Cold Weather in a Hybrid Travel Trailer
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- Опубликовано: 20 июл 2024
- Our first cold weather trip in our hybrid travel trailer. Dealing with the cold and interior condensation. Planning to get a Popup Gyzmo to help with the cold and condenstation. popupgizmos.com/
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Greetings from Texas!
We had a hybrid camper very similar to yours. What we found that worked was solar blanket at a big sporting goods store it was about 15.00.
Then we bought sun shields like you would use in the inside windshield of a car or truck. We trimmed each to fit in the windows then we unzipped the windows and slipped them in and zipped the windows up. This worked well for camping.
We found ourselves without a home and lived full time in this camper for about two years.
We bought polystyrene insulation sheets at the home building store cut them to fit snug inside the foldout.
I covered the insulation boards in beige contact paper to make it look a little better.
We were very comfortable with these modifications.
Be blessed and stay warm!
Question- how do the extensions handle wind? Great comments. Thanks for the advice.
Those tent ends usually have seam threads that expand to prevent leaking once they get wet. In the manual it says to condition them by removing all the bedding and getting them wet with a hose. After that, the thread expands and no water soaks through. If you hadn't done that yet, that may have been why it got so wet the first night.
Make your own gizmo, go to Home Depot they sale this type of foil in rolls. We made our own, put on the top of canvas and around the windows of the canvas. It works! I think we paid about $10.00 for a large roll.
Think you're talking about Reflectix. It's great stuff. Suggest looking online for more size choices. Lowes and Home Depot here only carry one size.
You could make it out of the Reflectix, but then you would need to make a case or cover from a waterproof material to drape over the roof. The interior walls could just be cut to size and pushed in place. It might be easier to order the ready made one for the roof, and do relectix for any interior space.
I just paid $45 for a 48inch high x 25 ft long roll at home Depot. Kind of reflestix a knock off
@@debmarie55 agreed
How did you secure it for wind or general weather ?
Mooch docking I really giggled at that. Thanks.
Bill, I HATE posting "advice" to you because well......you are one smart guy but.....I WAS a long time "pop up" owner and never had that issue and I did cold/wet camping. My 2 cents worth.....for what it's worth? SPRAY ON WATER PROOF. On a warm, dry day, in the shade spray your outside pull out canvas with waterproof.....seams? DO EXTRA! I did my canvas every other year (I treated my pull out's just like tent canvas and it worked)......and unasked for advice over. God bless you BOTH! Happy New Year!
That sounds like great advice. But I’m not sure that would help with condensation?
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree Hi! Happy New Year!!
As a child & later a young teen, my family & I went camping in both extremes of weather (hot & cold) in NY. We had a big canvas tent. The most important thing we did was use a waterproofing at least once a year, sometimes twice a year. extra on the seams and it worked.
I DO agree with the other commenter - you just don't know what's on the other side of canvas pop ups....
I was wondering if waterproofing would help too, especially as the leaking stopped with the next rain almost as if the canvas fibers were soaked and swollen so they no longer leaked. Kind of like canvas buckets and Tilly hats. But insulation is a great idea
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree it sounded to me like it might not have been all condensation those first couple nights. The threads of the canvas may have swelled in the moisture to help keep out the rain the following rain event...and been shrunken the first go-round. Putting waterproofing will help fill in the gaps between threads, thus keeping it more waterproof. I used to tent a lot, with the older canvas tents...that's what I think was the problem...oh and do not touch the fabric when wet, it will increase the leaking. Blessings!
@@christiedecker2724 This is not just canvas like the old tents. This is rubberized canvas, and it is completely waterproof. It was condensation, and it was equally distributed over the entire underside of the roof.
Good to know and glad the cottage is working (more or less). Happy New Year 🎉.
Thanks for giving us a report on your experiences in your travel trailer. Good info to know.
I’m looking forward to see how the Gizmo helps out . Thanks for sharing and I hope Elizabeth is feeling better ! Happy New Year and God bless !
another great video. I didn't know about the gizmo. Thank you for sharing!
