When do you put your beds up?

[annhudtx]

Do you put your beds up in your hybrid when it rains a lot? What if it's just sitting at home? I've had one bed open for the week I've had my X17Z just so I can go in there and hang out with my dogs, but I've thought I should probably put it up since it's being exposed to the weather unnecessarily. It's been raining though, and I don't want to put it away wet because of mildew, right? How do you think about your beds?

[DocBrown]

The only time our beds are open is when we are camping, cleaning, or airing it out (which we do two or three times a season). When camping it doesn't matter if it's raining. They are made to get wet. Yes, they need to dry out as soon you can if you close them while it's raining. Generally because they are vinyl covered they dry off pretty quickly.

[John from Central Florida]

I agree. Never store them wet. Back in my popup days there were times when we had to break camp in the rain. As soon as the rain cleared I opened it up to give it a thorough drying.

[stevenl]

The bunk ends are made to get wet. But you are correct not to store them wet. If you break camp in the rain open the ends as soon as practicle and dry them out. Enjoy!

[Isaacs]

Unnecessarily exposing your bunk ends to the weather (particularly the sun) is going to shorten their life.

[tcanthonyii]

I wouldn't leave them out all summer but I camped with my popup an average of about 30 days a year. I would guess that the bunk ends were out an additional 30-45 days for airing out, cleaning etc. at home. I'd get busy and not have time to put it away. It was a 98 model and i had it 5 summers doing this. It was fine, rain or shine.

[annhudtx]

That's good to know!

[RFryer]

We’ll even open ours part way when we pull over for 30-45 min while traveling just to help dry them out. Sometimes we’re on the road all day so I don’t want to take any chances with mildew.

[Jagiven]

Little bit of an older post;

When at camp we never have closed up the bunk ends for any kind of storm. We have been in 80+ mph wind storms. Strong thunderstorms with heavy rain, and hail. No issues at all.

If the ends are wet when we pack up, no big deal, the vinyl coated canvas, does not let the water though the material.

When we get home we open up the bunks and dry them as soon as we can. If it is sunny out, it might take an hour or so. We have left the bunk ends closed for a few days until the weather has cleared, and no issues with mold/mildew, or water seepage.

At home, we typically do not leave the bunk ends open. If we have them open I will close them at night.

One summer I saw a PU, at a friends seasonal CG (seasonal site). it was up all summer, and the canvas was incredibly dirty. I could not image the beating it took that summer.

[curver900]

If they are vinyl I would treat them with 303 twice a year if out in the sun allot then once a month.. the 303 has blockers and moisturizes for the vinyl to keep it pliable... most boat folks use it extensively...