Forum Discussion

Gavin60's avatar
Gavin60
Explorer
Jul 03, 2015

Newbie Question on Hybrids

Hi Folks,
Im just beginning to look at Travel Trailers and noticed the hybrids offer a lot more room...Im trying to keep the trailer length to 17-18 feet.
I was wondering if you folks are happy with your hybrids and not plagued by constant trouble with the fabric, zippers etc etc?
Would you buy another hybrid a gain if you had to do it all over again?
Im trying to keep the budget for my first time TT around 15k....any recommendations on some good models in that price rage would be appreciated too!
All the best!
Gavin
  • Hybrids are higher maintenance than a normal Travel trailer. You need to be more vigilant with the roof and especially the bunk end seals. ,I'm usually do a recheck after every trip and I usually find something I need to recaulk. Getting a leak and not addressing the problem can ruin a hybrid.

    Mike
  • To be honest, I miss our popup. The hybrid was the only upgrade we could make work with 3 girls (ours has internal bunks). When we have parents or others I jump in tent (with air mattress) for best sleep of the year!
    Hybrids are great as they give you more room.
  • I always recommend www.trailmanor.com for their foldup models or small TT's. We had a foldup model for a couple of years and it was very well made and had more windows to the world than any full size TT out there. We got tired of folding/unfolding at each site and bought our SB.
  • Here's how I look at it. Having a travel trailer to sleep in, nice and cozy and boxed in, excellent. Having the bunk end flaps open in a hybrid at night while in a site overlooking Lake Michigan with a full moon, priceless! You won't get that in a full travel trailer.

    We went from a tent in the '80s, to a pop-up from '92 to '03. In '03 we purchased our first hybrid (Jayco Kiwi 17a) that we owned for 10 years. In '13 we bought our current hybrid. So yes, we not would only buy one again, we already have! In 13 seasons of hybrid ownership we've never had any real troubles. Just take care of it.
  • No problems here, and bought my trailer new. They're a good option when space and weight are at odds with each other.
  • Welcome!

    My husband is 85 and I am 62. We own a 2009 Kodiak 160SVT and love it. We spend all of February in Florida's beautiful state parks. We'd never be able to afford a condo or other rental for that length of time. Our family reunion finds us and my siblings gathered from all over the place. Our HTT is perfect for any type of camping situation.

    It's easy to tow, too. I bought a 2003 Ford Explorer just for this purpose.

    We like sleeping under canvas. We're able to hear the owls at night and all the morning birds.

    We've had no trouble with our camper, except when I ran over a piece of metal road debris and damaged the fresh water tank. That was disheartening! The canvas has been fine.

    Three years ago, we paid $10K for our camper. It has the optional upgrade.

    For us, the Kodiak has been perfect.

    Good luck, and have fun.
  • Thanks for your input everyone, that really helps!
    I was at Pigeon Forge Tenn. a few days ago and a campground was just across the river from the hotel we were staying in and I really got bit by the TT bug!
    Im 55 and determined to retire at 62 and what better way to stretch a dollar on a fixed income....hopefully it will allow us to do more.
    All the best!
    Gavin
  • We have a 2006 Starcraft travel star 21 SSO and love it. The box is 19 feet but with the full slide out it is plenty big for my wife and my self. We moved up from a pop up so it does seem big to us. I would buy another hybrid in a heart beat. We enjoy the fact that we have an extra bed if needed . If not we just open one end.
  • Hybrids offer a great amount of floor space since the beds aren't inside. Tent ends also make it feel more like camping in a tent.

    Downsides include no sound insulation, heat/cold easily go through fabric, many people end up with leaky bunkend doors.

    They are a great way to start RV-ing when you have a smaller tow vehicle.
  • We had a 18'StarCraft Star Stream and loved it. We went with a TT because we wanted something bigger. Other than that we would still have the HTT. Never had any problems.