Hi all. Looking at both hybrids and pop-ups. I've read the pros and cons on both in previous posts, but does anyone have experience with both resulting in time-tested wisdom? I have three boys and I work long(er) hours so my wife will be towing and setting up. Let me state first, her skills are undeniably great. I'm just looking to make the setup process as easy as possible for her, while herding three little boys around.
I've gotten plenty of feedback regarding tow vehicle vs. trailer size, we have a Honda Pilot and are looking at small hybrids and average pop-ups, staying way below our tow limit.
We like the open, tent-like feel of the pop-ups, but we also plan to go to the beach and other hot places, where AC will be important. I've heard pop-AC isn't the greatest. I also wonder about the pop-up in bad weather. I'm not expecting vault-like security, but I want to make sure they will be okay if I'm not camping with them.
Finally, prices. I've seen 15-17 foot hybrids going for 13-17k, which is a lot, but not too much more than a new pop-up, (depending on trim of course). Also, a good, new-er used Coleman or Fleetwood costs 8-12k as well!
What to do, what to do...
Thanks for your feedback!
Jason
As some things that you mentioned, there are pro and cons to both hybrid and popups. What I like about popup campers is the openness of windows all around and the higher ceilings. (I'm 6'4") Hybrids have less steps to step up and you can easily access the camper for packing including food in the refrigerator.
Many 12' or larger popups including high walls are very close to the price of a hybrid now that hybrid prices have dropped in the market place. In the northeast, you can buy a new 12' popup and new 16' hybrid camper for about $14K. Both have many of the same features.
After reading this post and your post about your TV (tow vehicle), I figured I'f come back here to post... Seeing how you are limited by your TV, I would give up on the idea of a HTT (hybrid travel trailer) and look for a pup (pop up).. You can find lots in the 3000lb GVWR range that should suit your family for a few years...
I have to agree with snowll, I think that you will really be pushing it with a Pilot. The pilot has a max tow capacity is 3500#.
To answer the question without regard to the TV, I had a Bayside and now have a Rockwood Roo. I really liked both. My main reason for going to the Hybrid was I don't feel my kids should be sharing a bed anymore and didn't like the idea of putting the dinnette down every night.
Hybrid has the big advantage of being able to load up without raising the roof. There's also a lot more space and the enclosed bathroom. But the popup had much bigger beds and the openness is awesome.
[quote author=jthewood link=topic=2942.msg28484#msg28484 date=1396911438]
I'm just looking to make the setup process as easy as possible for her, while herding three little boys around.
I've gotten plenty of feedback regarding tow vehicle vs. trailer size, we have a Honda Pilot and are looking at small hybrids and average pop-ups, staying way below our tow limit.
with a family of 5 and stuff, in the Pilot, your towing capacity will be diminished. i have a close friend that tried towing their hybrid, with their Pilot.
after only one white-knuckle trip, he never did it again. luckily he had a 1/2 ton truck.
Finally, prices. I've seen 15-17 foot hybrids going for 13-17k, which is a lot, but not too much more than a new pop-up, (depending on trim of course).
secondly, even the smallest of hybrids will be close or over your Pilot's towing capacity and you DON'T want to try and fit a family of 5 in that small of a hybrid. i think you need to stick with a popup or upgrade your tow vehicle.
Ok the OP asked for real use experience. I own one of each. I have a 1995 Palamino PUP and a 2001 Jayco KIWI HTT.
Here is my findings.
The PUP is easier to tow
The PUP is a more open feeling
The PUP is cheaper to own (insurance, gas to tow)
The PUPs beds are much easier to setup/stow away (as the HTT beds have to be unmade each time and the cheap mattresses have to be unfolded, and support arms just thrown inside somewhere).
The PUPs A/C works OK, but you need some sort of tarp over the beds and keep all the shades down in order to keep it real cold inside (during hot humid midwest summers).
The HTT is more convienent to load/unload
The HTT is considerably easier to setup/teardown
The HTT (in my opinion) is better in the adverse weather times, because you can fold the beds in (if you catch it in time), and use it as a TT. Then your canvas will remain dry.
The HTT (well the "living" part anyway) IMHO is more comfortable (TT style couch, chairs, bathroom, windows, ETC)
So in a nutshell. I really enjoy my HTT more than my PUP. However I like the PUP (and take the PUP) when we take trips farther from home. BUT-my PUP is for sale because I like the HTT more and will sacrifice gas for comfort.
We had a pup and made the switch to a hybrid for the reasons you ask about.
Ease of set up/tear down, "security" (easy to close and lock for a little more protection), not having to open/close to load/unload, bigger fridge and freezer, more storage than most pups, etc.
For us it was an easy choice to "upgrade" (for us the pros outweighed the cons, which is an upgrade considering the added benefits to us)
Having said that, our tow vehicle can pull any hybrid we wanted.
With a Pilot as your tv, I feel you would be better off with a pup for safety (towing capacity with a fame of 5).
Any hybrid you might be able to tow would give you less room when compared to a "bigger" pup you could safely tow.
Good luck
Having had a pup for 12 years and now into our 3rd year with a hybrid I will just say we love camping no matter how we get there. Both units have been great and each has it's pros and cons. Biggest Pros for pups are that they are easier to tow and lighter on gas consumption. Biggest pros for the hybrid, in my opinion, is accessibility, setup and more amenities.
I do agree with others, though, that a pilot may be pushing the limits towing a hybrid. The first thing I'd check is whether or not you can use a weight distribution / anti sway hitch with a Pilot. I have read that they are not recommended and would void the warranty on the Pilot. I would not risk pulling a HTT without WDH/anti sway. Shorter wheel based vehicles can be whipped around and even overturned by a high profiled trailer in windy conditions so if it were my choice I'd either get a different tow vehicle or choose the pup.
i did fail to relate our experiences owning two PUPs and a hybrid TT.
we're much happier with our hybrid, over the PUPs we owned. but they were basic ones with few amenities.
glad we bought a PUP first, to make sure we enjoyed camping. but for us, the hybrid offers so much pros, than cons, over a PUP.
the pros of the PUP, vs. a hybrid, IMHO are:
better gas mileage
better rear vision
easier to store
able to tow with minivan or CUV, due to lighter weight.
but i would never tow even the smallest of hybrids, with a Pilot and 5 passengers.
a good friend had a hybrid that he tried towing to the Sierras, with the family Pilot. after a white knuckle trip, he quickly decided to tow it with his Silverado truck from then on.
Having owned both Id give a plus to pups for taking them down fire trails and be able to be parked in the standard garage. They are not easier to tow: horrific to back up, easy to sway.
Dual axle trailers are much easier to tow, backup and resist sway.
Dragging a hybrid down a fire trail is not wise.
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