I have to agree. I had a 10' Coleman SeaPine and now I have a 19' hybrid. It is sooo much easier to back than the popup was. The popup was easy to see over and around but when backing, it could be squirrely where the hybrid goes where I point it.
jeff

quote:

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Originally posted by ralderman:
Hybrids are a little longer, easier to back, easier to tow since it has double axle's.

Rick

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jhovis
The 'burbs of Atlanta
2003 TravelStar 19CK
2003 TrailBlazer LT EXT

We had a 1999 Coleman Niagra p/u. Remember the more bells and whistles you have on a p/u the more you have to set up and even worst the take down. For our own reasons we went to an expandable TT. Have had no regretts and after two years still loving it. I really can't speak on a hybrid but for us we didn't want any more canvas.

Bonnie1000 PUT, 2002Sportsman2505qss
1999 F-150
Former 1999 Coleman Niagra
Where ever we roam we're always at home

Iam also debating over a pu or hybrid. i am worried about towing. i have a ford f150 xlt sport w 4.2 6 cyl. what does anyone think thanx gerard

I wish that F-150 was in my driveway! Actually though, I'm in the market for one, but want to get the V8 (or even a diesel) as the six just doesn't have enough power. I'm towing my 23' Hybrid with a 6 cyl Jeep and it does all right, but could use more under the hood! I could get a V8 Jeep, but hope to upgrade to even bigger trailer one day (tooling with the idea of full timing)...

*Cliff*
2004 Trail Cruiser C-23B
1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee


Gone Camping • net
Victory Lane Online
Chaos reigns within. Reflect, repent, and reboot. Order shall return.

Besides having all the comforts of home our biggest reason was it proably cheaper than a divorce!

Don't get me wrong I LOVED my popup, but I loved my husband more and wanted to stay married. Set up in a popup for us was VERY stessfull. It seemed to take forever and we seemed to fight everytime. As a matter of fact our last outing in the popup my husband swore he would never camp again. (he had very little patience and hated the popup since the first day he stepped foot into it. Something about it being my ex husbands even though it was all mine. Go figure.)

So needless to say, he calmed down and decided we were buying a Hybrid. Now thats not to say that all is perfect, he still has no patience. He hardley was the driver when we had the popup so he has no expierence with towing and, yuck dare I say it, backing up! So getting into a campsite is a little tense. But he'll learn!

And set up is a breeze! All he needs to do is the water, electric and the LP. My 13 yearold and I do the rest. This gives my husband time to "settle down" after 20 or so attempts to position the camper "just right" ( or at least the way I want it lol)

Shelly

Scott & Shelly
2 girls, 13 & 9
1 boy 5
2003 Stacraft 19CK

There's a lot of benefits to a hybrid over a pu.
Water storage, actual shower and restroom. Grey and blackwater tanks built in.
easier to backup
More storage.

Take a look at a hybrid that is out doors and that has a small slide out. I think you'll find that the roomieness feeling is there. Open the beds up, it's not as large feeling, but definitly easier than zipping everything up if rain starts or you need to block out the neighbors noise.


Rick

Ford F150 Supercrew, 5.4l, K&N FIPK, Superchip, Magnaflow Exhaust
Rockwood Roo 23B

Just to aid in the decision and offer a 3rd choice, may I chime in here??!! We have a TowLite (Hi LO) and it offers a nice compromise between the pop up and the hybrid. Also, since it is hard side, you can camp in bear areas with a lot more security. Set up is a snap since the hydraulic lift raises the unit in 11 seconds. Lowering is just as easy and I now get 4mpg better than when we towed our 19' trailer.

Shelly,
You made me laugh. Your popup days sound like ours but I was the one that was screaming and yelling at my husband. I said if we don't get something easier, we're not camping anymore. Set up wasn't that hard but the take down for us was murder and I am surprise that we both are still here. Popup camping was just not for us and I think part of it is that we were led to believe that setup and take down was a breeze. At the dealer when they were teaching us, yes we could setup and take down within 30 minutes but we never thought about what real camping setup and take down time would be and the first time out we really knew what it meant. Now camping's a breeze. We have no more fights and we are really enjoying camping. Best move we made was back in June of 2001 when we picked up our new trailer.

Bonnie1000 PUT, 2002Sportsman2505qss
1999 F-150
Former 1999 Coleman Niagra
Where ever we roam we're always at home

quote:

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Originally posted by WBCampers:
Set up in a popup for us was VERY stessfull.

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My wife and I pretty much have a non-verbal agreement. When we get to the CG, she hangs around long enough to help me get the canvas over the bunk ends. Once done, she and the kids leave the area and let me finish up. That way, the only one I have to quarrel with is myself.

The old unit we have now is our very first pop up. Our next purchase will most likely be a hybrid. While I've read where people "prefer the open feel of a pop up", we generally do not spend a lot of time inside anyway, so this is a non-issue for us. I will however miss being able to store it in my garage.

'76 Starcraft Starmaster 8
'62 Me
'70 DW
'94 DD
'00 DD

We enjoyed the PU but the hassle of popping up and folding down, packing, etc., etc., moved us to a hybrid. We love the convenience of packing up in the AC cooled hybrid and taking our time doing it. Economy was definitely a factor. We are on fixed (and limited) incomes so when we travel around we like to be able to fix our own lunches, carry our own cokes, snacks, etc. With the hybrid we can pull into a rest area or even a parking lot and go back to the hybrid and eat and rest. With the windows open and FantasticFan and bunk-end fans going we can stretch out on the folded down dinette and rest awhile. Even go to the potty if we need to. And when we get where we're going we enjoy the ease of setting up and the built in comfort. Just works for us!

Chuck & Mickey
Huntsville TX
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