jnoflane2
Falcon, Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 02/14/2004
View Profile
 Offline
|
I am a current PU owner and have camped in it the past 3 years. I am really getting tired of all the set-up and want to move to something more convenient. Therefore, I am considering a hydrid and a TT. I would prefer a TT, be the floor plans I like are over 30' long. I am able to get a similiar floor plan in a hydrid in the 23-26' range.
So here are my questions... How much hassle is a hydrid to set up and break down? How do you deal with rainy days? What do you do if you have to depart a campsite with a wet camper and wet canvas? What are the security issues (bear country, Wal-mart parking lot, road-side park, etc.)?
Thanks, John
|
CAMPINGPAPAW
RICHMOND, KY
Senior Member
Joined: 05/11/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I wish I’d bought a TT. I like the camper I have now but I would rather have a regular bed. Our camper sleeps 8 and is easy to maneuver around. The ends will dry out when folded up. Ours is easy to set up. I just think I’d like a TT better. You know, the grass is always greener .............
|
HR Camper
Raleigh, NC USA
Full Member
Joined: 04/22/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
John, I debated this subject for over two years.
I finally settled on the TT, but I almost got the Hybrid instead. I must tell you, I have no regrets.
When I had my PU, I hated dealing with wet bunkends. To me, this wouldn't change with the the hybrid, but still would be easier than a PU.
The main question is, what's your TV?
2005 Jayco 31 SS Class C
2005 Acura MDX Toad
SITCOM - Single Income, Three Children, One Mortgage
Go Champs: Steelers, Carolina Hurricanes, WVU Mountaineers
|
BWS
Hamptonville, NC USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/28/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Well, I suppose we need to start out by asking how tired are you and how much convenience do you like. We bought our hybrid because it still gave you the camping feeling while having all the TT conveniences. The last rig I had before leaving camping altogether about 12 years ago was a 32 foot TT. When we started back we got us a tent! I ain't that much of a camper!! One trip and done for that. We then went to a PU and loved it. But after one bad trip with horrible bath houses we decided to change. When we saw this hybrid my wife fell in love with it. Now her and my daughter didn't have to go out at night to the bath house and we still were camping. So, if you really like to camp then the hybrid is great. If you like a hotel on wheels, which is fine, then a TT would be better.
Now about the rain and security issues. If we are going to stop at an overnight location or pull in and it is raining or stop at a WalMart (which we have never done), then we just level up and hook up the bare minimum and leave the bunk ends up. The setup we have still gives you plenty of room (there are just the 3 of us) and the dinette makes a slightly bigger than double size bed and we have a small 2 person dinette that will sleep one child. When we "driveway" camp at home, this is how it is most of the time. As far as rain goes, the canvas wipes off quickly and if you do have to put it up wet then you can open it back up at home. Believe me, I have had 3 PU's and it is no where near as much trouble. Not nearly as much canvas to deal with. As far as security goes, there is a certain amount of trust you need to camp. We have never stayed anywhere we felt inclined to be afraid at. We do move our 5 year old daughter to the front bunk with us though after she falls asleep. That is mainly a worry though about somehow she might fall out on the ground. Can't see it happening but better safe than sorry. My wife is perfectly happy with our setup and comfortable with its safety as well.
I know that this has been long but just thought I would give you a positive note on hybrids. They are the best of both worlds. However, if you are ready to change your world completely, then a TT may be more to your liking. Good luck.
Bruce
2003 Jayco Kiwi 21C
2002 Ford Explorer Limited 4.6 V8 3.73
Hensley Arrow hitch
Prodigy Brake controller
McKesh mirrors
ADTH Power Tongue Jack
|
LakeN
North Carolina
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
No, I don't think a hybrid is a hassle. We moved up from tents to PU, then hybrid last year. Had an older popup which served us well 4 yrs. but got so tired of the set up, especially lowering the door & connecting the canvas just exactly the right way to make it work.
Our hybrid is one of the smallest but is amazingly large compared to the midsized PU. You get the same great amount of air thru bunkends.
We did not have to purchase a new high buck TV. (TV you have is a major factor in your decision!!) Wonderful things we gained with small size hybrid: shower/bathroom, clothes closet & tons of built in storage, ceiling vent,stereo/CD, better stove, rigerator/freezer, heater, propane outside RVQ grill, bunk end fans/lights, BETTER mattress, improved awning. Probably best of all is the ability to go into camper between trips. Packing up is simple; we frequently go in to open windows & air out. Also great if you need to stop enroute to a campsite. If you have a pet, much more secure to leave a short period of time.
Yes, we have packed up in rain. Much easier than a popup, but you do dry out once back home.
Don't consider a negative, but it does require more maintenance(washing, waxing, keeping up rubber roof.)
Once lived in a 20 ft. TT for a year. Believe me, I would have loved to have the increased hybrid space!! (You can use a hybrid without bunkends for Walmart, bear country, etc.)
