Can you fold up bunk ends with made beds?

[p40whk]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a new RV and I'm torn between a TT or HTT. The pros and cons have been debated extensively for both in other forums/threads but what I haven't found is any mention of stowing the bed ends with the mattresses made. Was wondering what most owners do?

[dadmomh]

Agree, you either love them or hate them....we did both. Our first RV was a ROO 23SS and we loved it...everything about it. Had no problem with cold or rain or leaks. Have noticed the new models have a lot of features that would make it even better. Love the openness...breezes blowing through, scenery, sounds of wildlife. It was US. The problem came in with a thing called aging and all the junk that goes with it. The additional set up, which wasn't any big deal 5 years prior, was turning into more work that we could manage. Older folks get replacement parts and some of the OEM ones don't work so well and more, so we made the change to a TT. I would not hesitate to buy another HTT if age hadn't gained even more and ailments even more. We loved our TT and had it for 2 years before a major life change to the sunshine state. Knowing that with some family issues, our camping days had come to an end, we got a new home for Rocky. Strongly suggest you spend some time in both - try to ditch the salesman for this - and go through as though you're actually having your stuff stowed in there, go through the set up as much as you can. Look for the gotta-haves and the I-don't-cares. Spend 2 or 3 hours if you can. It takes some time, but a big investment. Good luck.

[poppin_fresh]

scottsnider wrote:
I don't worry about it, put bedding on the dinette and deflate the air mattress, just have to remember when its cold to put an extra layer under us not just over us. As for security I just keep valuables in the truck when we go and leave the trailer ends open. Believe me if they want something that bad they will find a way if your camper is closed up or not. Happy Camping!

We quickly discovered that cold would go right through the bunk doors and mattress. This felt like the mattress was literally sucking the heat out of us while we slept.

An all weather outdoors blanket placed between the door and mattress(foil side up)has made a HUGE difference. Bonus in that a single one is almost a perfect fit compared to the mattress.

[Oasisbob]

We always use sleeping bags. I do know our mattersses need to be folded and, atleast on the rear bed, clearances are tight. So for our rig I would say NO. Being almost year round campers and having owned a hybrid for many years I can say I would not own one if I could get as much space out of a conventional trailer with the same weight. Many reasons listed on other posts.

[scottsnider]

I don't worry about it, put bedding on the dinette and deflate the air mattress, just have to remember when its cold to put an extra layer under us not just over us. As for security I just keep valuables in the truck when we go and leave the trailer ends open. Believe me if they want something that bad they will find a way if your camper is closed up or not. Happy Camping!

[Cocky_Camper]

We can not on ours. That is one of the reasons that we have decided to move up to a TT (we are purchasing it tomorrow). It is aggravating for short trips. JMO

[nickthehunter]

We never made up the beds, we just threw sleeping bags on them. If it was warm out we would sleep on top the sleeping bag with a light blanket, if it was cool out we slept inside the sleeping bag.

[Wavesprite]

I should mention that we've never closed up when we leave the campgrounds for sightseeing. It wouldn't even make sense to me as it would probably be harder (and look more suspicious) for someone to break into the camper through a tent end, then it would be for them to just bust open the door.....

[Wavesprite]

So what we do is this. We usually camp four 2 1/2 - 3 weeks every June in Oregon and Northern California. We move campground every 3-4 nights. We just pull (slide) the bunk end mattress into the middle of the camper and it sits on top of the dinette, back of couch, then when we get to the next campsite, we fold down the end and slide the bed (made) back into the slot. My kids end usually isn't made up as a bed, so we just throw their bedding up on top of our mattress that's pulled onto the dinette and stand their mattress in the "Hall".

This is NOT how we fold up when we are done camping, everything goes away neat. We've just found it more efficient for us to do it this way when moving from campsite to campsite.

[pitch]

kknowlton, can you by any chance remember the year and model you had that the front leaked while being towed?
I have towed our jayco untold miles in deluge downpour and gale force winds with nary a leak. Perhaps the maintenance on your seals was neglected?

