What are the pitfalls of camping in a Hybrid?

bikendan wrote:

Slamnslash wrote:
#1 noise. Like a tent you are going to hear everything.
#2 temperature. On those really hot days the sun will beat on the canvas and will raise the temp. Same for cold days.
#3 resale. Canvas is more maintenance and needs to be replaced over time and use.

Just my .02

#1- yes that is true. BUT you also get to hear nature, birds singing, creeks babbling, wind in the trees and so on.
#2- this is NOT true. using Popup Gizmos(or the generic solar blankets versions), temp control is quite easy, in hot and cold weather. also Reflectix in the tent windows helps too. many hybrid owners, by using these, are quite comfortable in hot and cool/cold weather.
#3- the canvas does take extra maintenance but they DON't need to be replaced. our canvas ends are almost 10 years old and still look nearly new because we use the PUGs on top of the tent ends. Hybrids get very good resale prices, if they are maintained and in good condition.

we've owned our hybrid for almost 10 years. we still love it because we like the openness and not being in a shoebox, like a regular TT.
most of us HAPPY hybrid owners were previous popup owners and are willing to do a little more to be able to have privilege to sleep under canvas. we just want more amenities and less setup.

since you haven't owned a popup, you may end not liking it. we owned two popups so we know the few cons.
but no RV is as versatile as a hybrid TT. you can "turtle" if you don't want to put out the tent ends. it's like a smaller regular TT.
you also have 2-3 queen beds that don't take up the floorspace.

it comes down to: do you want to sleep under canvas?
we do so we keep camping in our hybrid.
it's worth the minor extra work to be able to still feel connected to nature, instead of being sealed off from it, in a "shoebox" regular TT.

Based on my experience I think bikendan has it spot on. Yes there are some limitations but they are minor inconveniences not deal breakers. Yes the tent ends do heat up in the sun if you don't have covers, but you can hear the birds thru them and can zip down the windows for excellent air flow so it is about what matters most to you. I think the biggest issue that people need to consider is condensation. If you are in a very rainy area that could be an issue putting it away wet, also extreme temps can cause sweating on the inside, but if you are mostly a summer camper in the north or winter camper in the south west and do not live in a really rainy area this should not be a deal breaker. I have stayed in ours with below freezing nights, with only minor condensation which dried up by mid morning and have had to pack up wet but have opened it back up when we got home to dry so I really do not see any of the negatives being that big a deal IMHO. A hybrid is a really good way to get a full featured trailer with low towing weight, many can be towed by a V6 SUV, more space for its towing length because the beds pack up and when you stop you are adding 2 queen size beds to your length making a 20' more like a 30' when open and you still get the camping feel of a tent or tent trailer without giving up the features of a full trailer.