We are looking to upgrade from a popup to a small hybrid because the 2 kids are getting bigger. I am looking for suggestions on what to look for when buying used hybrids. I have read a little about the fold out beds leaking, is this true?
My wife and I are considering a used 2001 Aerolite cub. Anyone have experience with the 16 foot model?
Leaks are an issue across almost every make and model it seems... according to what I've seen on this site and real world. Make sure you check thoroughly for ANY water damage. Check all cabinets,drawers, and bunk ends! Make sure everything works before buying! Check all systems-H2o,heaters,propane,refrig etc.
What's your TV? How old and big r the kids? 16Ft'er may not be quite enough room with 2 children.
Make sure you get something to fill your needs and afford you and the kids a little growing room. The best part was shopping around... lots to see and play with! Have fun and good luck!!
We have a GMC Acadia that is rated for 4500lbs so, we probably max out at the 18/19 foot hybrid size anyway. We have not seen it yet and our main worry is that it is not enough of an upgrade to our 10 foot pop-up. Kids are only 4 and 5 so, unless we have more, it would work. It would be nice to be able to access it without putting it up. We do like the NADA price from $3800 to $4500 as maybe a step up for a few years.
SpartanTuck wrote: We have a GMC Acadia that is rated for 4500lbs so, we probably max out at the 18/19 foot hybrid size anyway. We have not seen it yet and our main worry is that it is not enough of an upgrade to our 10 foot pop-up. Kids are only 4 and 5 so, unless we have more, it would work. It would be nice to be able to access it without putting it up. We do like the NADA price from $3800 to $4500 as maybe a step up for a few years.
just remember the 4500lbs rating is a base vehicle w/a 150lb driver. any options, passengers and cargo will reduce that number.
i think you'll be maxed with a 16'-17' hybrid.
as far as buying used, any hybrid that old should be checked over with a fine tooth comb. a hybrid is a great trailer but you need to give it a lot of care, more than a standard TT. because of the tent ends, it has a much greater chance to have water damage. if a hybrid is well taken care of, it can last a long time.
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
Yes, our ends leak, but we've not had too many problems, and unlike my pop up you can tarp a hybrid, it leaks while it's stored.
My hybrid is actually lighter than my pop up is by 500lbs, lol. It's a Thor Wanderer Glide light, Our pop had 2 kings, shower toilet combo, and the tiny dinette. Now we have a queen, a double, and a twin (yet a little bigger than a twin. The dinette is a wrap around, finally fits us all.
I believe it is either a 16 or 18ftr. We got an oven! never used it, lol. a WAY bigger fridge, I wanted to bring more food just because! And the cupboards! WOOHOO!
It's a little more thrashed than our pop up was the pop was treated kindly by it's previous owners, but now I don't have to worry right?
It's worth the trade up, we got a killer deal, bought a 2001 for $5200 private party. ANd sold our for $4000.
Good luck on your search!
2001 Glide Lite Wanderer by Thor
2005 F150 Super Crew
2004 Scion XB
sayby1campers wrote: Leaks are an issue across almost every make and model it seems... according to what I've seen on this site and real world. Make sure you check thoroughly for ANY water damage. Check all cabinets,drawers, and bunk ends! Make sure everything works before buying! Check all systems-H2o,heaters,propane,refrig etc.
What's your TV? How old and big r the kids? 16Ft'er may not be quite enough room with 2 children.
Make sure you get something to fill your needs and afford you and the kids a little growing room. The best part was shopping around... lots to see and play with! Have fun and good luck!!
Boy isn’t that the truth…..
We bought a 23 Ft’er with three beds and a slide out and it still feels small most of the time. We bought it because we knew our 2 girls (now 9 & 11) would not want to be sleeping next to each other in a few years….
So something to think about ... Will it be to small 2 years from now ??? If so buy bigger from the start ...
* This post was
edited 04/16/08 04:04pm by Coyote2cool *
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Z71 2007 KZ Coyote 23 CFK 2008 Total nights camping = 27 Just Remember: When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane
Me (37)... DW .... DD (11) ... DD (9)...Dog (1)
I own a 1999 Aerolite Cub 16 foot. It is a good trailer. I have never had an serious bunk leakage. A good place to look would be the cargo storage under the front bunk. Look for any discoloration on the wood down there.
As someone has pointed out, it will be small with two kids but the Cub gives you all the comforts of home.
We had two popups without any leaks or the like. With three growing boys we upgraded last year to a 99 fleetwood wilderness hybrid. We loved that camper and traveled the entire east coast last summer.
I wish I had searched the net for pictures of water damage, as I did not know what to look for. Now that I know what it looks like it was clear that we had it and the dealer just let me talk about covering the flooring to hide the places where someone had spilled. Turned out the wrinkled ceiling paper was a leak, the stained flooring was a much bigger issue then a spill.
Under the table was a very weak floor. The top driving light wasn't ever sealed and leaked every day the camper was wet. Very little was ever visible, the water had traveled through the walls and storage areas. I am very handy and was able to repair and reinforce the floor, and fixed the walls in the storage compartment. We did eventually cover the floor over.
In the end we were struck by lightening, and a fried electrical system got me to give up and traded for a brand new camper. We found a new dealership took a loss at trade-in due to the water(fixed or not it was damaged for a trade-in) and electrical damage (which we never tried to fix).
We went home with a brand new Roo 233, happier than ever.
Mike
2 Adults
3 Boys (17, 15, 12)
2 Dogs
2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat with Boss Plow
2008 Rockwood Roo 233
1982 Burro 13 foot for total rehab
You will be fine with the GMC Acadia. I worked with Saturn, and they have the Outlook (which is identical to the Acadia).
The Acadia is a perfect match to a 19 foot Hybrid. Most 19' will be around 3200 pounds empty with awning, A/C etc. Add cargo and you are around 4000 pounds. Leaves 500# for passengers. Driver is already included for 150#.
Most campers will have the trailers specs on the inside cabinet door in the kithen. The specs listed are the weights when the trailer left the factory- Usually most options are included in this- unless the options were dealer installed. Most of the time A/C, Awning Micro etc are included at the factory in some sort of convience package.
We upgraded from a 9' pop up to a 19' Starcraft Travelstar 19CK 5 years ago and love the extra room. Well worth it. The bathroom (if you have one in the pop up) is going to be alot more user friendly because the tub/shower is seperate. You will have more room inside, and it is easier to set up.
We have 3 kids, and the 19' works fine with us. (My 11 yr old son and 5 yr old son on the double bunk. 4 yr old daughter on the table. We are on the queen bunk, and the couch is available.
Good luck with your decision
Families who camp together, stay together...
Dad
Mom
11yr old son- knows everything now...
5 yr old son- still sweet...
4 yr old daugher- turning me grey already...
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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
...
(37)... DW 
