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Gene · 01-10-2014, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the photos. Since you don't use the cooktop, the work area makes perfect sense. I have seen that style of rubber floor and it just wasn't the style we wanted, but it is very practical. I don't think we found any stores in western Colorado that had any rubber floor samples, and so we didn't explore it further.

But, when you are boondocking, do you hook up a generator to zap the food?

Glad to hear the furnace is healthy and you haven't been frozen. And it is good to know a rear camera can work; the one on our new FJ Cruiser is awful. The picture looks like a tennis court (otherwise incomprehensible reference lines on the screen) with vague outlines of something, rain, snow or clear. I couldn't believe Toyota would put out such a poor product; glad I can use mirrors.

Gene

**moosetags** · 01-10-2014, 10:09 PM

We used that same type of rubber flooring in Old Lucy. It adds some insulation and makes it a lot easier to kneel on the floor to get stuff out of floor level storage areas.

We do carry two Honda 2000 gen sets with us, but most of our real boondocking is done in the Outfitter pop-up truck camper which has an inverter of sufficient wattage to run the microwave.

Brian

**moosetags** · 01-11-2014, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Glad you got the furnace functioning again. The heat pump is way too loud for me..
Just curious, could you post a pic or two, or a link to the rubber flooring, and work bench counter top over the burners?
Thanks
Jeff

The rubber floor tiles that we are using are made by Norsk. We got them on-line from Sears.com. A six pack of 2'x2' interlocking tiles goes for $20. We bought 4 packs to do the whole trailer. We have also put this type of flooring on the board under Lucy mattress.

The work bench/counter top is made from 1x3 hardwood lumber, stood on end in a "U" shape that surrounds the stove top on both sides and the back. The top is a piece of 3/4" finish plywood that measures 32" wide by 23" deep. The 1x3 base is actually 2.5" tall which is just right to keep the bottom of the workbench surface from contacting the stainless burner cover. There was room for piece of rubber flooring between the plywood and the burner cover. We also ran a piece of Velcro loop on the back and right side of the counter top to keep it from scratch the wall of the trailer.

The surface of the workbench is covered with an Alvin brand self-healing cutting mat cut to size. We decided on this surface because it is very tough. As this work surface also serves as our Moose Tags packing area, it needs to be able to stand up to abuse. It may not be as chic as a matching laminate top, but it works well for us.

Brian

Gene · 01-11-2014, 05:47 PM

Given your style of travel, it is very chic, and practical.

Gene

**moosetags** · 01-11-2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

Given your style of travel, it is very chic, and practical.

Gene

Thank you, Gene. We like it and it works for us.

Brian

**moosetags** · 01-12-2014, 06:28 PM

The flooring in new Lucy is done and looks great. We did have to cut about an inch and a half off the bottom of the bathroom door to provide clearance for the new flooring.

Brian

**moosetags** · 01-13-2014, 08:42 PM

This morning, we headed out in New Lucy. For the first time, she is 100%. The 320 mile trip to Jacksonville went well. On this trip we are towing with the Suburban. We haven't weighed Lucy yet, but Olivia (the Suburban) can tell that she is quite a bit lighter than her predecessor 25FB. There is another difference that is more significant than I thought it would be. The six inch difference in width is very noticeable.

Here are a couple of pictures of Lucy and Olivia on today's adventure.

Brian

SteveSueMac · 01-13-2014, 08:56 PM

Glad to hear it! Travel on!!!

switz · 01-14-2014, 09:44 AM

The other difference may show as more jingle left in your pocket at the gas pumps!

**moosetags** · 01-14-2014, 10:35 AM

So far, we have towed New Lucy about 1,000 miles. Most of the towing has been done with Olivia, the old Suburban. The gas mileage has been about the same as it was with the 25FB, about 9.5 mpg. This non-increase in gas mileage may be due to the fact that Olivia seems a lot peppier while pulling the lighter 23FB. I find that I am having a tendency to pull New Lucy a bit faster on the Interstate. I used to pull at around 65 mph. Now I'm at 70 or slightly above.

