Newbie -- Considering Hybrid Purchase

llowllms wrote:
You don't have to unhook if you choose not to. You can always "turtle" and then leave the next morning without disconnecting. Also, you can buy pop-up gizmo's to reduce both temperatures and light. As far as weather one or two electric heaters will keep the rig nice and warm. We have camped in all weather, including snow, but be prepared to keep snow limited on the tent ends. As far as brands, everyone has the picks. The best thing to do is find one that will fit your needs, both now and a few years ahead. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^

I am in my hybrid camper RIGHT NOW and it is 34 degrees outside.

One of those oil filled electric heaters is keeping my wife, 2 cats, 1 dog, and myself warm.

Nice thing it is easy to tow and expands when we need it to. I have towed it from Maine to Florida (Florida twice).

When traveling these long miles, we overnight at Walmarts or Cabelas. No need to un hook. The couch opens to a bed as does the dinette. There is no slide in the way of ANYTHING in the camper. We use the stove, fridge, bathroom, everything. On the trip to Maine I even had my MIL on board and we all got a good nights rest in a Walmart and never had to unhook.

I was too cheap to buy a Gizmo so I use one of those, heavy duty, brown one side silver the other tarps. They keep my tent ends dry and clean and I can even close up the bunk in the rain without having to get it wet.

Nice thing about the tarps is that they overhang the windows so I can open the screens and get some ventilation even when it is raining out.

For cold weather I use reflectix ziped into the windows of the tent ends and a reflectix blanket under the tarp. The reflectix is amazing for helping to hold in the heat and at the same time eliminate any condensation on the inside of the vinyl.

Anyway, it may sound like a lot of work but it is not. This way, we get a whole lot of camper with out the weight or the added length.