help needed with swags

I have 3 swags 2 x southern cross swags 1x double 1 x single
and also 1 x single down under all the dome type.
Swags are great when the weather is fine and are horrible when raining.
I have a tarp that can cover the swags for bad weather or if travelling with the family I take our centre poll style tent and throw that up and just roll the swags out inside.

Hope this helps

All the best
Eric

I been tossed between swag and tent last year. Have had a look into many different type of and finally decide to get small hiking style tent Coleman Epsilon 2. I have concluded that against such tent swag does not have any speacable advantages – this tent even look like swag and can be erected in no time. Weight about 2 kg and it is incredibly compact. Having everything in one bag possibly convenient, but having everything separately far more versatile.

Just my 2 cents
Serg

Smifffy,

Have a read through this thread 34437

Hi Andrew
I have 3 swags all with water proof bases and built matresses.
I prefer the Burke and Wills stringybark. I think it is just a little more user friendly
Ray

Gday.
I dont like the pop up type swags cause they seem to be in between a swag and a tent. ( too big to roll tight and still not big enough to be shelter)
The only thing I reckon you NEED is.....
PVC bottom
Make sure it is big enough
Thick enough matress
zips on both sides if its a double
A big flap to throw over your head incase.....

a good option is a zip up pocket inside at your head end to throw in your keys, clothes, mozzie/fly net, pocket knife etc, etc,

Cheers

I have the Burke-Wills Redgum Double..

It is a heavy swag,well built and usually takes two to roll up tight ...If anything goes wrong with it they will stand by there product...

Found using the egg cup mattress on the top is a beauty combined with the supplied one...

Cheers

We use Down Under - Goanna swags. I don't think they make them anymore though.

These are basically the triangle shape. For the Minister and the kids they get setup like a tent - 2 mins.
For me it's roll it out and jump in.

Best bet is to have at least a small tarp to set up a lean too if the weather turns on you.
We spent 3 weeks touring Vic last year and it rained probably 14 of those nights.
Had the awning off the side of the car and a small tarp over the back which kept swags and occupants reasonably dry.
I'm still not convinced on the dome ones. To have to step in and out would be awkward if the weather was average or if too many cordials are consumed! The little ones could destroy them.

We normally have the tent as backup but rarely use it.

Important thing with the swags are space. Make sure you have the room in or on the car. If you're taking a trailer you should have no probs.
They roll up reasonably compact, it's all toes ,knees and roll down the shins, but are awkward to roll up tight when camped on the beach.
Beauty of them is they have the mattress inside with a sheet and swag bag. Sleeping arrangements all in one parcel.Throw it out and it's relax time.
Hope this helps
Paul

Gidday Smiffy,

We bought a double swag a few months back as was getting sick and tired of blowing up the air bed, then making up the bed then either letting down the air bed or pumping the dam thing up in the middle of the night then packing everthing back up the next day.
Have your basic double swag with two zips down the side and a large flap to pull over your head if the weather turns pear shape. Also I put the entire swag into a double type mossie/fly net with base and two zip doors. Still look up at the stars at night.
For privacy if we go to caravan parks I take and use a center pole 2 minute type tent.
I have the bed already completely made up with pillows inside so its an easy matter of either unroll in the mossie tent or the center pole tent and wolla instant bed.
My wife did not want to have a swag at first because she did not like the idea of sleeping in a cocoon until I showed her what I was looking at and how you can have the whole thing unzipped, also she did not like the idea of sleeping in the open with all the creepy crawlies around until I also showed her the mossie tent.
We have used the swag both out in the bush and the caravan park and both love sleeping in the swag as it is ready made and comfy.

Cheers
Greg

I'll still stick to what I said back in May 06 in the response to the thread linked earlier. Only now I've lived in it for about 12-14 weeks all up on trips since '05. The thermarest mattress is the best thing you could do to any swag. Expensive but they pack small and are far more comfortable than the foam mattresses.

Dave

PASTE FROM ARCHIVES
Easy. Made in Shepparton - either a Darche Superdome (which I have) or a King Dome which they only started making recently.

I have lived in my Superdome for 6-8 weeks in the last 18 months. I swapped out the mattress for a Thermarest. Nothing wrong with the mattress but on the Canning we had 5 swags on the roof and I wanted mine to pack smaller.

Great swag. Reasonable price.

Darche - Shepparton

Dave

Not that I am an expert on swags, but just bought one of Mr Swagman's Deluxe Doubles, and its great. Quality and build feel exceeded what I expected.. has all the features etc ... thick mattress .. and I bought the bag for it as well. Have a look at their option as well. Did some research and my impression was that it was 'good stuff'.

Here's the link to it: http://www.mrswagman.com.au/premium-deluxe.shtml

Hi Smifffy,

The best advice I can give on Swags is to get one with ZIPS not VELCRO. Buy it from some country area where it's made and remember always buy Australian they are made for this country.

Velcro sets full of dirt and grass after a couple of trips in the bush.

Kev

what happened to swags that were just a bed roll and mattress rolled up in an oblong sheet of canvas. No zips or other restrictive devices but a bit extras canvas. If its rains you want a sheet of something to keep the water off whatever it is.

I have a couple of zippered swags that are like coffins. Lucky I go off to sleep quick. My Bro and his wife have the original type and I reckon they are the best.

owen

geeze thanks guys for all the reponses and feedback.

believe me it is muchly appreciated.

i will take the minister & we will go around and investigate as to what is going to suit us.

everyone has a different opinion & suggestion which i like but there is plenty of info for me to work with wich i what i wanted!

cheers & thanks again to all.