1997 GQ Patrol RX, TB42E. Mods: OME 2" lift, 33" BFG KM2'S, ARB winch bar & reconditioned X9 Superwinch, IPF 900 spotties HID conversion, ARB side steps and scrub bars, Kaymar rear step & spare wheel carrier & jerry holder, Rear 55W LED worklight, Safari Snorkel, 147L LRA tank, Extended diff breathers, dual batteries, GME UHF, Home built drawer and fridge slide, ARB 60L fridge.
Yep, exactly. Your swag is your bed and it is safely kept out of the dust etc. by being rolled up and ready to go. Storing all your bedding separately is in my books more of a pain in the ass than having the swag rolled up nicely and ready to be laid out. It has to go somewhere anyway, and the ability to throw them on the roof is pretty bloody handy. Where else does everyone put the mattresses, sheet, sleeping bag etc.? One of those age old compromises I suppose...
Between Patrols ATM. Had a beaut GU with 6.5 Chev TD. Next is a GU ute with a 4.5 litre Cummins conversion and a camper on the back.
I recently purchased a Darche Ridgedome, made in China. I would give it a 1/5 rating.
* They are too mean to put eyelets in the window flaps.
* The ridgepole supports the tent in one place which is off centre. It would be nice to see at least support in 3 places. As a result of lack of support, the tent looks very "saggy-baggy" and this "may" result in water pooling in severe rain.
* The swag was erected in the yard and hosed to "weather" it. There has been some rain (bordering on heavy) during that time and there has been some minor water leaks, but perhaps that is part of the "weathering" process, however it does not fill me with confidence.
Having expressed my disappointment in my Darche, it does appear to be the best of a bad bunch bearing in mind that I wanted a swag that was 200cm * 110cm, at least 80cm high and easy to erect.
mad66 (12th January 2018)
Swag material today is a polyester cotton blend and it does not respond all that well to the weathering process as used to exist when canvas was 100% cotton. Generally the seams are configured with a sealing tape and thats about as good as it gets. If it still leaks I would check the zips and also apply a waterproofing agent either in a spray can or brush on to all the seams for good measure.- you won't win with the supplier. I have a Darche Swag, very happy with it. Mine did not leak from memory, and has been thru everything from dry dusty hot to freezing cold under 6" snow and torrential rain. I have a Darche stretcher, bought to match the swag and don't think much of it to be honest - not as sturdy as perhaps the price would indicate it should be.
I have the Kings swags are they are shit. They cannot be pulled tight from end to end to stop sagging and therefor pooling when it rains. Lucky I dont use them often enough to warrant spending good coin on one. My old Darche swag I had was great. Survived many downpours with zero leakage.
AB (6th December 2017)