Froli Star vs Ikea Lonset in E19. Your research & experience?

[Richard in Georgia]

Extra points for real life experience.

Double points for anyone that can tell me how to get the mattress out of an Escape 19 without cussing.

[huskersteffy]

We installed the Froli system in our 21' and are very happy with the added comfort. Easy to install and trim as well.

Can't help on removing mattress.... Cut it in half?

[Sean Murry]

We installed the Froli System on our 19. Makes the mattress very comfortable, as comfortable as home. We installed to the medium setting. One can install firm or soft, but medium works extremely well for us. With the air space under the mattress the Froli system offers, there is no condensation under the mattress. We have camped in the winter with temps about -6 Celcius. Furnace on, windows cracked a bit and no condensation anywhere.

[Sean Murry]

As for getting the mattress out without cussing...I suggest putting an apple in your mouth.

[Sean Murry]

I didn't have an apple when I took the mattress out. Got it out but cursing was part of the process. Gives you a little bit of extra energy

[Ops]

Frankly...having ordered the Ikea option vs the Froli system (hasn't arrived yet) - I'm inclined to think that either one is expensive. Froli out of the states requires 30% exchange, plus shipping to Canada plus any taxes and duties may be applicable (I am biting my tongue as I write this). So based on that, I ordered from Ikea...you know...the world wide provider of all things Swedish.

Ikea has added $130 in shipping to the taxes and price of their product since it's shipped out of Montreal (I am biting my tongue once again). Note I live in BC. Huskersteffy's comments suggest a win with their purchase/install.

I'll provide an assessment of the Ikea product once it has arrived and is installed.

[cpaharley2008]

Can anyone estimate the additional weight of these under bed support systems?

[Sean Murry]

I never actually weighed the Froli system for our Escape 19, but if I had to guess it would be in the range of 2 or 3 lbs. Very light but sturdy

[MyronL]

I'm not familiar with the Froli but did buy the Ikea Lonset for my 19. Assembly was tedious but acceptable. Dear one with her back claims it made a difference for her. Me, I could sleep on concrete. Biggest issue is the Lonset makes access to the trap doors under it extremely difficult. Have no idea what weight was added but think that is a non-issue.

I'd drive a thousand miles before I would spend $130 for shipping one.

[Richard in Georgia]

All of ya'll - Epilogue - I had a catastrophic incident with Ikea. I'm going with Froli. Thanks

[Ops]

Originally Posted by Richard in Georgia

All of ya'll - Epilogue - I had a catastrophic incident with Ikea. I'm going with Froli. Thanks

Well, to update from my previous, and to parallel Richard's comment the following anecdote is provided.

Queen size "Lonset" was available and on sale (CDN$50) at the closest Ikea to us. 1.5 hour drive plus ferry cost of CDN$150. Ordered it & arranged for family member to do Covid curbside pickup. Well that was a total FUBAR. Wasn't "ready" first day and second trip next day was 2 hour wait for curbside after notification it's "ready".

Still don't have it but it's safe and sound. Never was able to get customer service in Quebec. Not a catastrophe, but certainly representative of poor customer service from a company with a worldwide reputation. (BTW family member received $100 gift card for the deed - since he deserved it).

[StillCampin]

This is the Froli system in my 5.0 before wrangling the mattress back up there. My mattress is "full" size, not the std queen. I can't imagine doing the queen by myself.

I discovered that the mattress does not slide worth a darn on the supports. If you do slide the mattress, lift it up and put the pieces back together.

The "softer" light blue pieces are grouped to one side because it is just me. The extra support pieces (red) are on the sides because I store stuff there.

[Richard in Georgia]

Originally Posted by StillCampin

This is the Froli system in my 5.0 before wrangling the mattress back up there. My mattress is "full" size, not the std queen. I can't imagine doing the queen by myself.

I discovered that the mattress does not slide worth a darn on the supports. If you do slide the mattress, lift it up and put the pieces back together.

The "softer" light blue pieces are grouped to one side because it is just me. The extra support pieces (red) are on the sides because I store stuff there.

Grey Ghost - thank you for the input. One of my concerns is wrangling the full queen in our E19. I have a pal that has installed a Froli and he offered to help. It's gonna cost me a snort or two of my best bourbon

[StillCampin]

Richard,
I put it back up there by myself the first time. I had reversed the ends, putting the curve-adapted head end at the stairs. I waited until I had help to take it back down & turn it around. And the full width mattress almost fits between the obstacle closet & cabinet so it was easier than the std queen width would be.

[Sean Murry]

I installed the froli system in our E19. I managed to get the mattress out and back in by myself. Wasn't the easiest job but wasn't the worst either. The mattress does bend a little bit making it possible

[Platypus Egg]

For those of you with the Froli system in your Escape 19--Did you have to order extra pieces? We are going to order the Star kit and set it on medium. I would rather just do one order than run short of pieces. Is one queen kit enough for the 60x80 E19 mattress?
Thanks!

[Sean Murry]

We installed the Froli Star system in our Escape 19, had set it up for the medium setting. The queen size kit actually was more than enough. We have pieces left over.

The Froli system is fantastic. We also ordered a roof top tent for some more serious back country travel, and ordered the Froli Travel system for that. Haven't yet installed that but expect it to perform as well as the Star system

[Platypus Egg]

Thanks Sean for the quick reply! We are picking up our E19 in a week and know that we want this system. So excited!

[ChuckBC]

We used HyperVent under our mattress to deal with condensation. Additional material was cut to surround mattress outside wall perimeter. This is only successful if you keep the warm bedding and pillows from having contact with cold walls. Where I also found moisture on material was at the front dinette, especially if there is uninsulated hatches below. I'm looking into giving cushions separation from cold.

[RBRV]

moisture is an issue in cold weather and I thought I had it really bad on one trip but much of the excess moisture was cured when I discovered a loose water fitting that was weeping and adding humidity! Later on I found the inlet hose clamp to also be loose. If you notice water dripping from the weep hole at the bottom of the trailer, it would be wise to get a good flashlight and peek under your bed!