Swag or tent??

**101RRS** · 9th February 2012, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Rusnut

I've had a kuranda A-frame from ray's o/d for about five years. You can have both sides pegged open for air flow while its raining, what a marvellous invention.[IMG]

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That is a little tent.

**Rusnut** · 9th February 2012, 06:53 PM

its all 15oz ripstop canvas with a oz tent type floor. swag-tent hybrid

**The Cone of Silence** · 10th February 2012, 01:25 PM

G'day YJ.

Plenty of really good responses here....it's interesting to see who has experience with what.

Like you, it's going to be rooftop tent for me when overlanding in the 110, and I use a Mountain Hardware 2-man Trango tent when I need more space or I'm trekking.

I bought a swag while I'm saving up for the RTT and also for when I'm going away in someone else's vehicle or I just want to be able to throw a bed down quickly. I ended up with the one below and I really like it - comfy, easy to put up and roomy. Bit of a hybrid. As for waterproofing, the canvas can always be treated....and as the front "door" is high you can get in from the front to avoid getting the bedding wet if it's raining. Kind of reversing in, facing down...with your hands on the ground...so only they'll get wet. Never not funny!

Onland Woodland CDK Canvas Dome Swag with bag & Subby Holder

I'm just round the corner from you mate so if you want to have a look at it, give me a call.

0404 224362

Bob

**101RRS** · 10th February 2012, 01:58 PM

On the topic of swags - noting I have never used one.

I can accept that they keep you dry in the rain but what about when water starts pooling around underneath you in really heavy rain. Does water com in under your mattress or what - even if the rain does not come in does the cold from the moving water. When I tent it I am off the floor on a stretcher so not such an issue in a tent.

I have noticed a few people put erect their swag on a large low stretcher to get it off the ground - is this a good idea.

Cheers

Garry

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 10th February 2012, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

On the topic of swags - noting I have never used one.

I can accept that they keep you dry in the rain but what about when water starts pooling around underneath you in really heavy rain. Does water com in under your mattress or what - even if the rain does not come in does the cold from the moving water. When I tent it I am off the floor on a stretcher so not such an issue in a tent.

I have noticed a few people put erect their swag on a large low stretcher to get it off the ground - is this a good idea.

Cheers

Garry

Ive been camping pretty much all my life in one form or another. When using tents (UK, Europe, Africa & Scandinavia) I have NEVER used a cot thingy to get off the ground. A sealed tent / swag is essential to stop exactly what you are talking about. As for the cold rising, a good matteress is the go, the self inflating down ones are lush, but the previous generation self-inflating Thermorest stuff is pretty spot on OK too.

**Tank** · 11th February 2012, 05:11 PM

Garry it's a great idea as you get older, I have found that over the years it gets harder and harder to clamber up off the ground (I'll be 65 in a weeks time), with my swag setup on my stretcher it's as easy as getting into a normal (height) bed and it is extremely comfortable, Regards Frank.

**slug_burner** · 11th February 2012, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

On the topic of swags - noting I have never used one.

I can accept that they keep you dry in the rain but what about when water starts pooling around underneath you in really heavy rain. Does water com in under your mattress or what - even if the rain does not come in does the cold from the moving water. When I tent it I am off the floor on a stretcher so not such an issue in a tent.

I have noticed a few people put erect their swag on a large low stretcher to get it off the ground - is this a good idea.

Cheers

Garry

My swag has at least 100 mm of canvas on the sides that the water would have to get over before it got in the swag. Mattress takes care of cold coming up off the ground.

**Hoges** · 12th February 2012, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by Tank

Garry it's a great idea as you get older, I have found that over the years it gets harder and harder to clamber up off the ground (I'll be 65 in a weeks time), with my swag setup on my stretcher it's as easy as getting into a normal (height) bed and it is extremely comfortable, Regards Frank.

Like my t shirt says "Old Guys Rule"!!

**Tank** · 13th February 2012, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Hoges

Like my t shirt says "Old Guys Rule"!!

Hoges, I wish you'd tell my Missus then, Regards Frank.

**Sue** · 15th February 2012, 11:05 PM

Our swag has never leaked.. and like most campers out there we've been caught camping in a LOT of rain before.. in fact both our tent and camper trailer have leaked but the swag hasn't.. like any canvas though it has to be seasoned before it's fully waterproof.. (ie get it very wet and allow it to dry completely before expecting it to keep the wet stuff out..

I think it's a personal choice between a swag and a tent.. I prefer the camper trailer (for the room) but hate setting it up and pulling it down.. there are also lots of places I wouldn't take a camper trailer too.. the tent is okay too for about 2 nights.. but the swag is perfect for overnight camps or when you know you'll be arriving late and will probably be tired and just want to set up and crawl into bed.. we have a double size swag it's comfortable enough for two (better for one!) and quick and easy to set up and pull down..

We sometimes put a small tarp over the swag.. this is not to keep the rain out though; it's for shade and to keep it a little darker in the morning if we decide to sleep with just the mozzie netting instead of zipping it up totally..

I kinda like the fact we have all three.. it's all about choices and sometimes I like to have a bit more room to move.. but the swag is a good incentive to get out and camp more due to the little effort involved in getting it set up..

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