Tell Us About Your Hybrid,

[dee106]

Are You Happy With It? Is It More Or Less Then You Expected?  Are You Going To Do More Camping Or Less Camping


On edit by Larry the Moderator (not Larry the Cable Guy): I stuck this thread to the top. I thought newbies looking at advantages/disadvantages of hybrids would find this thread interesting.

[Dee4j]

I love mine... I love my own bathroom, shower, I like not having to pop it down, I love having access to the iside all the time. The only thing I'm not liking so far and I have to figure out what the deal is, is that the slide out (couch) leaks, but only after a couple of days, my thought is that after it's been sat on for awhile it shifts and needs to be repositioned. or That I'm just lame and not doing it right at all but then I would think it would leak right away..
found out we can't install a slide out topper but if all else fails I'll put a small regular awning there. I really don't think there is the perfect trailer out there.

[GeneF]

So far we have used our Kiwi about 85 days and we both love it.  Living in it for 62 days was easy and comfortable.

The only fault I can really find with the trailer is the water that gets around the sink because of the way the faucets are situated a couple of inches from the sink.  Minor problem.

The versalality of turtling, opening one bunk or using two is great.  We have camped using all three configurations.

Storage, we have more than we need.  Some storage space is not used.

Set up and take down time is great.  So much easier than our popups.

The freezer is a great plus.  Actually able to take ice cream and other frozen foods.  Keeps the meat a lot longer.  This results in less shopping trips.

The U-Shaped dinette is great if we have company.  Just put one chair in front of the table and there is plenty of seating room for four for playing cards or dinner.

One of the biggest plusses is that I am able to get out of Dw's way while she is cooking.

The bathrrom is terrific.  No more long hikes to the bathrooms with the flashlight.  Also, I have my own shower if the ones at the cg are not up to par.

Big awning is great.  Easy to put a picnic table under it and still have room for some chairs.

Biggest downer, and it is a huge one, is my dealer.  He just does not get customer service and what it means.

Are we going to do more camping? Definetly plan on that.  Have 16 days planned already and working on another one to two month trip.  We bought the trailer because DW and I both retired and plan on doing some travelling.

[PopupSgt]

We love our camper, especially all the storage that we have.  The slideout does not slide out a lot, but the amount that it slides is just perfect for walking room even when the couch is converted to a bed.  
Our favorite part about the camper is the front privacy bunk, we have a sliding door that divides our front bunk from the rest of the camper and also have wardrobe closets.
Probably the only downfall is the prices of gasoline and the amount of fuel that I burn to pull the camper.  I sure don't miss cranking the roof up and down, and I can get whatever I want out of the camper without having to crank the top up.   [/b]

[skippy102162]

Well, mind you, we've only had ours a little under a week.  We've only camped in the driveway so far, but already I like the idea of being able to get into my camper any time, dink around, do whatever without the hassle of popping it up.  I love all the creature comforts, especially the bathroom and refrigerator/freezer.  Our maiden voyage will be in a couple of weeks, followed by a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota this summer.

The only downer I can see is it is a little more difficult to hitch up, tow and back compared to my pop up which I could back into just about any where with little or no help.  Hopefully though with a bit more practice this will become easier.

[dee106]

we love ours too, it is a lot easier for us now. my dh is a diabetic and now has heart and bp problems, so we stop often while driving. he how can relax in the hybrid instead of the car or sitting on a bench, if he needs to lie down he can, and we can eat a better meal , then what you find on the parkways. The big bonus is using our own bathroom. no waiting in lines and its clean!

[TheViking]

I love mine... I love my own bathroom, shower, I like not having to pop it down, I love having access to the iside all the time. The only thing I'm not liking so far and I have to figure out what the deal is, is that the slide out (couch) leaks, but only after a couple of days, my thought is that after it's been sat on for awhile it shifts and needs to be repositioned. or That I'm just lame and not doing it right at all but then I would think it would leak right away..
found out we can't install a slide out topper but if all else fails I'll put a small regular awning there. I really don't think there is the perfect trailer out there.

Let's not mention the leaking thing to Kristi.......K?

[Dee4j]

Let's not mention the leaking thing to Kristi.......K?

