Moving from camper trailer to swags
Submitted: Thursday, Jan 11, 2024 at 22:05
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EpicBP
Hey all
My family (3 kids, wife and I) have been using our BS
Alpha camper trailer for the last 7 years. Kind of sick of the tent setup now, even though the space has been fantastic, it’s just not nice to setup and is starting to show its age.
I bought a 23Zero Bandit swag for myself last year and have loved it. My oldest son loves it now, too. So everyone is thinking they’d rather sleep in swags than on inflatables or single stretchers, and I’m thinking about how best to make this work. 90% of our family camping is in caravan parks.
I’m considering removing the tent from the trailer entirely and leaving the cover on, so we can fit four swags (three singles and a double) on top under the cover.
For rain and sun cover, since we’d be losing the annex, I’m thinking about getting a 6x3m gazebo. Gazebo reviews are a mixed bunch. Is a gazebo a realistic option for
shelter from the sun and rain when camping 3-4 weeks a year? And are there versions that are relatively windproof? I love the look of the Drifta 3x3 which I could join a couple together. Oztrail look like they have good products too, but Snowys make a point of saying the Oztrails are “not waterproof”. For a fraction of the price, Kings seem to have a waterproof 6x3, though I can’t imagine it’s built to last.
Any thoughts, on both the idea overall, and specific products if we do go down this path?
Reply By: nickb - Friday, Jan 12, 2024 at 20:58
Friday, Jan 12, 2024 at 20:58
As RMD says, I reckon a 6mx4m tarp, one edge attached to the trailer then the other to the ground with a few pegs/poles in between. Keep it pretty low and it should stop most of the rain getting in. That should handle the wind, be pretty easy to setup and not take up heaps of room in the trailer.
If you are sold on gazebos, I would prefer to use 2x 3mx3m gazebos. Much easier to put up, can fit them better to the
camping area or separate sleeping areas, independent of the trailer - can use just one if you are only taking 2 swags etc, easier to carry/lift/maneuver if you want to adjust your
camp. Just need a rain gutter between them, most likely something off the shelf is available at one of the camping shops. Or even just use a bit of plastic sheet with a dozen bulldog clips!
Another option is 3x awnings, the type that are on the roofrack of every 4x4 in Australia. Make them removable with brackets or whatever, then they can be attached to the sides and rear of the trailer and you can fit a couple swags under each one. We did this when we last crossed the Nullabor, a 2.5x2.5m awning on each side of the car. Set a double swag under each side (parents/kids) and angle the awning right down so it was less than 1m off the ground. Gave pretty good weather protection.
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Follow Up By: EpicBP - Friday, Jan 12, 2024 at 21:16
Friday, Jan 12, 2024 at 21:16
The awnings definitely are looking like an interesting option. And there is a 3x3 gazebo with a gutter option that I really like the look of (Drifta
Stockton) that isn’t TOO pricey. So got some options there. Tarp might also work for low-height swag protection but maybe not so much when the weather sets in for the main living area. But the way you’re suggesting awnings I like, will think more about that one. Thanks!
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Follow Up By: nickb - Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 00:40
Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 00:40
The awnings are cheap enough secondhand that you can buy a few to try it out. Might even snag a 180° or 270° wing for the right price, although I don't believe they have the ability to be angled down to shield against rain/wind.
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Follow Up By: RMD - Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 10:43
Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 10:43
EpicBP
As NickB suggested and further to my post. The tarp can be raised in the middle section while still covering the trailer and with an extending cross pole and end poles to hold the tarp up above head height. In the past I have refused to pay lots of dollars for gear which doesn't do any more than the tarp will provide, and the tarp and poles are easy to pack, even if they are damp. No problem. Camped for a few days over at Eildon with friends, a few years ago and supported tarps is all we used for 3 days of rain. All ok.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 18:29
Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 18:29
Epic,
This is a set up we used to use many years ago, in both hot & wet weather. If it looked like rain, we’d lower the sides to within a metre or less to the ground, to reduce the chance of all of us having wet swags. I’d say this is what RMD was suggesting? Modern tarps might be somewhat lighter than this Birkmyre tarp too?
![Stockcamp, 50 years ago. Victoria River District NT](https://cdn.exploroz.com/images/forum/uploads/46566_458__TN600F.jpg?gid=212115)
Stockcamp, 50 years ago. Victoria River District NT
Bob
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Follow Up By: Richard M29 - Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 19:20
Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 19:20
Bob, that big kero fridge must have been a pain to cart around, I take it this is the mobile cookhouse.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 22:22
Saturday, Jan 13, 2024 at 22:22
Yes, Richard, “mobile cookhouse” sounds a bit flash! A 4 wheel trailer that carried everything needed, including swags etc. As I recall, we had a Landcruiser with a “style side” tray, which made it easier for 3-4 of us to load the fridge when shifting
camp. It was a pain to cart, but afforded us a few simple luxury’s, like cool custard & firm jelly.
Bob
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Follow Up By: Richard M29 - Monday, Jan 15, 2024 at 06:11
Monday, Jan 15, 2024 at 06:11
Yes I have an old kero fridge out at my cabin in the bush. I found it at
White Cliffs for 50 dollars. Needed a little bit of work, but it replaced my gas fridge, as I get a longer run out of the kero, and the fridge is a lot colder in summer. I will never get rid of it as they are so easy to self repair. They ARE rare as hens teeth though these days.
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Follow Up By: EpicBP - Monday, Jan 15, 2024 at 14:08
Monday, Jan 15, 2024 at 14:08
That 70s
camp setup with the kero fridge is amazing, Bob. It's a tad before my time, but I do remember my folks carting the bar fridge around on the trailer to caravan parks. Not quite the "firm custard in the middle of nowhere" that you experienced, though!
Good to see a number of people making the tarp option work. I'm a bit of a novice with building structures with tarps, time to pull one out with some poles and see how it goes in this rain we're having in
Sydney at the moment...
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