Pups vs Hybrids

I've owned both - PUP was great when the family and I were young. Negative side of PUP was always lack of storage and having to open and close it when you prepared to go, get back, and anytime you needed something that was left in it by mistake. My wife never liked the cassette toilet so I took it out. I had an older Rockwood high side; the lift mechanism finally died so we traded to a small hybrid and enjoyed the ability to sleep on the couch while closed if we needed to and a bathroom we could somewhat use (shower was too small). We finally moved to a 5th wheel two years ago to get away from the canvas, the noise, and the need for more space for the grandson to travel with us. The hybrid was nice to set up quickly, space when it rained, and a real toilet to use. I don't really miss the PUP.

Have you considered one of the larger a-frame hard side pop ups? The Chalet XL series (and equivalent in other brands) have some great floor plans for a couple. With your van, or someone with a truck, the somewhat lack of interior hauling space is eased. I've had both a large canvas pup & the current Chalet. The Coleman Mesa was fantastic for interior storage while closed and all that stuff hauled on the floor went on the unused bunk when open. It did not have a bath where the Chalet does but the Chalet doesn't have the second bunk for storage. Check out the Chalet XL1930 & XL1935 floor plans. They both offer great features, including 1-2 minute setup and electric roof lift. I miss the second bunk for storage when set up but won't go back to a canvas pup.

My PUP is easy to pull and maneuver, gets excellent gas mileage, stores easy, and can be pushed around with a tongue jack wheel. It is easy to cool with the large screen area and takes about an hour to set up. However it cannot be accessed until it is set up.

My TT needs a bigger TV, can be set up in twenty minutes or used while hitched for lunch or potty breaks and camp and go overnights while traveling, It does not have to be setup or packed in the rain. It gets 10 mpg. and has less sleep space then my PUP.

The hybrids I looked at had fold up beds that did not take up any interior space.

jerem0621 wrote:

JayGee wrote:
Bantam

Not sure what your tow rating is on the van but I had one of these and really liked it. It only weighed about 2000 pounds, had elec brakes. I towed it with a six cyl Ford Explorer. Not sure what is available that compares but something to think about.

Thanks that is exactly what I was thinking of in a hybrid!

The listed tow rating of this van is 3,600 lbs. The exact same rating the 100 ish HP 1984 Dodge Caravan had. LOL. While I am not ever intending to do this...



I have no problem towing heavy.. I have plenty of payload, tire capacity, and I have the HD cooling system on my van. I will also closely monitor my temps via OBD2 tools to ensure the tranny temp stays where it needs to be.

This van has much more HP than my 97 F150 with a 5.4 did (285 hp vs 235 hp).. and its way more stable...I have utmost confidence that the Town and Country can Comfortably pull a large PUP or a small Hybrid right up to its tow rating... no problem... I have years of experience pulling large and small trailers with all kinds of vehicles large and small.. so I am not a newb to this :)

For a hybrid I am looking at the single axle 16-17's... I know that a double axle has advantages too, but I am looking for simplicity and comfort at the same time. Single axle hybrids put the PUP vs Hybrid on similar playing fields when it comes to tires and axles.

Two I was particularly interested in is the KZ Sportsman classic 18RBT.. here is a Link to this unit.

I was also looking at the similar floor plan in the Jayco Jay Feather X17Z at the following Link

I appreciate the posts showing the PUP's set up. Gives us a lot to think about concerning how we camp. I do like the fact that I can have a 'real' bathroom in the Hybrid.

The big issue for me is... I have never met a hybrid that didn't leak.. :D I hope that technology has come a way since the late 90's to mid 00's concerning sealing those bunk ends.

There is also no doubt that the pup will tow easier, get better MPG, and store in the carport... they hybrid will require a separate carport be built to store it in.

Interestingly.. both seem to be about the same price.

decisions decisions

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I'd look at the water levels and payload levels of the single axle htt. The K-Z had 20 fresh(pup spec)

One other thing: Will you be boondocking? Any hardside will be hotter in the sun. We kept our pop up for camping off the grid for that reason (among others).

