Buying used hybrid

[tessi81]

I am totally new to the RV world and we are looking at purchasing our first hybrid travel trailer. Looking at buying a used 18-20ft hybrid. Have been looking at some older 2005-2007 model and some newer ones 2012/2013. Since the older ones are more our price range we are tending towards them but wondering how do the older ones hold up? Will we experience a lot of problems with the tents/canvas -mold, leakage??

[bconrey]

We just upgraded from a pop-up to a used hybrid - used 2003 Starcraft Antigua. We found one on a dealer's lot that they were interested in moving for a good price.

Bunk ends were solid, floors were solid, minimal evidence of water damage. Found water damage in the shower (not terribly surprising), had the salesman pull a ladder out so I could take a look. The dicor was not well-maintained, was ugly and in need of repair around the skylight and vent, but the roof seemed solid.

Fast forward a couple weeks and I've refurbed both the skylight and the vent. Based on how the original dicor was applied (screw heads weren't fully covered), I'm chalking it up to a manufacturing/assembly defect. Everything is water-tight now.

While working on the roof I noticed a huge gap in the dicor at the front of the roof. I've since caught up on the neglected roof maintenance and a recent rainstorm has confirmed this.

All that to say, be sure to check the roof!

[bikendan]

RobWNY wrote:
Every one of them said the same thing. They loved them except they had problems with condensation building up on the inside of the canvas. Hot days and cool nights caused all of their bedding to get wet.

Obviously, they did nothing to find out how to solve this.
with a little research, they could have solved it by allowing for air movement and using Popup Gizmos/solar blankets.

[Oasisbob]

We bought our hybrid listed below about 13 years ago. We camp alot. Nearly year round. Our HTT is still in really great shape as we have always taken care. We set up tent tned so dry out if any dampness is felt. I have seen newer units in terrible shape because they were not taken care of. I always suggest a buyer take a perspective RV to a neutral qualified service center for evaluation. A honest seller will welcome this. It is money well spent. There can be problems the seller may honestly not know about as well.

[galexander]

There are websites and youtube videos that you can search the web for about buying used campers and what to look for. The best thing to know is to let your nose do the work. If a camper smells funny, walk away. If all you smell is deodorizer of some kind,walk away. Someone is trying to cover up something. Good Luck in your search.

[kvangil]

Like others said, depends on how well taken care of it was. We bought a 9-year-old HTT a couple years ago and it's still going strong. Just note there may be some minor things to fix. We got new tires just because it was still on the original tires, and also changed the bunk-end latches because one was worn. Also replaced the hot water heater drain plug because it was worn and we were slowly losing water through the hot water heater. The latter 2 were cheap, DIY repairs. Otherwise, it's been a solid camper.

[Wavesprite]

We had a couple of pop ups and then bought a used 2003 Starcraft hybrid and we love it. It was like brand new when we got it 2 years ago, and we've tinkered with it and made some changes, etc. We have had a tiny bit of condensation issues (when we had a campout sleepover for our daughter and there were 5 girls on one end) but other then that if you leave a vent cracked or the tent end fans going, you are good to go.

If you are looking for used, make sure you inspect all of the tent ends and really smell around for mildew. Check the floor for soft spots all over.

[RobWNY]

We were new to camping and RV's 1 1/2 years ago and when we first started looking at campers, we liked the hybrids a lot. Then we talked to people we knew that used to have them. Every one of them said the same thing. They loved them except they had problems with condensation building up on the inside of the canvas. Hot days and cool nights caused all of their bedding to get wet. We opted for a traditional camper to avoid those problems.

[Campfire_Time]

Jayco25E wrote:
Its like any thing else it depends on how it was taken care of.

There is nothing wrong with buying a 2005-2007 model but if you do not know what and where to look for when looking at a used HTT I would suggest taking someone along that does. But yes around the tent ends (seals, canvas, ext) are most important areas to look at with an HTT.

X2. Our first hybrid was an '03 Jayco that we bought new, and owned for 10 years. We got a decent trade on it, it was in immaculate condition, the dealer sold it in less than a month. I treated all the bunk end seals twice a year, re-caulked as needed, repainted the entire frame twice. The only leak I had was when it was 7 years old, was a small one on a roof seal where the Dicor started to pull away. I fixed it with Eternabond tape.

It's not just the bunks you need to look at. It'll have the same potential issues as any trailer. Look for delamination of the sides, water stains inside, bubbling areas of the walls and ceiling, check the floor thoroughly by walking on every square inch looking for soft spots. Use your "sniffer" for odd smells, especially musty and mold scents, or excess amounts of bleach which could indicate an effort to get rid of mold. Look at the areas around the windows, inside and out.

[Jayco25E]

Its like any thing else it depends on how it was taken care of. For example my HTT is a 2005. It was two years old when we bought it in 07. We looked it over inside and out. It was taken care of really well in its first two years as it look like brand new. Fast forward to today in 2015 and it still looks like a new camper. As we take care of it. It gets covered in the winter time. Every spring it get going over everything is cleaned and inspected. Anything that looks warn out gets replaced. All seals on all doors get cleaned really well and if needed replaced. The number one thing that causes issues with used HTT's is water leaks. Keep the water out and all is good. There is nothing wrong with buying a 2005-2007 model but if you do not know what and where to look for when looking at a used HTT I would suggest taking someone along that does. But yes around the tent ends (seals, canvas, ext) are most important areas to look at with an HTT.

[ChooChooMan74]

Just say, they have been improving. Look for water penetration around the bunks, especially the front.