I'm sure you are enjoying the time with your family! Huge blessing.
I think it's wise that you're testing your camper to see how it will perform in all conditions.
Before you mentioned the gizmo, I was thinking about one of those canopies. We have one we plan to use with our camper as outside sitting space.
The accessories look like a good idea.
Happy New Year!
The gizmo sounds like a great solution. Happy New Year!!
so awesome you guys!! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and new year!
That's what I like about ya Bill,seems ya always can figure out how to resolve problems that arise 👍😊...
Hi , enjoyed your review of the experience of winter camping!! So great that you were able to spend that time with your kids!! The pop up gizmos look reasonable. I guess if it we're me I would get 3 layers!! 😘
I have an Hybrid too its my second one, I soon found out about the condensation and the answer was to open the zipper a wee bit and use a electric heater with a fan in it whenever I can at a campsite.
Good luck Bill, all i know is little brother and his wife had one these, and did not care the pull out canvass bed
And ended up getting a new RV w/o the tent.
We were in a hybrid in the winter in Oregon. The condensation was terrible, as it was cold and rainy every day. I ended up having to get a small dehumidifier, we had to empty it 1-2 times a day, but it worked! The dry heat is better as well, and I use an electric blanket. I used the propane very little, it does add to the condensation. I am going to add the gizmo idea with the interior wrap, will be all set! Love your videos!
Use an electric blanket on the bed and a space heater. Propane causing the wetness. We had a popup and winter camped.
Thank you for sharing your lovely Christmas video. The music was festive as is the decor. But my favorite song, of all time is , Mary did you know. God bless you and yours, Patty in Seattle.
Great video, a lot of great info for the newbie. Thank you.
You could take out one of the benches on your dinette and put in a longer couch so you would be able to use it as a bed. Another option is to get get the either the blue or pink foam board and make fake walls for your canvas. Cover with fabric so it looks nice. Use Velcro to hold it together. You could even make a few windows. They would be installed inside the trailer. A waterproof bag could be sewn so they could be transported in the truck.
Happy New Year to you both!
Hello Bill and Elizabeth! It's freezing cold here too plus we're waiting for a cold wave, "Sophia"!!!
I really appreciate your time in showing the Fahrenheit and Celsius conversation. Oh the rain sounded fantastic, guess it is when you’re warm and dry. Happy new year by the way!
I didn't even know they made such a thing, but it sure makes sense. i would also think it would prolong the life of the canvas. Glad you are enjoying your trailer.
Hi Elizabeth and Bill, I want to wish you and your family a Happy New Year, health and happiness and may God bless you all for 2019. Hugs. Francine
Ok going to put my 2 cents in. I like the advice of making 1 of the couches into a better bed, but also we tent ⛺ camp and hubby bought a huge tarp and adjustable poles that gets tall from the army store and we put that over the tent. Well what a huge difference that makes. He went a little extreme on the size because we can fit it over the tent with extra in the front area so we can put our picnic table underneath too..but it works and fits our budget. 😊😉
I know you will probably be back home by the time this vid gets out, but I hope you have/are having a Terrific time with your family. O and the tarp could be an idea for next time. Happy camping and Happy New Year 🎉
Blessings to you both.
After reading the other comments, somebody suggested the double sleeping bags Arrangement where two sleeping bags zip together For two people. I recommend that and get the top of the line sleeping bags that are rated for really cold weather. We have some really old ones that are at least 45 years old. The zippers are broken and they smell musty but they are extremely warm.
I look forward to seeing a review on the gizmos that you’re speaking of Bill. I probably would have some really good sleeping bags too for those really cold weather conditions! I cannot sleep if I am freezing cold! Or I change my location to warmer climates like Southern California or parts of Arizona but I know you have to go where your family lives in your particular situation! But you are learning more about your adventures in your new camp travel trailer!
