Buyer's guide
HYBRID CARAVAN BUYERS GUIDE
The last few years have seen a strong market shift to the hybrid caravan and hybrid camper trailer concept, with buyers attracted to the ease of setup, particularly over their canvas clad cousins. And as such, we've seen a flood of new hybrid manufacturers enter the market.
With so much to choose from, we’ve put together a Hybrid Caravan Buyers Guide.
What is a Hybrid Caravan?
A hybrid caravan is a cross between a caravan and a camper trailer. From the caravan, it inherits the hard walls and roof, doing away with canvas, creating a much easier setup. And as such, owners are much better protected from the elements. Add a bunk option and even the kids get to sleep inside.
Similar to a camper trailer, a hybrid caravan has a narrow body, about the width of a large four wheel drive, making them easy to pilot down narrow bush tracks. They also slipstream well behind the vehicle on the highway, reducing fuel costs.
In order to maintain a compact size, the cooking generally stays on the outside, to make the most of the outdoor lifestyle inherent in hybrid caravan ownership.
Canvas Hybrid
Canvas hybrid camper trailers like the multi award-winning Track Tvan features an insulated hard shell around the bed like a teardrop camper, plus an expanding hard floor with canvas walls. The hard floor provides an extra area for kids sleeping mats, a dog bed, or a table and chairs, increasing the utility of the design. And the large side windows help bring the outside in.
But unlike other canvas campers, there's no wet canvas on the bed and the clever awning is erected in minutes rather than hours. Even the tent can be deployed in just a few minutes – see HERE.
Not only are they smaller than a standard hybrid, they weigh around 500kg less, making them better suited to high clearance tracks where less weight can work to your advantage.
This style of camper suits the adventurous traveller, looking for a compact, rugged, and comfortable camper with good clearance front and rear. Ideally suited for a couple, it’s still popular for families that can bunk the kids down on the hard floor or in the optional zip-on Family tent.
Versatility is one of its many strengths. The Tvan offers three different setup options:
- Open the hatch, jump in and pull down the hatch behind you (teardrop camper).
- Open the hatch, fit the insect screen and jump in – great in warm conditions and with an uninterrupted view of the landscape.
- Open the hatch and deploy the tent, for those looking for an integrated change room or living space.
View more on the Track Tvan range HERE.
Also in this series
Tvan Buyers Guide
Need some help finding the best model and options to suit the kind of travelling you used to do? Tvan enthusiasts, Mike and Anita Pavey from The Dirt Off Road Campers in Adelaide have dissected the models and options just for you.
Micro-Hybrid
A micro-hybrid or small hybrid caravan is generally less than 5.7m overall length, measured from the hitch to the end of the spare wheel if mounted at the rear, and under 2.2m tall. They feature hard walls and a pop top roof with internal seating or bunks.
One company doing things a little differently is Lifestyle Campers. They offer a reduced wall height and a taller pop-top, to limit the travelling and storage height to 2.14m. This makes it much easier to fit under a standard sized carport or garage and reduces drag when under tow.
Large Hybrid
Offering a little more elbow room, a full size hybrid camper ranges from 5.6m to 7m long. The standard layout is called a Dinette, which means a lounge and table setup.
Other layouts include an ensuite or bunks. Look for well thought-out layouts such as bunks that fold up into the roof space, so you can use that area for things other than sleeping.
Most will be single axle with the occasional tandem offering.
Lifestyle Campers has coined the term 'hypercamper' which is another spin on the hybrid camper classification. All Lifestyle Hypercampers feature solid walls and roof to minimise setup effort. A key point of difference to other hybrid campers is the low storage and travelling height. Models range in height from 2140mm to 2250mm.
Another distinguishing feature is the protection to water tanks and plumbing which are housed within the body, eliminating the risk of damage from stone strike.
Expanding Hybrid
The Kimberley Karavan is unique in the hybrid landscape. In travelling mode, it shrinks to the size of a small off road camper, like a Tvan, yet when at camp it expands to the size of a large hybrid.
The roof raises and the bed pushes out. Inside you will find a full size shower with diesel hot water, a composting waterless toilet, diesel heater, large inverter to run the roof mounted air conditioner from the large Lithium battery bank, four-seater lounge and table, internal kitchen with induction cooking, plenty of windows to bring the outside in, and a queen size bed.
On the outside, running gear includes airbag suspension and the added safety of disc brakes, external kitchen and pantry, quick erect awning, external shower, Visiflow creek draw system, premium wheels and tyres, and much more.
If you love to travel remotely in comfort, check out the Kimberley Karavan. You can find more information HERE.
Full Height Hybrid
More information coming soon.
Research & Review
A detailed inspection provides the best opportunity to eye ball a camper and assess its quality of build and suitability to your requirements. Ask the salesperson to provide a walk-though including the setup and pack-up including the awning. Then comb through the spec sheet and write a list of questions. Quiz the dealer on options available and perceived shortcomings relative to your needs, as there may be an option or workaround.
Use Google to research any quality problems. Simply type the manufacturer’s name and the model name followed by words such as problems, warranty and the like. Do the same for the Dealer.
After Sales Support
Whatever you buy, make sure there is a servicing dealer nearby with a solid reputation for after sales service. A repair agent is not the same, as they work for the manufacturer and not you. A local dealer will always have your best interests at heart, as you are their customer.
During the sales process you will have many questions and it’s reassuring to have a dependable local resource for support. Then there’s servicing, repairs, parts and sometimes warranty to attend to. Try doing that through an interstate company. Visit the dealer to experience their customer service first hand, even just as a visitor to their shop.
Does the dealer have any interest in touring/camping? It’s always best to deal with like-minded enthusiasts with similar interests rather than people just paid to sell hybrid caravans. Camping enthusiasts can share their own experiences and add value in areas far beyond the nuts and bolts of the camper.
Awards, particularly those from peak industry bodies such as the Caravan & Camping Industry Association, give an indication of a dealer at the top of their game. They will have processes in place for all aspects of the business from sales to after care to ensure you'll always receive a consistent level of service.
See for yourself
Inspect our Range
The Dirt Off Road Campers in Mount Barker, South Australia specialise in premium Australian-made hybrid campers, from the Australian builders we sell, all on display in our showroom. Prices range from $39,950 to $220,000. Why not make an appointment to inspect – you can book online HERE or call the store on 8391 6274. Appointments available Tues to Fri 9 – 5pm, Sat 9 – 2pm, and outside those hours by arrangement.
You can view our range HERE.
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