travel trailer vs hybrid for long term living

Bears Den wrote:
Having owned a HTT and now a TT, I can tell you that the HTT was designed for sleeping more people but the living space was smaller. The TT sleeps less but has more in the way of living area,

This is hard to compare. Its not apples to apples. But I think this is more dependent on floor plan and personal preference. Every TT we looked at in the same size range as the HTTs we looked had far less living space that the HTTs.

Having owned a HTT and now a TT, I can tell you that the HTT was designed for sleeping more people but the living space was smaller. The TT sleeps less but has more in the way of living area, now it is only the DW and I so less sleeping area and more living area is what's important to us. By the way, I pull a 30' 6000# TT with an F150 ecoboost have plenty of power. Now I know as a result of my stating this, you'll probably get opinions on tow vehicles also. As I always tell people, get what works for you.

When you're long term ring you don't want to feel like your camping, you want to feel at home. Get a hard walled TT.

dewey02 wrote:
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.

Great Q's I will be living long term for at least a year... and then who knows. I have three dogs no kids and just me. I don't know how long a trailer. I lived in a pop-up for 8 months and it was fine, more than fine. I don't need a lot of space but I was thinking a 20ft is more than adequate. I have a 2011 F-150 6 eco-boost. I don' want huge!! or even big. I am not in it much! Thanks in advance for your help.

Excellent suggestions. Yes I am going to live in it for at least one year... if it works, longer. I have a F-150 6c eco-boost. I don't need a lot of storage, or space. I'm very low maintenance. :) Your suggestions of safety and wet camping issues I have thought about but with your suggestions I think I am going to do a TT not a hybrid. I will look at the larger windows that one of you mentioned. Again thanks for all your thoughts!!

We decided we wouldn't want to sleep under a canvas long term so got another hard sided one.

If you are really thinking `long term' neither one would be the best. Better choices are 5ers or Class A for space, storage, appliances, etc.

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.

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.

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.