Nice video. We love our hybrid for the same reasons. Ease of use and it expands once you arrive. We use Reflectix for insulation inside each of our three pop outs and it's it's raining horribly we only pop one out and cover it with a tarp. We use an electric heater If we are plugged up. It's four of us, me, the misses and out two young kids. P.s. - epic beard!!!!!
Man great review man! I'm in the market for a camper and I'm glad I saw this!
Oh and Happy New Year to all🎉🎊
The gizmo sounds like a good idea inside and out, it’s worth trying. I had read somewhere that if you light a candle (or two 😀) it would help with the condensation inside, can’t hurt to try. My you and your family have a Healthy, Happy, and Blessed New Year!
Arlene Ehrlinspiel yes. candles help alot when we tent camp. just be fire safe
Thank you, great helpful video
The Gizmo sound like a good idea. You might want to small fan to blow the heat from the center of the trailer into the pop-up area. We had a pop-up tent trailer and the fan helped a lot in moderate temperatures.
It sounds like a great idea.
My first thought was “ get a strong tarp and secure it over the pop out sleep area”, but I see they got the “ “gismo” so that will be great
I'm team tarp a tarp large enough is pretty cheap
Happy New Year. God Bless.
For wall insulation you can get reflectix from Lowes or Home Depot and cut it to shape and zip it into the window screens
Very informative. Thanks.
We bought an oil 1500 watt radiator space heater (from Walmart or Home Depot) for our 27ft camper. We have to turn it off if we use the microwave or coffee pot (so we don’t trip the breaker), but we’ve gotten used to it and it heats up our little space so wonderfully that we even have to turn it down sometimes. Now we never use our propane for heat as long as we’re hooked up to power. Another thing we bought was a Foreman Indoor/Outdoor electric grill. It’s on a stand that is collapsible so it breaks down easy for travel. I use it like a stovetop burner and/or grill, sometimes with my cast iron or just foil for steaks/corn on the cob (etc…). When we are at a site with power, we save money on propane because the electricity is either free or built in to the cost of reserving the spot. Love your videos. I’ve started from the beginning and working my way through. :)
I bought reflectix foil insulation, and put it over the top and down the sides, then the gizmos on top. I also cut out a piece for the front window. Then, the gizmos around the outside. The ac can keep up easy at 100+ degrees. And the furnace makes can make it too hot at 35 degrees.
When camping in our 21 ft camper in a spot with electric hookups we use a small electric heater. My husband is buying a ceramic heater for later this year when we takeoff for several months. We use the propane furnace when rustic camping though.
Bill : Thanks for another excellent video. You would like a non-hybrid travel trailer much better. They have some very nice configurations and you won’t have to screw with that nasty canvas. Happy New Year to you and Liz
Maybe, but a "hard shell" trailer would have to be much longer to give us the same interior room we have with our hybrid. We like our hybrid because it is short (21 feet) and easy to tow into gas stations, small campsites, etc., then opens up quite large. It's a tradeoff. Interior space vs. highway maneuverability.
Great video dude. nice editing, very informative, didn't feel like a long video at all. cheers! well done 😁
Glad you liked it!
We use the gizmos on our hybrid. I also bought a roll of Reflectix (foil like insulation, about the thickness of bubble wrap) and cut them to fit in between the screens and the zippered covers. Works well for us in cold weather. We have been out in snow and cold temps on several. occasions. Electric heaters and electric blankets work very well and can be supplemented by the propane furnace if necessary.
That was the plan for us, too. But instead, we ended up replacing the trailer with a larger, standard hard-shell trailer. No more canvas. :-)
I hope when you get the thing its works out for you.
Not really a comment on this video. Just wanted to share with you how pleased I am with my thrive life products!!. I made the chicken salad to go and it is just amazing! Could not ask for a better quick meal! I will definitely be ordering the to go meals again. Everything so far has lived up to your claims. Thank you for introducing me to this great product!
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Try using an electric heater - no condensation.
