I'm pretty discouraged at this point because I sold my 26ft camper in the hopes I would get something smaller, a hybrid but everyone I look at has an issue.
A lot of the ads specify new floor, no leaks all repaired, soft floors etc... Are these units really that prone to leaks?
Thanks,
Anthony
but bunk end repairs can be leak-related.
but many hybrid owners don't maintain or properly store their bunk ends.
this can result in bad seals or canvas trapped in seals, which water can get through when it rains.
i've had my Roo 23SS for over 5 years and never had a leak.
Dan- Firefighter, Retired">, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur">, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP">), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
bikendan wrote:
generally, soft floors have nothing to do with the bunk ends but are related to problems that all RVs can have.
but bunk end repairs can be leak-related.
but many hybrid owners don't maintain or properly store their bunk ends.
this can result in bad seals or canvas trapped in seals, which water can get through when it rains.
i've had my Roo 23SS for over 5 years and never had a leak.
generally, soft floors have nothing to do with the bunk ends but are related to problems that all RVs can have.
but bunk end repairs can be leak-related.
but many hybrid owners don't maintain or properly store their bunk ends.
this can result in bad seals or canvas trapped in seals, which water can get through when it rains.
i've had my Roo 23SS for over 5 years and never had a leak.
X2
We're on our second hybrid, and never had a leak or soft floor.
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS
2009 Silverado 2500 6.0
Happy Motoring
Bob & Deb
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12 F150 HD SCAB EcoBoost LB 4x4
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AnthonyNYC wrote:
I have been shopping for a hybrid unit for the past 2 months in the Long Island NY area. For some reason every single unit I have looked at has some sort of a leak, repaired leak or soft floors.
.....
A lot of the ads specify new floor, no leaks all repaired, soft floors etc... Are these units really that prone to leaks?
I have been shopping for a hybrid unit for the past 2 months in the Long Island NY area. For some reason every single unit I have looked at has some sort of a leak, repaired leak or soft floors.
.....
A lot of the ads specify new floor, no leaks all repaired, soft floors etc... Are these units really that prone to leaks?
Anthony,
It sounds like you have been looking at older previously owned units, which happened to have had leak propblems. Do not buy any HTT that has had leak problems unless (a) you get it at a significant discount, and (b) you fully know the extent of the leak and are prepared to re-fix it as may be necessary.
As has been reported on these forums, the older type bunk-end (screw-type) latches and lower hinges have been known to allow the ingress of water when towing in rain. Apparently the newer type latches that are lever-based and which swing over the edge of the bunk end doors and are latched in place provide more compression to the bunk-end door gasket, thereby forming a better seal.
I bought my RV new and it has both the better latches and hinges for the bunk end doors. I recently drove through a monsoon (literally!!) between Detroit and (somewhere in) Ohio where there was on and off driving rain with limited visibility and tons of water on the road. People were pulled off to the side of the road it was that bad and in one case an 18-wheeler almost was tipped over in front of us not too far from the Ambassador Bridge to Canada. After 3 hours of driving in this rain it stopped. When we got to our next campsite I checked the bunk-ends and there was not one drop of water anywhere. If the trailer was going to leak it would have leaked during that drive.
The water did do some damage though -- shattered the left rear bulb over my licence plate and made the connection wet on the right side bulb. Goodness knows how long I was driving without any rear lights.
Moral of story -- if I were you I would get a new unit or at worst a late model unit in pristine condition with no leak issues. Then follow the instructions and use common sense when closing the bunk end doors taking care not to pinch the tenting. You will be just fine doing that.
Regards,
Wayne
2014 Flagstaff Super Lite 27RLWS Emerald Ed. | Equal-i-zer 1200/12,000 4-point WDH
2010 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L 6-speed auto | K&N Filter | Hypertech Max Energy tune | Prodigy P3
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Doors and seals are associated with all trailers not just HTTs...
Like said if you make a conscience effort of closing and maintaining the seals around the doors especially the tent ends fold-up doors you should be ok... I would use silicone sprays for these seals to keep them soft and usable.
My OFF-ROAD POPUP tent bed ends have never leaked a drop on me in the past five years of owning it... The only water I have ever seen getting into my OFF-ROAD POPUP was under the front door. Finally solved this problem by installing a different type seal under the door.
