Swags

[LRTD5]

Who uses a swag?  Pros?  Cons?  Which ones are any good and what do you look for?

Cheers

David

[Slunnie]

Definately.

I'd look for one that completely covers you and will seal water tight in the rain. One that will unzip but still has a mozzie net for hot north summers, Its nice to leave it open a little to allow it to breath a bit, especially when raining and keep you dry. Also one that will pull off you with some hoops at the ends if it rains, and one that is definately waterproof through the bottom so you materess doesn't get wet, or through the top so you bedding doesn't get wet, especially if your bedding touches the swag. Also look for good quality zips so they dot come apart and repair themselves when they do break. I would also be inclined to get strap and ring belts on them rather than quick action ones. The quickies just dont look strong.

[walker]

After all that it sounds quicker to set up a tent.  

[Sniegy]

Hi David,
Finally logged on so catching up..

I have used a swag for years..Also used many different types.

I presume its just for yourself.


If it is i have now got the best swag, well i think anyway, its a double, mattress is 2.5" thick & rolls up to about 40cm in diameter. Its about 1.2 meters wide. Takes about 2mins & your done.
4 pegs, pole each side & a cross brace, tie down the ropes & your ready to relax next to the fire..

The only thing with a swag is that if u do get one & it is cold(very) at night the canvas holds the moisture inside, so anything that touches the canvas gets wet. Only downside, thats why i got a slightly larger one.

They travel well either inside on the back seat or on the roof rack.

Mine also has a thick glossed canvas cover for roof rack travel.
http://gallery.d2au.com/main.php?g2_itemId=8080

[LRTD5]

Hi Pete

Thanks for that.  A double is probably a good idea then I can have 1 kid with me.

I like the look of yours, I presume there is a zip along the bottom so you can open up the side.  That seems to be the way to go rather than the coffin type of lid.  Does it have a full mesh?

What make / model and how much?

Cheers

David

[Sniegy]

Hi David,

Mine does not open from the top as i had a bad experience from another swag i owned years ago, couldnt close the top so had a very cold sleep..brrr

Mine has 2 flaps at the front, one is mesh & the other is canvas, which also acts as somewherew to take shoes off before entering.

It akso has 2 windows one each side for ventilation on those warm evenings.

I paid $250 for mine from ebay, guy used it 3 times then stored it.
I rang the maker & he said they are worth between $650-$750 depending on size length etc.
Mine is basically 1.2m wide & is rolls up to about 400mm diameter.
Sits nicely on the back seat, i also had made a glossy canvas bag for the roof rack.
There are heaps of variances & you will know what u want when u see it.
Southern cross make some good units & there prices are too bad either.

Have fun..take care..

p.s. good luck on the business front too.

[ianswalkingthedog]

David, why the desire for a swag? I thought you had a small back pack tent. you certinly had one the first time I met you, doing the Caledonia River track. I've never had a swag becuse I always had to carry everything on my back so I've always had some form of simple shelter. My current setup, which is now about 15 years old is a hybrid geodesic dome/tunnel tent I can put it up in minutes and it has room to sit up, to cook, takes two adults in reasonable comfort including two full packs. Other than a decent mattress which I now have and it fits very well in the tent I would have no reason to go anywhere near a swag.

[barney]

G'DAY DAVID,
 i've been using swags for years. the one i have now is similar to that which slunnie described. it is a double with a permanent open vent at the feet, a full height vent behind your head that has a zip up flap so the draught can be regulated. the top entry has a canvas flap that zips right down to your knees with a similar length fly screen under it.
with a good load of bedding you will never freeze, it takes about 2 min to set up, is water proof.
you do get condensation inside from your breath, but this can be minimised by allowing air to citrculate from the head vent to the top opening (if not raining).
we bought it about 9 yrs ago and still going strong as the day we bought it. it has those plastic quick clips that slunnie is scared of, but they are fine. it cost us about $550 at the time and it was the best we could find on the market.
the only 2 problems we have are that 1, my wife has nowhere to get dressed and 2, if it is raining when you go to bed or get up, you have to open the top to get out, allowing buckets of rain to get in. a tarp over the top from the bullbar or a tree fixes that though.