Another thing to consider is that usually when you buy these they only come with a standard A/C unit. You can have that A/C unit replaced with a model that also is a true Heat Pump and not just a strip heater in it. As long as you are plugged into an adequate electrical supply, you can use the heat pump system for heat as long as it’s not extremely cold outside.
You can buy an insulated tarp especially made for pop-up camper to drap over your bed..
It will protect you canvas pop-up from uv-rays and the weather, plus it will keep you warm too...
Best wishes for 2019. God bless.
i would have used a tarp,before I got my pop up gizmos thats what I used.The tarp cut down on the condensation also.I like the gizmos as they are made to fit your size bunk & are worth every penny.I never run my propane for heat,I use an electric tower heater & it works great.
How wonderful to spend the holidays with family. I do have an idea to help you with the cold and it’s cheap. On Wish the app. You can find these insulation blankets. A few dollar each. Like $3. They look like big 10x20 silver blankets like the silver cover you get for your car windshield. That being said it’s a lot like the cover you showed in the picture. We bought them to insulate our cabin. But ended up using them for a cover porch to put up walls for our dogs. It’s there “bedroom” they are huskies and spoiled. That open room was 20 degrees warmer when we put up the silver blankets as walls for them. Don’t know how much a gizmo cost but you might want to try the silver blankets on Wish. Might be cheaper and you might find other uses for them. Nice to have on hand even if it’s not right for your trailer. Hope it would work for you. Happy new year! May God bless you greatly in the new year! Leslye
We use the gizmos, have reflectix cutouts in the windows and bought a $30 space heater. We keep toasty even in the beds. And we use very little propane.
Also we keep the windows zipped open a bit and have an exhaust fan on low to suck moisture out.
Thanks for that feedback. I think we WILL be getting some gizmos. But it will be more for hot weather than for cold. We don't expect to do a whole lot of cold weather camping. But it will be nice to have the option.
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree we just got our camper on Halloween, so we have no experience with them in heat, but I hear they work great. The other thing to do is, instead of buying that interior liner from the PUGS place, just by a roll of reflectix at Lowes and cut it to shape and fit in the windows, just slide them in each time you open the bed ends. You can also use a piece under each mattresss, in cabinets on the exterior wall side, etc. It helps tremendously.
Another solution to the canvas surround on the beds is to use 1" pink rigid insulation. Cur insulation to march the dimentions of the sides and end. Possibly put some velcro tabs to keep panels in place.
for our pop up my husband bought something that looks like gizmo covers - from Walmart. sporting goods section They work perfectly for our pop up. They are orange on one side and silver on the other.
I had one of these and had to trade it in. To cold and to damp for Northern California. I got a different trailer. But I agree with comment electric heat and make your own shelter over pop out or trade that puppy in!! Love your videos.
Hi Bill Happy New Year to you and your loved ones The LPG heater and you breath holds an lot of moisture that why you have the condensation there Put an bigger cover over it and keep the 2 sides a bit open when you sleeping there you will see that the condensation will be a lot less if not totally gone
Happy New Year friends🎆 Bill, check your local farm store for propane tank filling. Not sure if you all still have the locally owned “Agway” type farm supply stores, but if so, most will fill your 20 pounders for around $10!!! The chain stores, while convenient, they are a bit high. $18 - $20 for propane filling or exchange is ridiculous, but when in a pinch, that’s what we have to do. Also, often your local offices of residential Home propane suppliers will fill tanks for less. Here we have Superior Energy, formerly Griffith Oil, and a few other independently owned propane suppliers. If someone only has one tank it may not be worth the hassle, but if you have several like you do, it’s really worth it to look ad them up and drive to the filling station rather than doing the tank exchange. Eight or ten dollars savings for each tank could add up to enough for your gizmo and a few more adventures 🙂 which also benefits your viewers - extra entertainment for us 🙂👍. Have a happy, healthy, safe, blessed New Year!!!!!
That's great advice. Except that we weren't local. We had traveled for many hours, and we don't know where they are. While travelling, they will be harder to find than the chain stores. But I will definitely keep that in mind, thanks!
