Another Question About the Dark Side

[whitestar505]

Folks,

I want to tell you all that you have been great on the information. Thanks!

Now another question has arise. I have had this for some time. Here is my problem and thoughts

My mother-in-law has a camp in New York State. Every year I have to take the family there to visit and of course camp at the camp. It is a nice arrangement and it works out very well. I do not see this stopping any time soon. Sooo, the problem I have is that to get into the camp site I must back up the camper down a hill that is about 40 degrees and park it parallel to the hill.

Currently I have the Coleman Utah which is about 19 feet long and weights around 3500 lbs loaded. As this is right now I can do this very easy. No problems pulling out in rain snow or whatever. Put in 4 wheel drive low and away we go. Not a problem..

So with this in mind, we are looking for a small Hybrid, which will be bigger then what I have now. I am concerned that with what I have mentioned above we will not be able to do. I am thinking the height will make it top heavy, and the additional weight will not allow us to back it down this hill into the camp site. Even if we get it in there, will we be able to get it out in the rain. When it rains the grass is slick.

Well, there it is. The only thing keeping us from jumping now.

I am very open on this one.

[6Quigs]

Currently I have the Coleman Utah which is about 19 feet long and weights around 3500 lbs loaded. As this is right now I can do this very easy. No problems pulling out in rain snow or whatever. Put in 4 wheel drive low and away we go. Not a problem..

 

If you are currently having no problem with the Utah as you say, then a small Hybrid should also be no problem.
You will be travelling at low speed, so wind drag will be non existent.
As for the Hybrid being top heavy, all the weight is down low, the frame, floor, couches, beds, toilet, water tanks, plumbing etc.
The only things to make it top heavy are the Air Conditioner, and whatever you store in the upper cabinets, which you will find with experience, should be fairly light, otherwise they can make the cabinet doors open during travel

[Dee4j]

The only things to make it top heavy are the Air Conditioner, and whatever you store in the upper cabinets, which you will find with experience, should be fairly light, otherwise they can make the cabinet doors open during travel

Kevin it sounds like you know this first hand :yikes:   I've been looking online at the hybrids hoping to have one by next summer. Dan is grumbling Loudly. :swear:  (like it does him any good I always get my way eventually)So far I think I like the Starcraft 195CK. I know the beds fold down instead of sliding in. and I read something somewhere about cables on the bunk ends on the hybrids. Are these stong & reliable? My PU has the poles underneath and is rated to hold 1000 lbs. is this still true with cables?

[campingboaters]

Dee4j,
 The cables are rated as strong as the pole supports.  They would have to be rated as strong to compete with other manufacturers that use support poles.  
 
 When I upgrade my hybrid, I will get a hybrid with cable supports and the tenting permanently attached to the fold down bed.  This way, if it's raining, we can open the clamps outside and then just pop the beds open from the inside.  If it's raining when we close up (as it seems to ALWAYS be), we should be able to close the beds without getting the mattresses wet.
 
 As for backing in a hybrid down a steep hill, I would think you'd be OK if you take your time and have people to guide you as you back up (since you won't be able to see anything behind you).  As for pulling out/up that same steep hill, keep it in low 4 WD and take you time.  As long as you don't get a really heavy hybrid, you should be OK.

[PopupSgt]

My 2005 Jayco 25E has the cables instead of the poles.  I've only had the experience with poles when I owned the popup and not on an hybrid, but the cables are wonderful and very quick for setup.  I pretty much unloosen the screw on each side of the bed, lower the bed down then I'm pretty much done.  I do wish that Jayco had the canvas attached to the bed, mine has snaps which is very fast, but I do worry about long time effects with snaps.  So far this camper has been a good experience for the family & I.

[campingcop]

My Coyote has the cables and the bed canvas attatched to the bunkends, this makes set up and take down real easy.

For set up just drop the bedends down put the shepards pole in and your done  nothing else to do.  As for closeing up its just as easy, remove the shepards pole and close it up.

First time out it rained the night before we had to leave, all I had to do was wipe off the canvas and close the bunkend,did not have to worry about any water getting in the camper or on the matress.

[dee106]

we have a seasonal site off the side of the hill, ours is on the up side which we have to go passed the site and back it in , ken is great at it, we got the SIPA mirrors which are the best! and he has no trouble backing up, plus i'm out there with my hand held radio letting him know he is doing fine!, Yes he also drops it into four wheel low, and we are on a gravel road. and its not a problem, and taking it off is the same. traveling on the roads with the head wind is not a problem for our SUV but it does eat the gas on those hills!