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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Hybrid Travel Trailers: 14 Things to Know Before Buying One
Hybrid Travel Trailers bring together the best of both worlds, joining the convenience of regular travel trailers with the immersive tent camping experience.
- Size and Weight: Hybrid trailers vary in size and weight.
- Features: Equipped with kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.
- Benefits: Lightweight and compact for easier towing.
- Drawbacks: Canvas sections offer less insulation.
When it came time to buy our first camper, we wanted to ensure we got the most outstanding value available and a camper that suited our requirements. From hybrid travel trailers to standard travel trailers, we looked at it all.
At the time, a hybrid travel trailer wasn’t high on our priority list, but it rapidly became one after researching and interacting with other hybrid travel trailer owners.
When we finally purchased, we went with a more traditional travel trailer, but we now understand the benefits and drawbacks of a hybrid model.
Consider the following scenario: you’ve chosen to purchase a hybrid travel trailer. The sun beats down relentlessly, and the canvas sides provide little protection from the heat. The air conditioning isn’t doing anything to relieve the stuffiness.
It also rained yesterday night, and part of the bedding was brushing up against the canvas edges, allowing water to seep in and flood the sleeping space. The generator at the campground next to yours has begun, and the canvas walls are doing nothing to muffle the sounds.
That’s a worst-case scenario, but it doesn’t seem like a lot of fun.
If you make the wrong buying decisions, then this can happen with some Hybrid travel trailers. However, with some clever choices and informed decisions, it doesn’t have to be that way. Hybrids offer many advantages over traditional travel trailers.
Before You Buy a Hybrid Travel Trailer, there are a Few Things You Should Know
Generator Noise
With almost any traditional travel trailer, you can happily turn on the generator, go inside, close the door, and marvel at how quiet it is. That’s why many of us enjoy going to the countryside in the first place, for a bit of quiet relaxation.
However, in a hybrid camper, the noise from the generator is difficult to ignore. Canvas has very little in the way of acoustic dampening, mainly due to its thin walls.
Unless you plan on locating your generator far away, turning on the generator and nipping inside to enjoy some quiet time isn’t an option.
The Floor Plan’s Spaciousness
If you’re looking for a significant amount of internal space for your money, then a Hybrid travel trailer is an excellent option.
As the construction of a Hybrid is generally lighter, manufacturers can include many more popouts without compromising on the trailer’s weight.
As such, hybrids can have upwards of three popouts, which makes the internal space feel far more roomy and spacious.
Experience of True Camping in its Purest Form
If, like me, you have fond memories of camping out in a tent when you were a kid, then a hybrid might rekindle those memories without sacrificing convenience.
When you’re in a traditional travel trailer, it can often feel like you’re in a small apartment and not on an outdoor adventure. A hybrid feels much closer to a genuine camping experience but can still offer the usability offered by a standard travel trailer.
Security Concerns
Some travelers find comfort that their trailer appears more secure than it is, which is less evident while using a hybrid.
Although it is doubtful that any wild creatures will threaten any trailer, a hard-sided trailer can at least provide sturdy walls and a sense of protection to its occupants.
Whether you should be concerned about this depends on your unique circumstances and the company you keep when traveling.
In addition, Canvas offers very little in the way of deterrents for criminals. Neither travel trailer style will discourage a determined burglar, but I believe that hybrids are likelier to be the target of crimes of opportunity.
You Will Find Larger Beds in a Hybrid Travel Trailer
If you like relaxing in a giant queen-sized bed while traveling, then a hybrid trailer is well worth considering. Due to the increased availability of various popouts in a Hybrid, it’s not uncommon to find queen-sized beds.
If you are someone who, when you sleep, likes to spread out, or if you have a spouse who is someone who does, then the additional space is a massive benefit for you.
There Might Be Issues with the Water
99% of the time, even the heaviest rainstorms won’t cause you any problems. However, condensation from cooking and breathing can cause a problem, especially with little ventilation.
You may wake up to find that your bedding is somewhat damp from the places where it has been in contact with the walls, but you should continue to be dry.
The main concern is that you’ll need to thoroughly dry everything before you pack up everything at the end of the trip. If you’re not careful, mold and mildew can occur.
If you’re only ever camping when the weather is nice, this is less of a concern.
Maintaining the Temperature
Unfortunately, canvas offers very little in the way of insulation. Some people resort to additional popup covers to cover their hybrids to offer protection from the elements.
This feels like an extra hassle that we could do without when camping; our whole reason for getting a travel trailer was because they are easy to use and convenient.
I have driven a hybrid vehicle in the snow before, and it was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated.
You won’t have any trouble staying warm and cozy, and the inside area of the trailer can be heated up in a concise amount of time.
It would be best if you traveled prepared for the weather to make the most of the opportunity to make a warm and inviting space indoors by using blankets and a heater when the temperature outside is below freezing.
The Issue of Weight is not as Significant
Any slideouts can weigh more than 700 pounds on a traditional travel trailer. This means you’re not likely to find more than a couple on most trailers.