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
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2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
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wmoses wrote:
As has been reported on these forums, the older type bunk-end (screw-type) latches and lower hinges have been known to allow the ingress of water when towing in rain. Apparently the newer type latches that are lever-based and which swing over the edge of the bunk end doors and are latched in place provide more compression to the bunk-end door gasket, thereby forming a better seal.
As has been reported on these forums, the older type bunk-end (screw-type) latches and lower hinges have been known to allow the ingress of water when towing in rain. Apparently the newer type latches that are lever-based and which swing over the edge of the bunk end doors and are latched in place provide more compression to the bunk-end door gasket, thereby forming a better seal.
Not to arque with wmoses but my 06 has the lever style latches and leaks if you are not carefull. On mine the water comes in through the hinge and blows past the gasket. If I put a strip of tape across the hinge I get no water, making sure the windows and vents are closed helps as does insuring the gasket is correctly closed. I think I'd try and determine what model years for specific makes have the problem if you're buying used. Mine did it from day one so it's not something that developes with use.
Anthony
Gary - 2010 Kodiak 184 HTT
1kennyOG wrote:
don't buy a hybrid
don't buy a hybrid
Sorry you had and have bad luck with your Kodiak.........maybe you should have wrote: "Don't buy a Kodiak".
I still think HTT are not more prone to leak than TT.
Maintenance is the key word.
I might open a can of worms here, but like TT, there are good quality HTT and not so good ones.
* This post was edited 06/25/12 03:02am by drenjoey *
Our P'up never leaked either.
I think the newer the model the less likely you'll ever experience a leak.
Don't buy a Hybrid!
drenjoey wrote:
Sorry you had and have bad luck with your Kodiak.........maybe you should have wrote: "Don't buy a Kodiak".
I still think HTT are not more prone to leak than TT.
Maintenance is the key word.
I might open a can of worms here, but like TT, there are good quality HTT and not so good ones.
1kennyOG wrote:
don't buy a hybrid
don't buy a hybrid
Sorry you had and have bad luck with your Kodiak.........maybe you should have wrote: "Don't buy a Kodiak".
I still think HTT are not more prone to leak than TT.
Maintenance is the key word.
I might open a can of worms here, but like TT, there are good quality HTT and not so good ones.
1kennyOG wrote:
If you Google "Rotten floor Hybrid travel trailer" you will RUN from any used HTT. (or you'll start a company that repairs them LOL)
If you Google "Rotten floor Hybrid travel trailer" you will RUN from any used HTT. (or you'll start a company that repairs them LOL)
I bought a used 2005 Jayco HTT. It was two years old when we bought it in 2007. No leaks and it looked like it was brand new. Must not have been used much. To this day we still are using it and no leaks on the front bunk seals. I have towed it in rain storms and even 7 hours in a blinding snow storm and no leaks. However I do take care of my HTT. Cleaning it top to bottom everytime we use it. I did have a leak around the AC unit. Had to replace the gasket but that can happen with any Rv with an AC unit on the roof. I have seen rotten floors in plenty of TT from leaks around windows and doors. Its all about taking care of things if you see a leak and not let it go until it becomes a problem. That being said I do think that some brands of HTT's are better made than others. I would buy another Jayco in a heartbeat.
2008 Chevy Avalanche
Current 2021 Coachman Apex 300BHS
Past 2005 Jayco 25E HTT
1 kid (but always end up with a full camper)
2 retired Greyhounds
Usually the roof caulking around one of the penetrations, marker lights, doors, windows, etc.
By the simple fact that a hybrid has an additional two large openings over hard side trailers, the bunk end doors, there is more potential to leak.
Having said that though, it doesn't mean that they will leak or that it should keep anyone from buying one. I enjoy my hybrid and the benefits out way the increased risk of a leak for me.
Good maintenance and checking all openings are key to preventing and catching leak problems in any trailer.
Jayco 17Z
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Prodigy P2
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Checking for leaks? ALL the time and never once saw a drip or drop of water in my camper.
By the time you find it…..it is WAY too late.
I went to walk in the camper one day and the step went through the floor……the rest is history.
If you are a carpenter then you’ll be fine when it’s time for the “floor project”
Do HTT leak more? I don’t know if they leak “more” but they DO leak.
