As we continue to pass through the winter months, I continue thinking about the transition into a travel trailer. Don't get me wrong I love my popup, it's just that sometimes I wish I could start the season a little earlier, have more room to pack some clothing, have more room in the event of a rain day, etc. However for some of the reasons I am considering a TT, are also some of the reasons I don't want one. The relatively small size of the pop-up allows me to get it into just about anywhere I want, even in some pretty tight areas in the national forests. I like having the tent ends open in the spring, summer and fall, cause that just screams camping. I like not confining my family to the inside of a camper, and the small size of the pop-up kind of encourages us to not to get to comfortable inside it. I know a hybrid is always an option in between the two but lets face it, they are still like being in a sardine can.
I would like to hear from some of you who have made the transition and why? Any regrets?
I can't help ya. I'm in a 18ft tt now. Me and my wife both loved our pup for the same reasons you listed. We also love our tt for all the reasons you listed and more. After a year in the tt we are more torn between than ever. I will add this much, my favorite thing about the tt, packing and setup. The one thing I purely hate. The gas mileage! With our last TV and pup, we got 17mpg. With the current TV and 18ft lightweight tt, 12 at best. 10 most of the time. Bottom line, you sick it up in the wind, mileage gets killed. Lightweight and small or not. Its hurting us bad cause my hours have been cut at work and can't afford to camp a lot cause of the added fuel costs. Just something to think about. Good luck with your decision.
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I liked my popup but I love my 26 foot Class C so much more. As others have said, it is nice to just walk in to pack whenever you want, you don't need to open it. It is roomier and it has more ameneties that make DW happier. I don't think we will go to a campground and spend the weekend in the RV.....unless it rains. We'll still be outside by the fire and eating at the table.
You mentioned you liked the pup for its ability to get into tight spots in National Forests. That may limit you on size for a TT or HTT. I camp in State Parks in PA and private campgrounds which have plenty of room so that isn't an issue for me.
Just a thought regarding a Class C.....my pup was I think 18 feet from bumper to tongue and my truck is about another 15 feet long totaling 33 feet. My RV is only 26 feet so in actuality, I am shorter than my previous pup and TV setup. I don't recall how wide my RV is, but it is only wider by maybe 6 inches.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
It sounds like you and I share some blood. I'd rather be in a tent when I'm camping; the p'up was just a compromise to get DW up off the ground. It's OK, but one of the kids just likes to play at the table and he'll stay in the p'up as long as I let him. I'd rather he play outside as much as he will. When it rains, we all have books and we play cards some. We do ALL of our cooking outside.
Personally, it's a p'up's life for me. The tent aspect is an important feature. The external size is wonderful; the internal is size is secondary. Gas is expensive enough as it is; I can only imagine the pain I'd feel with a TT.
we had two popups for a 17 year period.
but when we go into our 50's, the setup routine and lack of amenities got us looking at making a change.
we too, hated the "shoebox" feel of regular trailers. once we saw our first hybrid, we knew we could have our cake and eat it too.
there have been only two downsides, compared to our popups.
gas mileage and storage. but the upsides way outnumber these two downsides.
we actually camp more since we got our hybrid, since we only have to buy groceries, hookup and go. we keep all the other stuff we need, already in the hybrid.
plus the hybrid allows us to "turtle" if we need a quick stopover or the weather is nasty.
we've had our hybrid for over 6 years now and probably will keep it another 5, until we decide on moving up to a 5th wheel when we fully retire and spend a few years traveling the country.
Ok, I will try to talk you down from the ledge. JUMP!!!!!!! I didn't say which way I was going to get you down. 😀 We moved from a pup to a TT this year and we love it. We are a family of 5 and we needed/wanted more room and a bathroom. It wouldn't matter if we had a diesel pusher, we would still stay outside during the day. Cook outside and hang out by the fire at night. Towing mileage will decrease and some creature comforts will increase. It is a question you have to ask yourself. Is it worth it?
We just bought a Hybrid a month ago, and we did our first trip at the season opener. We had an issue with the build quality of the front bunk, but made it through the weekend, and loved it. After being able to pack it on Wednesday and just pull away on Friday, and then when we got to the campsite it took all of 20 minutes to set everything up, that includes the outside furniture. And that was the first time i set it up completely by myself. I am sure i will get better and faster just like with the PUP.
Mike
We had a pup for twelve years and I was getting the same itch that you seem to have. I had some opportunities to look at a few Hybrids at campgrounds and I was hooked. In 2011, around Thanksgiving, I sold the pup and then searched high and low for a hybrid for our family. I found a new, hold over, 2011 model at a dealership and pulled the trigger in December. Picked her up In January of 2012 and have absolutely no regrets. As far as sardine can we don't get that feeling. Ours has an 18" deep slide that the kitchen (sink area ) and couch slide out. It really opens things up inside. We open the bunk end windows and the blinds during the day so we still get plenty of natural light in. The best thing about it is accessability for packing and when on the road if we want to stop for lunch or a bathroom break. Gas mileage definitely took a hit but most of our outings are relatively close so it's not that much of a game changer. Longer runs just take a little more budgeting but are not out of the question. I really like the fact that in the dead of winter I can go out in the camper, fire up the furnace, turn on some tunes and get a little mid winter camping fix, something I could never do with the pup 🙂
yep, I hear ya, Loved our pup, but when DW says It's time to change. Guess what?, It's time to change. For us the hybrid was a compromise 😉 I wanted PUP, she wanted TT, so we both got the best of both worlds. So far, I'm thinking she's good with the choice but we all know that can change on a dime. No offense ladies.
This is the way I looked at it when I bought my pup. A few yrs. ago my dad flipped a full size trailer when he was towing. Came out from under a bridge and the wind caught it and flipped it. Yes windy for sure but made me think too considering what I saw.
Full trailer , ease of use and move fast on the fly if you have to move fast in and out of camp grounds.Down side is weight and gas mileage to a point. High winds could and are a issue too depending on where you are going.
Pup, lighter in weight , lower profile while towing and most today have everything you need. Downside is soft sided walls , not much privacy and takes time to packup and move.
Depends on where your at in life right now really , want everything with you and little headache of setting up then a trailer is the way to go. If you don't mind a little work and a little better gas mileage then a pup is it for sure.
Good luck !!
Well we went from a 25' TT to a 32' TT, back to a PUP. OK, we would likely still have the large TT, but life happens also. Anyway as much as it hurt having to ditch the big TT. We dearly love our PUP now too. We started 26 years ago camping in a PUP. When we had the 32', it was stationary at a seasonal site. I towed it to & from just twice a year. We take the PUP everywhere now. It is nice having the "mobility" of a PUP. Also (like the OP said). You dont get quite as COMFY. Truthfully, we dont take hardly anything anymore. Shoot, I only hooked in to water 1 time last summer. The rest we brought a gallon of water with us, and took 1/2 that back home.---All-In-All---I think the PUP fits us better than that big TT did. But seriously, listen to your OWN heart, and seek advice from the Master. (NOTE: we are not the Master). Listen to your heart and follow His advice. You will be happier.
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