ANOTHER!!! Swag question........

We are just selling our double swag, to go to a microfast MI4-5 or similar, very easy to put up/down, and the wife wants something she can sit up in bed in under cover.

The double swag also takes up some room in the car, compared to packing seperately, and if it isnt raining dont even need the fly on the microfast tent.

Tie a tarp to the top of the bar and tuck it under the swag at the bottom and 2 pegs to spread the sides.

If I am on my own and its likely to rain I usualy set the swag up on the roof rack, and have made a couple of poles that slip into the ends of the rack in some brackets i made that are permantly bolted on, then i have a centre pole between those, and put a tarp over that with some cheap spring type clamps holding the edges onto the sides of the roofrack, makes a nice tent shape and has been great in very very wet weather.

If I have my son with me with his swag we use the same tarp and clips onto the side of the rack, and down to the ground as previously mentioned in the above post, we also have shade cloth under each swag, helps keep them a little cleaner.

Have you ever treated w your swag with some kind of waterproofing agent??

I spend 100+ nights in my swag each year and have never gotten wet, not have I ever had a problem with condensation.

It has a window that is the full tall end of the swag and another (that you can't close) at the feet.

In cold weather I've slept with the hole thing clsed up, except for th small window at the feet, without any trouble.

My point is that I have never used a waterproofing agent on the canvas, these stop water, sure, but also prevent the swag from breathing, hence the condensation buildup.

You are doing something horribly wrong Ian - you are not using the grey matter between your ears. It doesn't take much effort to rig a tarp over your swag to keep the moisture out and if you view this as 'messing around', you deserve to get wet.

Diesel 1

We have a tarp and 2 poles which go onto car, and can be 3 ft high at other end, 6 ft high, or pegged to ground so side angle section gives cover for wind coming in sideways, or rain.

We also use it for shade during the day if required.

[ View Image]

Ian
We were camped at coffins bay over easter and condensation inside our oztent was dripping on our bed, and even in the caravans only not so bad.
It was the weather that was at fault and even if you spent 15 min. setting up a cover, you would still have gotten wet in those conditions.

Cheers Steve

Hello Ian

I haven't read the rest of the replies but here is my response, after just going through all the same thought processes it seems you have.

Swags don't breathe like most inners of tents. They are waterproof because they absorb water, the water expands the fibres of the materials and tightens, hence no more water can enter and it runs off.

Likewise, if it is a moistish night outside (as is usual in SA during the cooler and cold months) then the canvas will still absorb moisture from outside. Then, as is when it is raining or dewy, the water can not get in as well, but also the moisture and heat inside can not get out. Hence you get saturated. You can have windows in the sides, but unless there is a constant breeze flowing thought the swag the moisture from your body and already within the swag will evaporate, rise and make you very very wet.

Don't get me wrong, I love my swag, but in my older (I'm 31 now!) and wiser age I have come to see the benefits of small tents. You can get them for about $40 on. Even though the tent may collect condensation inside (and they are less likely to) it doesn't really matter because it's not against you or your sleeping gear. Being nylon or poly it dries very quickly, especially in the sun. If you get a good design (i don't know anything about the one you are looking at ) then you can have windows all round and even on top without the fly on nice evenings, and still clearly see the stars and feel like you are sleeping out.

If you are going to start putting up tarps and stuff, you may as well just put up a small tent (mine takes me about 3 minutes all up) and enjoy. Also is somewhere to shelter if it is raining.

Mind you, many of the swags these days with flexible poles and ropes are just small canvas tents anyway - some of them take as long to put up as a small simple tent.

Also think of the space the swags take up. A mate and me recently went on a 6 day camping and fishing trip, covering about 2600 kms. I had to have my roof racks on to accommodate the swags. I would estimate the extra wind resistance cost me an extra $60-$80 in fuel. My little tent fits into less than the size of a compact sleeping bag, then you nust need your sleeping bag and a self-inflating mattress (mine is $50 from K-mart, had it for 5 years now and no problems, very comfy).

Just some food for thought for you Ian.

Regards

D-Jack