Hi all, I am looking into buying a TT but I am interested in the hybrids. I love the light and the air that is associated with getting a hybrid. I am concerned about the hybrid though because I will be traveling mostly West of the divide and I know that some places require hard sided only. Any suggestions?

Your thread title says long - term living, but you don't mention that in your post. Can you elaborate?If you are really talking about living long term in your trailer, I personally think hard sided is the way to go. Is towing weight an issue? How many people? Lots of kids? How long of a trailer do you want to tow? These are all questions relevant to your decision.

I really liked our hybrid because it felt more like tent camping which I had been doing since a kid. But for long term camping I would choose a hard sided trailer. In fact, that's exactly what we did. We planned to spend a lot more time camping and traveling after my wife retired so we upgraded last year to the TT in sig. It is so much easier to set up and so much quieter inside. I still have a tent if I really want to tent camp again but I doubt that will happen. I like having the bed made when it is time to sleep and I really don't miss sleeping on opposite ends of the hybrid to avoid having to climb over each other if one of us needs to get up during the night. I also don't miss dealing with the wet tent ends when it's been raining when you have to leave.

We love our hybrid. In fact, our X20E is our second one. The first we bought new in '03 and had for 10 years. Even though the tenting on PUPs and HTTs has dramatically improved over the years, its not really designed to be used for long periods. It even says so in the manual. For that reason alone I would consider a hard side. That said, HTTs can be used with the beds closed for the few places that it would not be practical or allowed to have tenting. On the flip side, there are always alternative places to stay where its not an issue.

We had the same concerns, but were surprised with how much light and ventilation we get with our new hard side trailer. Look for skylights and roof vents, lots of big windows (dual-panes if necessary). Also look for an open floorplan; one thing I never liked was the closed in feeling of a tiny, separate bedroom.We really like the floorplan of our Timber Ridge 240RKS where the shower (with skylight) and bath sink are merged with the bedroom space. Really opens up that small area. And the slide-out with chairs has side windows that go almost to the floor. The two big windows in the living area slide open allowing a cross breeze. There are two skylights and two ceiling vents.EDIT: and TWO screened doors that can be left open for ventilation and light.

I camped and traveled all over the west for over 20 years with a tent and PU so I understand your liking for canvas. But your post leaves me hanging a bit. Are you talking about working somewhere and living in the HTT? In which case you have to deal with the seasonal weather. Or are you just traveling and can move with the weather? And what’s long term living? Are you staying on public land or in commercial parks?There are a VERY FEW campgrounds in the national parks that don’t allow canvas because of potential bear problems. I’ve personally never seen that restriction on any other public land and that’s where I camp almost exclusively. I don’t use commercial cg’s and can’t speak to them, but I would guess those that consider themselves “upscale” might restrict canvas. Both an HTT and TT would work, but even given the questions, for long term traveling or sitting in one place I think you’ll appreciate hard side over the HTT. No wet canvas to deal with, easier to heat and cool, and maybe a little better security. Or at least the perception of it.

travel trailer vs hybrid for long term living | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

PenMan
Explorer
Apr 18, 2014
I really liked our hybrid because it felt more like tent camping which I had been doing since a kid. But for long term camping I would choose a hard sided trailer. In fact, that's exactly what we did. We planned to spend a lot more time camping and traveling after my wife retired so we upgraded last year to the TT in sig. It is so much easier to set up and so much quieter inside. I still have a tent if I really want to tent camp again but I doubt that will happen. I like having the bed made when it is time to sleep and I really don't miss sleeping on opposite ends of the hybrid to avoid having to climb over each other if one of us needs to get up during the night. I also don't miss dealing with the wet tent ends when it's been raining when you have to leave.
dewey02
Explorer II
Apr 18, 2014
Your thread title says long - term living, but you don't mention that in your post. Can you elaborate?
If you are really talking about living long term in your trailer, I personally think hard sided is the way to go. Is towing weight an issue? How many people? Lots of kids? How long of a trailer do you want to tow? These are all questions relevant to your decision.

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travel trailer vs hybrid for long term living

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