Fitting & Review of Darche awning with RacksBrax

A detailed look at fitting the Darche Eclipse 2.5 x 2.5 awning with the RackBrax brackets onto my Prado 150 GXL 2021. Following which a short review of the awning.
Thanks to Snowys for their price match:
www.snowys.com.au/eclipse-sli...
Thanks to Caos for their quick service for my Racksbrax
caosgear.com.au/collections/r...

[@bookrielly4654]

I got the same roof rack lovin it, made the decision after seeing one of your vids. It was very helpful. Even installed it myself with some help. Looking at the racks brax to hang a bush company 270 max awning off it. How do you think that would hold something that big and heavy. With a bit of 4wd and also when it’s fully deployed with a bit of wind hitting the awning.

[@chrisp10022]

Racks Brax state 20kg per bracket on their web site so you should be OK with two. I used my side awning in 50km/hr winds and added some rope to the awning & rack to reduce the stress on the bracket as it was flexing in the wind, but all good!

[@joshinthecity]

How did this go in the rain? Looks like it would pool like crazy to me.. Very keen on this myself otherwise. Have one in my cart

[@chrisp10022]

I don't really use it much and have not done so in the rain, however you are correct in your thoughts so I have purchased a spreader bar which I put across if we're staying the night.

[@JezyKrat]

Exact same set up as mine mate. Except I just sold the Darche for a 270! How good are the Racks Brax!

[@chrisp10022]

Yes they're great, especially as I don't need to carry the awning around all the time!

[@robertwilson1827]

Great camp ideas! What do you do if you want to go exploring in your 4x4, after you have setup?

[@chrisp10022]

Great question as they advertise that you can lift it off and leave the awning out, however from my experience that is too hard! As you have to tilt the brackets up to remove it's not really possible once the awning is extended. I've taken extra poles and removed the awning before setting up, but again that is very hard and needs the four of us! To be honest - this does not really work!
I either just pack the awning away or take a gazebo!

[@robertwilson1827]

@4x4+2kids glad I asked thankyou for your honest answer!😊😊😊 not many videos on the removal, this will be why. 🤔

[@saltydog888]

Great vid. Can you say why you went with Darche against ARB, Rhino Rack etc in this price bracket?

[@chrisp10022]

Great question, I had purchased some other Darche products and thought the quality was really good, but guess there is little in it between the others you mention. I was also going to buy a Darche Extender tent so would be sure it connected to the awning without any issues, however I'm sure the other's would have been OK as well.

[@saltydog888]

@@chrisp10022 Thanks for the reply. I ordered a Darche 2.5 x 2.5 today from Snowys👍🏽 From what I can see there has been little upgrading of these (all) awnings in the last 10 years but I like the idea of the plastic joiners for a bit of flex and if I break one my wiz boilermaker mate can 3D print me new ones

[@travisjensen8950]

the brackets at 7.57min in, the flat ones to accept the Lshaped awning brackets onto the Tracklander rack, what metal and thickness are they?

[@chrisp10022]

The flat pieces I cut are 5 mm, in fact the same as the L shaped bracket, also 5 mm

[@travisjensen8950]

@@chrisp10022 thanks and are they aluminum? painted black, can i ask what width and length as well please

[@chrisp10022]

The flat ones I made are 40 mm wide and 150 mm long, galvanised steel painted with enamel. Aluminium would have been better but I could not get any at this thickness or thicker.

[@morgsman]

@@chrisp10022 Did you cut the brackets to size yourself or did you manage to purchase them from somewhere? I also have the same roof rack and awning on a Ford Everest Next Gen. Thx for the great videos - much appreciated