Could this be the best Roof Top Tent?!? Watch this before you buy Darche Highrize Roof Top Tent
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- čas přidán 17. 02. 2023
- So what did we think of the brand new Darche Ridgeback Highrize Roof Top Tent? We spent our Christmas holidays living in this brand new Darche RTT. This is my review and a detailed pros and cons on the Ridgeback Highrize.
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if you want more info and specs check it out here darche.com.au/product/view/15014
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Here at MadMatt 4wd there is everything from 4wd tips and tricks to fixing your four wheel drive. As a professional Four Wheel Driver I am all about educating and building the 4x4 community. If you are passionate about going bush with a 4x4 then this channel is for you. Enjoy and please subscribe & Hit the bell icon to be notified as soon as they're up!!!
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I’d love one of those bad boys but it costs more than I paid for my whole 4wd! I couldn’t justify that much money for the few nights a year I go camping :/ 5 Grand is kind of ridiculous!
Was not expecting it to be 5k wow
Thanks for the honest review Matt this looks like a great bit of kit, I'll add it to my shortlist 🙂👍👍
Awesome review mate! Appreciate all the feedback and hope this helps people make an informed decision on their next tent.
I like what you say there. People see these types of video as some for of force it down their throat but companies like Darche understand that people will buy the right product for their needs if they are given good information. That’s what I try to do for the customers.
Mate that is a top video. You have just the right pace and detail for an informed approach.
Much appreciated!
After checking out The Bush Company TX27 it runs rings around the Darche RTT.
The game changer for me is the amount of room inside, the ease of closing and the quality of the hinges plus the latches are way more superior....🤓👍🏻
That same old ya only get what you pay for but in this case it's a real investment in longevity and performance 😁❤️
I’ve not checked out the Bush Company RTT
@@MadMatt4WD The Darche is almost a dead copy...
looked at all the rooftop tents ...bought a Bundutop ....best thing ever
Love these RTT but they've been around for a while. The bush company have had them here for quite some time known as the black series classic max rtt. Good to see the competition is alive and well in this country, with good alternatives, keep up the good work.
Is it really competition if you copy someone else's design?
@@jakecarruthers6513 In a competitive market, yes it is. Henry Ford might have been the first one to mass produce cars, but the competition followed. He didn't invent the automobile though.
@@jakecarruthers6513 Very few of these companies own the designs, if they did then the copies would be litigated out of existence
And and honest review we got. Wouldn't expect anything less from you guys. Thank you.
I don't understand why the RTT manufacteres prefer minimum height of the closed RTT to comfort when in use at night. We are all only getting older and seeking a little more comfort. Make those sides another 50mm so the mattress can be 100mm. Better still, make them 150mm higher and put a bloody inner spring mattress in!
Thanks Ben. Yeah I’d be ok with an extra 50mm. They do have an effect on wind drag at speed which costs fuel so there is that but to make it comfortable it could be worth the cost.
@@MadMatt4WD Yes, absolutely, but what other option do we have - a caravan, camper trailer etc...they must be much worse on fuel than an overblown RTT...I might be wrong.
@@BenMitro I think you’re right. We’re trying to find a comfortable non towing touring option and this was the best we’ve found so far
Thanks Matt. Cheers
Excellent review and excited for a replacement of our wedge and maybe even our fold out rtt.
Side note, anyone else see that man eater at 20:50 lol.
Ya know! After a very long time of research into RTT (though we never thought we would have one) we ended up buying what we couldn't afford, we saved up & bought a Bundutec. As Much as we love out Darche 270 Deg Awning (it's been on a couple of 4wd's now) Unfortunately Darche just couldn't match the Bundutec for room & simplicity ! 4 latches & the push of a button, no more setup!! It has a light & fans & definitely no battery packs to worry about. It comes hard wired for solar & you can leave a ton of bedding up there, even your pillows. It's unfortunate that it's not Australian made but no one makes anything like it here! As far as any rain, the self deploying little awnings on the 4 sides mean you can leave your side curtains down a fair bit for air flow & you won't get wet! True, what is missing on the Bundutop is a anti condensation barrier underneath of some kind but we are going to add insulation before we try anything else.( I think I'd prefer to try & solve the actual problem first) I also think by us adding a 12v electric blanket will not just help to keep us warm but with the condensation too (yes, the bundutec also has a 12v outlet in there)
They do make a good rtt for sure. I’ve not used one.