We haven't towed with the Duramax enough yet to gauge any mileage difference.

Brian

switz · 01-14-2014, 06:23 PM

Back in the 55mph days, the extra 5 mph from 55 to 60 seemed to use about 10% more gas. Taking the Gold Wing motorcycle from 70 to 80 in Texas takes the mileage from low thirties to mid twenties.

Higher speeds consume more fuel....the cube of the power to double the speed (from engineering somewhere in my past...)

rodsterinfl · 01-14-2014, 08:00 PM

When I shopped between 23 and 25 I was told that the mpg would be about the same. One thing I like that you mention is the width. I am still getting used to hauling around such a mass. Ironic isn't it, we want a big space when shopping and looking inside but then comes the reality of traveling with it! The ability to see better on the sides is probably a good change.

@switz- you are right about speed and mph, especially with a trailer. In my more limited travel I can already observe about a 1mpg difference for each 5mph between 50-65 mph up to 12mpg@65mph for me in flat non-windy conditions- the computer says 13.x-14mpg but calculation says 12.

**moosetags** · 01-14-2014, 08:39 PM

I pulled around a wide-body (2005 25FB) for over 120,000 miles, so I'm real familiar with how it looks from the tow vehicle. I realize that 6" doesn't sound like much, but I can sure see the difference with the 23FB.

I feel like I can thread a needle with my new "skinny" Airstream.

Brian

switz · 01-15-2014, 05:16 AM

My truck also has the lie-o-meter for fuel economy.

Nothing beats a real pencil with paper to generate some accurate records at the gas station.

**moosetags** · 01-15-2014, 11:48 AM

On the '05 Suburban, I compute my mileage manually as the car's computer is not very accurate. The '11 Silverado, on the other hand, has a fuel mileage computer that is pretty spot on.

Brian

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dkottum · 01-15-2014, 01:04 PM

We have no need for accurate fuel mileage records but the mileage meter is a good reminder of driving habits to save fuel. I've never been so careful with the gas pedal since having this in the truck.

mefly2 · 01-16-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

We have no need for accurate fuel mileage records but the mileage meter is a good reminder of driving habits to save fuel. I've never been so careful with the gas pedal since having this in the truck.

I like the instantaneous bar graph in ours for relative comparisons of fuel economy regardless of what the digital computer displays.

**moosetags** · 01-25-2014, 10:01 PM

We have now completed 30 nights in New Lucy, and we have towed her about 2,000 miles.

We are getting used to the the smaller trailer and are making her our new Airstream home. Even though we had a rocky start, she is beginning to grow on us. We have now completed most of the initial personalization items.

Lucy looks a little small when Fred (the Duramax) is doing the towing. On the other hand, she looks about as big as Old Lucy when Olivia (the Suburban) is at the helm.

Brian

GettinAway · 01-26-2014, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

We have now completed 30 nights in New Lucy, and we have towed her about 2,000 miles.

We are getting used to the the smaller trailer and are making her our new Airstream home. Even though we had a rocky start, she is beginning to grow on us. We have now completed most of the initial personalization items.

Lucy looks a little small when Fred (the Duramax) is doing the towing. On the other hand, she looks about as big as Old Lucy when Olivia (the Suburban) is at the helm.

Brian

Glad the 23FB is growing on you. We do like ours. I struggled with going for the 25 when we bought ours, but it would have required upgrading our tow vehicle also.. Not that much I'd change about it. The 14" wheels were a concern, but really haven't turned out to be a problem. (Knock on wood.)

**moosetags** · 01-28-2014, 10:46 AM

We got Lucy back home last night. We are going to complete the rubber flooring job. We are also going to cut some more silver insulation for the rest of the windows.

We have already removed the toilet paper dispenser and towel bar in Lucy's bathroom. Both were ill-placed and in the way.

Today, I plan to remove the magazine rack in the bedroom. We don't find it very useful and it is an obstruction.

The personalization of Lucy continues. We would appreciate hearing about how others have customized their 23FB's.

Brian