Its a warm afternoon and you’re just pulling into camp to get your Eclipse 180 or 270 awning set up and then dinner sorted. How good would it be to kick back without the bugs and mozzies messing with your mojo? Attach the Eclipse Retreat from Darche to your awning, and you’ll keep grinning like the cat that just got the cream!
There are 5 generous zippered mesh doors, including 4 ‘D’ doors (2 on each side) all with fully zippered 210D Ripstop poly-oxford outer doors to allow you to enclose the annex for weatherproofing and privacy. Plus there’s a sizeable rear vehicle access door that’s also poly-oxford so whether you choose to sleep inside the 2.7m x 2.4m space or use it as a designated chillout zone, you can make the most of those summer breezes and enjoy bug-free dining or sleeping. Its got a removable 600gsm welded PVC bucket floor and won’t interfere with your Eclipse awning walls if you have them in place at the same time. Setup is a 3-step process to support your annex. Start with sliding the rear wall into the sail track of your awning, then attach the sides to the awning arms using the hook & loop tabs. Finally, position the front twist-lock spreader bar in between the 2 awning arms and affix the corresponding hook & loop tabs, and Bobs your uncle, grab your cream.
With multiple internal sidewall pockets and a handy power access zip, you can set yourself up comfortably and keep on grinning no matter what season it is with the Eclipse Retreat Annex from Darche.
Compatible with Darche Eclipse 180 or 270 Awning
Australian Registered Design
Fully enclosed for weather protection or use as generous mesh room
210 Denier Ripstop Polyester Oxford
4 generous side ‘D’ doors with mesh
Vehicle access door
Use with or without Eclipse awning walls
Removable 600gsm welded PVC bucket floor
Minor installation required (drill 2 holes)
Season:
2
Sleeping Capacity:
4 Person
Recommended Capacity:
2 Person
External Dimensions:
270L x 240W x 200H cm
Packed Dimensions:
70L x 30W x 25H cm
Weight:
14 Kg
Max. Head Height:
195 − 210 cm
Material:
210D Polyester Oxford rip stop
Floor Material:
Removable 600gsm Welded PVC
Waterhead Rating:
1500mm
Warranty:
1 Year
Supplier Code:
T050801741
Snowys Code:
148861
Staff tip:Just to cover our bums, the awning, walls & accessories shown in the pictures are not included.
Reviews
(3)
4.33
Q&A's (18)
Eclipse retreat1 answer
If you only purchase the retreat and wall 2 & 3 does wall 2 zip onto the retreat tent
Michael - Hobart, TAS(3 months ago)
G'day Michael,
All of the awning walls will still zip up to each other with the retreat tent set up under the awning. The walls don't zip to the retreat tent itself as they have no connection point so they are separate from each other. Walls 2 and 3 will still be able to be set up and be pegged out with the retreat tent.
Kaya - Snowys(3 months ago)
Darche retreat extension 1 answer
Could this extension be attached to the back section of the awning rather than the middle? Thank you
Susan - Rainbow Flat, NSW (1 year ago)
It can only be mounted as shown in the images, Susan, as it required the parallel awning rails for attachment, the rails at the rear are on an angle. ~ Ben
Ben - Snowys(1 year ago)
Ponding1 answer
Hi, does the cross bar cause the awning to pond with rain? I understand you manage ponding by tieing down the middle of the span with guy ropes and providing a route for water to escape - is this still possible with the cross bar in place?
Jon - Brisbane City, QLD (1 year ago)
G'day Jon,
You wouldnt want the rain to be escaping down the wall/doorway section of your tent. You can still create the water run off points on each section either side of the eclipse tent - if your awning is under good tension, this should be adequate in wet weather. We've certainly not had any feedback around pooling issues with the Ecli[se Retreat in action, so I reckon you should be fine.
Lauren - Snowys(1 year ago)
Insect Mesh 1 answer
Is the mesh noseeum/ midge proof?
Dylan - Baynton, WA (1 year ago)
G'day Dylan,
Darches uses a fairly fine gauge mesh, however, it is not classified as no-see-um or verified to be midge proof.
Leece - Snowys(1 year ago)
Other brands awnings1 answer
Does this fit under other brands? Would it work under the 23Zero Falcon?
Kara - Keilor East, VIC (1 year ago)
G'day Kara,
The Eclipse Retreat is only designed to fit the Darche Eclipse 270 and 180 awnings. Theoretically it could be attached to the Falcon 270 in terms of dimensions, however the spreader bar used to secure the outside edge of the retreat won't have a place to slot into, so you may have to make some alterations to make it fit.
Leece - Snowys(1 year ago)
Can the eclipse retreat sit outside the 180 awning1 answer
Can the eclipse retreat be placed outside the awning to maximise room or does it have to sit under the awning
Max - Mildura Centre Plaza, VIC (1 year ago)
G'day Max,
The Eclipse Retreat is an unstructured tent, so requires the full support of the Eclipse 180/270 awnings to be put up. Unfortunately, there's no way we can see that you would be able to set it up outside of the awning space. It also has a lower waterhead rating, so wouldn't necessarily hold up to winter conditions without cover.
Lauren - Snowys(1 year ago)
Fit standard 2.5 x 2,5 awning 1 answer
Will this fit the standard 2,5 x 2,5 awning ?