Just saw a price and I wouldn’t expext anything less, wasn’t greatly impressed by the 12 month warranty, but it does have great features. Been reading that people still having to put toppers on the mattresses. But I will check one out though.
Just had a look at the Bundutec, materials, workmanship and features are very good, but it’s far from simplicity as you can get, granted ive only looked at a handful of hard shells, but it’s the most complex, it has an electric winch, that I assume can be overridden, otherwise might have to sleep in the car, several pulleys and cords and parts, for me I could only see more stuff to go wrong given I’ll be traversing the whole top of Australia, corrugations, adverse weather, remote travel and all. Your situation may be totally different to mine. Thanks mate
Hi Matt I like your review as usual it was straight forward and honest, the one thing I have noticed is that just about all roof top tent remark thatI have heard and watch is how thin the mattress are and how people have tried to thicken the mattress up , I guess because I we like explore I put up with a little thin mattress .
Thanks mate. Yeah we put up with it too. But I feel like we shouldn’t have too
Hye Matt, I rarely make comments when watching reviews but in this instance I feel I need to. 1st up, fantastic review, truly great mate well done. Darche, please pay attention to my comment, I speak for many here about this issue. The matress, this is the M0ST IMP0RTANT feature of any sleeping quarters. Why on earth would I want to spend thousands of dollars on a product that does not have a good mattress? I have spent hundreds of dollars finding the right combo with all my past tents until just 2 years ago I desperately needed to get a good nights sleep and went into the local k-Mart store where I was camping and grabbed a cheapish looking inflatable double matress. It works amazingly well and I still use it (I do run an RV5) but the point here is please, please, please be the 1st to give us a great matress, I am impressed with the rooftop tent and am considering adding 1 to my trips but until someone get it right I will happily stick with my RV5, it has served me well for over 12 years now. Again Matt, great review buddy.
Cheers Mike. I agree. It has one main job to do.
The Dune hardshell RTT by Anaconda is also a Z frame design that pushes up from the sides and not the ends like the Darche. I believe this is made by Wild Lands for Anaconda, (the same company that make the RTT's for DRIFTA). It fits sheets, a two-person sleeping bag, pillows, and a memory foam mattress topper. It has two adjustable latches around each corner to ensure proper pressure distribution and seating of the seals on all sides. There is no need for wire awning rods as the roof overhangs the entrance to become an awning. It takes just over 1 minute to set-up and probably 2-3 minutes to pack-up. It doesn't have the outside handles and as many pockets as the Darche, but for half the price and still great quality, it's a bargain!
Which RTT are you referring to they have many?
Anaconda only have the one hardshell RTT@@boofy081965
A few Z style tents available on the market.
The rectangle internal space is achieved on may other rtt options on the market bundutec, James baroud etc.
Darche has been a long standing reasonable quality product. This looks like an updated Chinese motop.
If they back it that’s the main thing
Hi Matt. Great tent. I've had a RTT for 20 years one of the first brought from Sth Africa. The thing I like is it is a two fold tent so it only takes up half the roof. The other half I use for storage. The only problem I have with the darche is it uses the whole roof.
That’s a fair point. We all have different needs this different solutions are required.
What do you call a French thong maker....Philippe Phlopp. 😂. We call them flip flops in the UK too, it's not only the US that are more advanced than the Antipodeans 🤣. Good video fella.
😂😂😂😂
the midnight trip can be resolved by having a urinal bottle in the tent! :) Who wants to leave the tent to pee when it is 27 degrees! I have been using a bottle for over 15 years.
I grabbed the 1550 for the trailer after seeing your FB post. Lots of room inside, Queen bed width. Have same problem with the awning. Need to sort solution for it to stop the flapping.
Yeah nice. I’d like the 1550 for the space but it would have to go on a trailer.
Looks good, same basic design as Hardkorrs new one that was released last September.
5 grand though! Wow!
FSR has a tent (EVO series) with the “Z” fold, but the Z is on the short sides instead of the long. I’m partial to theirs since it has bigger doors (on both sides) but it’s always nice to see the other options out there. Thanks for the share.
