Looking for all and any new avenues to my already growing database. I am looking at the following models, need advice, likes and dislikes, experience, or we did this insteads.
Sportsman classic 16bh or excape twin
Sportsman Classic 16rbt or escape twin
Gulf Stream Amerilite 16bhc
Jayco swift slx 154bh
Starcraft AR-ONE 16bh and AR-ONE 15rb
out of the 6 trailers you've mentioned, only 2 are hybrids.
so, not sure what you want. do you want a hybrid or just a regular TT.
don't buy a hybrid if you don't really want to sleep under canvas.
don't make the mistake of not taking that in consideration.
decide on which type you want first, then ask about the floorplans.
also, what will you towing with?
* This post was
edited 02/22/12 08:12pm by bikendan *
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
Sorry, I guess I did include all of my conciderations, and sort of crashed the hybrid forum. I guess I sort of wanted to see opinions of people that maybe have owned both. I am not finding many lighter weight hybrids in this size other than the 2 listed. The GVWR of the classic Hybrids is sort of rediculous too. I don't think sleeping under canvas will bother me, as I have always tented it. I understand some of the drawbacks, but wanted to hear about experiences. Many hybrids are a little heavier than these. I have a 2005 crew cab Z71 Checy Colorado I5. Thanks for any help. I really like how the beds get our of the way, but have concearns about leaking. They seem way more open.
A hybrid is great if you enjoy that style of camping. We love ours but may move up in a couple of years as I will be 70 this year. We have a ROO 236 and have had very few issues with it. The issues we did encounter would be issues that would occur with any RV. As to options, well, you know what you want or need in your rig more than anyone in this forum. If you have specific options you are interested in then tell us what they are and I'm sure someone has them and can give their experiences with them.
there aren't many owners of the two hybrids you mentioned, probably because of their size.
as you see, hybrids 17' or smaller have very poor CCCs, especially after you add the weight of "options" that most trailers have.
i'm a member of 6 Hybrid forums and i've seen about 3 people who own one of these 2 trailers. so, you won't get much response because they only came out last year and not many people are buying them.
the Jayco 17C and 17Z and the Cub/Kodiak 160 have been much more popular in that size range. but again, very poor CCCs.
most of the newer hybrids have very few leakage issues, anymore. you do have to prevent condenastion inside the canvas, while camping in the cold, but it's easily dealt with.
not sure what the tow capacity of the Colorado is but there's a saying on RV forums: "buy your second trailer, first".
I'm only good for 4k lbs, so I am keeping it gvwr 3500 and below, prefer below. I do see that Classic just released the 18rbt, and it looks to fit the bill just about perfect. Its light, low tongue wt, has a radio and nice couch. Sink in the bath is nice. I also noted that it is a little taller and 6" wider than the other classic models I have been looking at. It fits in between the 20Ft length and the 16ft length. I wonder how my colorado would do with this setup. I have spring helpers, will do brake controller and sway control if needed or recomended by anyone here. Worried about the extra wind resistance with the 10" added ht and 6" width over others I have considered. Hmmm, I really like that model. Bigger holding tanks too. 14" tire instead of 13" Hmmmm. Larger awning. Affordable too. Anyone think this would be too much for my truck in MI. Pretty flat here, decent hills as we head North. Mostly will be doing weekends at the state park 30 minutes back roads. Can you guys check this model out and advise me what you think. I am sooo confused at to what will be over my head as far as towing. I have experience only with my 16' boat Please keep in mind its my first, and I am staying light and cheap. Better than a popup or tent.
BTW,thanks for the words about moisture and less leaks nowa days. I was worried about condensation and rain a bit. You put my mind at ease.
i think the 18RBT would be a good choice but i would go for the Spree Escape version over the Classic. you get a sofa over a gaucho.
and as far as i know, the aluminum-sided trailer are wood framed while the fiberglass sided ones are aluminum framed.
but the numbers on either, look good for your tow vehicle.
and you'll definitely need a WDH with sway control and the brake controller is required by law, since the trailers have electric brakes.
I am doing brakes no matter what trailer I pick. I am wondering with my spring helpers if I would need the wd hitch. I hauled a load recently of 380lbs, and the thing only dropped an inch or so. Before the helpers, this would have gone at least 2" I only have them adjusted half way, and the ride is still very good. Is there more benefit to wd than just keeping the tv level? I really dont understand the wd sway control stuff much, as I have always just hauled my boat with a 2" ball mount and ball, hung the chains and took off. Can I buy any WD class 3, and then add any sway control to it. ie, is the sway control on the receiver end or the hitch end. Thanks guys. Your pretty sure I should be ok with those wts and that much wind drag huh? I'm guessing the "dry" tongue wt will become more like 350-400.. right?
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
