Tell Us About Your Hybrid,

[ilovecamping]

We just purcased ours last Thursday and took it directly to the campground.  We stayed til Monday and we love it.  No more long set up and DH sweating and getting upset.  No more struggling with the awning, it is so simple now.  We don't have to load and unload the tv or the camper to the screen room.  Everything is stored away and still have storage space left over.  We have lots of counter space to set the coffee pot, paper towels, dish rack and still room for the crock pot when needed or to prep food.  Love the ref/frzr and not running out to the cooler for ice.  Frig doesn't freeze things not intended for freezing.  The bathroom is small but wonderful.  I love the cozy feeling of our new little home on wheels and we plan to keep it for a long time.  We want to do some traveling and think this is just the best way to go.  It is also easy to tow and DH loves that.

[teachjp]

We camped in a Sturry and then a Jayco for about 15 years before moving up to a Trail Lite, 17 B with double bunkouts.  We left the pop-up because we do a lot of distance traveling, across the U.S. or to Pensacola to see our children and grandchilren, from Philadelphia, Pa.  The last time we crossed the country in the pop-up it just took too much time to put everything away and close down the unit before taking off for a 12 or so hour drive, we have crossed the country in 5 days with the Trail lite, it took us 6 days with the pop-up, that is an extra day that we can spend with our grandchildren in Berkeley, Calif where my daughter goes to school.  We were reluctant to leave the world of pop-ups since they are so much easier to tow, and less expensive on the petrol.  I guess you could say that we are not so much campers as we are travelers, but we do love the trail lite.
We have taken out the microwave and put in a small chest of drawers for our clothing, the fridge is so much bigger than our Jayco, sometimes we have to pinch ourselves, and the airconditioning is just great when it is warm and humid, of course we don't need it in the Bay Area when we get there, we have to stay in the camper, about 10 miles from their little tiny student-family apartment.
Than's our story of why we left the world of pop-ups and purchased the Trail lite.
John and Cathy Poynton
Trail lite
79 MG Midget (not a tow vehicle!)

[Jofabietz]

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.

  For the most part,very happy.After going to the RV show last week ,I see they have fixed the one thing I thought was a bad feature;that being the kitchen faucet is much nicer this year.Also have an outside cook center for my model which was not availible last year.
     The camper pulls very well,and camps well too;so it is what I expected.The biggest trip will be coming up for daughters college tour to AZ.So maybe I edit post or make a separate post with highlights(hopefully no lowlights).

[disneycamper]

Hi, I am new to this site but have lurked here for the last six months or so.  I love camping and have most of my life.  I camped for many years in a tent (my family had always tent camped) and loved it but as I got older decided I liked being comfortable more than camping.  So I started to stay in hotels when I traveled (I travel mostly durign the summer because I am a teacher) but I discovered most hotels wouldn't take dogs.  Well it was out of the question that I would leave my beloved dog behind and went back to camping.  I stayed at Disney's Ft. Wilderness one Christmas when it was pouring rain and was a bit miserable in the tent and the people next to me had a WAY cool pop-up and so I thought what is the harm in "looking"?  I started looking the moment I got back and fell in love with this tiny little Coleman Taos.  Well, the Taos was a handy little pop-up and I spent many weekends on short trips.  Then my father passed away and my mom started to vacation with me.  Well while the pop-up was wonderful for me and a dog it was not for two adults and two dogs.  That started the search for the travel trailer.  

When searching I found the prices to be more than I had expected but I kept searching.  In the mean time, my retired from her job and we decided to move to near Orlando.  My house sold much faster than anticipated and my new house had not even been started yet.  So the search became even more urgent.  Finally, in desperation (I had a place I could live while I finished the school year but no where for mom to live while the house was being finished) we bought a Keystone Cabana.  It is a cute little hybrid and I like it but it doesn't have as much space as I would like.  However, it has been to Denver, and every place in between Florida and Denver.  Several trips to Tennessee as well.  This summer it is going to Las Vegas and we are returning through Kansas to go back home.  The hybrid sleeps 5, has a refrig/freezer (tiny though,) microwave, we even have a screen room that we added to the awning.  While I like it I am not in love with the way I loved my Pop-up.  But it will do for now.  

Do any of you have any suggestions to help with fuel economy on my summer trip?  The price of gas seems to be my biggest bugger right now.  Also, I know this is a stupid question but how much should one pay to have a transmission coller added to their tow vehicle.  By the way, I am pulling with an '03 Dodge Durango.