FSR tents are actually branded Wild Land tents FYI - looking at one myself (the Desert Cruiser)
@@andrewfehrsen The Dune hardshell RTT by Anaconda is also a Z frame design that pushes up from the sides and not the ends like the Darche. I believe this is also made by Wild Lands for Anaconda, as it is identical. It is half the price as the Darche, good quality and fits sheets, a two-person sleeping bag, pillows, and a memory foam mattress topper. It has two adjustable latches around each corner to ensure proper pressure distribution and seating of the seals on all sides and the roof overhangs the entrance to become an awning.
@@tyrausfarrelly6257 Do you work for Anaconda? hahah
Nice to see new gear when it comes on the market. Just thought l should point out Bush Company has had this style for many years l wouldn't call it unique.
Bushwakka also had this style. The roof nest or something.
Thorough review and looks great in theory. Re-visiting the hubub around off-road load ratings... It's a 100kg tent. Need to consider the off-road 4WD load rating of vehicles and racks.
Yes that’s a consideration for sure.
yep, and the roof racks put it over slightly.
@@diggeroldmate8122 I'm no expert but from what I've read, I'd say significantly.
"Most" modern vehicles only have a static load rating of about 100kg. Some are less! I think the Hilux is 75?
Offroad LR, you're down to ~60-70kgs on 100kg. That tent blows it out of the water unless it's going on a custom canopy or maybe something with gutter rails.
@@rbrdly agree - not legal at all and no warranty from manufacturer if things go south. I have a D40 - 75kg rated. Canopy is higher but even then I'd be hesitant.
@@diggeroldmate8122 I'm not sure about the legalities. In most instances, for black top touring it's fine. Although if your dynamic load is now only 75kgs... that really narrows your product range. I've got about 67kgs on my N70 hilux which has a 4x4 DLL of about 62? kg. That's as far as I will take it. I bloody love the freedom and comfort the RTT offers though!
Hi mate, love the review. Did you have any trouble with fitting it on the roof. Looks like you used standard racks. Was it heavy?
We used a forklift. It would be a 4 man lift otherwise. It’s around 100 kgs
Matt did you experience any moderate to high winds? My use case puts me in un-sheltered coastal areas (paddocks and beaches) with high winds.
No I didn’t but I feel confident it would be strong enough although like any rtt it would be noisy.
it looks great but bit expensive but thats probably they all are if you on a budget
Take mattress out and put exped megamat 15 mattress in solve problem hitting floor if too heavy. Expensive mattress but works for all tents and at home spare bed.
I’ll check it out.
Not sure if the newer 1250s have it but the 1550 has extra side clips for the interior roof netting
Ok I don’t know but that makes sense
Good vid, Matt. I'd be a bit concerned about roof load rating however. Your dynamic rating is 100kg. RTT is 99kg and you have roof rack. Careful brother. Insurance will play silly buggers if you have an issue with you vehicle.
Yeah I’m well aware of those factors. For insurance to deny a claim these concerns have to be proven to be the cause of the accident.
@@MadMatt4WD copy that
Am getting the 1550 wide one ant putting the 1550 fat mat in it👍
Make sure it closes with the mat but I like that idea.
100% use a zempire monstamat self inflating mattress and blow it up and suck it down with a cordless blower/sucker its a game changer get the comfort of a bed mattress with the ability to pack it down and just sleep with the valve at your head very easy to remove air from the mattress to adjust firmness, you'll thank me later.
Ok I do like the sound of that.
Does anyone fit a solar panel on this tent ? Keen to see how to run the cable properly
I believe it's been done but I don't know how.
@@MadMatt4WD can be handy to find someone and make a video about that :)
No lockable latches? As something I'm going to keep on my vehicle I'd like to be able to secure it.
Don’t hold me to it but I think it had some holes for a lock. But what are you keeping in your rtt that would be worth stealing though?
I have the Darche Ridgeback. The baby brother of the Darche Ridgeback Highrize. For me the biggest negatives of the Highrize are its weight & height (when packed closed). The LC300 won't be able to legally carry the Highrize on its roof.
We tried out the Highrize and we did notice the weight difference for sure.
Hey Matt the question is would you live in it..meaning would you touring around Australia in these long term , I'm finding that most campers with RTT have no place to sit out of the rain specially if it start to piss down for days like it does in SA also winds , don't think that would be comfortable in RTT...Yes I know that some will use a 370 Side awning with walls however again FOR me and other campers that I have spoken to has said the same ...You may as well just use a tent like 30 sec Tent.
