Question for Hybrid Owners

[garym053]

As gas prices have climbed, we've (DW and I) gone back and forth on the whole issue of do we want to move to a hybrid next year or go to a high end pop-up or to a Trail Manor. I know that this is something only we can decide, but I value your input, so...
It dawned on me recently that the Trail Manor we like is about $10,000.00 more than the Jayco (or others) 23B Hybrid, which we saw, (thanks, Gene) and loved! Since $10,000 dollars will pay for a LOT of gas! A high end pop-up is about the same price as the 23B is from RV Wholesalers and others, so I'm wondering, what was the hit on gas mileage when you went from a pop-up to a hybrid, assuming you used the same TV?
Thanks!

[Dee4j]

good question I've only taken the hybrid out twice and forgot to check the milage. It's something we never worried about, it does add to your total trip expenses, but the convenience out weighs the Cost..I'm noticing on the boards the hybrids are not too much more than the high end P/u's and their alot less work. Plus you always can access the inside with no more effort than opening a door...I love my hybrid and i"m sure there are some great PU opinions out there to be heard also...That's why PUT is such a great place.

[chasd60]

Same TV with a 5.2L V8 (318)
  12-13 mpg towing the popup
  6-10 mpg towing the hybrid
 
 Just got a different TV with a diesel because they don't take as big a hit when towing. Haven't towed with it yet to find out though.
 
 My TV is used only as a TV, I have a Geo Metro 3 cylinder for a daily driver and my 100 mile round trip commute each day, 46-53mpg. The fuel cost using the TV for camping only isn't very high this way.

[TheViking]

Physics would tell you that a Hybrid with the taller profile would have a decline in mileage.  But I'm not a Physician......LOL

[Dee4j]

Physics would tell you that a Hybrid with the taller profile would have a decline in mileage.  But I'm not a Physician......LOL

yes...but how much is what's in question..does the cost difference matter...to us  not really

[TheViking]

Same TV with a 5.2L V8 (318)
  12-13 mpg towing the popup
  6-10 mpg towing the hybrid
 
 Just got a different TV with a diesel because they don't take as big a hit when towing. Haven't towed with it yet to find out though.
 
 My TV is used only as a TV, I have a Geo Metro 3 cylinder for a daily driver and my 100 mile round trip commute each day, 46-53mpg. The fuel cost using the TV for camping only isn't very high this way.

Wow, you sound like me.  I have a 150 mile round trip to work everyday.  I bought a Toyota Tercel for the fuel mileage savings.  The DW drives the TV daily but usually just for store runs and dropping off and picking up the DD for school.

[Dee4j]

Wow, you sound like me.  I have a 150 mile round trip to work everyday.  I bought a Toyota Tercel for the fuel mileage savings.  The DW drives the TV daily but usually just for store runs and dropping off and picking up the DD for school.

same here... Dan drives a Honda civic he doesn't travel that far but It's the principal of the thing...The gas companies are ripping us off...If I were president.......

[PopupSgt]

same here... Dan drives a Honda civic he doesn't travel that far but It's the principal of the thing...The gas companies are ripping us off...If I were president.......

We owned a Jayco 14SO popup and pulled it last year to the eastern rally in Gettysburg from Cincinnati, OH.  We pulled the camper with our Avalanche and averaged 12mpg.  We have since upgraded to the hybird and average 10mpg, so for us the mpg drop was not that significant.

Regards,

[/b]

[GeneF]

Pulling the 98 Mesa with the 00 Sienna I got about 14.

Towing the Kiwi with the 02 Silverdao, 4.8 engine I get about 12.  Normal driving while not towing is about 15 to 16 so not that big of a drop.

I think the benefits of the hybrid outweigh the loss in gas mileage.

Ps  Glad I still have you thinking about the 23B Gary.

[campingcop]

The diff. between the pop up and hybrid is only a few gals. so it doesn't make me no never mind.  I'm going camping :W

[garym053]

Thanks everyone! Keep them thoughts coming!

Genef's 23B is the reason I keep coming back to the hybrids! I try to guess at gas mileage, think it may get expensive to do any 'round the country trips, so start thinking high end pop-ups and Trail Manors and such, but keep thinking that Gene's 23B is the first Hybrid that Mary (DW) and I saw that we both really loved the layout. For the size, it just seems so bright and open inside. I guess if you get your DW or DH to agree on something why look any further???

Anyway, the layout must have been a hit as a lot of other mfgs are covering that size and layout now! Now to find a GOOD dealer and price!

Thanks again!

[brainpause]

The price you'll spend for fuel isn't a great part of your trip expenses.

Let's say your regular, daily driving is 15mpg, and you tow a hybrid and only get 10mpg.

On a 300 mile round trip, you will burn 10 gallons more towing, than daily driving. At 2.30/gallon, that is only 23.00, a small price to pay for your hybrid's convenience; roughly the cost of a night at a campground. That's for the WHOLE trip. AND, that's the difference between daily driving and towing.

Now, let's say that your daily driving is still 15mpg, and towing a popup, it drops to 13mpg. Towing a hybrid gets you 10mpg, still. The difference here, between towing a popup and towing a hybrid is (3mpg) 3.1 gallons on a 300 mile trip. The $$ difference? At 2.30/gal, only $7.13. That's pennies when you consider the convenience of the hybrid, and the other costs incurred when camping.

Of course, these are theoretical numbers, and your tow vehicle mpg will differ, but I think these are realistic. My point is this: You will take a small hit towing a hybrid vs. a popup, but it will come out to be a small amount. And no, I don't work for or have stock in the gas companies.

Larry

[garym053]

Thanks Brainpause!
I kind of put it in the same perspective over on the Poll Forum. For some reason, when I'm think long term commitment between myself and a hybrid I keep second guessing myself!
Do you suppose it's a Male thing and commitment?

[brainpause]

Thanks Brainpause!
I kind of put it in the same perspective over on the Poll Forum. For some reason, when I'm think long term commitment between myself and a hybrid I keep second guessing myself!
Do you suppose it's a Male thing and commitment?

I don't know. I'm not willing to commit to an answer.

Larry

[Dee4j]

The price you'll spend for fuel isn't a great part of your trip expenses.

Let's say your regular, daily driving is 15mpg, and you tow a hybrid and only get 10mpg.

On a 300 mile round trip, you will burn 10 gallons more towing, than daily driving. At 2.30/gallon, that is only 23.00, a small price to pay for your hybrid's convenience; roughly the cost of a night at a campground. That's for the WHOLE trip. AND, that's the difference between daily driving and towing.

Now, let's say that your daily driving is still 15mpg, and towing a popup, it drops to 13mpg. Towing a hybrid gets you 10mpg, still. The difference here, between towing a popup and towing a hybrid is (3mpg) 3.1 gallons on a 300 mile trip. The $$ difference? At 2.30/gal, only $7.13. That's pennies when you consider the convenience of the hybrid, and the other costs incurred when camping.

Of course, these are theoretical numbers, and your tow vehicle mpg will differ, but I think these are realistic. My point is this: You will take a small hit towing a hybrid vs. a popup, but it will come out to be a small amount. And no, I don't work for or have stock in the gas companies.

Larry

You forgot to mention the $$$ you SAVE being able to stop anywhere (rest stop , paking lot)  and MAKE lunch. I know fast food costs us nearly $20 for lunch
and you're gauranteed a clean potty