Are Hybrids growing in the US?

[RobertRyan]

They seem stable in Australia

[RobertRyan]

mileshuff wrote:
In the early 2000's Hybrids were everywhere in my area. All dealers had numerous selections. Lately I'm seeing fewer being sold new although I see quite a few at the campgrounds I frequent. They're still popular but not to the extent of 15 years ago.

We loved ours for 10 years. Never any problems and looked like new when we sold it. But the kids grew and we no longer needed all the beds and wife and I switched to a 5th wheel. Already had the 3/4 ton truck to pull it.

We have two main types, the expanda type by Golf and others Other type is PopTop Caravans. Fairly cheap in the later case. Can go too 24ft with a double axle

[mileshuff]

In the early 2000's Hybrids were everywhere in my area. All dealers had numerous selections. Lately I'm seeing fewer being sold new although I see quite a few at the campgrounds I frequent. They're still popular but not to the extent of 15 years ago.

We loved ours for 10 years. Never any problems and looked like new when we sold it. But the kids grew and we no longer needed all the beds and wife and I switched to a 5th wheel. Already had the 3/4 ton truck to pull it.

[RobertRyan]

All I could afford wrote:
My “box” is 7 feet wide and 13 feet long. The name B-17 must have included the tounge

They very from 16 too 19ft here

[All_I_could_aff]

My “box” is 7 feet wide and 13 feet long. The name B-17 must have included the tounge

[parker_rowe]

I see a couple each time we go camping, as well a a few pop-ups.

But the campsites are still mostly occupied by hard side campers.

We got ours after spending a few years borrowing the family popup. We loved the openness, and the sounds of the rain on canvas, and all that in the popup.

Just wanted more space and our own bathroom(with a door, not a curtain) to avoid late night trips to the bathhouse with the kids.

Had it for over 3 years and no regrets. I tell people to check them out all the time if they need a lighter camper.

[atreis]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
" The trend toward larger tow vehicles"? The only place such a trend exists is on this and other RV related boards. Less than 1% of the RV owning public ever visits one of these boards, and even less are active posters.

Light truck sales have been growing steadily among the general population year-over-year for quite a while now. Here's a couple charts. One shows a bit more than two years, the other shows 5 years.

http://www.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html
https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_retail_sales_of_light_trucks_saar

With the general public generally driving larger vehicles, for those few that want to tow a trailer, they're able to tow larger/heavier. The main benefit of hybrids is space relative to size. Being able to tow a larger heavier trailer means fewer people making the compromise choice of a hybrid.

[Ralph_Cramden]

atreis wrote:
You still see them around, but they seem to be less popular than they were a decade ago. I suspect this has to do with the trend toward larger tow vehicles. I moved from a hybrid to a hard-side trailer for lower setup time/effort. No need to mess with reflectix, end cover, etc... when it's going to be really hot or cold. Also, the kids got big enough to want their own space, so bunks were in order.

As for interior colors: I like wood. It shows dirt a lot less than the white/black/gray interiors would. 🙂

" The trend toward larger tow vehicles"? The only place such a trend exists is on this and other RV related boards. Less than 1% of the RV owning public ever visits one of these boards, and even less are active posters.

I am currently at a PA state park and my site has a good view of the main entrance. I see many more trailers going past being pulled by 1/2 ton and mid sized trucks, and mid size SUVs than 2500 and up trucks. I'd guess its at least 5 to 1 if not more.

As far as hybrids there are 127 sites occupied according to the clerk at the contact station, and I lost count yesterday afternoon at 32 hybrids coming up the hill. Thats around 25% not counting ours and the 3 others that came in Wed or Thu. They have always been popular around this area and continue to be. The dealers sell them as fast as they get them, and if they're in any half decent shape do not sit on a dealers used lot long when traded in.

[bikendan]

All I could afford wrote:
I wish my hybrid would grow, but last time I checked it was still 13 feet long when packed up

How can it be 13' long when the box is at least 17'?:h

[All_I_could_aff]

I wish my hybrid would grow, but last time I checked it was still 13 feet long when packed up

[atreis]

You still see them around, but they seem to be less popular than they were a decade ago. I suspect this has to do with the trend toward larger tow vehicles. I moved from a hybrid to a hard-side trailer for lower setup time/effort. No need to mess with reflectix, end cover, etc... when it's going to be really hot or cold. Also, the kids got big enough to want their own space, so bunks were in order.

As for interior colors: I like wood. It shows dirt a lot less than the white/black/gray interiors would. 🙂

[ppine]

I currently have a hybrid. Good for milder weather. Not good for serious heat or temperatures much below freezing. They are great to tow and have plenty of room. I like the open feel when the windows are opened up.

Most people are more comfortable closed up with hard sides. They feel more secure and can moderate the temperature better. Hybrids will probably always be a niche market unless there is some more innovation.

[theoldwizard1]

Having owned a pop-up for many years, hybrids intrigue me ! I think I would prefer one where the end fold DOWN, although the ones that fold UP have a better rain shield.

[Ralph_Cramden]

I dont know about growing but in western PA youll see plenty. We are in our 3rd since 2010. Right now at a PA state park and there are only 8 sites occupied, 3 are hybrids including ours, and 2 are popups. Just observing when we are camping hybrids are usually at least 20%. It seems to be a regional thing.

[RobertRyan]

Avan is the overall company name Golf is a sub brand that makes folding trailers and Hybrids. Avan Motorhomes are based on the Ducato
Another Hybrid manufacturer