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Ep 197 – Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Camp Stretcher

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From bad backs to bad sleeps, the humble camp stretcher has a lot riding on it.

Whether you’re looking to get up off the ground, create some storage under the bed, or simply bring a touch of home comfort to the campsite – Ben and Lauren stretch the topic thin and lay it all out flat. From easy-fold favourites and flat-fold classics to compact Helinox-style options and swag-specific setups, our gear gurus cover the lot: single vs. double, pole vs. no pole, saggy middles, tent fit, mat pairings, and the age-old question of whether your tent floor needs protecting.

Tune in for a no-nonsense guide to navigating the camp stretcher range — and finally get a good night’s sleep sorted!

AI generated image of a femal sleepig on a camp stretcher in the Australian bush.

AI generated image

Shortcuts:

0:26 – Intro: Why get a camp stretcher? Benefits covered (bad backs, storage, swag use, flood protection)

2:48 – Negatives of stretchers: bulk, weight, insulation limitations, and tent fit challenges

5:01 – Sturdy stretcher options: Australas Easy Fold, Zempire Z-Leg, and Quest Fast Bed reviewed

7:36 – Flat-fold stretchers: Big Sky and Ostra Rhino Bed discussed, plus comfort vs. portability trade-offs

9:25 – Cross-leg stretchers: Oztent RS1, Coleman Swagger, 23Zero and others compared for stability

10:59 – Compact stretchers: Helinox options reviewed, value vs. cost debate, and budget alternatives

13:39 – Double stretcher deep-dive: pole vs. no pole, the sagging middle problem, and Quest’s platform solution

16:28 – Swag-specific stretchers: matching dimensions, overhang tips, and whether tie points are really necessary

18:31 – Stretcher tents: Oztent Bunker, Oztrail, and Quest options explored as an all-in-one alternative

24:18 – Common questions answered: mattress pairing, tent floor protection, uneven ground, and putting two stretchers together

Mentioned in This Episode:

Products:

Stretchers

OZtrail Easy Fold Stretcher

Zempire Z-Leg Stretcher

Quest Fast Bed

Big Sky Flat Fold Stretcher

OZtrail Rhino Bed

Quest Flat Fold Bed

Oztent RS1

Coleman Swagger Stretcher

23Zero Husky Stretcher

Darche 1400 Stretcher

Helinox Stretcher

Zempire W-Leg Stretcher

Quest Swag & Mattress Platform

Oztent Bunker Oztent Bunker Pro

OZtrail Stretcher Tent

Quest Stretcher Tent

Podcasts:

Ep56 – Will That Stretcher Fit?

Ep149 – Brand Spotlight: Quest Outdoors

Thanks for listening, tune in again for next week’s episode!

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of the Snowys Camping Show Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTubeSpotifyiTunesAmazon MusiciHeartRadioPocket Casts, or Podcast Addict so you never miss an upload.

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Catch you out there!