RE: Our aching backs!!!

Bearnkat · Mar 02, 2003, 05:21 PM

JemJen24Hi Jennifer,

We found the same problem with the mattress that Coleman puts in their popups. They do leave a lot to be desired, especially if you re a big person like me. (Even though I m not as big as I once was. I ve lost 47 pounds since the end of October and Terry has lost 22.)

We ve sloved the thin mattress problem by using one of the Coleman Quickbeds. Our Santa Fe has a king and a regular sized bed, of course we sleep on the king and use the regular one to store stuff on. What we like about the Quickbed, is that it uses the regular sized sheets. All we do is put the air mattress right on top of the regular mattress and sleep that way. After making that addition to our popup, we sleep very comfortably throughout the night.

We ve really never noticed a problem with a draft. I guess we ve been lucky. Now addressing the heat is another issue that we ve had to face. Last summer in Palo Duro our AC unit had to really fight to keep it bearable inside the camper. Before we head to Inks Lake in May for an 8 day trip, we are going to invest in the bunkend covers that Popup Gizmos sells. I ve heard a lot of good things about the reflective covers that they sell.

C & T

dee106 · Mar 02, 2003, 05:33 PM

JemJen24well we used an old king size comforter from our home, i put it under the mattress, then rolled up the edges to form a barrier around the sides gives us added protection, plus we made a skirt to go a round the outside of the wing, keeps the wind from coming up from under plus keeps our stuff neat and dry!

LoveOurBayside · Mar 02, 2003, 05:46 PM

JemJen24My sons always kick over the back of the sofa getting in and out of their bunk so one time I just stuck it behind the head of our bed to get it out of the way and found it made it a lot warmer at night.

We also use the egg crate stuff, then our kingsized Coleman sleeping bag, then another sleeping bag opened up on top if it s REALLY cold.

JemJen24 · Mar 02, 2003, 05:50 PM

JemJen24Wow...so many good ideas!

Chuck, let me know what you find in the way of a reflector, where you bought it and how much it was.

I was debating on Purtis Creek State Park but I ll go check Ray Roberts and Mineral Wells too. Should know soon which one we ll go to. Kinda don t wanna go to Cedar Hill since we re going there in June and that s the one we ALWAYS go to, but if we have to , we will.

J.

Tim5055 · Mar 02, 2003, 06:12 PM

JemJen24

QuoteORIGINAL: JemJen24

Tim...is there anything you DON T have listed on that website?! LOL I think I need to go peruse it once again. ha!

If you can think of something I ve missed, let me know - I ll add it[

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JemJen24 · Mar 02, 2003, 06:22 PM

JemJen24Yes, please add a doggy drool towel to your camping list. Scraping frothy fling buggers off the sides of the camper is NOT FUN. Sheesh, and here I thought you were prepared for EVERYTHING! [8D]

Tim5055 · Mar 02, 2003, 06:49 PM

JemJen24

QuoteORIGINAL: JemJen24

Yes, please add a doggy drool towel to your camping list. Scraping frothy fling buggers off the sides of the camper is NOT FUN. Sheesh, and here I thought you were prepared for EVERYTHING! [8D]

It s alread there.

Under the heading " Drawers - Keep In Camper" you find the item " Dog Towels"

JemJen24 · Mar 02, 2003, 09:42 PM

JemJen24Ok then...you force me to go beyond the realm of sanity......

I didn t want to go there, but you leave me NO CHOICE....

how bout " femine" products?! Unless I ve missed it, I m sure I didn t see that on our list! LOL [

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Ofcourse, you ll probably prove me wrong and have an entire website dedicated to the many uses and types of such. LOL [

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On a side note, I ve bookmarked your website. Soooo much info....I m STILL reading! Great site! [

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gsm x2 · Mar 02, 2003, 10:35 PM

JemJen24

QuoteChuck, let me know what you find in the way of a reflector, where you bought it and how much it was.

You can look at the reflectors at http://www.popupgizmos.com/

I don t have a pair, but those people I associate with who have used them say that they work very well, both in the hot and in the cold.

gsm x2

Goldbender · Mar 03, 2003, 02:50 AM

JemJen24This is exactly the reason I bought a Jayco Heritage. 4" matriess and velcro all around. Plenty of comfort and no wind. I remember looking at those thin coleman matresses and my back hurt just looking at them. So, yes I would agree with those who have advised you to add more padding.

JemJen24 · Mar 03, 2003, 06:26 AM

JemJen24I don t have a problem with air coming up underneath the mattress, just the mattress is too hard for my comfort. The only air problem I have is feeling a bit of cold air seeping in through the edges of the cloth sleeping area. I m going to try pillows, blankets, or placing the bench cushions up there next time.

Maybe I ll have to break down and simply sleep with hubby on one side .....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. LOL

Trlrboy · Mar 03, 2003, 10:10 AM

JemJen24Jen,

Like many others we use the eggcrate foam on top of the mattress and also keep our bunk end reflectors under the mattress.

If you are interested in the bunk end reflectors you can order them here: http://popupgizmos.com/ or you can get these survival blankets from Cabela s that work quite well (I use these): http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0006243510214a&navAction=push&navCount=1&indexId=&podId=0006243&catalogCode=XC&parentId=&parentType=&rid=

The guy that runs popupgizmos is in our popup club and will be at Inks Lake if you attend that campout. His product is really high quality.

We have not had much problem with cold in our Santa Fe. We use an electric Walmart " bathroom heater" that usually works pretty well and has a fan and thermostat on it. When it gets really cold out we have a second electric heater. We hook them up on a separate extension cord out to service box so we don t blow circuit breakers in the morning when the coffee pot comes on or we are using the waffle iron (doesn t everyone eat waffles camping?).

Danusmom · Mar 03, 2003, 10:24 AM

JemJen24

QuoteScraping frothy fling buggers off the sides of the camper is NOT FUN. Sheesh, and here I thought you were prepared for EVERYTHING! [8D]

Just be thankful your dog is not a Great Dane! I grew up with 2 who would hang out the van windows. Talk about " frothy fling buggers" !....GEEESH.[8D][

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Peace be with you all.

sandykayak · Mar 04, 2003, 02:22 PM

JemJen24i got my egg crate topper at Sears for $10, thanks to a tip from a PUTter. That was the sticker price, so they should be the same..and it was for all sizes.

What a difference it made. I love being able to sleep on a nice cool sheet. Thought use sleeping bags in colder weather. That said, the egg crate has made it a bit harder to lock the top after I pop it down, so don t get anything too thick.

Has anyone tried the Truesleep Topper (something like that)? I watched an informercial the other night. It s a special kind of foam...about $100 for twin size...but it would be OK to upgrade a bed at home.

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