Good luck with your decision!
'08 Toyota Tundra 5.7L with tow package/Prodigy
'09 Holiday Rambler Savoy LE 29CKS
2 campers + Daisy and Star
|
|
|
Trooper 180
Kingston, OK, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/11/2004
View Profile
|
We love our new Palomino Hybrid. I was wanting to get TT, but the wife said no, we must have a PU type bed. We had a Starcraft Nova PU, it was an 89 model. Sold it a few years ago. Our hybrid only has one pullout bed, which is in the front. Three bunks are in the rear. The slideout couch makes an excellent bed, as well as the dinette. There is plenty of room because the main bed (foldout) is not taking up any of the interior space. I don't know about other hybrid brands, but setting up the Palomino foldout bed is a snap, takes less than five minutes, the same when folding it back up. The last two times used it was raining. The foldout bed was putup wet, no water got inside at all. After arriving back home I setup the bed to dry. TT are fine, I wanted one, but the hybrid is perfect for us (two kids also). The hybrids are equippted just like a TT and are very roomy. My BIL has a 23 or 24 ft TT. Our hybrid has much more interior space than his. His bed takes up a lot of space. A longer TT would be fine, but could you tow it. I think you will be well pleased with a hybrid. I am an old Eagle Scout and now an assistant scoutmaster. I have camped in tents since age 8. The hybrid has just about all the conveniences of a TT and you still get that tent felling, with none of the headaches attached.
2007 F150 FX4 S-crew, 5.4, 3.73, 20" wheels, S&B CAI, Magnaflow
2004 Palomino Stampede S-235 SDSL
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper 180 (ret. 1/04)
Mobile Riverine Force Vietnam (69-71)
|
Discus
TX, U.S.
Senior Member
Joined: 07/03/2002
View Profile
|
There really isn't too much more to say other than what has already been said by those who are happy with their hybrids. Children have a knack for wanting to go "to the bathroom" at the craziest times (heck, as I get older I have the same problem). A hybrid allows you to pull over and let them go. As far as safety issues, it's no different than a pop-up. Just be aware of where you camp. If you are in bear country, or Wal-Mart, leave the ends closed. All these things can be said about travel trailers too, but two major reasons we love hybriding is that it gives us that camping, outdoorsy feel, but with a bathroom, shower, micro-wave etc., and we can have a much larger trailer at the towing expense of a much shorter and lighter one. When I camp alone, I just open one side and it takes me less than ten minutes to set up. Sometimes I don't even open the sides and it takes me less time. We plan on hybriding for years to come.
Discus
Ford Explorer
Palomino Stampede
21SDSL
|
Liss
Western Arkansas
Senior Member
Joined: 01/24/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
We went straight from tent to hybrid w/no regrets. We're still in the "We camp, we don't RV" stage. There's nothing better than unzipping the bunkends about 5:30 a.m. and watching the sun come up over the lake, knowing that I can stay in my jammies for a potty run or when making breakfast.
As far as the wet bunkends, DS #1 & I solved that one. As long as it isn't raining the day we leave, we just uhook the bungies on the bunks, he hops up with a towel and dries the top portion and I dry the bottom portion up as far as I can reach. No more taking it home & setting it up to dry out.
We're planning to get a bigger trailer next summer. While we're going w/quad bunks for the DK's and their clutter, dad & I are keeping that canvas front bunk for us. We'll probably stay hybrid for another 10 years or so before going to 5er when it's just dad & I.
2004 F250 CC SRW 6.0L PSD "The Beast"
2006 Wildcat 31QBH "The Cat"
1 wonderful husband, 3 great kids and 2 dogs who think they're human.
|
marlon2
Maple Ridge BC
New Member
Joined: 04/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
We believe hybrids are not a hassle. We just came from PU and now really enjoy the benefits of a hybrid. The set up or break down of the bunk ends is less than ten minutes. The option is always there with our unit not to set up the bunkends if we are just staying one night and it raining. Our unit comes with dinette and slide out couch that converts to a bed if we were to use it "closed up". The wife and I also enjoy the camping feeling that hybrid offers. She does not like how stuffy a TT can get during hot weather while boondocking. As for bears I have not heard of any getting into a bunk end in hybrid(tents yes) but I guess we could always be the first Walmart would be new to us and cannot see staying at one in the near future. There is lots to consider for both sides of the fence. Good luck!
2002 Wanderer 231DT GL(hybrid)
1998 F150 Supercab 5.4L 4X4
|
bantam1960
Western USA
Senior Member
Joined: 03/18/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
No big deal and I'll accept the extra setup/break down time in exchange for the ability to unzip the tent, look at the simmering lake, listent to the the birds and watch the sun rays through the leaves...then zip back up and take another 15 minutes extra nap.
Also, the smaller size of the hybrid during travel makes it easier to go to national and state parks--my favorite camping modes.
|
|
|
|
