Wednesday, Sep 18, 2002 at 00:00
Like Bob Y, I use an "old" style swag. Having used a camper trailer for some years, I am again appreciating the simplicity of a swag. About a year ago, I bought a you beaut swag for my wife, from Candy Canvas here in S.A. It is suberbly made, and my wife loves the security it offers against reptiles, snakes, spiders, etc. But I would say that it is really only a secure sleeping bag made of canvas - in other words a canvas cocoon.
My own swag, used since 1973 and still OK, is a a sheet of quality canvas 11' x 12'. This is large enough to have plenty of canvas area to stand on while undressing & getting into the swag, and wide enough to enable the side flaps to throw over each side and tuck under the feet for those cold nights. There is also enough length to have my pillow & overnight bag on canvas, not getting pushed into the dirt, and to pull over the head if it rains. (nothing like getting rained on in a swag..it sounds like a deluge, but might be only a few drops.)
So you can see that width and length are important. I have a high density foam mattress 2 " thick, with a sheepskin underlay and a sheet on that. Then a doona for winter, or blankets for summer. To combat mossies, an independently erected mossie net gets rolled up as
well. A cocoon style swag has zips to acheive a similar tempaerature control, but that's all.
The whole roll has less diameter than the "bought" brands, so it stores on the roof rack
well. It would have to cost less than an off the shelf model.
Hope this helpsyou, William.
Rick.
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