Hybrid Seasonal Tips/Tricks?

[el_jefe1]

It looks like we are parking our HTT as a seasonal this year. I know, a hybrid doesn't seem real ideal for this particular application, but there are a lot of factors that led to this decision for us. This isn't so much a "should I seasonal camp with a hybrid" question - but looking for advice from anybody else who has done it.

I'm thinking that folding up the beds when we are gone will be important. I'm wondering about PUGs just to protect them since they will probably be open quite a bit more this summer since it is out at the campground all summer.
Any other tips or ideas on how to seasonal camp in an HTT?

[phoneguy1212]

I was also curious of the tent ends being left out for an extended time. It almost made me think of not getting a hybrid just because of this. I gave it a lot of thought and decided the reason for having a hybrid is for the rel estate gained from not having the bed inside. I wouldn't be season camping but would spend sometimes a month or so in one spot. When I go see my kids in W.Va there is a campground close by for $10 a day or $250 a month with hook-ups. I see no problem putting the bed back where it belongs every couple of days and use the jackknife sofa or dinette. It's just me on these trips. You guys are very helpful, thank you

[sheikyerboutti]

I say go for it !!! I would close it all up tight including slide outs if u have them. 10 minutes to pop up the bunk ends verses buying a new trailer is not too bad a deal.

[el_jefe1]

I just ordered the PUGs, should be here next week. Looking forward to seeing them up and trying them out!

[Cravawho]

I agree PUGS look great - thanks or the info

[Thomson7]

Good info! I was going to ask the same question!

[dadmomh]

PUGS are Pop-Up-Gizmos. They a covering for the top of the bunkends that not only keeps the heat in during the cold weather, it helps to keep it cooler during the warmer weather. Also keeps the bunkends cleaner. There is a website. The owner is Bob and you could not ask for a more responsible, responsive and pleasant owner. Generally, he has the sizes for the various units, just needs the year, make and model. They are a reasonably priced investment and highly recommended. He has recently added an interior liner for those in really chilly climates. The material is lightweight, but does a dandy job....one side is a color and the other silver. Your choice of available colors. The vast majority of us have them and wouldn't know what to do without. Suggest checking his website.

[crk1971]

All, last year was my first year camping as a seasonal in a hybrid and we did not pull the tent end in. We camp in a jayco 26L. The ends held up well but we have had this camper for 6 years years so it maybe time to replace the ends soon anyway.

May I ask what are PUGS? Might be worth the investment this year.

OP ENJOY THE CAMPING!!! It is great to be seasonal for a while especially with these gas prices.

Thanks everyone for the great posts I picked up some tips as always.

Chris

[dadmomh]

Oh, yea....forgot about that. Yes, turn the water off and let off the pressure inside by just opening one of the faucets - I usually use the bathroom since it's the furthest away from the connection - and you're set. Also....if you have water in your FW, sitting in the heat and sun is going to make it really nasty, really fast. Suggest you empty that to begin with. We almost never use our FW, but did on 1 trip and totally forgot about it. We started getting this really awful odor and couldn't find it until I went to put chemicals in the black tank and used the FW to add. ICK! There was the smell. We had to sanitize and start all over.

[RandK-M]

I've never done seasonal, so I'm only speculating based on what I think I would do. I don't see the big deal about turning water off, securing things or even folding the bunks?

Water takes what, 3 seconds as you pass by the valve? Even the bunks should only take a few minutes. There isn't any pulling in, leveling, and all that traveling stuff and the inside doesn't need to be made travel ready.

[el_jefe1]

What about leaving the water turned on? It seems like I read somewhere that you should turn it off at the spigot when you leave, in case a pipe breaks or something you don't flood the trailer. Does anybody do this? With a seasonal do you really turn the water off and on every time you leave the CG?

[dadmomh]

I absolutely would close the bunkends when leaving for more than a couple of days. Security aside, you are right that you need to protect the canvas. PUGs would be a fairly inexpensive and effective way to do that, but you'll still have the sides exposed, so closing is the best way. Also the awning....absolutly put it away, IMHO. We've had 2 awning issues, both caused by our lack of thinking ahead. Not only is wind your enemy, but a downpour can collect a lot of water in a short time, even if it's on a tilt. This "oops" on our part resulted in us having to come up with our $250 deductible Darn! And again, the sun a going to give the awning a beating. Agree that putting only the essentials inside is going to be best for quick in and out trips. You can probably just fold up your chairs and tuck them underneath. My thought on anything else being left outside would be that if you'd be really unhappy to come back and find something missing, put it inside when you leave. Have a great summer!

[Padlin]

I guess it boils down to go ahead and do your thing, if you leave the tents out just know it's going to take it's toll. Maybe be prepared to trade it in in a couple years and not worry about it, or do what you can to protect it.
On a side note, I noticed on my trip through Tn and Ky that a lot of seasonals at one particular park used an extra fridge outside under the awning. Might not be a bad idea if you can snag a small one for drinks and such, and if it's allowed.

[bikendan]

clangille wrote:
Really they all use sunbrella on the bunk ends now anyways.

this is not true!
i know of only 1 or 2 hybrid manufacturer that offer Sunbrella on the canvas ends.
the vast majority of hybrids don't have Sunbrella on their canvas ends.

[clangille]

I have used a HTT as a seasonal camper. You have to look at your campground, the thing that most people mentioned to me was security. If you feel that your campground is safe and you are familiar with your neighbours then security is not an issue. As far as worrying about leaving the bunk ends out and damage to the canvas. Drive by any rv dealership and you will see that TT and HTT's both are set up and open for the season. Really they all use sunbrella on the bunk ends now anyways. I left mine out for the season, ultimately my HTT was written off but it had nothing to do with the bunk ends(leaking water line). Clean your ends from time to time. Good luck with your season, enjoy the ease of seasonal camping.