Hybrid Travel Trailers vs Pop up

[FWFans]

We sold our last RV (class A) three years ago before moving to NC. We are now looking into a HW pop up or a hybrid travel trailer. We are a family of 6, two children are grown and live out of state the other two are in high school. I just want some info on pros and cons of either one. Thanks in advance for any and all advice. I figured most people on this site are camping fans- so I may as well go to the experts.

 

[Napria]

You may want to post your question on RV.net and iRV2.com also.

A pop up May be tight for all of you. We are a family of four and started with a fairly large pop up 12 years ago when our kids were little. We loved camping in it but were constantly tripping over each other. On the positive side, it fit nicely in our garage, and pop ups are lighter to tow (better gas mileage). Pop ups also seem to hold their value more than many other types of RVs.

We looked at hybrids when we were getting ready to trade up. Definitely more room, but ultimately we went with a fifthwheel. There are quite a few RV parks that won't allow pop ups. Many of them also won't allow hybrids. As long as we were going with hard sides, we decided a fifthwheel had more room and more stability when towing, so that was what worked best for us.

If you're using the trailer only for sleeping a pop up May be the best bet but if you plan on spending any time in it definitely go for the hybrid.

 

[TinCanTee]

I've never had a pop up, but used to have a hybrid and loved it. PP is correct about some CG not allowing anything with "canvas" and I found that to be more true out west in national parks (bears?). In the midwest and south, canvas was not a problem. I tend to go to state and national parks. The Rockwood Roo seems to be highly regarded on other forums (there is a forum dedicated to hybrids on rvnet). I believe there are even hybrids with 3 bunks (each end and streetside). The biggest advantage (for me) of a hybrid over a pop up is the bathroom.

 

[KristinU]

With a hybrid you might be able to use it without deploying the beds depending on the floorplan. That would be a nice plus if you are staying overnight en route somewhere. And Tin Can Tee has a good point about the bathroom. I love having a usable bathroom for when we're on the road. I'm not sure nationwide, but in our region we have a lot of rest areas that are still closed because of the governmental budget cuts. Our own potty sure is nice.

How often do all 6 of you camp together? You might want to assess that and think about adding a tent on the occasions that you're all together if they're less frequent.

And on the canvas thing. We have yet to stay somewhere that canvas isn't welcome. I think some of it might be a regional thing, or specific for bears in grizzly country. I've certainly seen it the other way around where some of our favorite old stomping grounds are now off the table with an RV. And I have heard of high end RV resorts being selective about year and model, but I think that's a different thing altogether.