Let Google be your friend the hundreds of testimonials are out there now especially since 2007. And a few thousand pictures too. Even better go on YouTube and search for HTT floor repairs. A LOT of guys like to document their repairs on video.
Thank me later.
RandK-M wrote:
The original question is are hybrids more prone to leaks. There is only one way any trailer leaks and that is an opening from the outside to the inside.
Usually the roof caulking around one of the penetrations, marker lights, doors, windows, etc.
By the simple fact that a hybrid has an additional two large openings over hard side trailers, the bunk end doors, there is more potential to leak.
Having said that though, it doesn't mean that they will leak or that it should keep anyone from buying one. I enjoy my hybrid and the benefits out way the increased risk of a leak for me.
Good maintenance and checking all openings are key to preventing and catching leak problems in any trailer.
The original question is are hybrids more prone to leaks. There is only one way any trailer leaks and that is an opening from the outside to the inside.
Usually the roof caulking around one of the penetrations, marker lights, doors, windows, etc.
By the simple fact that a hybrid has an additional two large openings over hard side trailers, the bunk end doors, there is more potential to leak.
Having said that though, it doesn't mean that they will leak or that it should keep anyone from buying one. I enjoy my hybrid and the benefits out way the increased risk of a leak for me.
Good maintenance and checking all openings are key to preventing and catching leak problems in any trailer.
I think Randk said it best, if you put a huge door on the front of any trailer then tow it down the road with high water pressure hitting the front of it when it rains, you can run into problems.
I am sure that is why the Travel Trailer manufacturers stop putting windows in the front of trailers like they did in the 60's, 70's and 80's.
So do all hybrids leak, NO, but with the big door on the front, there is a higher chance that they MAY.
2011 Kodiak 240KSSL
Husky Center Line WDH
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Outdoorsman 3:92,8-speed,5.7L HEMI
2007 Kodiak 214 HTT (prior)
2010 Dodge RAM 1500 4x4, 3:55, 5.7L (prior)
1kennyOG wrote:
Cleaning? I’m THAT guy in the camp ground with the cleanest most detailed camper. The guy with the Armor All on his tires. (Actually a better product than AA because I SELL cleaning/detailing products and equipment for a living.) My friends make fun of me because I clean my camper inside and out before and after each trip. I’m THAT guy who has a vacuum in his camper.
Checking for leaks? ALL the time and never once saw a drip or drop of water in my camper.
By the time you find it…..it is WAY too late.
I went to walk in the camper one day and the step went through the floor……the rest is history.
If you are a carpenter then you’ll be fine when it’s time for the “floor project”
Do HTT leak more? I don’t know if they leak “more” but they DO leak.
Let Google be your friend the hundreds of testimonials are out there now especially since 2007. And a few thousand pictures too. Even better go on YouTube and search for HTT floor repairs. A LOT of guys like to document their repairs on video.
Thank me later.
Cleaning? I’m THAT guy in the camp ground with the cleanest most detailed camper. The guy with the Armor All on his tires. (Actually a better product than AA because I SELL cleaning/detailing products and equipment for a living.) My friends make fun of me because I clean my camper inside and out before and after each trip. I’m THAT guy who has a vacuum in his camper.
Checking for leaks? ALL the time and never once saw a drip or drop of water in my camper.
By the time you find it…..it is WAY too late.
I went to walk in the camper one day and the step went through the floor……the rest is history.
If you are a carpenter then you’ll be fine when it’s time for the “floor project”
Do HTT leak more? I don’t know if they leak “more” but they DO leak.
Let Google be your friend the hundreds of testimonials are out there now especially since 2007. And a few thousand pictures too. Even better go on YouTube and search for HTT floor repairs. A LOT of guys like to document their repairs on video.
Thank me later.
Did you ever search for.................what's the point !!!!!........ I'm happy with my HTT and you're not.
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2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
2004 Ford Explorer w/ Towing Package
2014 Passport 2300 BH
When I picked up my new Kodiak 214 I asked so many questions the delivery took 4 hours and I video taped all of it.
We drove the poor guy crazy but slipped him $40 cash when we were done to say thanks.
The info in that 4 hour video was not enough to prevent devastating water damage.
Anthony
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