Is towing a TT or Hybrid easier, harder, or about the same

[jmkay1]

Are we thinking about moving to some else??????

Thanks all! I’m Only in the research stage. Now that I don’t need the sleeping space any more, I had my eye on one TT but as mentioned I need a new tow vehicle. No way I can afford both right now. Heck even new tow vehicles during this economy will be a VERY bad decision especially with work still iffy. However my popup needs a ton of work with a roof rebuild that I just don’t feel is worth it And with the lack of garage or inside storage just isn’t doable. My dad told me to just eternabond the whole dang roof and keep it right now. He really is no help here as he thinks camping is a waste of money When I have a perfectly good house.

 

[banjorules]

We went the 10' PUP to 21' Hybrid to 25' TT to 33' Fifth wheel. We've towed to Florida and to the tip of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia... to Quebec City, Quebec and to Michigan with all points inbetween. Each step along the way meant various TV upgrades to finally end with a 1 ton LWB diesel pickup. But we also towed the hybrid with a V6 Dakota. Properly setup for towing, all of them have performed wonderfully in all sorts of weather conditions including heavy storms, heavy winds and snow. Improperly setup they are just punishing to the driver. Just try loading a PUP light on the tongue and driving it anywhere if you doubt this. I am one of those that says within limits simply migrating to a larger TV should not be your first step. Making a proper setup with a level trailer, adjusted weight distribution, brake controller adjusted, good mirrors, tires properly inflated on the trailer and the TV. These are the things that make a good experience. Buying a bigger truck simply plasters over a problematic setup yet that is the 99% solution on the Internet. Don't get me wrong, my trucks got bigger as the trailer got bigger. I had a Ram 1500 and it wasn't pulling the 12,000 lb 5th wheel no way, no how. But it did pull the TT better than the F-350 did simply because I had put a lot of time in the setup and had it dialed in. With the 1 ton, I didn't have to. The band aid of excess capacity hid a lot.

Bottom line - Know your numbers, size your combination appropriately and keep adjusting the setup and loading until you have it dialed in.

 

[eprovenzano]

I went from a HW pup to a 23' Hybrid. I was pulling the HW with a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the hybrid with a 1/2 ton truck. I did use a quality weight distribution hitch on the hybrid. I didn't have an anti-sway on the HW pup, never felt I needed it. I did have one for the hybrid... used it a few times when I 1st got the hybrid, but never felt uncomfortable with out it. Pulled the hybrid through some very windy conditions, (without the anti-sway) and never felt uncomfortable. You'll get comfortable pulling the bigger camper, just takes a little time. Backing the bigger trailer (to me) onto the campsite is 100% easier then with a short pup. The trailer needs to be actively nudged more to turn than the quick turning of a pup.

 

[Steveo4090]

I went from a HW pup to a 23' Hybrid. I was pulling the HW with a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the hybrid with a 1/2 ton truck. I did use a quality weight distribution hitch on the hybrid. I didn't have an anti-sway on the HW pup, never felt I needed it. I did have one for the hybrid... used it a few times when I 1st got the hybrid, but never felt uncomfortable with out it. Pulled the hybrid through some very windy conditions, (without the anti-sway) and never felt uncomfortable. You'll get comfortable pulling the bigger camper, just takes a little time. Backing the bigger trailer (to me) onto the campsite is 100% easier then with a short pup. The trailer needs to be actively nudged more to turn than the quick turning of a pup.

Without a doubt, the farther the trailer's wheels are from the hitch ball, the easier it is to back up.

 

[cwolfman13]

I have a single axle hybrid. It's not that much bigger than our PUP was but obviously has a full box cabin like a TT. Biggest thing for me was the drag from the box. I don't have much sway, but I do have a WDH and sway control bar. We used to tow with our Jeep Grand Cherokee and it was pretty effortless with the PUP...It towed the hybrid, but was much less pleasant and I knew for sure that thing was back there, especially towing through the mountains even though we were 1,000 Lbs below capacity.

We did that for about 5 years with the hybrid and I never really felt comfortable going any further than our usual quick weekend spots in the Jemez Mts. I've been wanting to venture out further and just be more comfortable in general so I bought a used F150 for towing as well as some off-roading and truck stuff like going to the dump or picking up large purchases, etc and I don't even know that camper is back there unless I look in my rear view...even through the mountains. Granted the camper is about 4200 Lbs soaking wet and the truck has 9,200 capacity.