Blog Caravan Vs Hybrid Caravan – What is the Difference?

Traditional camping is lightweight, flexible and gives you the freedom to go just about anywhere. Sounds great huh? On the other hand, camping also comes with some less than welcome thrills, like ‘Will all our gear get wet if we run into bad weather?’, ‘How many times will I trip over that tent peg?’ and ‘I wonder if a Goanna crept into our tent when I left the zip open?’. These thrills aren’t for everyone, so if you prefer a floor under your feet and a secure roof over your head – an RV is the way to go.

These days RV’s come in all shapes and sizes, including roomy caravans and their more adventurous counterparts – the hybrid caravan (or hybrid camper)

Let’s compare the two.

Caravan Weight

As you probably guessed, caravans come in as the heavier option, which is the tradeoff for their relative ease in setting up. No need to pop-up the roof, fold out the floor or peg out the annex – all the hard work is done. On the other hand, expect to pay a little more in fuel expenses and be sure to carefully match your caravan to the towing capacity of your vehicle if you decide that a caravan is best suited to your needs. Learn more about Jawa Off Road’s Light Weight Caravan Options.

Caravan Size

When we say ‘size matters’. It can mean a number of things. Yes, caravans are larger, and that means a lot more interior space. If you run into some bad weather on your camping trip, caravan owners can wait it out in a bit more comfort than their camping counterparts.

On the other hand, a hybrid caravan has the benefit of being compact when on the road. Depending on the make and model, a hybrid can be a similar in width to a large four wheel drive, making them easier to tow, maneuver and fit along narrow tracks. Hybrid caravans, with their pop-up roof, also mean a lot less wind resistance when towing at higher speeds.

Interior and Exterior Features

On the features front, there is little that a caravan offers that a hybrid caravan can’t match. Modern hybrids and caravans feature fully fixed ensuites, beds, dining and storage areas. The kitchens in caravans are internal, while the kitchens in hybrids are more often external pull-out designs.

The key difference in features between hybrids and caravans lies in where you can take them. Hybrid caravans, with their more compact design, lower towing weight and off-road capabilities gives the hybrid owner a clear edge when heading to more remote locations. If having the freedom to go anywhere is at the top of your list a, hybrid is the better option. Be sure to look for hybrids with independent trailing arm suspension, dual shock absorbers and coil springs, a hot-dipped galvanised frame, heavy-duty brakes and top-quality build materials and finishes.

We design, build and equip all of our campers and hybrid campers and hybrid caravans to exceptionally high standards with the end goal of bringing Australian’s outdoor adventures to life. For more information, or to take a tour through our showroom – get in touch with our friendly JAWA Off Road Campers team today by calling 1300 00 JAWA.

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