Tentcots & Swags

[Outlaw]

Okay so i'm planning on flying into Cooma as don't have the time to drive so just realised a swag would be a handy thing to have... and i don't really have anything that could be used instead.

So after reading a few threads on Swags i'm not overly convinced on them as a good all purpose shelter with the heat thing and being a queenslander even winter can be warm at times...

So anyone have any experience with the Tentcots (http://www.kamprite.com/pages/home)? Going to choose between a dome swag or one of those i think...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
cheers in advance.

Outlaw

[incisor]

i thought they were for locking up the kids when camping... hehehehehe

i could be right afterall!

saw em at anaconda, not a bad idea..

[Disco_kid]

Hey outlaw when are you flying down. I've been tossing up whether to drive down or not. And hiring a car for me is quite expensive as i'm under 25. I'd love to take the Disco down but like you said i just dont have the time. Are you flying into canberra?

[Tank]

Okay so i'm planning on flying into Cooma as don't have the time to drive so just realised a swag would be a handy thing to have... and i don't really have anything that could be used instead.

So after reading a few threads on Swags i'm not overly convinced on them as a good all purpose shelter with the heat thing and being a queenslander even winter can be warm at times...

So anyone have any experience with the Tentcots (http://www.kamprite.com/pages/home)? Going to choose between a dome swag or one of those i think...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
cheers in advance.

Outlaw
I had a look at one of these also, the Pro's and Cons over a good Swag are:
Pro's are that they are off the ground and easier to get in and out of.
Con's are the size when folded up and the weight, they are too bulky and heavy.
Have you seen one folded or felt the weight, I suppose you might get a lightweight alloy framed one, but I doubt the strength of an alloy framed one, if you can buy one.
I ended up with a OZ Tent dome type swag, light and compact, I've just been camping in hot humid weather and with the top rolled back it was very comfortable under the insect mesh, and during winter at minus five with my sleeping bag was comfortable as well, hope my experience helps, Regards Frank.

[Blknight.aus]

they're a good thing the ADF uses something similar now in place of a hootchie and a mozzie net when not doing "hard" field.

If you want as I'll be taking my time heading down and should have some space you can chuck your swag/mozzie thing on the trailer, my anticipated ETA is mid to late on the friday.

[harro]

Okay so i'm planning on flying into Cooma as don't have the time to drive so just realised a swag would be a handy thing to have... and i don't really have anything that could be used instead.

So after reading a few threads on Swags i'm not overly convinced on them as a good all purpose shelter with the heat thing and being a queenslander even winter can be warm at times...

So anyone have any experience with the Tentcots (http://www.kamprite.com/pages/home)? Going to choose between a dome swag or one of those i think...

http://www.kamprite.com/assets/au/products_over_00_large.jpg
cheers in advance.

Outlaw
Hate to say it but i would be rolling my swag out it the tentcot.
We have a double swag and roll it out into a three man tent.
The best thing about swags is a pre-made bed.:D

[waynep]

Looks like a good idea. Great for those that have a big problem with sleeping on the ground ( and it's amazing the number of people that do --- can't understand why myself )

couple of thoughts ;

-- I'd be looking at how well it can be secured to the ground. It would need good long pegs otherwise it'll be away in a good wind when nobody is in it.( perhaps worse than dome tents becuse it's got a higher centre of gravity, and the wind can get underneath it.)

--- Looks like it would take longer to set up than a swag. The great advantage of a swag is that all your bedding is already there - you just roll it out maybe put up a couple of hoops and you can crawl in.

--- It doesn't seem to have a fly - most dome tents using that nylon type material use a fly over top ( ie a double skin). I'd therefore be concerned about condensation, and how waterproof it would be in a storm. If it DOES have a fly and its just not shown in the photo, then it would take longer to set up. (like a dome tent ). Swags are canvas so only need one skin ( although I often set up a tarp over top of mine if it looks like rain.)

--- Construction : swags are made of heavy duty canvas and maybe a couple of fibreglass or alloy hoops, and that's all - will last a lifetime if looked after. The Cot Tent thing looks like it could suffer from tears and structural failure in the tubing hinges and joins ( possibly ) - maybe live for 5-10 years of reasonable use.

if it was evens on money I reckon I'd be staying with a swag.

[mcrover]

We have (as well as the RTT) a double swag which we use in the big tent if staying for a reasonable amount of time or in a small 3 man tent if we go somewhere without the RTT on.

It is a normal standard type swag without the poles etc like these modern type ones which I would be quite happy to sleep in under a tarp.

The swags like Gav and (sounds like) you have Wayne I thought were called swag cots but that might have been when they werent the norm and the standard piece of canvas with a bit of foam and a sleeping bag in it was a swag.

I think it looks a little too complicated to be taking on a plane, I'd roll up a tarp and some 4 tent polls (the type that come in half) and some guy ropes as well as pegs and a hammer in a swag and go from there, you will have wind protection as well as be able to keep most of the weather off you if it were to rain but the swag (as long as you swell it) is water proof anyway and they are also nice and warm.