Don't worry baby..by the time the weekend is over..I'll have her convinced..Btw if you make set-up extra effort it helps and anything else she hates..

as far as the leaking..haven't heard any ideas from anyone yet..as I said I think it's something I'M not doing right.
 

you seem handy building a patio and all..maybe you can come up with a nifty idea on how I can mount my DVD Player

[dee106]

deej
   the leak you have where is it showing? ( dripping from the top? or puddling on the floor?)
 have you tried putting news paper all round the top sides and down to the bottom, on the inside then extend the slide, and hit with a hose from the outside and see where the paper is getting wet on the inside? it might help locate the problem.
   
 when the slide is out did you put all the lights on inside and walk around the outside to see if you see light around the edges?
   
    did you check for loose or missing screws around the molding, were water can get in slowly and drip in side?
   
   do you have a natural pitch to the roof , so the rain will run off ?
   
   as far as your dvd player get an under the cabinet mount! or build one!
   above our microwave we have a empty panel which you can remove and put a shelf in.

[TheViking]

Don't worry baby..by the time the weekend is over..I'll have her convinced..Btw if you make set-up extra effort it helps and anything else she hates..

as far as the leaking..haven't heard any ideas from anyone yet..as I said I think it's something I'M not doing right.
 

you seem handy building a patio and all..maybe you can come up with a nifty idea on how I can mount my DVD Player

I'm sure I could......

[Dee4j]

deej
  the leak you have where is it showing? ( dripping from the top? or puddling on the floor?)
 have you tried putting news paper all round the top sides and down to the bottom, on the inside then extend the slide, and hit with a hose from the outside and see where the paper is getting wet on the inside? it might help locate the problem.
 
 when the slide is out did you put all the lights on inside and walk around the outside to see if you see light around the edges?
 
  it you check for loose or missing screws around the molding, were water can get in slowly and drip in side?
 
  do you have a natural pitch to the roof , so the rain will run off ?
 
  as far as your dvd player get an under the cabinet mount! or build one!
  above our microwave we have a empty panel which you can remove and put a shelf in.

I'll take pictures  next week, there is this little channel on the sides of the slide out and it's running down it under the couch..it's hard to explain and it leaks after we've been set up a day or two I think maybe I need to check and make sure its tight etc everyday.  That's why I'm sure it's something I'm not doing not a manufacture thing it only leaks when slid out and not right away.

just one of those things I'll have to ask the great guru's of this sites to help fix

[Proctorbc99]

Love ours...had it almost 2 years now. Love not having to pop-up or down...love having an oven to make cookies, cake even a really nice dinner. Also love the FREEZER! Can have ice-cream, ice-cubes, steak, seafood etc and it won't spoil.  Lots of room w/slide out couch and great to have a toilet, shower when needed. Love the bed cables instead of the under bunk poles on the pop-up.
DONT LIKE ~ Folding the mattresses and connecting the bungee cords when closing up the beds (takes two people to do it quickly and is just a pain in
the a--) Refrigerator runs only on propane while traveling (can't use the battery on the SUV), One of our bunks leaks (when closed up) which warped our paneling and caused mildew on canvas but it's still under warranty and will be fixed within the week...Would love a screen-room down the road....and a generator for emergency dry camping would be great since the cats and dogs need the AC when we leave them to go on hikes, bicycle rides etc. First trip will be to Estes Park (Rocky Mtn National Park) in May. Taking advantage of the free night stay at all KOA's.

The Proctors
03 Coyote
04 Durango
3 cats (chyna, hobbs, felix)
2 doxy's (Ollie, Moose)

[brainpause]

Refrigerator runs only on propane while traveling (can't use the battery on the SUV),

You should have a place on the tongue or a storage compartment to mount a deep-cycle battery. That way you can run the fridge on the battery instead of propane. I hope you take the time to stop before you gas up your vehicle to turn off the propane, THEN pull into the gas station.

Oh...and Welcome to PUT! Hope to hear from you more!

Larry

[Proctorbc99]

You should have a place on the tongue or a storage compartment to mount a deep-cycle battery. That way you can run the fridge on the battery instead of propane. I hope you take the time to stop before you gas up your vehicle to turn off the propane, THEN pull into the gas station.

Oh...and Welcome to PUT! Hope to hear from you more!

Larry

Actually we can't run it off any battery...that's the way Norcold designed it. It runs on Propane or the electricity at the campsites only....It sucks but we had no choice. I questioned it before we purchased the trailer even asked if we could somehow convert it but the dealer said it was impossible and even if we could change it DH is not a Mr Fix it by any means....
Thanks anyway!

[brainpause]

Actually we can't run it off any battery...that's the way Norcold designed it. It runs on Propane or the electricity at the campsites only....It sucks but we had no choice. I questioned it before we purchased the trailer even asked if we could somehow convert it but the dealer said it was impossible and even if we could change it DH is not a Mr Fix it by any means....
Thanks anyway!

Oh. I sometimes forget about the non-3 way fridges. Don't even have a 2 or 3 way fridge myself (unless you count the 12V/110V Powerchill), so I was speaking a little out of turn.  

Larry