sheikyerboutti
toronto
New Member
Joined: 05/12/2009
View Profile
 Offline
|
I think the age group of campers is a factor. Most large TT and motorhome owners are middle age and older. Setting up bunk ends may be a bit of a chore for some. I'm middle aged, but still don't mind the extra set up.
Here's what I like about HTT's
-Easy to tow
- More campsite choices
- Sleeping under the stars in the bunk ends
- What TysonTDW said about being able to hang with tenters and the big RVers.
- Fresh air. These things have lots of ventilation.
- More of a 'camping feel' ( hard to explain)
|
Jerry9n
SE Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 10/28/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
30 years in an 8' PUP and before that an Apache Chief tent trailer.
Originally we looked at a 5th wheel with a new PU for a TV.
Then we the reality that both my back required a couple of surgeries and the economy took a dump right as I was going to retire. We zeroed in on an HTT with a small slide and a used SUV. Turns out, other than maybe the choice of the HTT (Cikira went belly up) it was a good move.
We like sleeping under canvas and setting up the beds are not really an issue, even with my back. Also, we decided the SUV suited our needs better than a pickup (we traded a Dakota for the Expy). Also, we get a lot of floor space for not a lot of towing length which leads me to a big conclusion. I simply would not be comfortable towing anything bigger, after all those years with a small PUP and mini van.
Works for us. Might not work for the next person. Just individual taste.
Jerry9n
2009 23' Cikira Escape EXP
2006 Ford Expedition
Reese Pro Series SC
Tekonsha Primus IQ
HTT Mods
|
Allyscia
Ontario
Full Member
Joined: 04/12/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
We have a 2009 when we bought our HTT there was not many choices. Now I see tons of different brands and styles. We like that our mini van can pull it although I wish we could have pulled one that was a little bigger but we make do as with kids we like our van. The HTT has more room than a small TT would.
Me my Husband + 2 Kids
JDay
Canada
160 Hybrid Kodiak
|
rehoppe
Denver & Nathrop Colo or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 01/30/2009
View Profile
|
I looked at a couple of Hybrids some time ago. I ended up with an OLD Coleman PUP, as I wanted something that didn't cost much.
The Main negatives that might keep me from getting one now are Canvas ends. They don't provide much protection from heat, cold and noise. They also have a proclivity to form condensation in the 'bunks' at the most inconvenient times. The lack of units on the secondary market is also a drawback for me. (Hate that initial depreciation!)
The reason I thought I wanted one was 'lower' weight for the useable space. I wanted to tow with a mini PU. The down side of that was that they still have the 'taller' profile for aerodynamics.
For my personal use (sans DW), for a fishing shack, I've found that a basic Pop up Truck Camper, is my preference. Sort of. LOL
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT
|
bikendan
Napa, Cal.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
rehoppe wrote:The Main negatives that might keep me from getting one now are Canvas ends. They don't provide much protection from heat, cold and noise. They also have a proclivity to form condensation in the 'bunks' at the most inconvenient times.
can't prevent the noise but heat/cold/condensation are easily dealt with, in the same way you can with popups.
using PUGs/solar blankets and Reflectix will cure all of these issues.
we've camped in 100+ temps and in snow, and using these methods made our hybrid very comfortable.
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
|
|
|
OldSalt92
Reynoldsburg, Ohio
New Member
Joined: 07/25/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
I have a 2001 Terry 723 w/o a slide. It weighs 3150 lbs, so one can pull it with a vehicle rated for 3,500 lbs. Most HTT's have a slide and that adds weight that takes them over 4,000 lbs. That means you need a 5,000 lb tow capacity and then you might as well go with a TT. Tows better at 23' rather than a 27' or 28' TT. I think Tow Weight is the big advantage of them.
|
rehoppe
Denver & Nathrop Colo or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 01/30/2009
View Profile
|
bikendan wrote:rehoppe wrote:The Main negatives that might keep me from getting one now are Canvas ends. They don't provide much protection from heat, cold and noise. They also have a proclivity to form condensation in the 'bunks' at the most inconvenient times.
can't prevent the noise but heat/cold/condensation are easily dealt with, in the same way you can with popups.
using PUGs/solar blankets and Reflectix will cure all of these issues.
we've camped in 100+ temps and in snow, and using these methods made our hybrid very comfortable.
I'm sure that you CAN deal with these issues. I was simply enumerating the reasons Why I didn't/haven't gone with one. Certainly not saying that others Shouldn't go there however, just FYI. 
Actually the Reflectix, helps with the noise as well. I subsequently used it in my Pop up TCs and it seemed to mitigate the noise issue as well as the radiated heat. Foil wrapped bubble wrap. Who'd a thought it'd be so good?
|
bikendan
Napa, Cal.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
rehoppe wrote:bikendan wrote:rehoppe wrote:The Main negatives that might keep me from getting one now are Canvas ends. They don't provide much protection from heat, cold and noise. They also have a proclivity to form condensation in the 'bunks' at the most inconvenient times.
can't prevent the noise but heat/cold/condensation are easily dealt with, in the same way you can with popups.
using PUGs/solar blankets and Reflectix will cure all of these issues.
we've camped in 100+ temps and in snow, and using these methods made our hybrid very comfortable.
I'm sure that you CAN deal with these issues. I was simply enumerating the reasons Why I didn't/haven't gone with one. Certainly not saying that others Shouldn't go there however, just FYI.
Actually the Reflectix, helps with the noise as well. I subsequently used it in my Pop up TCs and it seemed to mitigate the noise issue as well as the radiated heat. Foil wrapped bubble wrap. Who'd a thought it'd be so good?
good to know another benefit to Reflectix. we don't use it that often out here in Cali, weather is too nice to need it that much!
|
Jetta03
Alberta Canada
Full Member
Joined: 08/31/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
I think it's the convenience factor. HTT are just more work to setup and take down what with tent ends to stow, beds to make and un-make etc. I chose my shamrock 21ss because
- fits in my driveway with room to spare. This is an issue because our neighborhood gets ticketed for parking over the sidewalk, and I didn't want a monthly bill for storage. Having the trailer handy all the time for packing, unpacking, cleaning is a bonus.
- we camp often with a group that is mostly tenters. 21ss gives us convenience of not having to pack/unpack for every trip but still fit in smaller tenting sites. Can't tell you the number of times we've watched and cringed as someone scrapes and crunches a 28 footer through our loop 
- can easily handle the trailer with my half-ton along with bikes for 4, water, firewood, kayaks, etc. Don't want a bigger truck but like to bring along our usual camping stuff
Take away any of those reasons and frankly I'd be looking at a 28 foot travel trailer as well.
|
Hoosierdaddy47
Central New York
Full Member
Joined: 11/06/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
My rationale was that it was still camping as long as I had fabric 'tween my bed and the outdoors. That, and a higher bunk/GVWR ratio...
2004 Antigua 215 SB
2006 Durango Adventurer Hemi
Tekonsha Prodigy P3
DW-Indeterminate age
DD-15
DS-12
Olivia-Torkie
Balthazar-Italian Greyhound
Check my page on Facebook-Hybrid Travel Trailer Camping
|
|
|
