Packing your patio "rug"?

[Cumminsfan]

When we dry camp it's usually on a graveled/dirt spot so throwing the rug out just puffs up the dirt/dust under it so we put a 9x12 tarp down 1st then the rug over it. Amazingly the rugs pretty clean in that it just has some dust and other doodads that fall on it.
It sweeps up easy. I fold it in 3rds then roll it up. Fits right back in the bag easily.
I throw it in the back of the truck along with some other stuff.
As for the tarp, I sweep it off and fold it up into a small 2'6" roll and tie a rope around it. I stick it in between the Highway box and the bed side.
A little extra work but far less than trying to clean a perforated rug.

[96 Wideglide]

HA !

My wife bought two of them, and insists everywhere we stop, both go out!

When Time comes to clean and pack them up, she suddenly disappears !

[Marine359]

Don’t clean it.
Let the grime build up. That way camping neighbors won’t invite themselves over to drink your beer.

[jleonard]

I lay it across the picnic table and sweep it off. Both sides if necessary. Then it gets folded and put in the pass thru storage area.
When back from the trip I lay it out on the driveway and wash it off.

[Rob_M]

The DW just HAD to have one.... We’ve used it maybe 4 times in 2 years of camping once a month. I bought a small Bosche battery powered leaf blower to blow it off, works great and isn’t very noisy. It’s rolled up all the way across the basement storage. So far it’s never been wet.

[Gigattime]

Sweep, fold, sweep, fold, repeat. Basically sweeping the newly exposed underside each time it is folded until both sides have been swept off. Put in Nylon bag and store. We have a concrete driveway at home and giving it a scrub with soap,water, and a commercial type garage broom as needed works for us.

[Ldubs]

Originally Posted by jleonard

I lay it across the picnic table and sweep it off. Both sides if necessary. Then it gets folded and put in the pass thru storage area.
When back from the trip I lay it out on the driveway and wash it off.

Me too. We were gifted a very large fold out waterproof rug. We always use it. Unpacking, packing, and cleaning with the garden hose at home is pretty simple.

[Jerry Burks]

We rolled it up and strapped it with bungees to the rear bumper of our old motorhome.
Our new 5th wheel does not have a bumper and for a while I considered strapping the carpet to the rear ladder. But then it occurred to me that we have used that thing only once or twice over the last 2 years. So, to keep it simple I just threw it into the trash. Storage problem solved

[Ldubs]

Originally Posted by Jerry Burks

We rolled it up and strapped it with bungees to the rear bumper of our old motorhome.
Our new 5th wheel does not have a bumper and for a while I considered strapping the carpet to the rear ladder. But then it occurred to me that we have used that thing only once or twice over the last 2 years. So, to keep it simple I just threw it into the trash. Storage problem solved

Cheers!

[paul65k]

We went with an 8X16' unit as this is the same size as our awning.

It folds into a 4' wide by approx 9-10" tall and easily fits on top of our basement slide and is the last thing into the coach when packing.

As far as cleaning we typically will use our cordless blower and whisk broom to clean off dust and debris.

[JHinman]

We here used a Patty O’Mat for more than 20 years. I may not have the name quite right (it has been a long, long time since we bought it, but it was some cutsie name). It folds up into an equally old Rubbermaid tub, and into a storage bin in the trailer.

I don’t remember the size, but it is big.

Most of the time enough dirt shakes off before I fold it up. A couple of times I have had to hose it off in the driveway when I get home.

The only times we don’t use it is when we have a paved pad. That has been the case once that I can remember.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by jleonard

I lay it across the picnic table and sweep it off.

Pity the next camper to use that table. This ranks right up there with the sewer hose on the table.

[DbleDutch]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Pity the next camper to use that table. This ranks right up there with the sewer hose on the table.

^^^^

Our 8x12 faux grass has served well for many years. A shake from a corner or two, fold the 8' down by thirds and roll up for a 32" wide by 18" round roll. Toss it in our dirty compartment. Much nicer on bare feet than rocks, pine needles, clay dust, sand, asphalt, ...... keeps camper cleaner as we mainly boonedock.

[Jack Klompus]

I am glad I started this thread, even though many think the solution is simple. Got some helpful ideas.

Mostly I learned I am not alone in seeing these mats as irritating and often pointless, and being over-ridden by the boss.

A few thoughts:
* My cheap mat didn't come with a storage bag. So I may use that old duffel I referred to in my OP.
* I find the idea of using a leaf blower at my camping spot slightly ludicrous. My leaf blower is at home.
* I try to avoid putting anything on the camping tables (when available) - except some cleaning solution and a table cloth.
* When this one "wears out/gets lost" I may try a synthetic grass solution.
* Lastly, "simple" tasks for one person are not "simple" for another. Case in point: Someone who stores their rig in a facility rather than at home is faced with unique cleaning and maintenance challenges. "Just wash it off when you get home" may not work if a) you don't have a home or b) you have to shuttle something to and from storage.

Helpful info in this thread.