Let’s say you’re ready to graduate from tent camping, but you’ll miss all the sounds and scents of the great outdoors. In this case, we would recommend shopping for a hybrid travel trailer.
These travel trailers allow you to get a good night’s sleep without sacrificing the wilderness experience. They have numerous other perks as well, but in our opinion, this is the best reason to invest in one.
Let’s take a look at some of the best hybrid campers on the market.
- 2017 Forest River Rockwood Roo 24WS
- 2020 Palomino SolAire eXpandable 163X
- 2020 Jayco Jay Feather X23E
- 2017 Keystone Bullet Crossfire 2190EX
- 2017 Dutchmen Aerolite 204ES
- 2020 Dutchmen Kodiak Cub 179E
- 2019 Coleman Light LT 1601EXP
About Hybrid Travel Trailers
A hybrid travel trailer is a towable recreational vehicle that’s outfitted with pop-outs made of tent material. These pop-outs offer additional living space without adding to the towing weight and length of the rig, so they’re a great fit for vehicles with limited towing capacities.
As we mentioned, hybrids combine the rustic feel of tent camping with the comfort of sleeping in a real bed. You can hear the birds, smell the trees, and wake up every morning to magnificent views, all without worrying about damp sleeping bags and roots poking into your back.
You can also expect to spend a great deal less on a hybrid travel trailer than you would on a regular hard-sided RV. That’s another benefit that makes these units so attractive to first-time buyers.
Be forewarned, however, that some parks don’t allow hybrid campers. These regulations are put in place to ensure the safety of campers and wildlife alike, but they could be a hindrance if you prefer off-grid RVing to traditional campgrounds.
It’s also more difficult to keep a hybrid camper warm at night, owing to the flimsy tent-style pop-outs. For the same reason, they’re not really suitable for winter camping. Keep this in mind before you make any major decisions.
7 Great Hybrid Travel Trailers
2017 Forest River Rockwood Roo 24WS
The Forest River Rockwood Roo is one of the best-known hybrid travel trailers out there. The 24WS model stands as an excellent example of what this type of rig can offer.
With a sleeping capacity of 6 people, the Roo 24WS features two pop-out sleeping areas in the front and rear. The sofa makes for a comfortable bed as well, but the sixth option is a small bench that’s best suited for young children.
The bathroom can be found near the rear of the trailer, and it features a corner stall shower and a linen closet. There’s also an impressive amount of storage for a trailer this size, including several outdoor compartments for stowing recreational gear.
The galley-style kitchen offers a refrigerator, a three-burner stovetop, and double sink. These amenities are in close proximity to one another, and the 30-inch TV is located right alongside them. The sofa and dinette can be found on the opposite wall.
If you’d prefer to do most of your cooking outdoors, Forest River offers an outside gas grill option with this model. There’s also a 19-foot awning that stretches along the passenger-side wall, allowing for plenty of shade.
| Length | Height | Width | Dry Weight | Freshwater Capacity | Black Water Capacity |
| 29 ft 7 in | 10 ft 10 in | 8 ft | 5,232 lbs | 43 gals | 30 gals |
2020 Palomino SolAire eXpandable 163X
Palomino makes a number of hybrid campers, but the SolAire eXpandable 163X is one of our favorites. The layout is fairly standard, but it makes the most out of the available space—something that all hybrids should strive for.
Like the Rockwood Roo, this one features a tent pop-out on either end. Each one offers a sleeping area measuring 60 by 80 inches. The sofa also doubles as a bed, and the convertible dinette brings the maximum sleeping count up to 8.
The bathroom facilities can be found next to the rear pop-out and include a generously-sized shower. In the kitchen, you’ll find a stovetop, sink, microwave, refrigerator, and overhead storage.
The television is situated in the kitchen and dining area as well, just above the dinette. It can be awkward to view the TV from any place but the sleeper sofa, but anyone who buys a hybrid camper is probably spending most of their time outside anyway.
| Length | Height | Width | Dry Weight | Freshwater Capacity | Black Water Capacity |
| 24 ft | 10 ft 1 in | 8 ft | 3,633 lbs | 50 gals | 30 gals |
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X23E
Jayco offers a sterling lineup of hard-sided travel trailers. This entry into the hybrid camper race is no less impressive, boasting a rear-and side-bunk combination that makes it a superb choice for families.
The 2020 version of the Jayco Jay Feather X23E offers a 60×76-inch sleeping area in the front-facing pop-out. The additional bunks measure 58 by 76 inches, so they’re nearly as large. Additional sleeping space can be found in the main cabin by converting the U-shaped dinette and sofa, giving this model a sleeping capacity of 10.
The bathroom includes a stall shower and is conveniently located in the rear, in close proximity to both bunks. Kitchen appliances consist of a double sink, three-burner stovetop, microwave, refrigerator, and two pantries. One pantry can be transformed into a wardrobe if you need more room for clothing than for food supplies.
The dinette and sofa are configured to allow for easy conversation, but we would recommend stretching out beneath the 19-foot awning instead. When this unit is filled to capacity, the space can feel claustrophobic in spite of the cleverly designed sleeping areas. For families of 6 to 8, however, we think it’s a perfect fit.
| Length | Height | Width | Dry Weight | Freshwater Capacity | Black Water Capacity |
| 26 ft 8 in | 10 ft 10 in | 8 ft | 5,120 lbs | 42 gals | 30.5 gals |
2017 Keystone Bullet Crossfire 2190EX
If you’re looking for a hybrid camper that provides reasonably private sleeping space for no fewer than 3 couples, the Keystone Bullet Crossfire 2190EX should fit the bill. All of the pop-outs are equipped with queen-sized sleeping areas, so it’s a solid option for groups of friends who enjoy traveling together.