[Barra1]

Gee, that thing looks as flash as Michael Jackson:o

For a plane trip - ex-Army hoochie, two of those two-piece poles - six guy ropes and pegs - and a swag (like a Hal Sual Swag) and bob's-your-uncle.;)

Comfortable, dry, warm (or cool - sleep on top of the swag) - and best of all- compact.;):D

Or even better - just take your swag and a slab. Plenty of members here will let you unroll the swag under their tarps/awnings.:D

[100I]

Gee, that thing looks as flash as Michael Jackson:o

For a plane trip - ex-Army hoochie, two of those two-piece poles - six guy ropes and pegs - and a swag (like a Hal Sual Swag) and bob's-your-uncle.;)

Comfortable, dry, warm (or cool - sleep on top of the swag) - and best of all- compact.;):D

Or even better - just take your swag and a slab. Plenty of members here will let you unroll the swag under their tarps/awnings.:D

:thumbsup:
yep, KISS.
I had camped like that for years, can't fit much on a bike.
If it's warm peg it with ropes (or bungees) & short poles, if it's cold peg it down snug to the ground & pole one end (or corner if using a tarp) just high enough to crawl in. Light & compact & all you need for a night or 2.

[sniegy]

Hi Outlaw,
This is what i have & wouldnt have any other. It has vents front, sides & on top. So a small breeze or even just left open lets it breathe. I used to have a small single dome type tent & as others have said they dont last long at all. The swag i have had now for 6yrs & it is great.
Hot cold or oherwise it is easy to pitch, mine has 2 poles & a cross bar & 2 small ropes at the rear & the bed is all in the swag. You could choose to
put pegs to the ground, but i mainly use my swag for daY to day travelling & if i dont have to then i dont...as u can see in the photo.

Happy hunting.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/02/539.jpg

[Larry]

. Plenty of members here will let you unroll the swag under their tarps/awnings.:D

Packing wise,I think that's your answer.;) As long as you don't snore!:p

[953]

Hi Outlaw,
This is what i have & wouldnt have any other. It has vents front, sides & on top. So a small breeze or even just left open lets it breathe. I used to have a small single dome type tent & as others have said they dont last long at all. The swag i have had now for 6yrs & it is great.
Hot cold or oherwise it is easy to pitch, mine has 2 poles & a cross bar & 2 small ropes at the rear & the bed is all in the swag. You could choose to
put pegs to the ground, but i mainly use my swag for daY to day travelling & if i dont have to then i dont...as u can see in the photo.

Happy hunting.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/02/539.jpg

Hi sniegy,
your swag looks tuff & durable but Im afraid that if an inch of rain fell over night you`d be swimmin in it , even if u set up a tarp.
I think the big advantage of the tentcot is that it gets u off the ground, although Im not sold on them either.Another alternative would be to go 4 a tent & stretcher which also deals with privacy &room issues if they r a concern.
Personally Ive set my disco up 4 sleeping, it takes me about 10 mins 2 set up.
The down side is it pretty much prevents u from using a cargo barrier:(.
Although no matter how hard it rains u aint gettin wet, your as snug as a bug in a Disco:D.
Cheers Dean.

[Outlaw]

Yeah that seems to be my main concern with Swags... what happens when it buckets down? Assuming that the swag doesn't leak, you still get dirty and muddy crawling out of the thing.

[Tank]

Yeah that seems to be my main concern with Swags... what happens when it buckets down? Assuming that the swag doesn't leak, you still get dirty and muddy crawling out of the thing.
I lay a large tarp on the ground and fold it so that it is about 2metres wide and 3 metres long then I place 6 of those thick sponge mats that clip together, with the holes in them, usually used as a floor in tents or annexes and then put the swag on top. My swag has a canvas base, so with the tarp and the sponge mats I am well insulated off the ground. I've slept through a downpour and the bottom of the swag stayed dry.
I was also thinking of getting a sturdy fold up stretcher/cot to put the swag on top of, why, because as you get older it gets harder to get up off the ground, another problem with the Tent/cot pictured that condensation is a big problem with Nylon tent material, Regards Frank.

[Binford]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/03/601.jpg

http://www.junglehammock.com/images/letters_jeep.jpg


Stay nice and dry....

[Defender=1st]

i was looking at one of these Australian 4WD Monthly dedicated to 4WD, 4x4, SUV, Truck, 4 wheel drive and off road community, loaded with tips, tests, reviews, travel, gallery and forum (http://www.4wdaction.com.au/anywhere_tent.php)
But have been told they are discontinued...i liked the idea of the Anywhere tent because the legs are height adjustable so camping on a slope or rough ground would be easier. now iam looking a the Tent Cot" but am a bit unsure about it, if the ground is uneven.

