New 2005 Fleetwood Tucson newbie!

[madkatz1]

Hello all...this is a great forum!
I've been reading it for days and taking notes on all the great tips & info you all have provided. I will break in my new pu in 3 weeks when we head for the Keys...Marathon 7 mile race.
My new pu is the smallest folding trailer Fleetwood makes and I understand the Tucson model has been discontinued. It's only an 8' box, but when opened up it seems much larger. I think it will be very comfortable for the 2 of us. It has a killer AC w/heat strip, refrigerator, 2 burner gas stove and a hand pump sink. Does anyone out there have a Tucson? And if you do, do you like it?
"Toys" I bought for camping:  New Coleman Road Trip grill - great reviews on this grill everywhere on the www - I can't wait to cook some yummy things on it. Bought the carrying case for it, too...it has wheels! Collapsible, plastic storage bins - great price...$3.99 @ Tuesday Morning store. They are much more on the internet and I didn't have to pay for shipping! Got an iPod portable speaker system so the tunes will sound great!
"Toys" I need...
1) Interlocking mats or washable carpet sections for the area under the canopy? (Gotta keep my new pu clean & looking nice!)
2) Memory foam mattress for the bunks? Size, type, brand, thickness? I don't think the supplied, dinky mattress will be very comfortable by itself.
3) Coffee maker for the propane stove? Any suggestions?
Anyway, thanks for reading and any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Soon to be a Happy Camper..... madkatz1

[keeperdog]

Welcome to PUT.

Try overstock.com for the mattresses.  I recently bought two king size 2" memory foam mattresses (each one came with two free contoured mf pillows) for $69 each.  Haven't popped up yet this spring but plan to try them out soon.  The kids love them in the living room floor.  

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new PU and Welcome to PUT!  Have a great time on your trip and race.

[madkatz1]

Thanks keeperdog...
I went to Overstock.com and ordered a 2" memory foam mattress and the contour pillows were included - all for $69.99. (Costco wanted $100).
The prices were so good that I also purchased some 440 thread count sateen sheets. Excellent price @ $39.99!!!
Signing up for Overstocks credit card I saved another $5-7...great recommendation!!!!         Thanks so much....  madkatz1

[tlhdoc]

Coleman makes a dip coffee maker that you use on a stove.  Some people use a french press to make their coffee when camping, or a percolator.  I don't like coffee so I am not much help on which one works the best.

[madkatz1]

Hey tlhdoc...thanks for the info. I'll check out the Coleman coffee maker. I really like their products -
Coffee tastes so much better when you make it outdoors...and the Tia Maria added makes it so much better!
madkatz1

[2goldens]

Check these outdoor mats out, we ordered 2 medium sized last year and they are great

 http://www.cherrybrook.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemClassId=0&parent=yes&productID=68753

sweep or hose off and they fold small.

we take our Bunn cofee pot on every trip because camper does not have hot water and it heats it fast but you do need electric, also have a campfire one but don't like to wait for fire to have coffee.  Bunn makes instant hot water for dishes too.

Happy Camping!

[keeperdog]

Thanks keeperdog...
I went to Overstock.com and ordered a 2" memory foam mattress and the contour pillows were included - all for $69.99. (Costco wanted $100).
The prices were so good that I also purchased some 440 thread count sateen sheets. Excellent price @ $39.99!!!
Signing up for Overstocks credit card I saved another $5-7...great recommendation!!!!         Thanks so much....  madkatz1

You're welcome.  :W

I have come to really like Overstock.com, they have a good selection and great prices.  

On the coffee pot, we have a Coleman percolator that works on the stovetop, camp stove or fire pit.  It is stainless steel and works great.  I can't imagine camping without it.  

Here it is on Amazon although it says it is out of stock.  We bought ours at WalMart a few years ago when we were tent camping.

[madkatz1]

Check these outdoor mats out, we ordered 2 medium sized last year and they are great

 http://www.cherrybrook.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemClassId=0&parent=yes&productID=68753

sweep or hose off and they fold small.

we take our Bunn cofee pot on every trip because camper does not have hot water and it heats it fast but you do need electric, also have a campfire one but don't like to wait for fire to have coffee.  Bunn makes instant hot water for dishes too.

Happy Camping!

Hi there 2goldens,
I checked out the outdoor mats. Are your medium ones 9'x9'?...a little big, but the price is right. Do you think they can be cut to a smaller size without the edges unraveling? And, approxomately, how thick are they? It's hard to tell on the web page. I'll check out the Bunn as well. I think I'll probably get a small Mr. Coffee @ Wally World for $15. I'll have electric so it'll be no problem. I can set it for the time and wake up smelling coffee brewing....ahhhhhhh!
Thanks for responding!

[cyclone]

I also have the mat from Cherrybrook, but mine is a 6' x 8'.  It works well under the awning and I'm very pleased with it.  I doubt that it could be trimmed and remain intact.  It even came in a plastic carry bag (which I threw out) that said rv mat on it.  My only complaint at the time I ordered it (two years ago) was that there was only one color choice.  It didn't "match" my camper. We got a newer pu last year and now it matches.  :p

[masspopup]

We got an awning mat from an eBay seller.

http://stores.ebay.com/Jackson-Traders

They charged only $39.95, when all the other sellers of the same mat are getting $49.95-$65.95.  Here is the best part, they only charge $3.95 for shipping!  Finally an eBay seller that isn't gouging shipping costs.  One more note, I ordered the wrong color, and the exchange process was seemless.  They are a pleasure to deal with.

[PITPOP27]

Here it is on Amazon although it says it is out of stock.  We bought ours at WalMart a few years ago when we were tent camping.

We just bought it a couple months ago from Walmart, makes a mean cup of Joe.  Just don't feel like you need to get the tin cup mugs for you coffee, the coffee goes cold and the handle is HOT!

I'd recommend the BAL leveler, it keeps you nice and steady, and I also own a Fleetwood which the doors latch has issues if you aren't level.

Also, the Gizmo's bunk end covers, to keep the AC in and the heat in the winter.

You can also find those  mats being sold one EBAY under Awning mats for a pretty good price!

[tlhdoc]

Do you think they can be cut to a smaller size without the edges unraveling?

If you cut the ends they will come apart.  I have a 9 X 12 and if I am using my AAR I leave one third of the mat unfolded so I have a 6 X 12 mat.

[2goldens]

madkatz1....this may be a better link for the mats
//www.cherrybrook.com  and under search put in rugs, you will get all sizes.

I bought a 6x8 (they also come in 4x7 and 9x9) for a trip to the beach last summer.  We liked it so much I came  home and ordered a 2nd 6x8 and we take both of them camping.  Some times we lay them side by side for a larger area and other times I use just one under the canopy and put the other on the ground with the dog pen on it for the dogs to have a spot to lay when there are stones.  They are thin but stiff, do not cause tripping when walking, nor do they bunch up and get in the way.  Water runs right through, don't think I would try to cut them.  They also have grommets in the corners if you wanted to stake them but I haven't found that necessary.

You can see ours at //www.fchris.smugmug.com

[hatlet]

Hi, we purchased our 2005 Tucson last November, used it twice so far, didn't get A/C, everything else the same as yours. We upgraded from a 1978 Viking Little Gaser that we had for 16 yrs. Basically the same size as the new one, except the bed sizes(enjoying the larger bunk). We pretty much use it for sleeping only, everything else we do outside (old tent camping habits) so far we like it alot.