Coyote Steve
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 09/25/2011
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Hi everyone.I'm a new member and new to hybrid trailers. We just upgraded from a 8'box tent trailer to a 22' hybrid. I was wondering how the rain affects the bunk tents in comparrison to the tent trailer when closing up at the end of a trip. My old trailer was canvas and the new Coyote 22cts is a material named sunbrella.Is it as important to close the ends dry?
Thanks for any help and advice.
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dupreet
High Point, NC
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Joined: 08/03/2007
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Hi,
The newer fabrics are "better" at dealing with moisture in that far less gets to the inside of the camper, but you still need to open them up and dry them out as soon as you can.
When we were camping with the popup, I had two 8x8 tarps stuffed in one of the seats. On the 2 or 3 occasions we folded up in the rain, I spread them out over the bunks to add a moisture barrier between the bunk and the tent material.
Todd
Todd
1993 Ford E-350 pushed by a 1988 Wilderness 24' TT
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Joined: 03/15/2002
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Sunbrella is premium "canvas." It is woven and can wick water thru if you rub the inside but is otherwise very waterproof.
My motorboat mooring cover is made of this fabric because it never fades and breathes allowing water vapor inside to migrate outside. The sail covers on my former sailboats were Sunbrella and never faded or wore out. Sunbrella is used for commercial awnings and canopies where they need no care and are out in the weather all year.
Sunbrella will not rot, but will mildew if closed wet. My popup had Sunbrella fabric; I wish my Roo had it.
Read the Sunbrella website for fabric care.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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We had no trouble closing up wet, but opened next day. If end of trip, opened next non-rainy day. Worked ok for us.
We did carry plastic garbage bags made for 55 gallon drums to put mattress in when closing up wet, as well as two "special" towels. One to wipe down bed platform next stop if put up wet, other for wet dog.
Chuck
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MentallyRetired
Cary, NC
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The thing to remember is it is usually morning when closing up. This can leave moisture from dew on the ends. We always open the end when we get home and close them later in the day when we know they are dry. Using this practice, when we sold out pop up after 8 years there was no mold or mildew.
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Family-of-five
Cardale Pa
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Joined: 09/07/2006
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I too have packed up wet.As soon as I get home I open up (rain or shine).Sometimes there will be leaves or pine needles they will leave a stain in left for long.
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Jerry9n
SE Michigan
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I had a pup for 30 years and always opened it up for a day or two after we got home. Canvas on it was great when I sold it. Same with the HTT. Open it up and leave it open to air out. I guess in some cases where trailers are stored in a lot that is tough, but wet canvas folded any length of time spells mildew which will destroy the canvas. One way or another it needs to be dry when storing.
Jerry9n
2009 23' Cikira Escape EXP
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dadmomh
Jackson, TN
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Also the same process as Family of Five - rain or shine we open up first thing. The longer the bunkend material stays wet, the more chance of problems. If it rains for 3 or 4 days, so be it - we just close up when everything dries out.
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BoiseFolks
Boise, Idaho
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We've had times when we've had to pack up wet while still traveling on to another site. I've had good luck shaking as much off as I can then unzipping windows and folding up the ends. Then we put towels on the "shelf" where things fold up and put the mattress on the floor or table. Opening the bunk end windows and not strapping up the mats lets some air circulate.
And everyone is right that airing out as soon as you can when you get home is vital.
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