Discussions

I am thinking of buying a hybrid camper this year with a slide out, and was just wanting to get some pros and cons of them from people that have them or owned them in the past.

If you have ever been tenting, you know the hassle of weather effects on fabric materials. Personally the difference for a solid camper would be beneficial.

at them and actual "tent trailers" and while they've improved hugely over the years, they are still basically a tent with hard walls. The price difference is so minimal between them and a "normal" trailer I don't know if it's worth the add repairs of the canvas over time. I don't think you're saving anything really off the weight either. My first 30' trailer with a slide was really light and pulled like a dream. I traded it off on a "4 season" fiberglass trailer with all the heated/insulated underbelly and it increased the weight far too much (but I lived in it for a year with minimal issues). Even my first trailer with no insulated/heated belly, it was nice and warm well into October, when I lived in it (wit minimal heating) and I don't think you'd make it too early in the spring or late into fall with these trailers....but I could be wrong!

In the high country out west with bears { jasper, banf } they are considered dental floss for bears...lol

I have known 3 family members and 1 friend who had them and they could not wait to get rid of them because of all the issues with them. My nephew had one with air conditioning and he ended up with a mold issue from the walls sweating. Then the new problem of trying to sell them began. If you can do it, you would be much better served with a regular travel trailer.  
 
Edited by NoSoup4U, 2019-02-13 08:49:29

Had a Jay feather ultra lite for over ten years with no disasters, regarding the tent sections or any other parts with the camper. But there is more effort required, both in setting up and folding down. You probably know all the pro's so I'll mention the con's...  
 
1) It's not a "park & play", there will be a set up routine that can take time. (not fun in the rain)  
2) It won't be easy to sleep in crowded campground. Some campers are rude and selfish and it only gets amplified with canvas as walls being your only barrier from them and their actions. Noise, light and even smell from others could ruin you stay. (know the campground and pick a good site is critical). I find it with most sites is that with more service (water & electric) , more jerks. Because they (solid wall campers) don't get it that we can hear what's going on for the fact that we are still pretty much outside.  
3) Privacy is limited. As said in #2 with canvas as walls... it will go both ways. Everything could be seen or heard by your neighbours. You snore? ... they will know. Loud talker? ...they're part of the conversation. Bratty kids?... they will be judged. Dressing with only one light on? ...You might be giving them a "shadow show". And sex? ...well, that could literally be presented on a stage for others to be entertained (an elevated platform that moves with the rhythm, can be heard clear as a bell and has the option for shadow puppets).  
4) Storage is limited. Both with setting up and tearing down, the mattresses, bedding, clothing and personal items have to go somewhere else (can't be just left on the bed if you need to leave in a hurry).  
5) The canvas is only meant to separate the basic elements, not provide a impenetrable barrier. Won't stop people/animals from getting in or out. Nothing is truly secured. Critters could get in. Thieves/creeps can reach/enter with the simple undoing of the velcro & snaps. Pets can get out. People can fall out (some unsettled sleepers can easily roll up against the tent wall and then wake up on the ground outside. Velcro and snaps can only hold so much back before it gives way. -happen to our kid and found him crying outside dazed & confused)  
6) They don't maintain the inside temperature well. The AC and airflow doesn't circulate well in the alcoves so condensation will form. especially if it's closed up and the privacy curtain is drawn. The furnace does a bit better moving air, but it will run all the time because of the tremendous amount of heat loss during the cold nights from the tents. (lots of blankets needs to be packed, or the family will be sleeping on the floor/couch/table when it gets too cold for the furnace to keep up to your liking)  
7) Must be maintained a sensible owner. ...Not by an lazy idiot. What I mean by that is the canvas and the fold down/pull out platforms need to be treated properly. Don't follow the manufacturers specified recommendations?... it won't last. Get rough with it? ...it won't last. Kids jump in the alcoves or overload the platforms with too much weight? ...it won't last and definitely won't close up properly anymore. And finally... Fold it up wrong or wet? ...it won't last. That last one is key. The tent needs to dry out. (can't stress that any more, it's very important) Don't dry them out? ... mildew and mold will happen. Each tent has it's own fan and it must be used. Yes, they're noisy. But they have a purpose, other than for comfort. You would never let a damp towel sit rolled up for days, so why fold up the tents wet? ...that's just asking for a problem.  
 
That's the only thing I truly find to be the biggest pain in the @$$ (other then the "no good sex thing") is drying out the camper when we're done. Whether it rained or not, we had check & wipe off any condensation (inside & out) before folding up then fold it all out again opening/airing up in the driveway on the first sunny day when we got home. If you can't do that every time? ...I recommend to buy the solid campers or go do the hotel way because there is more effort and more tolerance needed with a hybrid. It's tenting with a kitchen and a bathroom, nothing more. Want a portable cabin? ...get a full sized camper with solid walls.  
 
Just my opinion, i could be wrong.

Hey - i was in classic trailers recently and they have this exact one in their showroom! you could take a look through it. They have about 10 inside to look at to if u don't want the hybrid type

The new Hybrid has changed a lot over the past few years. They have better AC and heating systems. They are light weight and when opened up have a huge amount of room and sleeping areas.  
 
I work with Classic Trailers at 1120 Highland Ave in Brandon and I have this trailer right now in my showroom all set up. Would like to show you how easy it is to open and close up.

I have heard where national parks refuse entry to their campgrounds if you have a hybrid type camper ex. jasper