 🤣 2.6m is the maximum length before the poles come apart 👍

[@johngrant7979]

Camping_downunder : tops thanks 👍 that should fit, I need 2.3 to 2.4

[@robertdepaulis5188]

Only thing now is to move your solar panels , nice set up mate

[@Campingdownunder]

The panels on my doors just charge the batteries during the week. Once I rock up at camp I have another 300w fold out panel 👍

[@robertdepaulis5188]

@@Campingdownunder very wise

[@rockynrolling6206]

Great vid mate, but gltta ask, are you bogged or just waiting for a mate

[@Campingdownunder]

Haha I was actually wondering if I'd get outa there or not 🤣 luckily I managed to go back & forward a few times and got out 👍

[@willvenn1546]

How did you mount the solar panel on the side of the box! Is it alright their ?

[@Campingdownunder]

The solar panel has its own frame which I've screwed straight through the door. It's great because at least one panel always faces the sun and the point straight up when we are at camp & open the doors. The only issue is the rooftop tent blocks the panels. That's why we have the kickass 300 portable panel

[@matthewmoore662]

Hey mate, what measurements have you get from the roof rack where the awning is mounted to the end of the awning? Do you find it sturdy enough? Cheers

[@Campingdownunder]

I've mounted it in the center of my roof cage. Yeah the 3 mounts that come with it are super strong. My roof rack will fail well before those mounts ever will lol

[@joemiceli5979]

Awesome piece of kit. The only thing I didn’t like in this review was bagging another company that’s just not on…

[@Campingdownunder]

I don't bag other companies. I compare products to other brands I've personally used. I still to this day use king's products

[@dylanwilliams6742]

Hey mate, wheres abouts was this filmed? cheers

[@Campingdownunder]

Paringa sandbar south Australia

[@NickElliottOutdoors]

Hows it holding up a year later?

[@Campingdownunder]

Still exactly the same. I've had no issues with anything breaking at all & I've had it in some really strong winds and rain. The walls are a must aswell. I absolutely love them 😀👌

[@peterj5751]

It’s a pity they don’t have all the legs built in. Having to carry a separate bag with 2 poles is a pain.

[@Campingdownunder]

Yeah I agree. It's not easy finding room for the bag as it's quite long. But I'm assuming it just wasn't possible with the design when it folds up

[@lukeclarke8054]

Solar isn’t going to do much in the shade lol. Looks like an ok bit of kit. Amazing how many different things there are for the same thing haha.

[@Campingdownunder]

The 2x 100w panels only run my fridge 24/7 & keep the batteries topped up. As soon as I get to camp I've got a 300w fold out panel I setup. No point in relying solely on the panels on your car while camping because in summer you like to park in the shade away from the sun which means your panels are useless. I've got a 10m lead so I can park under shade and move the 300w panel anywhere I like 👍

[@lukeclarke8054]

@@Campingdownunder makes scene I actually didn’t even think of that. I’m pretty new too it all actually doing my first trip this Christmas.

[@Campingdownunder]

Yeah there's so much to consider when setting up your rig. Everyone changes things over the years until they nut everything out on the best setup for them. Depending on your budget these darche awnings are fantastic but if you spend more money you can get an Australian made awning from either destination4wd which you'll find on instagram or even camp king industries. Both Australian made products and free standing which means you don't have to set up poles each time you use it. Setup time is so much faster 👍

[@lukeclarke8054]

@@Campingdownunder yeah I’m not rich like the 100k KZbin builds just buying what I think I’ll use and the best quality I can get haha. I’m in no rush too go get it all at once.

[@Campingdownunder]

Why do you think I drive an 89 hilux 🤣 I drive what I can afford. I started out with absolutely everything king's and it got me out there. As I could afford it I slowly upgraded accessories 1 at a time to something better quality. No point being in debt building your rig & then not being able to afford to go anywhere

[@Dragonballguy270]

Well then, you’ve sold me

[@Campingdownunder]

Haha you'll absolutely love it 😍