TT vs Hybrid purchase

We went from a pop-up to a hybrid for the same reasons you are, especially the hassle of setting up a pop-up. We're on our 2nd hybrid since 2003. The first we had for 10 years and was in excellent condition when we traded it.

Let's first talk about maintenance. The bunk ends are vinyl covered and I've never really done anything special to them save for washing off nasty tree sap a couple of times. Packing up wet is no big deal. If the bunk ends are wet and it's not raining, just towel dry them off. The little bit of moisture left will dry by the time you get home. If it's raining when you pack up, just open them at home and they will dry off in an hour or so. As far as seals go just use a good UV protectant on them twice a year. The seals on our old one were like new after 10 years. The rest of hybrid maintenance is the same for any travel trailer, inspect twice a year, and maintain all caulking and seals to prevent leaks.

Many people complain about how long it takes to set up the beds. It's because they have the idea of "making beds". Not sure why the need for fitted sheets, this is simple for us. Lay out a flat sleeping bag, throw on the pillows and a comforter, done! Also, newer hybrids use cables to hold up the beds. Simply drop the wall and put in the shepherd's pole. Both beds take me about 5 minutes to open, and my wife about another couple of minutes to throw on the sleeping bag and bedding.

Our setup time was cut in half with our first hybrid. If not for novelty lights and a bunch of whirly gigs we can set up our current one in less than 30 minutes.

Make sure not to look at the "dry weight" of trailers. Look at the GVWR. That'll ensure you stay under your rated capacity.

Being that you have 4 of you a 17-19 foot hybrid might work, depending on floor plan and weight. Our first hybrid was a 17ft model and it was fine with 3 adults. Like you we spend most of our time outside. If the kids are old enough, you could also consider putting them in a tent. Kids LOVE that.

I think a hybrid would serve you well. You are already used to sleeping under canvas, which for some is a deal breaker because you do hear all the outside noise.

I will also say that you have posted this in the travel trailer forum so you will get a lot of response weighted toward a TT. Not necessarily bad but know that many people who have objections to hybrids have never actually owned one. They aren't for everyone, but they are a great way to get a lot of trailer in a small package. And just because hybrids have vinyl covered bunks, does not make an apples to apples comparison to a pop-up. They are very different animals.

Have fun looking!

for years a pop-up.. setup, canvas maintenance. etc and I had mine for 20 years.

but I did change. to a 21 foot trailer.. no canvas.. NO more Canvas for me.
mine was a Amerilite 21mb. empty is 3,300 pounds. nice. but I am Tall

so when I needed to change trucks. bigger truck and trailer ... but I liked my Amerilite

but today there are many light weight ONE and TWO axle trailers you could pull with your current truck.. and NO canvas.

my opinion. your family is different..

040412 wrote:
I guess I don't want struggle with pulling a 4000lbs trailer, end up having to buy a full sized truck and regretting not buying a larger camper to begin with.

Uh Oh ... yet another wanting to tow a full height trailer with a marginal tow vehicle. :E You might want to read this current discussion on the same subject. :)

The size of either will be the challenge for you. It is a different world than towing a pop up. If you do it be prepared for marginal performance until you can upgrade vehicles.

040412 wrote:
I am considering replacing my tent camper at the end of this season. I am considering a hybrid camper verses a smaller TT. The main caveat is my tow vehicle.

Your tow vehicle is marginal regardless of whether you choose a hybrid or travel trailer. Having owned a hybrid myself the best advice I've ever read about them is "only go with a hybrid if want to enjoy the many advantages of a travel trailer but absolutely love sleeping under tenting" A hybrid is more work, does have considerable negatives, so if you really want one you should really want one ... otherwise you'll soon be dismayed with the many disadvantages and want to move on to a travel trailer much sooner than you would have thought. I speak from experience. ;)

I'd stick with the pop up for the next three years and then swap it out when you upgrade your tow vehicle so you can go to a hard sided camper. We started in a pop up so I understand wanting to upgrade, but a hybrid has too many compromises imo. Setup is still a pain, you have to deal with wet canvas, security is limited if you're in more urban RV parks or are wanting to overnight at a Walmart, cold weather is more difficult, etc.

We went to a fifth wheel and love it. If you wait until you upgrade the tow vehicle you can consider going to a heavy duty model and skipping straight to a fifth wheel. A HD truck doesn't cost much or any more than a half ton and is a lot more capable, so I'd really give it some serious consideration.

Not enough tow vehicle for either HTT or TT.

Life is full of compromises. We rented our first TT to see if we wanted to pull one of these barns down the road.

My old F-150 had the payload but not the horse power. Really strained in the hills. We discovered a lot on a 10 day trip without having to spend that big bucks first.

If a hybrid fits your budget, so be it. I am not a fan going into debt for a hobby. Also there is more upkeep on a trailer than on a pop up.

My buddy purchased a Hybrid to tow with his Toyota pickup. Trailer tows great, I think he has a 2005ish Tacoma? One thing I noticed about the Hybrid is the lack of storage inside, he has 2 or 3 cupboards around the kitchen area but nothing for clothes. When in transit he has duffel bags for his clothes piled on the dinette or setting on the floor. If its just him in hunting camp he puts down both end beds and uses the rear bed area for storage, when camping with the family he is always moving bags or clothes around. He doesn't even have enough storage for a couple weeks worth of dry food. Most of his trailer type stuff fits in his pass through and the dishes / cookware take up his limited cupboard space.

I know there is a big difference between my buddies little 18 foot Hybrid and my 28 foot toy hauler but the lack of storage in his drives me nuts and I don't even have to stay in it.

The DW and I came from a canoe and tent background. We wanted to sight see and tour. Our criteria was.
* A bed you can exit without crawling over your spouse.
* A pantry for food.
* A closet for cloths and linens.
* A bathroom and kitchen usable with out opening the slide.
* Room for two adults and a large dog.

We purchased a used 25 ft. Dutchmen at a price we could afford and a used F-150 at a price we could afford.

Keep in mind, 10 mpg, 250 to 300 mile days and 55 to 65 mph speed. You will be passed by everyone and you will discover the effects of cross winds.