Class A to Hybrid: "Rightsizing" experiences?
Hi all,
Thanks in advance for any-and-all thoughts on this. Can't hurt my feelings, and interested in any perspective. Yes, I know I'm biasing my sample by asking the Hybrid forum, but figured the Class A forum would be biased in the opposite direction, and I *know* the benefits of the Class A...
Interested in hearing from anyone who has moved from a Class A, 5th Wheel or traditional travel trailer to a hybrid. In particular, were the trade-offs what you expected and are there any regrets and/or things to consider you'd like to share?
We currently own an entry level Class A that has been great to us (Four Winds Hurricane 33h). As our kids get older (15 and 12), their summer commitments have increased, and we expect to transition to more local camping (e.g., state campgrounds), three days to a week type of trips versus our 2-3 week ever-other-year cross-country romps we've taken with the Class A.
What we love about our Class A:
* She's taken us to so many great places, thus there are the memories;
* Built in levelers, 5+ KW generator, two ACs, decent room in the bathroom, tons of storage and CCC, etc.;
* Ability stop for lunch or potty breaks and not leave the vehicle;
* Easy, relatively safe, and efficient "quick" overnights (e.g., Love's Truck Stops) when "making time";
* Separate bedroom with room to change clothes, etc.
What we *think* we'd love regarding a hybrid (e.g., Roo 233 S):
* More of a "camping" experience regarding sights, sounds and open air;
* Separate "rooms" for son, daughter and parents (now we have to break down and set up a couch and dinette each and every night/morning);
* We now need a pick-up for other reasons (horse hauling and snowmobile hauling), needs we did not have before. Thus I'll be sinking cash into a tow vehicle (likely a F-150 with ecoboost) either way - Seems crazy to have the V-10 in the motor-home plus the towing capacity of my daily driver....
I realize we are giving some things up to gain others. We also know that we may be romanticizing the "outdoor" experience regarding the tent ends. However, we made the HUGE leap from tent camping to the Class A, and the tenter in me misses being outside at night. I will not, however, give up 2am bathroom access, nor an AC unit nor a fridge for beer (though the beer may be what makes the bathroom necessary...). Thus we are seriously considering the hybrid route.
Thank you for reading and, in advance, for any advice / experiences you are willing to share.
dnj
Thanks in advance for any-and-all thoughts on this. Can't hurt my feelings, and interested in any perspective. Yes, I know I'm biasing my sample by asking the Hybrid forum, but figured the Class A forum would be biased in the opposite direction, and I *know* the benefits of the Class A...
Interested in hearing from anyone who has moved from a Class A, 5th Wheel or traditional travel trailer to a hybrid. In particular, were the trade-offs what you expected and are there any regrets and/or things to consider you'd like to share?
We currently own an entry level Class A that has been great to us (Four Winds Hurricane 33h). As our kids get older (15 and 12), their summer commitments have increased, and we expect to transition to more local camping (e.g., state campgrounds), three days to a week type of trips versus our 2-3 week ever-other-year cross-country romps we've taken with the Class A.
What we love about our Class A:
* She's taken us to so many great places, thus there are the memories;
* Built in levelers, 5+ KW generator, two ACs, decent room in the bathroom, tons of storage and CCC, etc.;
* Ability stop for lunch or potty breaks and not leave the vehicle;
* Easy, relatively safe, and efficient "quick" overnights (e.g., Love's Truck Stops) when "making time";
* Separate bedroom with room to change clothes, etc.
What we *think* we'd love regarding a hybrid (e.g., Roo 233 S):
* More of a "camping" experience regarding sights, sounds and open air;
* Separate "rooms" for son, daughter and parents (now we have to break down and set up a couch and dinette each and every night/morning);
* We now need a pick-up for other reasons (horse hauling and snowmobile hauling), needs we did not have before. Thus I'll be sinking cash into a tow vehicle (likely a F-150 with ecoboost) either way - Seems crazy to have the V-10 in the motor-home plus the towing capacity of my daily driver....
I realize we are giving some things up to gain others. We also know that we may be romanticizing the "outdoor" experience regarding the tent ends. However, we made the HUGE leap from tent camping to the Class A, and the tenter in me misses being outside at night. I will not, however, give up 2am bathroom access, nor an AC unit nor a fridge for beer (though the beer may be what makes the bathroom necessary...). Thus we are seriously considering the hybrid route.
Thank you for reading and, in advance, for any advice / experiences you are willing to share.
dnj