Teach

My wife and I almost made the jump to a HTT this past month. They are very nice but everyone I know who owns one complains about the beds in them. They all complain how uncomfortable they are with that seam under them. We never had a problem with the beds in a pop up which is flat on a large plywood base.

We ended up getting another highwall pop up camper. The 2015 we bought opens up to 28' and we have plenty of space for our family of 4.

Enjoy.

Vin.

We've owned both a hybrid and a PUP. The '96 4Runner has a towing capacity of 5000#, the hybrid loaded to camp (water, food, clothes, etc.) was around 3300#. Well below the towing capacity but still, towing the hybrid wasn't necessarily a fun experience. It wasn't a power issue. It seemed like it was the tail wagging the dog sometimes. Plus, the wind resistance just ate gas. Our hybrid and our current PUP weighed the same and are of the same length. We got maybe 11 MPG average with the hybrid vs. 15 MPG with the 14' bed PUP (has a slide out, shower, furnace, etc.). After three or four years, we went back to a PUP and are so glad we did.

Remember that the weights shows are dry weights. No water, cooking gear, luggage, battery, propane, or furnace in many cases. A/C can add quite a bit to the trailer weight. Sure, you may have a 3500# tow rating, but that is calculated assuming a driver, not a bunch of passengers and gear. See if you can find the combined weight rating for the van, that will give you a much better idea of what you can actually handle.

Maybe if you're only planning short trips without much interstate travel a hybrid might work. But having had both with a very tow capable SUV, I'd recommend the PUP over the hybrid with your set up.

JayGee wrote:
Bantam

Not sure what your tow rating is on the van but I had one of these and really liked it. It only weighed about 2000 pounds, had elec brakes. I towed it with a six cyl Ford Explorer. Not sure what is available that compares but something to think about.

Thanks that is exactly what I was thinking of in a hybrid!

The listed tow rating of this van is 3,600 lbs. The exact same rating the 100 ish HP 1984 Dodge Caravan had. LOL. While I am not ever intending to do this...



I have no problem towing heavy.. I have plenty of payload, tire capacity, and I have the HD cooling system on my van. I will also closely monitor my temps via OBD2 tools to ensure the tranny temp stays where it needs to be.

This van has much more HP than my 97 F150 with a 5.4 did (285 hp vs 235 hp).. and its way more stable...I have utmost confidence that the Town and Country can Comfortably pull a large PUP or a small Hybrid right up to its tow rating... no problem... I have years of experience pulling large and small trailers with all kinds of vehicles large and small.. so I am not a newb to this :)

For a hybrid I am looking at the single axle 16-17's... I know that a double axle has advantages too, but I am looking for simplicity and comfort at the same time. Single axle hybrids put the PUP vs Hybrid on similar playing fields when it comes to tires and axles.

Two I was particularly interested in is the KZ Sportsman classic 18RBT.. here is a Link to this unit.

I was also looking at the similar floor plan in the Jayco Jay Feather X17Z at the following Link

I appreciate the posts showing the PUP's set up. Gives us a lot to think about concerning how we camp. I do like the fact that I can have a 'real' bathroom in the Hybrid.

The big issue for me is... I have never met a hybrid that didn't leak.. :D I hope that technology has come a way since the late 90's to mid 00's concerning sealing those bunk ends.

There is also no doubt that the pup will tow easier, get better MPG, and store in the carport... they hybrid will require a separate carport be built to store it in.

Interestingly.. both seem to be about the same price.

decisions decisions

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Bantam

Not sure what your tow rating is on the van but I had one of these and really liked it. It only weighed about 2000 pounds, had elec brakes. I towed it with a six cyl Ford Explorer. Not sure what is available that compares but something to think about.

PAThwacker wrote:
Jeremy. I had a 12vt with slideout and wet bath.

Plus: glamper appeal, room and features.

Minus: zero countertops, zero interior storage open and closed

No way would I reconmend that floor plan to anyone nor tow it with a van(3500gvw)





Kids on beds. Dog on couch. No tv, zero counterspace. Clothes: back and forth truck shuffle.

Thanks for the pics helps me visualize what I'm getting into.

Thanks!

Jeremiah