AROUND-OZ MOTORHOMES

"Tickled Pink" - Mercedes Benz
Swagman Review

Harry and Trish Godley, Queenslanders from the CMCA Highway Wanderers chapter have a rather unique way of eliminating the need for an A-Frame in their 1991 model B Class Swagman! Stick the vehicle in your bedroom is their simple advice! Yes, and it really works. This is a very interesting vehicle and was built by now deceased Harry Sawtell - the Swagman founder. Despite the old fashioned materials used by today's standard, the finish on this RV is superb due possibly to the greater attention to detail in the "olden days" before the current boom.

We liked the control system - almost impossible to fail and similar to the method used on all Gary Dryden's Fifth Wheeler slide outs. You plug a separate control into a Utilux socket. The bed is to the left of the top right photo. Steel tracks guide and take the load as the Suzie is driven off under its own power.

Now before you all race out and start cutting the rear end of your pride and joy you do need to think about the drawbacks particularly if you free camp a fair bit. Taking the vehicle out takes about 15 minutes. If you have to leave a campsite in a hurry you might have to leave the car behind if it should happen to be unsafe to go outside. You can't have a quick nap by the roadside when you pull up for lunch to mention just a few!

The switch idea works brilliantly well and is just so simple and low cost. There are several steps needed to get the bed ready. First up it must be lowered using a boat winch hidden away in a wardrobe. This is a great idea and a sign of the tremendous thought that Harry Sawtell put into this vehicle.

Then you put the legs on and then the bedhead. The good news is that you can fold it away with the bed already made up - a wonderful time saver. Just look at the smile on Trish's face - is this happiness or what?