The pop-outs are situated in the front, rear, and driver’s side of the camper, giving everyone plenty of room to stretch out. The bathroom is located on the rear passenger side and includes a tub/shower combination. Be forewarned that the freshwater tank holds only 43 gallons, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on it if you’re traveling with the 10 people that Jayco claims as the capacity.
The kitchen is snug yet serviceable, making room for a sink and three-burner range in addition to the refrigerator. A U-style dinette and fold-down sofa round out the sleeping options.
Aside from the bathtub and oversized pop-outs, this rig doesn’t offer much in the way of creature comforts. However, as hybrids go, the 2190EX fits the bill nicely. If your goal is to enjoy nature without sacrificing the use of kitchen or bathroom facilities, this could be the model for you.
| Length | Height | Width | Dry Weight | Freshwater Capacity | Black Water Capacity |
| 25 ft 1 in | 10 ft 2 in | 8 ft | 4,410 lbs | 43 gals | 30 gals |
2017 Dutchmen Aerolite 204ES
Slightly smaller but still spacious, the 2017 Dutchmen Aerolite 204ES is a classic example of a hybrid travel trailer.
The two tent beds each measure 60 by 80 inches and are located in the front and the rear, so campers can go to bed at different times without disturbing one another. This makes the unit a great choice for families with teenagers or two couples traveling together.
Additional sleeping space can be found in the main living area, which consists of a convertible sofa and sizable dinette.
There’s a decent amount of wardrobe space, a pantry in the kitchen, and a linen closet in the bathroom, so you can pack along all your gear without worrying. The bathroom also includes a tub, which is a nice perk if there are young children in your party.
The Aerolite 204ES doesn’t have much going for it on the exterior. If outdoor amenities like awnings and open-air kitchens rank high on your hit parade, this might not be the rig for you. Fortunately, the indoor kitchen is more than adequate.
| Length | Height | Width | Dry Weight | Freshwater Tank | Black Water Tank | Sleeps |
| 24 ft 6 in | 10 ft 1 in | 8 ft | 4,260 lbs | 52 gals | 28 gals | 8 |
2020 Dutchmen Kodiak Cub 179E
Campers who want a small and lightweight camper should give the Dutchmen Kodiak Cub 179E a closer look. Like all great hybrid travel trailers, this unit makes excellent use of the tent pop-outs to maximize the available floor space.
All three of the tent beds measure 60 by 80 inches, and can be found in the front, rear, and rear driver’s side of the camper. There’s plenty of storage space included with each one, so there’s no need to worry about everyone’s gear getting mixed up. The bathroom is more convenient to the rear bunks than the front-facing one, but since this rig measures only 21 feet 8 inches long, that’s not a dire issue.
Thanks to the convertible dinette, the Kodiak Cub 179E can sleep up to 8 people. The open floor plan feels very spacious, despite the unit’s relatively diminutive size.
A creative kitchen configuration puts the microwave, refrigerator, sink, and stovetop within arm’s reach of one another, so meal preparation is a cinch. A small TV set can be found near the small pantry on the opposite side.
While this unit lacks the fancy amenities that come standard with larger hard-sided RVs, as a glorified tent, it’s pretty impressive. Even if you don’t need the extra sleeping space, this could be an excellent choice for first-time buyers.
| Length | Height | Width | Dry Weight | Freshwater Capacity | Black Water Capacity |
| 21 ft 8 in | 10 ft 1 in | 8 ft | 3,774 lbs | 50 gals | 28 gals |
2019 Coleman Light LT 1601EXP
Coleman is one of those instantly recognizable names that comes with a built-in reputation. Even if you didn’t realize that they made travel trailers in addition to other camping equipment, you’re bound to be familiar with the brand.
The Coleman Light LT 1601EXP comes with pop-outs in both the front and the rear. Each of these tent beds measures 60 by 80 inches, so they’re suitable for both children and adults.
Bathroom facilities are located in the rear and include a shower, toilet, and vanity. The area is fairly snug, but considering the fact that this rig measures just 18 feet 10 inches long, we think it’s a small miracle that it has a bathroom at all. The freshwater capacity is 52 gallons, too, which is similarly generous.
The kitchen places the sink and three-burner range on the passenger side and the refrigerator on the opposite wall, next to the dinette. This is convenient, as it allows campers to grab themselves a beverage from the fridge without interfering with dinner preparation.
Both the dinette and sofa can be converted to create extra sleeping space, so the 1601EXP can house 8 people in a pinch. While we don’t recommend packing it to capacity, the camper is more than adequate for groups of 4 to 6.
| Length | Height | Width | Dry Weight | Freshwater Capacity | Black Water Capacity |
| 18 ft 10 in | 10 ft 10 in | 8 ft | 3,283 lbs | 52 gals | 28 gals |
In Conclusion
If you’ve never owned an RV but are ready to take the plunge, a hybrid camper could be a great place to start. They’re convenient, affordable, and efficient, and their lightweight nature makes for easy towing.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a camper on a budget, or the owner of a light-duty pickup or SUV, there’s a good chance that one of these hybrid RVs could be your next home-away-from home.
Best of luck, and happy camping!
Check out our article on: 8 Great Travel Trailers Under 5000 LBS