Hybrid Shopping Newbie

[Marcus]

Hi All,

Need info from you informed folks about buying into a hybrid from my current Jayco 1207 pup.  Have seen some last week in Nashua, NH (with my bro in law) a great looking (read:$$)2006 Travelstar 21sso.  Real roomy and appeared high quality but list price was outta site (21K).  Dealer said it was simply list price, not the real deal. Even saw one(2004) on the net for a decent used price-14k. That size is the max we can handle with our aging trucks.  The 19 foot Travelstar appears nice but the long slideout really makes the 21 appear grand.  

Question is, what other 'good' makes are out there?  I see Antigua in posts here and need some advice about quality etc-Antiqua vs. Travelstar etc... Jayco (same company I have been told now) doesn't appear to have many products of this type.  Local dealers are few, and don't return calls/emails.

thanks in advance,

Marcus

[GeneF]

Marcus

If you have the time, a ride up Route 125 to Kingston, (and I believe Plaistow) NH would give you an opportunity to check out several dealerships along this stretch of road.

Campers Inn (They listed Coyotes) is one of about six or so dealerships within about 10 miles of each other.

Might be a good time to look at several different makes and models.

A slideout does make a big difference in the living areas of the hybrids.

Good luck in your quest.

Try this link:

http://www.rv-dealers.com/data/dlr_nh.htm

[Marcus]

Hi All,

Need info from you informed folks about buying into a hybrid from my current Jayco 1207 pup.  Have seen some last week in Nashua, NH (with my bro in law) a great looking (read:$$)2006 Travelstar 21sso.  Real roomy and appeared high quality but list price was outta site (21K).  Dealer said it was simply list price, not the real deal. Even saw one(2004) on the net for a decent used price-14k. That size is the max we can handle with our aging trucks.  The 19 foot Travelstar appears nice but the long slideout really makes the 21 appear grand.  

Question is, what other 'good' makes are out there?  I see Antigua in posts here and need some advice about quality etc-Antiqua vs. Travelstar etc... Jayco (same company I have been told now) doesn't appear to have many products of this type.  Local dealers are few, and don't return calls/emails.

thanks in advance,

Marcus

Thanks for the advice. Can use all the help I can get!

m~

[Gone-Camping]

There are a lot of different makes and models out there, and Jayco is about the most popular among them. I'd suggest you go to www.hybridexplorer.com and click on the resources link at the top of the forums, they have a good list of Hybrid makers there...and they are all hyper links to their respective makers... I have a Trail Cruiser that is made by R-Vision, brother/sister to the Trail Lite...and I might point out that Trail Lite was the FIRST hybrid on the market!!

[Marcus]

There are a lot of different makes and models out there, and Jayco is about the most popular among them. I'd suggest you go to www.hybridexplorer.com and click on the resources link at the top of the forums, they have a good list of Hybrid makers there...and they are all hyper links to their respective makers... I have a Trail Cruiser that is made by R-Vision, brother/sister to the Trail Lite...and I might point out that Trail Lite was the FIRST hybrid on the market!![/QUOTE


Thanks for the help.  Got some homework to do-and some internet shopping. Wish more dealers would pay attn to the internet part of their biz and answer inquiries!

thanks again

Marcus

[mbopp]

It was a trade-off for us. We liked the 21SSO's long slide but it's decidedly lacking in counter space, while a 23' had a shorter slide & more counter room. We went with the 21SSO since 1) we didn't have counter space in the PU and 2) we usually cook outside anyway.

Starcraft uses external poles under the bunks while all other manufacturers have gone to cables inside the bunk ends.

Does the '04 have 14" tires? We looked at an '06 Roo but must have been an early-build with 13" tires. Speaking of Roos, Forest River is another manufacturer to look at along with Jayco. DW & I really liked the Jayco 25 but the Envoy would have been straining with it.

[Marcus]

It was a trade-off for us. We liked the 21SSO's long slide but it's decidedly lacking in counter space, while a 23' had a shorter slide & more counter room. We went with the 21SSO since 1) we didn't have counter space in the PU and 2) we usually cook outside anyway.

Starcraft uses external poles under the bunks while all other manufacturers have gone to cables inside the bunk ends.

Does the '04 have 14" tires? We looked at an '06 Roo but must have been an early-build with 13" tires. Speaking of Roos, Forest River is another manufacturer to look at along with Jayco. DW & I really liked the Jayco 25 but the Envoy would have been straining with it.

Hello all,
Got lucky and found one by surfing to the hybrid section and it was a local trailer to boot! Had trouble with dealers lack of inventory and pricing. They did get me for a ridiculous sum of $600 for the install of a Prodigy controller and wiring harness.  Won't be going back there for sure. the Truck (91-GMC) needs a tranny cooler and some frt end work  yet.
Past the whining now, It is a 2005 Antigua 215SSO.  Don't know much about the tires size but they look like 15 inchers. Going over it this weekend with my bro in law.  Think I lucked out as the couple who were selling it turned out to be great and conscientous owners who took care of it.  Now to sell the popup and make some room in the driveway!  thanks for the help folks as it steered me to the Starcraft line.  Now to figure out the Anti Sway Reese hitch hookup-yuck!  Lots more reading to do and questions to post....

"Oh the pain, the pain, William!"------Dr. Smith

thanks to all-Marcus

[dee106]

well, its been a while, so hows it going? how do you like the 215ss? did you figure out the hitch? once you pratice it, it does get easier! we have it.

[Marcus]

well, its been a while, so hows it going? how do you like the 215ss? did you figure out the hitch? once you pratice it, it does get easier! we have it.

Hi,
My brother in law and meself like the camper but can't figger out the damn Reese antisway hitch hookup. got all the parts-bars/chains/recieving hitch part and watched the previous owner back it in but can't get info from the local dealer-bring it by....right! Had the brakes set up etc but Reese's site stinks.  Will probably snag a fellow camper next to us in the parking lot and ask.  So far it is fun to look at and is clean and NO Leaks!!  Could use some counter space like mentioned above. now got to sell the Jayco 1207. Ugh!

thanks for comments folks.  Lovely wet New England weekend in store. We are headed up to Twin Mountain for memorial day weekend. Wish us luck towing.  Almost got killed there last August by a moose in the middle of the highway.

[dee106]

for extra counter space you have a couple of  choices,
   
    http://www.campingworld.com/browse/categories/index.cfm?CatID=25&src=brsq
   
   http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=24475&src=SRQB
   
   or use what we use:
   
   http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=77223&PRODID=70950
   
   i found it cheaper i just have to remember where!
 
 i keep all my cooking stuff in it, so its easy to reach everything , and i stow it in the back of my hybrid fits great between the bathroom and the closet, or in the doorway!

[Ted]

Anyone have any experience with the TrailManor?  It's expensive and the MFG claims a lot.  I saw once once at a CG, and it looked huge in comparison to my Yuma, but I sure like the idea of not having to "set up" and "take down," but truthfully I don't find that to be such a pain, but it might be in the rain, or is that just on the plains in Spain?

[zamboni]

Anyone have any experience with the TrailManor?

My parents have one.  They bought a 2002 Niagara PUP (new), never really liked the setup effort.  Got rid of it in 2004 and bought a TrailManor, which they love.  I've never been in it, though.

[Marcus]

Thanks! l check these out as well.  Finally figured out the hitch thing and it isn't that big a deal.  Will be using it this weekend for sure at Twin MT campground in New Hamphire.

[athomemom]

Hello,

We have been recently looking at hybrids too.  I like the Travelstar 21SB, with two kids they can each have their own bunk end - that was important to us.  I also liked the look alot better than the Antigua.