[drenjoey]

rwbradley wrote:
Hybrids are interesting beasts... people either seem to love them or hate them, and you will get a lot of weird, uninformed and even downright ignorant opinions on them from people who don't actually own them, mostly because old HTT's were badly designed, but modern ones are way different. I have heard people say that they are not safe (security and bears), tell that to the grizzlies that have ripped the doors off TT's, 5ers and Motor homes for a meal in Banff. People will tell you that you get too much moisture inside or that the bunk ends are too cold, I've been cold camping below freezing and never had it rain on me inside the bunk or been cold. They will tell you it is a pain to setup and tear down (especially wet), hmmm you must be in a real rush if 2-3 minutes is that big a deal. Or that the tent ends will leak, tear, fail and need to be replaced in 5 years, tell that to my co worker with 20 year old tent ends. What they don't tell you is that my 21' trailer has all the features of a TT and is 3400lbs, can be pulled by a V6, sleeps 7, and when opened up effectively has the square footage of a 31' trailer. Or that with the bunk windows zipped down you get excellent air circulation. Or that sleeping in a bunk end feels like tent camping but in a tent attached to a full featured trailer and no rocks poking in your back. Or that you can Wallydock, you can "turtle" with the bed ends up and still sleep on a jackknife sofa or dinette if in a pinch.
Ya HTT's are not for everyone and most people would not want to full time in one, but for recreational camping, their weight vs usable square footage and sleeping space make them a good alternative to a Pop up or small/medium Travel Trailer.

Amen to that.....We're on our third hybrid and nowadays they make them so much easier to work with.....especially for me who have COPD.

Yes, I can close the tent ends with the mattresses
My Roo 23ws has no more velcro or bungy cords on the tent end to tie them down. Open them, throw sleeping bags on them, and you're good to go (Less then 5 minutes)
The tent ends handles are lower on new Roos
The jack is electric
The awning is electric
Shower doors in the bathroom
I even have a private bedroom with a wardrobe in the back.

Everything a TT has, I have, PLUS the benefit of a 30 foot camper.....but 23 foot when traveling.

Dre

[kknowlton]

Our mattresses folded in half, so it was hard to keep them "made" in the full sense of the word. I don't remember now if we left sheets & blankets in there, but I tend to think we didn't. Especially in the front bunk, too much chance of them getting wet if we were towing in the rain (especially around the edges of the bunk.)

[Hawk7]

We had a Palomino Stampede and had to fold the bunks when traveling. Never when we were away from the camper. The only reason we traded for a TT was for more room for my 3 growing boys. Htt do require a bit more set up but they are great little rvs. If you find the one you like, go for it! Also look into the PUGs and Reflectix.. they really do make a difference.

[Can_t_Wait_Now]

I leave blankets and sheets on mine pillows come off so everything closes and seals up ok. Love the tent feel had pop up before

[rwbradley]

I cannot imagine it working well, our bed is not fastened to the bunk and folds in half when closed up.
Hybrids are interesting beasts... people either seem to love them or hate them, and you will get a lot of weird, uninformed and even downright ignorant opinions on them from people who don't actually own them, mostly because old HTT's were badly designed, but modern ones are way different. I have heard people say that they are not safe (security and bears), tell that to the grizzlies that have ripped the doors off TT's, 5ers and Motor homes for a meal in Banff. People will tell you that you get too much moisture inside or that the bunk ends are too cold, I've been cold camping below freezing and never had it rain on me inside the bunk or been cold. They will tell you it is a pain to setup and tear down (especially wet), hmmm you must be in a real rush if 2-3 minutes is that big a deal. Or that the tent ends will leak, tear, fail and need to be replaced in 5 years, tell that to my co worker with 20 year old tent ends. What they don't tell you is that my 21' trailer has all the features of a TT and is 3400lbs, can be pulled by a V6, sleeps 7, and when opened up effectively has the square footage of a 31' trailer. Or that with the bunk windows zipped down you get excellent air circulation. Or that sleeping in a bunk end feels like tent camping but in a tent attached to a full featured trailer and no rocks poking in your back. Or that you can Wallydock, you can "turtle" with the bed ends up and still sleep on a jackknife sofa or dinette if in a pinch.
Ya HTT's are not for everyone and most people would not want to full time in one, but for recreational camping, their weight vs usable square footage and sleeping space make them a good alternative to a Pop up or small/medium Travel Trailer.