Reviving my old Darche canvas swag.

[mudski]

Well not that it needs much or a revive really. Two things I want to do.


Put some new mattresses in there.

and


2. Get it waterproofed.
Its never been water proofed before, and I have slept in it with it bucketing down and didn't get wet. But with this snow trip I think I should do it.

So for the mattresses I was thinking of giving Clarke rubber a visit or is there somewhere better?
And for the waterproofing. What do I need to buy? It's a double swag too if it matters.


Cheers.

[Winnie]

Bear in mind waterproof products will stop the canvas from breathing which results in condensation.

Trying to use Motorculture

[oncedisturbed]

Soak it and dry it where possible in the sun 2-3 times which will cause the canvas stitching to sweel and wick which keeps it waterproof.

If you put a sealing agent on, put it on the inside of the seams as this will prevent it from seeping inside.

Clark rubber are pretty pricey for mats, last time I checked for a thick single matteress they wanted $120 for it.
May as well look at another seag for a bit extra but keen to hear of places with good prices :)


Never underestimate the power of the darkside, let the tap flow through you.

[BigRAWesty]

Grab a self inflating mattress. Cheap, better insulation than just an air mattress and imo a lot bloody nicer to sleep on..

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[mudski]

O.k Thanks for the responses.
So maybe I really only want to waterproof the lower half, as this area is lower and the sleeping gear is touching the canvas. Nothing worse than wet and cold feet while trying to sleep...
As for mattresses, I won't be buying another swag, I had a look at a few and all the ones I saw were cheap looking and feeling. I got my Darche 15years ago, from the factory when they were local to me. It's still in top nick. It looks brand new but being rolled up the mattreses are a bit worse for wear. I have a self inflating matress, I'll see if it fits. The only issue there is height. or thickness.
I'd rather spend a bit on the matresses over buying another swag, it seems a waste to do that to me.

[BigRAWesty]

yes height is an issue, but you can find 50-60mm think mattresses to..

here is one 100mm thick..
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZTRAIL-SELF-INFLATING-CAMP-MATTRESS-KING-SINGLE-MAT-SIZE-/141018152695?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item20d5563ef7&_uhb=1

[Clunk]

Get yourself to Anaconda if you have one close to you......... I've bought 1 of the Dune 4wd self inflating single mats last time they had a sale, bloody comfy I can tell ya, bought another one this time round for the missus........ Less than $75, money well spent if you ask me.

http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product-Listing/Camp-and-Hike/Sleep

My folks went to the Google Play Store and all they got me was this lousy Motorculture App!!!!!!!

[taslucas]

Hi Mudski, i just purchased a jungle reef swag for 80 odd bucks. The rrp is $500! They look great.
Heres the forum page: http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?20717-Which-Swag/page4
They are aussie made and thats a good thing.
Their site: (check out the rrp of the swags)
http://www.techniice.com/camping-gear-categories

An XL swag on ebay
This one is only at $71 right now:
http://www.techniice.com/techniice_ebay/test/images/informations/swags_grey/p_xl_grey.jpg
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XL-Swag-Tent-3-Fibre-glass-Pole-hoop-15oz-Grey-CanvasNEW-/130955315696?pt=AU_Tents&hash=item1e7d8b89f0
http://www.techniice.com/techniice_ebay/test/images/informations/swags_grey/p_xl_grey.jpg


Heres a mattress from the same manufacturers:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SELF-INFLATING-MATTRESS-HIKING-CAMPING-SINGLE-JUNGLEREEF-AIR-BED-Travel-/140967654143?pt=AU_Sleeping_Gear&hash=item20d253b2ff
http://www.techniice.com/techniice_ebay/test/images/informations/self_inflating/p_mattress_pillow.jpg

[threedogs]

If you need to borrow a self inflating mattress I have a 4" job here.
Plus a brand new King single swag with 4" foam.
Both roll up pretty big though

[oncedisturbed]

go to techniice website and with postage at the moment it is still cheaper than fleabay - down to $39

http://www.techniice.com/camping-gear/self-inflating-mattress/mattress-pillow.html

[threedogs]

buy a spray can of scotch guard and spray all the seams

[taslucas]

go to techniice website and with postage at the moment it is still cheaper than fleabay - down to $39

http://www.techniice.com/camping-gear/self-inflating-mattress/mattress-pillow.html

My postage for the swag was $30 and the swag (brand new)was around $85..... Can't beat that

[threedogs]

I use a minus 10 SELK sleeping bag, you look like Gumby but works a treat.
I also have a kangaroo skin doona my mate made for me, now very toastie at night time.
Brought 30 roo pelts tanned from Ebay for $25 dyed black. that and an okaparinga woollen
blanket, pretty cosy

[mudski]

Thanks for the input guys. Like I said I won't be buying another swag where the swag I have is better quality than all of those. Seen them and walked away. Mine just needs new mattresses. Condition wise if you were to look at it, you would think its only a couple of years old. Why waste something when its not needed? As for sleeping bags. You can shove them where the sun don't shine. Haven't slept in one for years. I always use a quality doona and a few blankets. i need to hang my feet out. Plus let the farts out too. Good old dutchies in a swag! Can't beat that.

i'll get some Scotch Guard and do the lower half of the swag and have a hunt around for the mattresses.

