Why Hybrid Campers Are the Best Choice for Your Road Trips

The choice to go on a road trip often starts with the biggest question–what will I camp in? Tents, trailers and regular caravans are all popular choices, with each offering various options to suit budgets, family sizes and destinations. But there is a fourth option not everyone knows about… hybrid campers!

Best described as a cross between a caravan and a camper trailer, hybrid campers, sometimes called camper vans, give you the best of both without any serious drawbacks. With a wide range of brands and models to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect hybrid camper to suit your budget and adventuring needs.

Not sure if you want to use a hybrid camper for your next road trip? Here are a few reasons why we think they’ll make your next road trip experience much smoother–and they can make it more fun, too!

Quick Setup Time and Easy To Pack Away

Traditional caravans don’t need much setup besides possibly extending an awning, while tents and trailers require a fair bit of unfolding, spreading and propping up to function. Hybrid campers, thankfully, lean more towards a caravan's level of work than a trailer’s.

Most hybrid campers will have a roof that can extend upwards for a little more height, which you can unfold with a winding handle mechanism. Like any camper trailer, you will also need to set down legs underneath the camper to keep it steady while in use.

Finally, extend any awnings on the side for a little extra outdoor coverage and you’re done setting up your hybrid camper!

This process makes settling down after a long day of driving and exploring so easy. The last thing anyone wants to do after travelling is spend half an hour setting up their sleeping space, and hybrid campers ensure this process is completed within minutes thanks to their quick setup time.

It also makes getting going when you’re ready super easy! No need to stress about packing away your camper perfectly–simply compress the top, wind up any awnings and support legs, and you’re ready to get back on the road.

Can Handle Off-Roading

If you want to take your road trip off the beaten path, then you’ll need a camper that can handle a bit of rough terrain. Off-road caravans do exist, but they can’t usually handle more than a few bumps in the road. And, of course, you can take a tent everywhere, but they aren’t the most comfortable to sleep in for long periods of exploring.

Hybrid campers have the superior suspension and light weight of a camper, which makes them much easier to tow across rough terrain than bulky, traditional caravans. Because they are also a bit smaller, you’ll have a much easier time towing them down narrow bush tracks and around corners.

Finally, because they are smaller and lighter than a caravan, off-road hybrid campers are easier for your car to tow across long distances and they won’t need to use as much fuel. This means more time taking extended trips off-road, and less time spent stressing about locating the nearest petrol station and crazy outback fuel costs!

Plenty Of Storage

Taking some of the creature comforts from home when you go adventuring can help make your trip much more pleasant, but it also means you’ll have to find storage space in your camper while not going over your car's towing weight capacity. 

Because hybrid campers have solid walls, they can have cupboards, drawers, and shelves installed on the inside, which makes storage a cinch. Many are also designed to make the most out of their empty space, meaning lots of hidden storage pockets on both the inside and outside of the camper.

Making the most of this extra space for storage will mean you can go for longer periods of time without having to visit a town and resupply, allowing you to continue driving off-road for longer. Whether it's food, towels, safety equipment, games or clothes, your hybrid camper will have the storage space you need to safely bring them with you on your trip.

Comfortable For Rest

After bumping around on dirt tracks all day in your 4x4, you’ll want a comfortable place to rest your head. If you’re in a tent or camper trailer, it’s likely that you’ll be surrounded by plastic or canvas walls that do little to keep out the cold, noise and occasional gust of cold air. Hybrid camper trailers, on the other hand, can keep you cosy with their solid walls and insulated design.

Being surrounded by solid walls also means you can enjoy the effects of indoor heating and cooling, which most hybrid campers will come equipped with in some form. Whether it’s a small fan over your bed or reverse cycle air conditioning, hybrid campers can accommodate these appliances and maintain the temperature they create, allowing you to turn them off and save power after use.

Their walls and doors also make hybrid campers much more safe for you to rest in. You can sleep soundly knowing insects, reptiles, possums and curious passers-by won’t be able to access your hybrid camper without your help.

Weatherproof

While the sound of rain on a canvas roof might sound nice, it can often act as a prelude to leaks in your tent or trailer. Leaks can come through gaps in the stitching, through a zipped-up window panel or even puddle under your door if your camper or tent is on the ground. 

Wind can also be a problem for lighter camping setups. Your entire tent can be moved out of position from heavy winds, or they can make the walls of your canvas camper shake, rattle and clatter–which can be quite the pain if you’re trying to sleep. If you’ve decided on a hybrid camper, then you won’t need to stress about these kinds of weather conditions.

Because they are made from sturdy, waterproof metals, you can rest easy knowing your hybrid camper is essentially weatherproof. Water won’t get in unless you happen to leave a door or window open! You also won’t need to worry about hail damage, although it may be best to retract any awnings in the event of severe hail or wind to prevent any potential ripping or holes in your canvas.

Camping Adventures has the best range of Lifestyle Campers for Melbourne and Hobart adventures, as we are the authorised dealers for the full collection in these states.

Discover Hybrid Campers for Sale At Camping Adventures

The right hybrid camper can make your next road trip significantly more fun and comfortable. And if you’re after high-quality, reliable hybrid campers for your next off-road adventures, then try out the ones from the Lifestyle Camper trailers range at Camping Adventures! If you’re looking for off-road campers for sale, we can’t be beat.

Get in touch with us online or call 03 9708 2946 if you have any more questions about hybrid campers or would like to enquire about any of our Lifestyle Camper trailers. At Camping Adventures, we are your one-stop shop for any camping and off-roading gear you need to explore the great Australian outdoors!