[GeneF]

To save a little gas, try towing at about 60.  Above that, gas mileage seems to take a drop.   Price of gas is one reason we have cut back on our trips this summer.

Also, check that your tires on the Durango and HTT are inflated properly.  Underinflated tires can wear and get lower gas mileage plus the safety factor.

Before you invest in the trannie cooler, have you checked if the Druango might already have one?  If it has a towing package, there is a good chance that it already has one installed.

[Gone-Camping]

To be totally honest, the only thing I ever really wanted was a PU. But after owning 3 of them, I came to the conclusion that I wanted an easier set-up. So in late 2002 I started looking at what was out there, and by early 2003 had pretty much narrowed my search down to a pair of Hybrids.

You see, I wanted the very largest thing my poor little old Jeep Grand Cherokee could possibly tow, with the expressed intention of getting a more capable two vehicle at a later date. My choices were down to the Rockwood Roo 21 or the Trail Cruiser C23B. As much as I wanted a unit with a slide-out, it wasn't in the cards as they were just a bit too heavy for the Jeep.
 
Prices seemed about the same, weight was about the same, and amenities were very compatable, and the Roo was priced locally while the TC was priced from RV Wholesalers in Ohio. In April of 2003 I made my decision and went with the Trail Cruiser from RVW...cost was a little less, size was a couple feet longer, weight was also less than the 21' Roo, and I like the fit-n-finish better. Took 11 hours to drive out to Columbus to get it, and took my time coming home stopping two nights so I could play with my new toy. To my surprise the trailer was actually a 2004 model year, even though it was early June 2003 when I got it.
 
I'm now on my third year with this trailer, I only financed it for 5 years so only a couple years left on the note. It has held up extremely well, I've been full timing in it for the last 16 months! I am in the process of building a MH out of a 34' Diesel Pusher Bus...that's going to be my next unit!!

[Surfcal]

I recently got a brand new Starcraft Travelstar 21SB.  It's my very first brand new trailer.  Previous to this I had two other trailers, the first was used Starcraft Meteor 8" pop up, a one sided to boot.  I used that for about 4 years and then last year, I bought a used Starcraft Travelstar 17CK.

This new one is by far the best of course and it even comes complete with that new trailer smell.  It's got all the amenities.  A new feature I like are the outside speakers.  You can use the fader to balance the sound between the indoor speakers and outdoor ones.  The radio even comes with an auxiliary input for other audio sources, such as an iPod.

The trailer tows very nicely.  I think the dual axles handle the load very well and it rides smoothly.  Unlike the previous trailer, all the doors to the cabinets feel solid.  Having a good size bathroom is totally plush.  The latches that secure the bunk doors are far heavier duty than the previous ones and you can lock them.  The window by the dinette is large, allowing ample light and visibility.  Above all, the interior design is pleasant and done in predominantly earth tone colors.

All in all, I'm very happy with everything, no complaints at all.  I've only owned Starcraft trailers and it's not by design.  I happen to come upon a Starcraft the first time I bought the pop up.  The second one came because a fellow PUT, NNC member had it for sale.  And this third one came at a good price at the RV lot and they took the old one as a trade in at a very fair price.  I guess all the planets just lined up.

However, because of my excellent experiences with the previous Starcraft trailers, I had no hesitation in getting another Starcraft.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the brand to anyone either.

Above all, I'm glad to have moved to the hybrid genre.  There's less set up and take down at the campground, but the feel of the canvas bunks still maintains the outdoor experience quite nicely.  And having this new trailer raises camping to a premium experience.  I'll be camping in this for a long time.

[kathybrj]

As I sit here and read this thread, I'm feeling less anxiety about our purchase yesterday of a Jayco Jayfeather 232. The unit has 3 bunk ends and seems to have lots of storage. It came fully loaded, except for that RVQ thing. The dealer is letting us keep our outdoor stove from the Coleman and Blaise will have to modify the hookup.

With our work schedules getting tighter, both Blaise and I were dreading the setup of the Coleman more and more. Health reasons have forced me into major dietary changes and I'm hoping the larger frige will help me to be able to travel with the foods I now need to have. Taking 3 coolers and dealing with melting ice and produce going bad got really old this summer.

I know I'm going to miss the openess of the Coleman. Even this week in Letchworth, people would ask to see it and comment on the space that we have (had) with the slide out. However, I myself was a bit miffed at the temperature of the shower water in the bath houses (and did fill out a comment card), so I can say I'm looking forward to a bathroom. We were using a PaHaQue and a Coleman hot water set up, but putting the tent up and down was a pain.