Truck stops usually have lower rates to fill also. God bless
@@LiveSimpleLiveFree I think there's at least one app that addresses where you can find propane fill stations, dump stations etc.
There is a website I found called rvdumps.com that shows dump stations all across the country. But I've never thought about finding a website or app that show propane. I'll have to see what I can find. Thanks.
We have a chain of stores called Tractor Supply Co. They fill bottles of propane for a lot less than most places.
If you put a blue insulation board around the walls and on the ceiling and also under the mattress it works great for insulating I do that in my class B plus
we had a pop up for years with childern. we also got a dark tarp for the light to help in summer heat. we too got a electric heater for inside . also we blew up air mattress for inside beds on the floor area. when u can a travel trailer would be better for u guys.
great info...
Pop out tarp works great
I have been thinking about upgrading to a hybrid from a pop up. I do cold weather camp also, have never had a condensation issue. Never knew about this Gizmo..You must not be the only one with this problem. I use a Mr heater on low in the pop up. Thanks for the video ! Very interested to see if this gizmo works.
Sorry, I can’t tell you about how the gizmo works. We never got one. Not long after we made this video we traded up to a regular “hard shell” travel trailer.
I think I would opt for constructing an add on to the table benches or the sofa that stack saving room, but add enough length plus pads to make a six footer feel comfortable. Then you could keep the energy ogre closed in. Maybe you could even hinge the add ons to the ends of the benches and drop when not using? Bill, you always construct things better than the original engineers, so my crazy thoughts probably just make you grin and shake your head😁 As far as the gas cost, it still beats the price of motels, but might make remote camping very difficult.
Excellent 👍
Hi bill ,you need a mini stove in there a lot of people use them here in the uk, I love watching your videos happy new year ,,,,dell,,in the uk
In your camper you have a vented propane heater. Moisture is a product of the exhaust. Propane burns and heats the heat exchanger and air is blown over the exchanger like most gas burning households . If you had a buddy heater or a vent free propane heater going, you will get a lot of moisture in the camper. Also you get moisture from your own breathing. I can see moisture happening from the heat loss from the canvas but very little.
I always carry dryrid helps with condensation
I have camped in my Roo down to 10 F and was OK. Had heated mattress and I put foil back trap form Home Depot on top of the bed end and under the mattress
If you have a metal door,cover the inside of the door with bubble wrap. This keeps it warmer.
I’ve been in every kind of weather with no problems.
wehave a hybird trailer too, and we use the Mr. Buddy electric heater...........now ours has the couch on the end by the bed, and it folds down to be really long, one reason why we got that one.....also, the living area floor is so big you can add a blow up there for sleep too, (queen in fact).........we have not had a problem with condisation, we also have heated mattrices, that came with the trailer..........
If you haven't seen it, campervankevin did a video recently about using wool army blankets under and over his bed sheets to help with warmth. I think he uses a sleeping bag on top.
Great video. I think the first night there maybe was also residual condensation in the RV from being unused for a while which dried out and did not recur on the 2nd night?
Propane when you burn it gives of H20 into the air. So if it is cold outside and warn inside the condensation will build up in the inside of the camper.
What about a large tarp and tent it over canvass. Just wrote this as you talked about the gismo!! lol
Almost every Rv'er I watch says Propane causes condensation. Maybe using an electric (dry) heater is the way to go when you are plugged in. Thank you for you videos.
Propane doesnt cause condensation. It releases H2O when combusted. Same effect, different reason.
It's exhausted outside
I seem to think there is a pop out eye on that model couch that has a screw underneath, then the triangle is able to be put on the floor in front of the counter to make the longer bed laying the other way. I think the bench folded down forward then came back somehow to spin out then go on the triangle. It was a different kind of thing back then, and a lot of kids didn't get it and ended up sleeping cramped. As for the heat, the real problem is the vehicle rules, not the type or kind. I've seen kids use itty bitty pellet stoves, but propane is a nice choice. Compared to other fuels it's fairly decent. Kero is the worst. Anyway, be good. stay safe.
