Darche Basecamp 2200 vs Eezi-Awn Family
The Darche Basecamp 2200 and the Eezi-Awn Family are both softshell tents in the same part of the market, which makes them a genuine head-to-head rather than a comparison across categories. Darche and Eezi-Awn take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The Basecamp 2200 is 11 kg lighter at 87 kg against 98 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Floor area is close to identical at 5.06 m² and 5.37 m², so neither wins on sleeping room. Eezi-Awn does not publish a list price for the Family, so a direct cost comparison means getting a quote from a dealer.
Canvas differs too: 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly against 360GSM double-stitched heavy-duty ripstop canvas.
Darche
Basecamp 2200
The Basecamp 2200 is a large fold-out softshell rooftop tent rated for four people, using a 65mm high-density foam mattress. It has an integrated LED strip, twin panoramic sky windows and fine insect mesh on all windows, and an annex is available separately. A 2.3m telescopic ladder and transit cover are included.
- Four-person capacity, the largest in Darche's softshell line
- Twin panoramic sky windows
- Annex-compatible and transit cover included
- No published weight or dimensions
Eezi-Awn
Family
The Family is the largest tent in Eezi-Awn's Serie III soft-shell range, erecting to 2200mm wide x 2440mm long x 1300mm high with a removable central dividing wall and two separate 65mm SABS-approved foam mattresses. It uses 360GSM double-stitched ripstop canvas with a reinforced PVC flysheet and includes two fully retractable 230cm anodised aluminium ladders. Doors and windows have zip-up privacy panels and mosquito nets with heavy-duty YKK zippers.
- Two separate mattresses plus a removable dividing wall for split sleeping areas
- Published erected dimensions and interior height
- Two retractable aluminium ladders and YKK zippers
- Manufacturer does not publish price, weight or packed dimensions
Which one to pick
Take the Basecamp 2200 if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Beyond that the feature rows below — heater port, skylight, annex, cargo rails — are where the remaining difference lies.
Every specification, side by side
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Type | Softshell | Softshell |
| Opening style | Fold-out | Fold-out |
| Sleeps | 4 | 4 |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,640 | — |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 192 lb— best of the tents compared | 216 lb— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft | — |
| Packed width | 7 ft 4 in | — |
| Packed height | 13 in | — |
| Living space | ||
| Sleeping length | 7 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared | 8 ft— best of the tents compared |
| Sleeping width | 7 ft 3 in | 7 ft 3 in |
| Floor area | 54.5 sq ft— worst of the tents compared | 57.8 sq ft— best of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 4 ft 3 in |
| Mattress thickness | 2.6 in | 2.6 in |
| Setup and build | ||
| Setup timeManufacturer's claim where published; otherwise estimated from tent type. Expect longer in practice. | ~5 minest. | ~5 minest. |
| Shell material | Coated Heavy-Duty Compressed Alloy base | — |
| Fabric | 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly | 360GSM double-stitched heavy-duty ripstop canvas |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | — |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | — |
| Annex available | Yes | — |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Eezi-Awn product page |
Related comparisons
- Basecamp 2200vsTRT 140 AIR
- Basecamp 2200vsBIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
- Basecamp 2200vsAir Cruiser
- FamilyvsGen2 Overlander XL Tent
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Basecamp 2200 and the Eezi-Awn Family.