Look what you raise is a fair point and it’s going to be tough no matter what you camp in unless it’s a caravan. When we hit bad wether we tend to drive to the good weather.
Dune nomad rooftop tent from Anaconda very similar, best tent I've used yet, and half the price of this Darche tent.
Yeah I feel 80mm is the new std
What is the floor of the tent is made from?
I think it’s aluminium sheet.
Pretty sure even Dune through Anaconda offer the same thing and it's a lot cheaper too?
Looks like they’ve basically just copied the Bush Companies original design which is renowned for it’s build quality and design. Made in South Africa. That’s likely the one I’d go for.
Errr didn’t the bush company do this years ago?
Apparently. No one said this is the first of the design it’s just Darches new design for them
To be honest mad Matt to spend 5 or 6 grand on a rtt with a sub standard mattress would be stupid. From what Im seeing most rtt have really crap mattresses and most owners complain. I want a rtt but I’m struggling with the idea of spending 900 on a crap product let alone 5000.
We ended up going a totally different way to solve our problem. Check out my recent video.
Yeep, didn’t stuff around solving the problem, top solution, people struggle to make wagons work for camping applications but you just can’t beat a tray, even tub bodies are clumsy and after time and money spent trying to make them work they a still average. Love your new rig and the run down explanations. @@MadMatt4WD
funny but we are caught up my grandmother calls them thongs but now a thong is underwear that some girls wear. When my grandma says "go get my thongs" it grosses me out.
Lol yeah it’s one of those funny terms.
Not a fan of the poles on the outside
grade video! I am too old to work, can't walk, and I don't cook. Ohh my good listener and even a pretty good talker----- not sexy and not female, but I do pay my own way.. Come on somebody put me in your truck and let's go?
They weigh 100kg which is a ridiculous amount of weight to have on your roof
It is a bit and I’d prefer it lighter but it’s by no means the heaviest.
what who the original swaggies think ?
RTT have come a long way since the first bulky ones
I would be more likely to put it a trailer --- am banned from ladders anyway :lol:
I know but I can’t imagine how they did it with a blanket and a bit a tarp. They must have had some miserable nights.
Love the 'China haters' in the comments. You understand they will make products to the specifications you provide, right?
And they rarely if ever buy Made in Australia as they are too cheap to pay the premium
Yeah some just love to hate
JP That’s a good point to
Very expensive for something made in China !🤔
Ok then
Made in Australia Camp Kings cost a good $9+ thousand.
@@J-P88 Yes but they are a top of the line, made in Australia using all Australian made materials, very comfortable RTT. They have got it down to a fine art, and the canvas and stitching is second to none. It's a good quality touring RTT that gives a good night sleep. There's nothing worse than getting up the next morning and having to drive after a bad nights sleep. That's how accidents can happen that can cost you a lot more, than the cost of the tent. It's horses for causes.
for 8 grand ya dreaming
Too heavy, would not take it on rough road.
100kg? That’s fairly normal for a rtt like this.
Not the best tent. Same design as all the other split roof top tents with the front scissor action.
I need to save myself 28 minutes... was this purchased at full retail price using funds the Mrs released from the bank?
5 grand for Chinese built. Yikes.
Made in Australia Camp Kings is around $10k
@@J-P88 understand that. 5k for a Darche is as expensive as a james baroud, or a bush company. Both far better quality tents for the money.
"Sent from my $3500 MacBook Pro"
Just one more insanely overpriced and over weight Aussie or South African RTT!!!!! There are two hundred bucks worth of material and some labour!!
If I give you 200 could you build me a rtt similar or better than this one?
I will keep my old school RTT because I get exercise erecting it; it has a massive amount of room inside; it cost me less than $600; and the floor covers my cooking area at the rear of the Disco. I have it oriented to open towards the rear not the side. I also have the annex which gives me privacy and shelter if required. I have a lot of money left over to pay cost of living increases! Cheers 👍🏻🙏🦘 P.S. Why don’t you sleep on the door side for the ‘2 o’clock midnight pee?’
We all have different needs and budgets. No product is perfect for everyone but lots of people are loving these because it suits them. I let Mrs MadMatt have the easier side to get out of.