Thinking about upgrading from pop-up

[TrueBlueKC]

Hi I'm brand new here and my wife and I are thinking about buying a TT or hybrid. We have had our pop-up for 7 years and love it but we like the idea of easier set up. We also would like a bathroom and a bigger sink and bigger fridge. We could go with less sleeping room and more moving around and storage room. We need to be able to sleep 3 as our son (14) will be with us most of the time for the first few years then will likely be tired of camping with us all the time.

We have a '99 Suburban 1500 4X4. It's tow rating is 6000# so I guess we're looking for a GVWR of 5000 or so.

We have 3 reputable dealers in the area as well as a Camping World. I would like to avoid Camping World based on reviews. One dealer has a lot of Jayco, one has a lot of Keystone and one has a lot of Forest River.

We like the Jayco Jay Feathers and the Keystone Passports but something like the Cherokee wolf pup is closer to my price range. I'm hoping to find something new or slightly used for around $15000 if possible. Is it a good idea to wait until late summer when the 2017's are on the lot and try to get a 2016? How much less will they sell them for If I wait a few months?

I appreciate any comments or suggestions anyone may have.

[2manytoyz]

I've owned a couple of Popups. The last one I had for 9 years.

We now have a 25' Rockwood Ultalite TT. Bought it in October 2006. Custom ordered by using the RV Wholesalers online. Paid $16K, fully loaded. That was about $3K LESS than a Fleetwood Niagara Popup at the time.

Ours weighs just under 4000 lbs, with all the options. I towed it for 4 years with a Nissan Xterra, using an Equalizer W/D hitch. The tow vehicle was rated for 5000 lbs, and had no issues towing it.

What surprised me when we looked is that the hybrids weigh MORE than our TT. Hybrids do offer more room as the beds are outside the camper footprint, but the tenting around the beds offer little insulation. An important detail when camping in a Southern region during Summer, or further North in Winter.

Another nice feature of a TT is the ability to use it at every rest stop. We never use the bathroom elsewhere as ours is always clean! Also, very convenient to make lunch at rest stops.

We just returned from another camping trip this weekend. Excellent initial quality camper, and holds up well from years of use.

[DutchmenSport]

Your three selections of campers are all on the same playing field. And all 3 are very popular brands. So, in the end, it really comes down to floor plan and aesthetics (what looks pleasing to you).

I always caution on 2 different things: First, if the camper has slides, how functional is the camper when the slides are IN. If you get a Hybrid trailer, how functional is the camper if you are not able to open the bunk ends? There WILL be times when you'll be using the camper where you cannot open everything up. Can you still function as a family with it buttoned up?

Second: The KING of the family and his "Royal Throne!".... (Most) men sit on the Royal Throne with their knees apart, and usually, the farther apart the more comfortable the "experience" is. So many campers put the "Royal Throne" in very tight quarters, and with the bathroom door shut, there is simply NO knee room. Before settling on a specific camper, make sure everyone actually sits on the "Royal Throne" and make sure it comfortable for everyone. (I'm serious here, not joking). Our first 2 Travel Trailers had a very narrow space for the Throne and with the door shut, the space was just about wide enough for a wide bottom and the door prevented one knee from moving and the sink prevented the other from moving. Consider it was just my wife and I in the camper alone about 99.9999% of the time, we often used the bathroom with the door open, so we (both) and more knee room. So ... my STRONG advise, sit on "IT" before buying the camper.

I do not advise getting a hybrid. They still have tent ends. You're not gaining much over a pop-up camper, except you don't have to pop it up. You still have to deal with wet canvas when it rains.

[time2roll]

We traded our pop-up for the same reasons. Enjoyed the pop-up 5 years and no regrets to moving to a hard side.

Know your prices and floor plans you like. Keep an eye on the used market for a like new trailer at a good discount.

[camp-n-family]

We loved our hybrid but it's not any less setup than a pop up. Consider a hard side with slides if you want the room with the least setup.

[MNRon]

You'll love a hard side over your current pup. Having bought both used and new TT, I highly recommend USED as you'll get a better unit for same price. Having a slide makes a huge difference in space. I see a future upgrade to a 3/4T in TV in your future...