[taslucas]

Thanks for the input guys. Like I said I won't be buying another swag where the swag I have is better quality than all of those. Seen them and walked away..

Have you checked out the one i posted? Its very good quality. But yeah youre right, your money is better spent on a mattress if thats all you need.

and ps, im a "legs out" kinda guy too lol. I usually just leave my sleeping bag unzipped. (no thats not an invitation haha!)

[mudski]

Have you checked out the one i posted? Its very good quality. But yeah youre right, your money is better spent on a mattress if thats all you need.

and ps, im a "legs out" kinda guy too lol. I usually just leave my sleeping bag unzipped. (no thats not an invitation haha!)
I did mate but I ain't gonna buy one. I'll check out some mattresses over the coming weeks if I have time before the snow trip. I prolly wont even have time to test out my locker too. Thanks for your input.

[mudski]

Grab a self inflating mattress. Cheap, better insulation than just an air mattress and imo a lot bloody nicer to sleep on..

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)
Haha! I was rereading this thread and it just clicked that I have a self inflating mattress in my garage. What do you know. exact fit so now I don't need to get a mattress. Just the waterproofing to be done. Yay!

[FNQGU]

If you are going to spend a lot of time in the swag, chuck the self inflator underneath the 50mm or 75mm mattress that you are thinking of chucking out, and use them in tandem. The self-inflators tend to feel a bit 'plasticky' when you have just a sheet over them. If weight and bulk is not an issue for your swag, and cash is spare, throw one of those memory foam jobs in there on top of the old mattress....

As for waterproofing old canvas - I recently re-painted my old swag with Aquaproof, a product by COI leisure, and it works well, as do many other products. The condensation in the cold weather is unavoidable unless you have ventilation. I don't think there is any real way to avoid the lack of 'breathability'.

[mudski]

Thanks bud. The inflators is my only issue really. Also I need to use a fitted sheet over it too because of the vinyl material it's made of. But theres no room to fit anymore mattresses on top, so it will be better than it was anyway.

[oncedisturbed]

The Techniice / Jungle Reef mats came in today and am impressed with the quality of them, a smidge thin in width but overall a good mat at 60mm thick as well. Will be even better with a foam topper on it as well.

The air pillows that came with them are better than most the bigger name brands

I have just come across a few other's if someone is still looking for any?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZTRAIL-CAMP-MAT-CAMPING-FOAM-BED-ROLL-190-x-60-x-5CM/141010941916?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D2%26 asc%3D277%26meid%3D448839673806889902%26pid%3D1000 34%26prg%3D1146%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D14096765 4143%26#ht_4033wt_1399


This one looks like it is made with a rip stop thermal blanket material as well which would be good as a base mat in a swag to stop the chill

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sleeping-Bag-Mat-Mattress-for-4WD-Swag-Camping-Yoga-Pilates-NEW/111036670236?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D2%26 asc%3D277%26meid%3D448839673806889902%26pid%3D1000 34%26prg%3D1146%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D14096765 4143%26#ht_3460wt_1399

[threedogs]

If you buy a self inflating mattress ,you'll only require the 3/4 length,
you don't need mattress for your feet only your hips and shoulders.
Doing it this way a 50/75mm mattress may be all you need, cheap too
as a full foam job may be $150 that's with cotton cover, ground sheet,
and some woollen blankets and Doona, Happy Days.
Again I've found full size blow up pillows $6 but cant do the link thing.
MR sent some pics but was way too blurred

[mudski]

Blow up pillows!? I want to sleep you know. I just use a normal pillow. The self inflating mattress I have is pretty good. My only issue is the vinyl on top. Why they don't make it right is beyond me.
Plus I went past a Rays and an Anaconda. Just though to have a look at some sleeping bags. Although I don't use them as I hate sleeping in them, this snow trip might be an exception. OMFG! $250plus for a sleeping bag!!!
Plus the top of the line swags. All of them looked flimsy and wafer thin canvas. nothing compared to my Darche. Even the $500 jobbies they had....

[threedogs]

Check out the SELK bags I have minus 10 yellow number and its awesome to sleep in .plus you can zip your hands in, walk around in it.
I'll never use normal sleeping bag again, and if nature calls for number ones you're good to go. I have single Darche cant beat em like you said,
doubt I'll ever use again as brought a king single for short trips.