Since my Dad passed away last year my Mom has been wanting to travel with us, along with her chocolate lab. I'm hoping this new Jayco can accomodate all of us so I can take her on some trips.

[cjpoppin]

Ohoooooooooooooo, I'm so jealous we want a hybrid and one of these days just might go out and buy one........Kinda hard to spend the money right now when our pup is only a few years old and paid for......Except we are not getting younger and that cranking up the top is getting harder and harder for my DH...Would love to have a inside bathroom and a real refrig and built in microwave,and storage not under a couch with cushions to move and replace everytime.............!    Guess for now it'll just be on our someday list......

[NCCamper2003]

Hi,

Like a few others, we have a Kiwi 23B. It is a new-to-us 2001, and we have had it for only 2 weeks. So far, we have only been on one weekend "maiden voyage" trip with it. We absolutely love the space of the Kiwi! We were used to an 8' popup, so having a 23' HTT with a slide out and a queen bunk is wonderful. And when it's time to sleep, you still get that popup openness we like. And having AC and a 2-door fridge/freezer, it's like we bring a little bit of home with us. And the huge awning, and our own bathroom...I could go on and on!

We tow with a '95 F150, which had no idea when it was pulling the popup. However, it struggles with the almost 5000# Kiwi, well, struggles a little anyway. As soon as I can, I am planning to swap the 3.08 differential with a 3.73, so all will be fine. A few pictures are in our photo album, linked below.

Let's Camp!
NCC

[gravy]

We traded our '05 fleetwood evolution in on a '07 Starcraft 18RB a couple weeks ago and went camping last weekend in it.There is just the 2 of us and our ferocious 12lb puppy,so it is just the right size for us.I think it will keep us happy for many years to come and yes we do plan on doing more camping.

[Pupeyemom]

Hey all,
I have been reading the threads about folks favorite hybrids..
 We are looking for a hybrid ourselves  since elderly parent with health issues came to live with us.  We have a 8 cylinder  '02 Toyota land cruiser for a tow vehicle and  haven't decided on a trailer yet. Trying to keep it light , about 4500 loaded.  We Will be towing in Mountains  and would rather do it with some  power to spare!!  We have to look for a unit that also is somewhat handicapped adapted. Grab bars at outside doors, roomy-er bathroom, higher toilet...etc..Also has to  fit 3 adults and a 70# dog without climbing over each other. Mom will have to sleep on the couch or dinette area as she can't climb into the wing areas to sleep. In an ideal world mom's area would have a privacy curtain.  I think we'll be looking a long time...
Any suggestions out there on hybrids that may work for us???
 

We have a  1997 Coleman Bayport  pop-up in excellent shape that we love but  won't work at all with mom along.  I love the  Roomy lay out. The add-a- room is great. It feels like a giant pop-up.  If we can only find a hybrid  with lay out just like it!!! SIGH!!

pupeyemom
97 Coleman Bayport
Toyota Sienna Van 03
Toyota Land cruiser  '02 (the beast)

[GeneF]

Pupeyemom

Have you done a search on the net for handicapped rigged trailers?


Looks like a lot of companies will modify a trailer.

Wish I could remember where I saw the article but it was about a trailer that was geared to a handicapped person.

Light switches were at the correct level, shower was wheel chair accessable.

Perhaps someone else has seen the article and can help out.

[Pupeyemom]

Pupeyemom

Have you done a search on the net for handicapped rigged trailers?


Looks like a lot of companies will modify a trailer.

Wish I could remember where I saw the article but it was about a trailer that was geared to a handicapped person.

Light switches were at the correct level, shower was wheel chair accessable.

Perhaps someone else has seen the article and can help out.

Hi gene,
 thanks for the suggestion. we don't need wheelchair access. At least not in the trailer. Just stuff to help getting in and out and the higher toilet. The trailer is small enough she has things to hang on to for balance.   I will check the net for  the Handicapped adapted RV.  -Pupeyemom

[dademt]

For the most part,very happy.After going to the RV show last week ,I see they have fixed the one thing I thought was a bad feature;that being the kitchen faucet is much nicer this year.Also have an outside cook center for my model which was not availible last year.
The camper pulls very well,and camps well too;so it is what I expected.The biggest trip will be coming up for daughters college tour to AZ.So maybe I edit post or make a separate post with highlights(hopefully no lowlights).

Well, if you don't mind me asking since you have had your KZ for a couple years now, how do you like it. We just purchased one and I didn't know if you had found anything with them that I should keep an eye out for. I am modifying the tongue already to accomadate a second battery. Thank in advance for any feedback.