Darche Basecamp 2200 vs Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
The Darche Basecamp 2200 and the Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) 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 Vickywood take noticeably different approaches to the same problem.
The BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) is 19 kg lighter at 68 kg against 87 kg, which on a factory roof rated for 68 to 75 kg is often the difference between a legal fit and a rack upgrade. Inside, the Basecamp 2200 gives 5.06 m² of sleeping floor against 4.04 m², about 25 percent more, and it sleeps 4 to the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)'s 3. List prices are within $166 of each other, so price is unlikely to decide this one.
The Basecamp 2200 uses coated Heavy-Duty Compressed Alloy base; the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) uses aluminum honeycomb base with rubberized surface. Closed, the Basecamp 2200 sits 6 cm lower on the roof — 33 cm against 39 cm — which is drag you carry on every mile you are not camping.
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
Vickywood
BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)
The BIG WILLOW 4.0 in its 160 width is the smaller of two BIG WILLOW sizes, a large soft-shell fold-out rated for up to 3 people with side-mounted gas struts assisting setup. Open dimensions are given by the maker as approximately 245 x 165 cm. It includes a dimmable USB-C LED and large roof windows.
- Large fold-out floor area
- Gas-strut assisted setup
- Headline weight states it includes mattress and ladder
- Tent fabric material not specified
Which one to pick
Take the BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160) if your roof load limit is the binding constraint. Take the Basecamp 2200 if you need the sleeping room more than you need the lighter tent. 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— best of the tents compared | 3— worst of the tents compared |
| Season rating | — | — |
| List price | $2,640— worst of the tents compared | $2,470— best of the tents compared |
| Weight and size | ||
| Weight | 192 lb— worst of the tents compared | 150 lb— best of the tents compared |
| Packed length | 4 ft— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 7 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Packed width | 7 ft 4 in— worst of the tents compared | 4 ft 1 in— best of the tents compared |
| Packed height | 13 in— best of the tents compared | 15.4 in— worst of the tents compared |
| 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— best of the tents compared | 5 ft 5 in— worst of the tents compared |
| Floor area | 54.5 sq ft— best of the tents compared | 43.5 sq ft— worst of the tents compared |
| Interior height | — | 3 ft 9 in |
| Mattress thickness | 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 | Aluminum honeycomb base with rubberized surface |
| Fabric | 260gsm Ripstop Polycotton Canvas body; 210D Ripstop Polyester Oxford fly | — |
| Warranty | 3years | — |
| Features | ||
| Integrated LED lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Heater / HVAC port | — | — |
| Roof skylight | Yes | Yes |
| Annex available | Yes | Yes |
| Solar ready | — | — |
| Carries cargo on top | — | — |
| Sources | ||
| Last verified | Darche product page | Vickywood product page |
Related comparisons
- Basecamp 2200vsTRT 140 AIR
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- BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160)vsBIG WILLOW 4.0 (180)
Or read the full spec sheets for the Darche Basecamp 2200 and the Vickywood BIG WILLOW 4.0 (160).