Popup gizmos really work,worth thr money
Hi if possible you should try a sofa bed or a couch with a full size pullout bed they are a few hundred dollars but will help you both sleep in the main rv without opening the pop up and both sleeping together 😊💐💕 you can definitely also do a good condition second hand one just buy the mattress also sometimes furniture stores will discount sofa with pullout beds due to not being such in demand it’s beautiful good luck 💐 happy New Years 2019 to you both
I would also suggest a real wool blanket. keeps the dampness of condensation off and your really warmer.
Under the Gizmo try a long blue tarp that will fold down over the outside sides and bungee cord under the flip out bed. The for top insulation use the gizmo... just an idea
Get extra large sleeping bag rated for cold weather, unzip it completely and use it as a blanket. Use electric blanket also, cuts down your propane furnace use.
Bill, propane can contribute to condensation. How about an electric heater? Happy New Year to you and Elizabeth.
that's why the jayco x23b is the best hybrid ever made
Good morning 👍 ✌
Good morning, Bill. Seeing as how the by product of propane-generated heat is moisture, what about switching to electric heat in your darling cottage? Or, why not get a self inflating king size air mattress and sleep in the main area. Just a few thoughts. Happy New Year and Happy Trails.
My Son uses a diesel heater. He really likes it & the propane money was really added up. Hes says the diesel is cheaper & keeps them toasty. They're in a 38 ft. Bus. He said I could use it even if my rig wasnt diesel. The Gizmo seems like a could solution. I am looking at hybrids
Our jayco expanda caravans in Australia have hard lids over the bed that folds out fully waterproof with heavy. Canvas
Sounds like a great idea!
I'd be looking at getting either a air mattress to put on the floor or pull the mattress off the bed to the floor if they will fit.
Heater blanket work well
I sure hope it will work for you.
3 yrs after the fact, you could consider a diesel fired heater. I read a few comments that said the propane adds humidity to the air when it burns, which is true. But, if the propane furnace is adding moisture to the air inside the camper, you have BIGGER problems 🙄. Either retrofit a diesel heater in place of the propane fired furnace, or consider adding a stand alone diesel heater to the coach. They either can complement each other, or use one of them for the really, REALLY cold nights, and one for the cooler days. Rv propane furnaces are not terribly efficient when compared to larger motor coaches or residential furnaces. Add to that, the coaches thermal inefficiency. Just a thought and my $.02.
I say buy a tarp and Jimmy rig it as you would the gizmo. Just to get you through the next couple of days.
How about a heated mattress pad or blanket?.. Maybe a portable oil heater (radiant) to reduce the propane condensation. That's a big draw on your son's electric though.
I've seen rv'ers comment on a product called 'Damp Rid" for condensation but that would help with minor case. you'll figure it out..you always do.
Yes, we RVers love our damp rid. My husband and I also leave one of the roof vents open just a bit to help alleviate the condensation.
I have a pop up and have found tht Double Reflective Insulation Air Roll with Double Bubble cut out to fit between the screen and window flaps and then drapped a piece of reflective bubble insulation that I tapped together with silver tape to fit over the whole top and bungeed secure over the top and also a yoga mat type material under the mattress helps sooo much and it's easy and cheap and doesn't take up much room to store and it also helps with privacy because the canvas eliminated shows through quite a bit. Just thought you might like to know what's worked for me :)
Bill, We have a hybrid also and had major condensation problems in cold weather. Didn't know about the Gizmo. Sounds like a good solution. Yet, the canvas around our pop out beds has mildew spots. You don't have this problem but would love to hear your comments on stopping or fixing that. Replace it all? Good luck on the Gizmo!
Sorry, I have no idea. I'm just leaning about all this myself. We've only had our hybrid out for two overnight shakedown trips, one four day trip, and now this two week trip to see our son for Christmas. So you probably know more about all this than we do!