GBlack
Evansville, Indiana
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Joined: 08/10/2006
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Hi, I've recently sold my F350/5th wheel and am considering to downsize to a trailer that I can pull with my Toyota Highlander(5000lb tow rating) and can store in my garage (7' door hgt). I'm looking for model suggestions based on these preferences:
1) Suitable for 5000lb tow rating SUV
2) Folds down to fit under 7' garage door (22' long bay)
3) Has full inside bathroom (toilet, shower), as large as possible
4) Of similar price range/quality level as Jayco's
5) Majority of exterior is hard sided (instead of canvas/screen)
6) At least one slideout
7) Has A/C
I also have two questions:
1) How do "fold-down hybrids" differ from "pop up campers"? Are they two terms for the same thing? Should I also be asking this in the "Folding campers" forum?
2) Do any models slide out lengthwise, creating a rigid extension for length (just like a rigid slideout extends width)?
Thank you!
Gary
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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Joined: 11/21/2005
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GBlack wrote:Hi, I've recently sold my F350/5th wheel and am considering to downsize to a trailer that I can pull with my Toyota Highlander(5000lb tow rating) and can store in my garage (7' door hgt). I'm looking for model suggestions based on these preferences:
1) Suitable for 5000lb tow rating SUV
2) Folds down to fit under 7' garage door (22' long bay)
3) Has full inside bathroom (toilet, shower), as large as possible
4) Of similar price range/quality level as Jayco's
5) Majority of exterior is hard sided (instead of canvas/screen)
6) At least one slideout
7) Has A/C
I also have two questions:
1) How do "fold-down hybrids" differ from "pop up campers"? Are they two terms for the same thing? Should I also be asking this in the "Folding campers" forum?
2) Do any models slide out lengthwise, creating a rigid extension for length (just like a rigid slideout extends width)?
Thank you! Gary
Hybrids don't "fold down". hybrids are a blend of a regular travel trailer and a popup. a hybrid will have canvas beds that drop down. no hybrid will fit in a 7' garage. they are as tall any traditional travel trailer.
a hybrid differs from a popup by the fact it's a regular travel trailer. it just has beds that look like the beds of a popup. the hybrid's beds drop down like a ramp or tailgate. a popup's beds slide out on tracks. both are covered by canvas.
it sounds like you want a folding hard-sided trailer, such as a Chalet, Aliner, Trailmanor or Hi-Lo. these don't have any canvas. a hybrid will have canvas. not sure if any of these have slideouts.
Trailmanors and Hi-Los are quite expensive but will allow better gas mileage because of the low profile.
Chalet and Aliner are the folding trailers that form an "A" roof when set up. one of the Aliners has a dormer but don't think any of them have a slideout.
they are also fall under the term "expandable". but a lot of different types of trailers can be called this. hybrids, rear-bed slide models, folding and so on.
i doubt you'll find many trailers with a slideout that will meet the tow limits of your Highlander. the smallest hybrid with a slideout is at least 21' long.
a popup with a slideout will meet your tow limits, have a/c, fit in your garage and can have a bathroom.
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
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GBlack
Evansville, Indiana
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Thank you, bikendan!
One last question: do any of the foldable hard-side trailers extend lengthwise (as a popup or hybrid does) to create extra living space? Or do I need to stay with a canvas-style pop up/hybrid to get that feature?
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bikendan
Napa, Cal.
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GBlack wrote:Thank you, bikendan!
One last question: do any of the foldable hard-side trailers extend lengthwise (as a popup or hybrid does) to create extra living space? Or do I need to stay with a canvas-style pop up/hybrid to get that feature?
the only one close is the Trailmanor. the halves swing out length wise, with beds on each end. this allows for the beds to not take up floorspace. and there's no canvas, the bed ends are hard-sided.
take a look at their website.
be forewarned though. they are very expensive compared to a hybrid.
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mwebber78
Maine
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HiLo and Trailmanor would fit your requirements but are very $$$$ for what you get (IMHO).
A highwall popup like the Jayco Select and/or the Fleetwood/Coleman highwalls would serve your purpose - they fold to just under 7', they have a AC unit, they have king sized beds and they can be towed by most SUV's. Most high walls have a slide out dinette and all highwalls have "hard sided" bathrooms now.
If you didn't have the under-7-feet requirement there are a few hybrids that would fit the bill nicely.
Good luck.
Michael
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6 Acre's in Southern Maine
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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The requirement to garage this puppy is an extreme limitation for what you want.
The big Coleman high walls exceed 21' in length when closed. The 12 footers like Utah are just over 19' long.
I do business with a guy with a Trail Manor that fits in his garage. These are the hit at the RV shows as they're like Transformers as they go from tow to camp modes. These are very mechanically complex and therefore very expensive.
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ng2951
Louisiana, USA
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Really the TMs are pretty simple when compared to a Hi-Lo. The reason TMs are expensive is the composite construction of the TM. That contributes to the lightness of the TM. TMs are far lighter than comparable Hi-Los.
The thing you have to be OK with, is that you will have to pack everything when you close the unit up and the limited storage. Its a hassel doing all that, but if you work from a list that helps a lot.
While I have a 3326, I think the 3124 is a much better deal.
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Maybe it's a Hi-Lo. They all look alike to me. 
This one has what seems like 4 moving sections the come up, move forward or aft, etc.
Anyway it has two critical features. (1) It fits in his garage, and (2) his wife likes it!
-- Chuck
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