If we look at a hybrid travel trailer, a popout is unlikely to get above 60 pounds. This means you can have multiple popouts without impacting the overall weight of the trailer, which is great if you’re looking for extra space.
Set Up Time
If you’re worried that a hybrid might take a long time to set up, you need not worry. Most of the newer hybrids can be fully set up in under 5 minutes, which is amazingly fast.
Older models may take slightly longer, but you’re only looking at 20 – 30 minutes to complete a setup.
We don’t think this is much of an issue. Having spent years camping and setting up tents, a hybrid travel trailer is much faster.
However, if time is constrained, the weather is poor, or your mobility is restricted, the extra effort and time required to set up could be a problem.
If you’re spending a week or more in a single location set up and taking it down again is not a problem for us, but if we’re making a quick overnight stop, then that extra few minutes spent setting up is a bit of an inconvenience.
It’s worth thinking about how you will use your Hybrid travel trailer.
You can, of course, cheat slightly and just not set everything up when you’re making a quick stop for the night. It’s straightforward to park up and have the essentials available without struggling to set everything up.
This is especially useful if there are only a couple of you traveling.
Privacy
It’s worth pointing out. Canvas offers much less privacy compared to a solid wall.
Your neighbors can quite easily hear your kids laughing, babies crying, and even your conversations if they’re close enough. This might not concern you, but it’s worth considering.
You might also want to know what light sources inside your trailer are projecting onto your hybrid travel trailer walls. It’s common to see a silhouette projected onto canvas if the light is just right, akin to something out of Austen Powers.
Ventilation and Airflow are Important
Ventilation and airflow are often much better on a hybrid travel trailer when compared to a regular camper. Opening up the numerous windows and letting the air flow naturally through the trailer space is straightforward when it’s a warm day.
This has the bonus of making you feel that much closer to nature and put less of a barrier between you and the great outdoors. It’s a win for hybrids.
Durability & Maintenance
A well-maintained hybrid trailer should last years or decades with few problems.
However, the canvas is much weaker than a solid wall, and it can tear, rip, wear away, or suffer from mildew or mold if not cared for carefully. This is much less of a problem on a traditional trailer.
Ample Sleeping Space
As we alluded to earlier, hybrid travel trailers offer a ton of comfortable and dedicated sleeping space. As hybrids can have multiple pop-outs, you can easily assign each family member their own sleeping ‘room’.
There is no messing around with converting the dining area into a bed each night and no arguments about who gets the larger bed. It’s fantastic if you have older kids.
Lighting Control
If you’ve been camping during the summer months before, you’ll no doubt have been woken up by the sun rising at 5 am. The same is true of hybrid travel trailers, the sunlight can create a very effective if unwanted alarm clock.
This is a complete non-issue in a travel trailer due to the solid walls.
If you like to wake up early, a natural alarm clock might be good.
Families with young children might think otherwise. Convincing a three-year-old that 5 am is too early to get up is difficult when daylight is inside the hybrid.
Nobody wants to deal with an overtired toddler full of camping excitement but not enough sleep.
Managing the Problem of Leaks
As well as dealing with condensation, it is possible for hybrids to leak, especially when items are touching the side of the canvas when it’s raining.
You’ll want to avoid this as much as possible as, over time, this can cause problems. Just ensure that nothing touches the sides and make any repairs as soon as possible.
All trailers can leak, so it shouldn’t be an issue if you’re careful. Even if you do have a leak, a bit of airing out when the sun is out should get things dried out nicely.
How Weatherproof are the Pop-out Sections of a Hybrid Travel Trailer
The pop-out sections, often made with canvas or similar materials, are designed to be weather-resistant but not entirely weatherproof.
Manufacturers have significantly improved materials and designs to enhance their resilience against rain and wind, but adding extra waterproofing measures or avoiding extreme weather conditions is advisable.
Final Words
Hybrid Travel Trailers are an innovative solution for those seeking the comfort of a traditional travel trailer without the hefty weight.
The size and weight of these trailers can vary significantly, providing potential buyers with a range of options to suit their specific needs and towing capabilities.
Typically, they are designed with a compact, lightweight structure to promote easier towing and better fuel efficiency.
One of the key selling points of Hybrid Travel Trailers is their comprehensive suite of features. Despite their compact size, they house all the essentials for comfortable living on the road.
This includes a fully equipped kitchen, a functional bathroom, and a cozy sleeping area. The small but thoughtful layout maximizes the use of space, providing all the comforts of home within its modest dimensions.
However, every product has pros and cons, and Hybrid Travel Trailers are no exception. While their lightweight construction is advantageous for towing, it does present a drawback in terms of insulation.
Unfortunately, the canvas sections, which give these trailers their hybrid status and help reduce weight, offer less insulation than hard-sided models. This can make them less suitable for camping in colder climates or during winter.
In conclusion, Hybrid Travel Trailers provide a unique balance of comfort and convenience. They are designed for those who desire the full-featured experience of RV travel without the heavy burden of towing a larger model.
However, buyers should also consider their travel habits and destinations, as the insulation factor could be a determining factor depending on the climate and season.
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