Braf - Queanbeyan, NSW(2 years ago)
G'day Braff,
Unfortunately not, it only fits under a 2 x 2m section of the 180 or 270 Eclipse awning. The attachments are only compatible with these larger awnings fittings aswell. The Xtender Tent may be a good alternative that gives you loads of flexibility.
Lauren - Snowys(2 years ago)
Where on a 270 can this fit1 answer
Is the position flexible on where to mount this? Ie on a 270 awning can it be used (on a left side awning) on the angle position towards the rear of the awning or only on the centre position?
Steve - Hornsby Heights, NSW(3 years ago)
G'day Steve,
The Eclipse Retreat can only be used in the centre position as it uses the two parallel bars of the awning to secure the retreat to the awning.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Work with both 270 and 180 versatile?1 answer
Does this suit both the eclipse 270 and 180 versatile? Thanks
Steve - Hornsby Heights, NSW(3 years ago)
G'day Steve,
The Eclipse Retreat will suit the 180 and 270 awnings, but they are too large to suit the 180 versatile awning (formerly 180 rear awning).
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Replacement of which wall1 answer
Wall 1,2 or 3?
Jack - Barossa Goldfields, SA(3 years ago)
G'day Jack,
The Darche Eclipse Retreat does not replace any of the 270 Eclipse wall sets. If you want to use the Eclipse Retreat, and have walls on your awning, they'll need to be used together. You just roll up the doorway section on Wall 1 which lines up perfectly with the doorway on the Retreat. Hope that helps.
Lauren - Snowys(3 years ago)
Is it the same for either passenger side awning or driver side? 1 answer
Will fit the driver side 270 awning?
Marjorie - Asquith, NSW(3 years ago)
G'day Marjorie,
Great question! Yes, it is compatible with either the Driver or Passenger side 270 Eclipse Awning.
Lauren - Snowys(3 years ago)
Rear door width1 answer
My canopy door is about 170L. Just wondering if the opening is smaller than this.
Nicholas - Cobbitty, NSW(3 years ago)
G'day Nicholas,
I've spoken to Darche on this one as we don't have one on display to check. They have advised the rear door on the Drache Eclipse Retreat is 130cm wide, so sounds like it should work out for your set up.
Lauren - Snowys(3 years ago)
Tent with walls1 answer
Just wondering if I bought this am I still able at attach walls to the 270 awning? So you step out of the side of the tent into an enclosed area?
Jacinta - North Adelaide, SA(3 years ago)
G'day Jacinta,
Yes, you can still use the awning walls with the Eclipse Retreat, the door in the wall also lines up with the door in the retreat so you can open it up and enter from outside the walls as well.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Pullout awning1 answer
i have a 2.5mtr wide x2mtr long awning will it be ok . i can see the bottom extends out app 2.6mtr and the top looks like about 2mtrs . Ken
ken - Port Macquarie, NSW(3 years ago)
G'day Ken,
The Eclipse Retreat has specifically been designed to fit the Darche Elipse Awnings, which are a 270 or 180 degree awning with a tapered wall design, which is why they taper out at the base. You might be able to connect it to your existing awning, however, you might need to make some additions to your awning to be able to mount the bar that is designed to slot into the Eclipse awnings and holds the side parallel to the awning. Unfortunately, we're not able to confirm fit for awnings other than the specified awnings.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Is it free standing?1 answer
Hi guys wanting to know if you can disconnect it from your awning once set up and it will stay set up like the 2.5 free standing version? Cheers
Travis - Traralgon (3 years ago)
G'day Travis,
The Eclipse Retreat isn't free-standing, it will need to remain attached to the awning in order to stay upright.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Awning guy rope1 answer
Once the front top horizontal spreader pole is in place can you still attach a guy rope to the centre eyelet to prevent water pooling?
Josh - O'Connor(3 years ago)
G'day Josh,
Yes, the retreat spreader bar sits a little under the awning itself, and then the outer awning flap covers the bar, so there is some room to attach the guy rope and prevent water pooling.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Drop height3 answers
Are they likely to reach the ground on a lifted 4x4?
David - Williamstown (3 years ago)
G'day David,
The floor of the Retreat has adjustable straps, so you should be able to pitch them anywhere from 195cm - 210cm high. It will depend on how your awning has been mounted, and how high you've lifted your vehicle, however, they've been designed with consideration for lifted vehicles.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Can they retro fit under any existing awning on your truck
Garth - Tahmoor(3 years ago)
G'day Garth,
Yes, you could retro-fit the retreat under an existing awning as long as you have a way to secure it. It attaches to the sail track in the aluminium backplate of the awning, around the aluminium crossbars using velcro, and then uses a spreader bar to attach to the upright poles of your awning. I'm sure you could make it work with your existing awning if you've got a combination of those attachment points.
Leece - Snowys(3 years ago)
Rav 41 answer
What is needed on the vehicle to attach it?
Mary - Goolwa, SA(3 years ago)
G'day Mary,
The Darche Eclipse retreat is designed to be used in conjunction with either the Darche Eclipse 270 Awning or the Darche Eclipse 180 Awning, which will need to be installed. It is not a stand-alone tent option. Hope that helps!
