Brand New Buyer Looking for Sound Advice

rexlion wrote:
If you liked tenting, why not look at popups or hybrids? A popup has plenty of bunk space but folds to a short, easy to tow package that will fit in small forest campsites and will use much less gas.

We went from tent camping to hybrids. If we had to do it all again, we would skip the hybrid and go straight to a traditional travel trailer like we have now. The OP has a family of five and enough truck to accommodate a decent-sized travel trailer. Some of our reasons are:

1) Much better climate control vs. having tent ends that lose heat & AC
2) No more putting tend ends away in the rain and then having to find an opportunity to reopen them after the trip to dry things out
3) Quieter inside a travel trailer vs. one that has fabric for walls
4) No climbing over your partner in the middle of the night when you get in & out of bed
5) More secure- tent ends can simply be popped open and then whoever has access to your entire camper
6) Condensation issue with tent ends
7) Tent ends = seams that sometimes leak
8) In the case of a popup, only a half-sized refrigerator and no overhead cabinetry, etc.
9) Popups tend to have smaller fresh water and waste water holding tanks.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to bash those that prefer hybrids or pop-ups. Different strokes for different folks. These are our reasons.

Good luck and please continue to ask any questions you have.