I have a question for our hybrid owners:
What is the most common problem that you've encountered with your hybrid?
What I'm trying to get at is this: we've all seen the length to which pop uppers will go to modify their galley's outside grey water pipes so that the sink inside drains faster. And yet, I've never read a post where a hybrid owner is devising external paraphenalia to help gravity in making the sink drain faster. Conversely, it is rare that a pop up camper mentions condensation on the interior tenting when waking up, and yet I've read quite frequently from hybrid owners that it's something they experience rather often.
Just curious, since we would like to get a hybrid someday when our ds graduates to kindergarten.
I bought my hybrid in December and sold my popup in January. I had a popup and I know about the drain issues you are referring too and I have had water drip on me in the hybrid so I know that issue as well.
Hybrids are much tighter than popups so they trap and hold more moisture than popups. The only way to stop the condensation that occurs in a hybrid is to mimic the air transfer in a popup, or at least mimic it enough enough to alleviate this moisture problem.
I open both of my roof vents about 1/3 of the way and use bunk end fans. This alone works for me in the summer but in cooler temps you may need bunkend blankets to stop the cold from penetrating he bunkends. The heat loss is still much less than through a popups walls and seams.
I plan to do some winter camping here in Maine without opening the bunkends.This seemed to work well when I modified the camper last winter and worked on it pretty regularly in temps down in the single digits.
Condensation only occurs when the fabric temperature on the inside is below the dew point temperature. The bunkend fans do a lot to equalize the temps.
Chas pretty much spelled out the condensation issue, simply put they are not as 'airy' as a PU is, so it will retain the vapor better. Using solar covers and moving the air certainly helps in that regard...
As for sink drain issues, those are basically unique to PU's...as the Hybrid is like all other hard sided RV's which have a vent stack built into it, from the gray tank all the way to the roof!
never a sink flow problem, the wet ends we solved with a fan sitting on the cabinet blowing up at the ceiling, it moves the air well. and since hot air raises it keeps it warmer too!
the only problem we have had was keep the air flow to the back bunk end, the a/c is in the wrong place, to reach the back bunk, we use a clip on fan to push the air over, and the same with the heat
I didn't make myself clear. I was trying to use the drain and condensation as examples of problems that seem to be common to a particular type of camper. My bad. :o
I'm curious as to what to expect if we were to get a hybrid, b/c sometimes I think that by buying a different camper to solve problems or things we don't like with our current camper, if we're not just excanging old problems for new ones. What I should have asked is what is the most common problem you've had with your hybrid? Sorry for the confusion--hope I cleared it up. :)
getting heat and a/c to the back bunk!
I think I understand your Question Lori, and the few mods I have had to do to our Hybrid to make camping easier are
1. Added shelves to the wardrobe, which I think nearly everyone else has done.
2. Added a sewer hose storage pipe.
3. We already hade the Popup-gizmos, awning mats, ceramic heater, 12 volt fans from our popup days, and still use them in the hybrid.
Other than adding a few more hooks, towel racks, and shelves, it's a stock hybrid.
Lori,
I'm all about prefabrication, so I haven't done a darn thing with mine. Add shelves to my closet? Fuhgettaboutit! I just took the three sliding plastic drawers we used in the popup, and stacked them up inside. It leaves a little room for clothes on hangers and some room at the bottom, like dirty clothes.
Condensation? I know it's only an example, but we haven't had any condensation problem. One point neglected is that hybrids are not as well sealed around the bunk ends as popups (at least mine isn't), so there are more drafts sneaking in from below. We were just up at North Shore Tahoe this weekend and even with four people and the trailer completely sealed up, we didn't have condensation. The Vornado fan-forced electric heater perhaps helped.
I really do enjoy the reduced setup and breakdown time. We can overnight now if we need to, and it just makes those Sunday mornings so much more enjoyable.
- I added storage gadgets through-out my camper in all the cabinets.
- I changed out the double handle faucets for single handle faucets, but that's a preference, not a problem.
- I use bunk-end covers to keep the bunk ends clean and to reduce the condensation on the inside.
I wouldn't say I have any real problems with my hybrid.
That's what I'm talking about! :D Thanks everyone and please keep those posts coming. I enjoy reading them and they give me additional ammunition to hit DH with in a couple of weeks when we go to the Pomona RV show! ;)
My wife and I purchased a used Coyote 21C in August and we have been extremely pleased with the unit. Unfortunately K-Z has dropped the floor plan. The amount of storage, minimal breakdown time, refrigerator and freezer, hot water heater, outside grill, etc.... has made this a pleasant trailer to own. The ability to keep items refrigerated has been a plus. We still use a cooler, but it's only for pop, juice, beer or other drinks that don't need to be in the frig and it cuts down on the traffic into the camper. With both the front and rear bunks folded in the trailer is still functional so if you were travelling you could stop and have a meal or take a break if needed. When we bought it, for the type of camping we do it's not necessary to have a "Master Bedroom" which seems more common on the 28 - 32 foot travel trailers. The additional weight and the need for a pickup in the 3/4 ton range just wasn't feasible.
I would say we have had no problems or must do mods with our kiwi. Everything works well. We have done a few convenience mods like shelving, coat hooks, key hooks, etc., but nothing to "improve" the design.
If I could change one thing on our kiwi it would be more counterspace.
