Looking for a sugestion for a Hybrid

[Nlbnikki]

We currently have a small pop up and am looking at options to upgrade to a hybrid in the next year. I would love to hear pros and cons on different ones to look for and also to avoid.

Thanks
Nikki

 

[LarryJ]

We currently have a small pop up and am looking at options to upgrade to a hybrid in the next year. I would love to hear pros and cons on different ones to look for and also to avoid.

Thanks
Nikki

Not that the opinions here aren't good, but you have a limited audience here. I would recommend you join and ask the question on a more RV only oriented site like RV.NET.

Larry

 

[3gr8kids]

Although we just bought our hybrid, I can't give any advice as we don't pick it up from the dealer until next Thursday. I will certainly let you know what we think!

 

[2goofycampers]

Check out Jayco , they have some real nice hybrids.

 

[terri01p]

I have to second Jayco, we went to look at some campings this past weekend and popped our heads in some of these and let me tell you they were realy nice with just about everything you can want in a smaller camper.

 

[mickeymule]

I am a current cub c160 owner and looking at upgrading to a rockwood roo 232. All I can say is, after a ton of research and listening to people chat about their likes and dislikes. Most manufacturers of hybrids do a good job, it comes down to layout and weight. If you do a google search for hybrid explorer it is a great resource for information. Good luck on your hunt, the change from a PUP to a Hybrid is wonderful from what I hear.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I have a 2001 Jayco Kiwi 21c hybrid and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. For the size, Jayco trailers are a bit on the heavy side compared to other manufacturers. They have a really beefy frame and the interior cabinets are more like you would have at home - not the pressed wood type, so they tip the scales a little higher. We have had minimal trouble with it.

 

[poohbearwithme]

Hybrid Explorer is good site for information on Hybrids.

 

[mamaloya]

Beware of the Aerolite Cubs pre about 2001. A lot of them got water damage. We bought one from 2000 I think, can't remember the exact year off hand, and it had extensive water damage that we did not see until AFTER we almost fell out of the bunk!!!!! If you buy used, I would not recommend over a couple of years old and poke around the floor and under the bunk mattresses to feel for soft spots. Also use your sense of smell. If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

Do a lot of research.

BTW, I have not found any complaints about the Kiwi.

 

[cyberdeb]

We have a 2002 R-Vision Bantam B22S. I love it, but it hasnt been without problems. We were actually planning to buy a smaller 2003 but while waiting to sign the papers, we walked around the lot and saw this one and it was a leftover 2002 and was actually $300 difference in price. Our trailer has tons of storage and i love it and i am so glad we switched at the last minute. We had the brake shoes fall off just as we started our first trip on a friday night on memorial day weekend. It was fixed that night and we left early the next morning. We also had fridge problems because when it was installed, it was pushed in to the space and the fins on the back cut the wires. We have had other minor issues that were actually design issues and have all been addressed adequately by our dealer. I like our trailer because i still feel like i am camping with the tent ends. The down side is that when it rains, it gets so much condensation on the insides of the tents and although we NEVER closed it up wet, we have a mild mold issue from so much rain on one particular long trip. My husband really hates the trailer because he feels it is still just as much work to set it up as it was with the pop up, just a little different. We will be trading for a completely hard sided trailer in the next couple of years. Overall, i have been very happy with it.

 

[mickeymule]

I personally find a lot of wasted space in the hardsided trailers, only for the fact when you buy a 23' long trailer, that also includes all the beds inside, while when you buy a 23' long hybrid, you have 23' of living space and you are several pounds lighter as well. The condensation can be taken care of with good ventilation. Even with the heat on, even just cracking a couple of vents, and turning on the bunk end fans, should releive the problems. As for the setup, ours takes us about 15-20 min. total to set everything up. The newer hybrids no longer have the polls for support, they are cabled, so the setup is quicker on the bunk ends.

Yes, ealier than 2001 Cubs had leaking problems, ours is an 03 and w ehave not had any leaking issues. The only time we end up with water is if material gets closed in the bunk ends and we don't get a good seal.

Good luck in your hung

 

[domesticdiva]

We bought a 2007 Palomino Stampede last year and we LOVE it!!!! Most of our friends have bigger TT's but I am in love with the hybrids and I'll tell you why... The first thing I love about ours is that it is more like camping in a tent because your beds are canvas and have screened windows on all sides. There is nothing like lying in your bed and looking out at the stars at night, and the breeze and fresh air that circulate through these windows is amazing. It makes me feel like we are tent camping with all the amenities and luxuries of a TT. WE are a family of 5 and our hybrid has two fold down beds, a kitchen table that converts to a bed and a fold out couch, so all in all we could easily sleep 8, although I wouldn't want to I also love it because it is a light weight version and is easy to tow. I think ours is 18ft + the beds which would equal to about 24-26, I'm not sure, I'll have to measure it just to know..heehee Ours also has all wood cabinets and shelving which is far better than the press board that they usually have. IMHO hybrids are the way to go, we are thinking of selling ours and getting one that is a bit bigger, but will definately stay with a hybrid as opposed to a TT.
Have fun looking and if you have any questions feel free to ask

