My husband and I are considering buying a hybrid, however, we have had a few people tell us that we would be "better off" not looking at hybrids. We have a Ford Explorer and consider either a hybrid or a pop-up to be our best options. Can anyone tell me more about the following:
1. Condensation issues with hybrids
2. Setting up/closing down in the rain
3. Things to look out for when buying used
We are currently considering purchasing either 2005 Jayco 23B or a new Jayco or Starcraft. If there is anything specific to those types of hybrids, please let us know.
Speaking from personal experience, as we have had both a popup and a hybrid, and also have had 2 Explorers: first, make sure your Explorer really CAN tow a hybrid. If you have a newer (2007 or better) V8 Explorer, you can consider a hybrid that's not too long (I wouldn't go over 22') and with the proper equipment, have a decent towing experience. If you have a V6 and/or an older Explorer, you should be able to tow one of the smaller hybrids (19' or shorter, no slideouts) but otherwise will find towing to be a lot of wear & tear on your vehicle. (We had a 2002 V6 Explorer with the towing package and found towing a 2000-lb popup to be great, but towing a 5000-lb 23' hybrid to be only marginal, and definitely a strain when towing in rolling terrain into a stiff headwind. Our Explorer was rated for 5000 lbs towing, and we found that towing at your maximum is NOT fun, especially for the poor SUV.) Dealers will tell you "Sure, you can tow this trailer with that!" but don't believe them - do your homework, know your numbers, and go from there. Best simple rule of thumb - choose a trailer with a GVWR (maximum loaded weight, NOT dry weight) no more than 80% of what your individual Explorer is rated to tow.
All hybrids (HTTs) and popups (PUPs) have some condensation issues in cooler weather especially. Keeping them well ventilated usually helps - don't close up all the windows all the way when you're camping, even if it's cold out. (Of course you'll have to do that in a heavy rain, but hopefully that won't last too long before you can open up again.) Some folks have reduced condensation situations by using reflecting materials designed for use in tented bed ends. We never considered it a major problem. DO make sure, though, to open up a tented bed end again & let it dry out if you have had to put the camper "down" (in stowed-for-towing position) with condensation still wet inside, or in the rain.
Putting a PUP or HTT up in the rain can be a pain, especially in a heavy rain. One advantage a hybrid has over a PUP is that you can still use it as shelter, to cook in, eat in, etc. without deploying the bed ends, so if you have to leave them closed due to weather or other reasons, you can. You can NOT do that with a PUP and still use it for anything other than storage. Sleeping in a "turtled" HTT (with the bed ends still closed up) can be less than comfy, so I don't advise it except in dire necessity.
What to look for in used units: make sure to check for any water damage (soft spots in floor or ceiling, as well as any visual signs), and check the condition of the bed ends (damage/holes in the tent material). Hybrids are particularly susceptible to leaking under/around the front bed ends when being towed in rainy weather, so be sure to look harder around those areas, including in any front pass-through storage areas. Also make sure the tires look ok - no tread wear, cracks in the sidewalls, bubbles or bulges in the tires. If any of those things, get the tires replaced or don't buy the trailer.
Jayco & Starcraft both make good HTTs, and also PUPs.
As far as proper towing equipment goes, with all hybrids and with some of the larger PUPs, you will need a weight-distributing (WD) hitch AND good sway control (best moderately-priced ones are Equal-i-zer or Reese Dual Cam). I'd recommend trailer brakes (and of course a good brake controller in the vehicle) for almost anything you tow, even a smaller PUP, if you can get them; mostly we didn't need them with our very small PUP but in the mountains we sure would have liked to have them!
Above is great. One added point. Once you know your TV towing capacity, make sure the GVWR of the TT you are looking at is BELOW the TV rating. Note dry weight and similar listings are of marginal usefulness when looking for a TT.
We love our hybrid, cause we get lots of room without buying a new TV. We carry 55 gallon drum liners to put mattress in when traveling in rain so it stays dry.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded) Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories. I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
One technique I learned when pulling out the bunkends that should work the same on a hybrid, is to ensure the tenting stays over the matresses the entire time you are extending the bunk ends.
I didn't realize it the very first time I went to set up ours. We had just gotten it that night - wife was anxious to have it all opened up. I set it up in pouring rain. The tenting acted as a funnel to channel all of the water right into the matresses. It took 4 days to dry them out fully (had to remove the covers).
Now, I make sure the canvas covers as I pull out the bunk ends. Yours may fold outward and be challening - I just haven't gotten to tour a hybrid yet to see how the mechanics of it works. Probably our next purchase in a few years.
Myself, The Boss, and two wanna-be Bosses
2006 Jayco 1007 There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who can count, and those who can't.
The only thing I can add is that opening and closing in the rain is WAY easier with a hybrid than a PUP. With ours, I put the mattresses in "stow away" position with the vinyl side facing outward, prior to folding up the bunk ends. This minimizes water getting all over the mattresses. Also the fact that most bunk ends are vinyl covered helps because the water doesn't soak in, I force it to run off just before I close the wall. When opening the ends at home (a 5 minute process) to "dry out", often I only have to take a towel and dry them off. After an hour or so, they are completely dry.
Chuck D.
'03 Jayco Kiwi 17a, '03 Chevy Trailblazer EXT, Garmin Nuvi 200 GPS
Photography is my obsession: http://coldwater.smugmug.com/
“Adventure is just bad planning.” - Roald Amundsen
I know you didn't ask for advice on the explorer, but be sure that what you have is equipped to pull what your looking at. Explorers range big time in their tow capabilites, from 2 door ninties models that can tow 1,800 max to the late model V8's that can tow 7,000+ lbs.
I can say that my explorer is plenty for towing our 4,300 lb TT with it's factory equipment with the exception of needing tow mirrors and a brake controler added.
02' Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 4x4, prodigy and equalizer
07' Crossroads Sunset Trail ST19CK
03' Ford Focus SVT my daily driver
04' Volvo S40 wife's daily driver
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