As far as condensation we have only experienced it twice in two camping seasons and both times it was 30-40 degrees outside, brrrrrr!
thanks for posting this question Lori.. I was speaking with a gentleman at the Rally & he said he heard the bunk ends tend to leak water. I wonder if they meant condensation. I can't wait to look next weekend @ the RV show
I may take a preview during the week to see all the stuff and take my time. that way we can skip the definate "no's"
The only problem that I've had with mine is the knobs that secure the bunks have stripped out. I solved the problem by using some marine grade epoxy and simply putting them back on. If I store the mattresses up against the door I have problems with the doors closing tight enough. We now take them out and lay them accross the dinet and have had no problem since. The only other problem is that I find myself working too many weekends and not being able to take it out!
I don't know if it has to do with condensation,but my most common problem is
uncontrollable nose hair :screwy: Sorry I just had to do that;and to think I type with two fingers.I truly deserve all flaming that comes from that one! :S Seriously,WAITING!!! .....Patience is a virtue,seldom seen in a woman,and never in a man.
Quote from: JofabietzI don't know if it has to do with condensation,but my most common problem is uncontrollable nose hair :screwy:
Aaaacckkk!
TMI!!!! :yikes:
I agree with every one else, I love our Hybred. The biggest complaint I have is that our Starcraft doesn't have any drawers. I would have liked to have some by the sink for utensils, towels, etc. One of these days Sal is going to do a mod to put some drawers in and add some pull out shelves for the pots and pans, etc.
Joan
I forgot to mention another problem I have, is that I have a hard time lighting the oven. It seems to take forever for the pilot light to catch. Anyone else have that problem?
Quote from: Calstate361I forgot to mention another problem I have, is that I have a hard time lighting the oven. It seems to take forever for the pilot light to catch. Anyone else have that problem?
Yes I did my first time partially because I was a newbie. I used to have problems on my niagara lighting the water heater.
I found it helps to light all the burners on the inside stove for 30 sec. to a minute to get the propane flowing in the lines.
I think I would like more counter space in the kitchen. I'm really itching to go camping I've only had the hybrid out once
having a slideout topper installed on Monday. The dangerous part is I'll have about an hour to wonder around camping world :yikes:
The one thing that drives me nuts in the Jayco, is the water around the sink in the kitchen and the bathroom.
Both sinks are designed where the faucets are separate from the sinnk with no way to catch the water from your hands turning the water on and off. While a minor pain, it still means wiping the sinks after use.
Ooops, one other thing, I wish they had put in a better quality shower curtain with some sort of design on it instead of the plain white plastic.
Other than that, I can't think of a thing I do not like about the hybrid.
We lived in it for two months and those were the only two things we didn't like.
Quote from: GeneFThe one thing that drives me nuts in the Jayco, is the water around the sink in the kitchen and the bathroom.
Both sinks are designed where the faucets are separate from the sinnk with no way to catch the water from your hands turning the water on and off. While a minor pain, it still means wiping the sinks after use.
Ooops, one other thing, I wish they had put in a better quality shower curtain with some sort of design on it instead of the plain white plastic.
Other than that, I can't think of a thing I do not like about the hybrid.
We lived in it for two months and those were the only two things we didn't like.
i have the same in the starcraft, i changed the curtain with a colorful one from walmart, and i keep a hand towel on the back side of the faucet and hang it up to dry at night
does condensation happen in winter only or summer too?
Quote from: free as a featherdoes condensation happen in winter only or summer too?
summer too! if you have a/c
Quote from: griffsmomI didn't make myself clear. I was trying to use the drain and condensation as examples of problems that seem to be common to a particular type of camper. My bad. :o
I'm curious as to what to expect if we were to get a hybrid, b/c sometimes I think that by buying a different camper to solve problems or things we don't like with our current camper, if we're not just excanging old problems for new ones. What I should have asked is what is the most common problem you've had with your hybrid? Sorry for the confusion--hope I cleared it up. :)
OK, here's my take on this....any kind of activity that is done requires a certain amount of "work".
I started off tenting in my early twenties...a lot of work...but a lot of fun.
After a couple of children showed up, we got into our first pop-up. A little less work in some areas, but still some work was involved in the process. NOTE: More fun was had.
I thought that when I moved into the ROO that I'd have less work to do.
WRONG! I just traded some jobs for other jobs. BUT my fun factors have increased.
So....basically, you trade off, you don't have to crank, but you still fold out beds.
That's my spin on it.....your mileage may vary.
I don't have any specific "problem" with my unit, but I have yet to find the "perfect" camper.
Bob
Quote from: CAPEd CODgerOK, here's my take on this....any kind of activity that is done requires a certain amount of "work".
So....basically, you trade off, you don't have to crank, but you still fold out beds.
That's my spin on it.....your mileage may vary.
I don't have any specific "problem" with my unit, but I have yet to find the "perfect" camper.
Bob
I started off the same way tenting...PUing.. now a hybrid. While yes you have to put out the beds, the hybrid is always usable. Long trips you can stop anywhere (rest stop, large parking lot) and feed the kids, go potty and continue on in the pu we always stuggled with finding a place to get lunch and get the PU thru.
I've only done one trip s far and I haven't traded any problems other than I can't use a BAL leveler and the WDH weighs a ton.