 

[stacktester]

We bought a 2007 Palomino Stampede last year and we LOVE it!!!! Most of our friends have bigger TT's but I am in love with the hybrids and I'll tell you why... The first thing I love about ours is that it is more like camping in a tent because your beds are canvas and have screened windows on all sides. There is nothing like lying in your bed and looking out at the stars at night, and the breeze and fresh air that circulate through these windows is amazing. It makes me feel like we are tent camping with all the amenities and luxuries of a TT. WE are a family of 5 and our hybrid has two fold down beds, a kitchen table that converts to a bed and a fold out couch, so all in all we could easily sleep 8, although I wouldn't want to I also love it because it is a light weight version and is easy to tow. I think ours is 18ft + the beds which would equal to about 24-26, I'm not sure, I'll have to measure it just to know..heehee Ours also has all wood cabinets and shelving which is far better than the press board that they usually have. IMHO hybrids are the way to go, we are thinking of selling ours and getting one that is a bit bigger, but will definately stay with a hybrid as opposed to a TT.
Have fun looking and if you have any questions feel free to ask

I was looking at the Starcraft 21SD Toy Hauler. It has 3 fold out beds, fold down sofa and dinette. It also holds a couple 4 wheelers on the front as well. The best thing about it is it only weighs 3k pounds empty. Gear and 2 four wheelers or a golf cart and keep it under 4k would be good on fuel too. I'm surprised at the sleeping room these things have in them. You can have a tribe and be comfy lol.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I have a 2001 Jayco Kiwi 21c hybrid and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. For the size, Jayco trailers are a bit on the heavy side compared to other manufacturers. They have a really beefy frame and the interior cabinets are more like you would have at home - not the pressed wood type, so they tip the scales a little higher. We have had minimal trouble with it.

I am with Jim. We had a KIWI just like his and really enjoyed it. We found a deal on a motorhome, so we sold it after the new purchase. Ours survived three hurricanes!

 

[3gr8kids]

I was looking at the Starcraft 21SD Toy Hauler. It has 3 fold out beds, fold down sofa and dinette. It also holds a couple 4 wheelers on the front as well. The best thing about it is it only weighs 3k pounds empty. Gear and 2 four wheelers or a golf cart and keep it under 4k would be good on fuel too. I'm surprised at the sleeping room these things have in them. You can have a tribe and be comfy lol.

We just bought the Starcraft 21SD and we're so excited. We pick it up a week from today, so if you'd like, I will let you know what we feel the pro's/con's are.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I am with Jim. We had a KIWI just like his and really enjoyed it. We found a deal on a motorhome, so we sold it after the new purchase. Ours survived three hurricanes!

A minimum of 3 hurricanes are required to test the worthiness of a camper.

 

[TomM]

We have a Gulfstream Mini SL 18'. It weighs 2,700. We have pulled it from Indiana to FW twice...gas mileage is cut way down over pulling our pop up. We have enjoyed it. There were a few minor flaws that the dealer corrected. Overall, we are very, very pleased with it.

 

[JCJRSmith]

I am with Jim. We had a KIWI just like his and really enjoyed it. We found a deal on a motorhome, so we sold it after the new purchase. Ours survived three hurricanes!

Same here, but I had the Kiwi 23B (now the Jay Feather EXP 23). We too got a deal on a motorhome and used the Kiwi for a trade-in. It was a great camper, towed well behind an F150, lots of room with a slide out on the side. Solid, well built. The only problem we had was due to me not doing my due dilligence on winterizing and cracking the water heater.

I have a web site (currently has some problems which I will fix when I find some time...) where you can view some pics of the camper. The Gallery may only show boxes with red X's in them, but you can click them and the picture will come up: http://jcjrsmith2.home.comcast.net/~jcjrsmith2/camper_pix.htm

 

[stacktester]

We just bought the Starcraft 21SD and we're so excited. We pick it up a week from today, so if you'd like, I will let you know what we feel the pro's/con's are.

Yes, please do. I love my Cougar 5'er but with fuel and it's size I'm looking at downsizing to the 21SD. We like going to different places 4 wheeling and a couple times we rented cabins at these places but I didn't buy a camper to rent a cabin. The 21SD is a camper I'd probably pull longer distances to these places and we could go more often. I wonder also if a hybrid would be allowed in the 1500/2000 loop? I've seen bigger. The only reason I ask is because sometimes during peak times a partial is all you can get.