Hybrid that Astro's can pull

[jimlinalf]

I'm trying to convince my wife that it would be great to upgrade to a hybid,either new or used.  Problem is that at our age we'd really not like to have to buy a new tow vehicle.  We have a 99 astro, very low mileage, under 50,000 miles thats well maintained.  Pulls our coleman westlake great.  Added the transmission cooler first thing.  What hybrid would you suggest for two late 50's that arent' real fancy and like to just go sit in the woods and read or relax.

Thanks
Jim

[Kelly]

I know next-to-nothing about hybrids ...  

You might want to contact Popups4Rent ~ I know he tows a couple hybrids with his Astro.[/FONT]

[wolfe59]

I've got a 2003 Surveyor LT19 which I am having to get rid of.  We are having our mother-in-law move in with us, so we are building a new house and really do not have time to enjoy the trailer.  Its weight is around 3440 loaded for camping.  This is one of the few Surveyor made that is 7' wide.  I think all are now 8'.  This makes a difference when towing.  If you are intrested let me know and I will send some pictures and give additional information.
Neil

[dee106]

you can pull a hybrid with an astro van, but you have to watch which hybrid you get. you have to keep it under 4000lbs, the astro is rated for 5000lbs but by the time you fill the van and the hybrid you will hit or be close for the max. our hybrid was to heavy for our astro, so we had to upgrade, DH wanted a slide and the extras which adds alot of weight. The kz coyotes, light bantams, and jaycos also have a nice light ones. the more bells and whistles the higher the cost and weight.
 
 good luck!

[dee106]

I'm trying to convince my wife that it would be great to upgrade to a hybid,either new or used. Problem is that at our age we'd really not like to have to buy a new tow vehicle. We have a 99 astro, very low mileage, under 50,000 miles thats well maintained. Pulls our coleman westlake great. Added the transmission cooler first thing. What hybrid would you suggest for two late 50's that arent' real fancy and like to just go sit in the woods and read or relax.
   
    Thanks
    Jim

for example this one you could pull:
   http://www.jayco.com/html/catalog/floorplans.php?prod_id=106&mod_id=489
   http://www.giantrv.com/R-Vision/Bantam/flier_flpln.htm
 
 http://www.kz-rv.com/coyote/coyote_16c.php
 
   if its just the two of you, and no guest or kids you might look at the aliners: http://www.alinerclub.org/about_aliners.html
 
  or: http://www.chaletrv.com/home.html

[rdean]

I pulled my Aerolite Cub 236 with my 93 Astro. Hmmmm...160,000+ miles now. Made a trip cross country with it in 2004. When I weighed it I was under my limit by 200 lbs. for that trip. My Astro is rated at 5400 lbs. with the high output engine, LT tires, KYB Monomax shocks, tranny cooler, and Timbrens. Hybrid weights vary a lot! One 19' may be 1000 lbs more than another. Be sure to get a WD hitch. Either the Reese Dual Cam or the Equalizer. Do not waste your money on the friction bars. I pulled one trip with it and added the Dual Cam as soon as I got home. Much easier to setup and you do not have to remove it to backup. Tires are another area. You can pull with the P-metric tires that are on your Astro. With that box sitting up high you get a lot of side to side rocking. Even without a trailer behind. I switched to a Michelin LT tire . Stiffer sidewalls, tires run cooler and much better ride and control.  Could not believe the difference in ride. At 60 mph I get 9-11 mpg. Over 60 it drops to 6-8 mpg.

God luck in whatever you decide. The wife and I decided to keep the Cub when the kids move out rather than get the 5ver.

[kimapplegoz]

I'm trying to convince my wife that it would be great to upgrade to a hybid,either new or used.  Problem is that at our age we'd really not like to have to buy a new tow vehicle.  We have a 99 astro, very low mileage, under 50,000 miles thats well maintained.  Pulls our coleman westlake great.  Added the transmission cooler first thing.  What hybrid would you suggest for two late 50's that arent' real fancy and like to just go sit in the woods and read or relax.

Thanks
Jim

Hi Jim...
I switched from a small 8ft viking pu to a (still small) used 15ft palomino stampede hybrid. Mostly because cranking up was killing my back.
Note that unlike pups hybrids measure hitch, actual box on my 15ft is about 11ft.  
This was a nice step up without going big.  Having a bathroom is a great asset, as is a larger fridge and hot water.  What I hadn't realized was how much easier it would be to get ready to go away, and ease of clean up on return as all areas to be packed and cleaned are always accessable.  I plug the unit in a day or 2 prior and stock the fridge.  In peak season, I keep it plugged in and stock right from the grocery store.  I launder camp clothes and return them to the camper.  With everything always ready, we can leave without a lot of planning and camp a lot more.
  I am sure you would never regret moving up to a hybrid.  There are basic "no frills" models out there.They don't make this unit anymore but there are models about the same size and lots of small ones on the used market. This unit could easily be towed with your Astro...it weighs about 2000lbs and GVWR is 3500.  Too bad you are so far away as I'm putting mine up for sale!