[Tango51]

i was looking at one of these Australian 4WD Monthly dedicated to 4WD, 4x4, SUV, Truck, 4 wheel drive and off road community, loaded with tips, tests, reviews, travel, gallery and forum (http://www.4wdaction.com.au/anywhere_tent.php)
But have been told they are discontinued...i liked the idea of the Anywhere tent because the legs are height adjustable so camping on a slope or rough ground would be easier. now iam looking a the Tent Cot" but am a bit unsure about it, if the ground is uneven.


These days, they have got these things called shovels....what you can do is...
;) :D

[Defender=1st]

These days, they have got these things called shovels....what you can do is...
;) :D

Gee:o Thanks, i forgot about those things. your a smart one :p alot of digging though if your on the side of a hill or bank

[953]

i was looking at one of these Australian 4WD Monthly dedicated to 4WD, 4x4, SUV, Truck, 4 wheel drive and off road community, loaded with tips, tests, reviews, travel, gallery and forum (http://www.4wdaction.com.au/anywhere_tent.php)
But have been told they are discontinued...i liked the idea of the Anywhere tent because the legs are height adjustable so camping on a slope or rough ground would be easier. now iam looking a the Tent Cot" but am a bit unsure about it, if the ground is uneven.

Shovel;).
Cheers Dean.
OOps beaten 2 it.

[Furymax]

Outlaw,

Like yourself, I too reside in Qld. I have a Burdekin XL Dome swag available from most BCF. (If you wanna have a look - do a search here https://store.bcf.com.au/flex/default.aspx )
I love it, it is great. Warm with everything shut, cool and breezy with it open, good fine mesh keeps the mozzies and sandflies out and even sand. It has your mattress built in very comfortable on the ground. XL means it is a bit bigger as I am a pretty tall bloke and there is plenty of room in there.
As others have suggested tarp underneath if you are worried about water on the ground, no need to worry about water from above. Although if you are camping in summer and are a fan of the old lunchtime/arvo nap I would suggest a tarp with poles over the top for a bit of extra shade, but you would experience the same effects in your cot thing also.

Go the swag - it is easier and will last you a lifetime.

[tombraider]

I've got one...

Its OK...

Had it for years, back then I had to ship it from the states!

Its bulky, but comfy... My son uses it often in Spring / Summer

But my fat backside doesnt mind the swag in summer, lots of mesh vents is great...

[streaky]

I've been using Tentcot for the past two or three years now. They take less than a minute to errect and are free standing so you don't need to hammer pegs into the ground like some of the swags I've seen.

I store mine upright behind the front seats in the Disco or up on the roofrack if I need to use the space inside the truck.

The nylon isn't as breathable as I'd like and there's usually some condensation on the inside of the fabric in the morning...this is cured by rolling up the side vents and leaving the mosqitoe nets only for windows.

I think they are great bits of kit. I used it for five nights away and when used with a roll up matress I got agood nights kip every night way from the creepy crawlies.

[Blue_Paj]

Hi Streaky,

Doing a bit of research about theTent Cot for my new accomodation which may be either this or a swag.

Can you plaese tell me your thoughts on the quality, build, durability and design now that you have had it a long time.

Thanks Matt

[Tombie]

We have one...

I imported it back when they werent available here.

Son loves it, far more comfy he reckons! Definitely in summer, bit cool in winter with the airflow underneath.

But bulk... Think the old square 'card tables' with the 4 legs that folded down from each corner... Now make it 100mm thick...

If you have a roof rack etc, they're fine...

I quite like using it... Once cable tied it to the defender roof rack and slept up there!

[Tombie]

Build quality of genuine tent cots is great....

Never had an issue....

[Blknight.aus]

After having to pack 6 of the buggers into and out of the baggage truck or the bash...

DONT GET ONE.

pain in the ass to pack and if you're big and you set up on hard uneven ground they break.

Im not sure if the ones that were bought along were the same as the austent ones. but after watching some people try these things out Ive discovered the following

A decent swag sets up quicker
you can put you're swag on top of one of the new metal framed stretchers you get the same height off the ground
even if you do that, the swag option is still quicker.
Throw up tents are even quicker (but very funny to watch when someone drunk forgets to let go of it while its unfolding)
all of the above are a lot easier to pack and dont hurt other things while in transit.

[Randylandy]

Was looking at a US camping forum the other day. A few of the blokes where modifing them and using them as roof top tents on jeeps and trailers. Sounded like a good cheap way of getting a roof topper. Now has me thinking.

[Outlaw]

So getting back to an old thread of mine.

Ended up buying a hiking tent for cooma which weighed under a k and was used twice. Then bought a singlepole tourer tent which is great but bloody bulky and still takes some effort to put up and pack up, get the bed sorted etc. so over that now (see Markets soon)... so now back to looking at tentcots or swags for my personal use when the missus doesn't come to.

Reading back through the above it seems maybe a swag would be the way to go and possibly using on a stretcher. DO many others use them on a stretcher??? Looks like a swag with probably just the single hoop, stretcher and gazebo over the top sounds like a perfect option.

[crump]

I use a swag on a "kookaburra" alloy stretcher, taked 5 mins to set up next to the vehicle and i chuck a mossie net over the top tied to the roofrack.