Travel Trailer with Tent trailer pullout ?s

Jayhad · #1 02-13-2018, 11:03 AM

Hey everyone, I'm looking at a Starcraft 21RB XP.... it has two fold outs that have the tent trailer material... how well do these trailers hold in heat?
Thoughts?

1shotwade · #2 02-13-2018, 11:11 AM

I own a thor 24' with 3 pull outs. Take it hunting in October every year. If it does get cold I bring insulated tarps to put over!!

Gray Wolf · #3 02-13-2018, 11:13 AM

If you're worried about heat retention, don't go there. The tent portion of the walls have an R value of '0'.

stc77 · #4 02-13-2018, 11:24 AM

We took our tent trailer out hunting a few years back near end of November. Coincidentally during the same time as we were out hunting, there was a freak storm that brought in some ridiculous cold. Long story short, we were happy to have -45 rated sleeping bags, because we would have froze to death in there. The tent trailer does have a furnace, but since it was so cold and ran so long, we burned through a lot of propane and the battery died. We had two of those blue reliance water jugs and they both froze completely solid...inside the trailer. Long story short, we no longer use the tent trailer for hunting trips. We bought an outfitter tent and stove and an enclosed cargo trailer to store all of the gear and transport the tent etc. This is the way to go now...it can be -30 outside and we are in t shirts inside the tent.

wags · #5 02-13-2018, 11:24 AM

It's like camping in a tent, with a heater running. Is it as good as an enclosed trailer - nope. Is it better than a tent with no heater - yup.

Buddy has one and we've been out west during snowfall. The heater certainly makes it more comfortable, but this was the end of August and not December, so take that for what it's worth.

Selkirk · #6 02-13-2018, 03:46 PM

Our family had a really nice tent trailer for years. We had lots of fun with it,
but we'd never think of using it in the winter!

Selkirk

thing · #7 02-13-2018, 03:50 PM

What you're referring to are called hybrids.

We just sold our 2010 that we bought new last year and replaced it with another hybrid..3 pop outs.

We absolutely love hybrid trailers.

What temps do you plan inn camping in? Obviously the trailers have heaters so while they aren't the most efficient, they'll keep you warm. Imagine having a tent with an electric heater..no problem.

We've camped in the mountains when temps hit +4/+5 many times. No problem at all. If you are concerned just make sure you have good blankets or sleeping bags. We have gigantic foil blanket thingies that are made specifically for throwing over the pop out sections of the trailer. They were included in the sale and we have yet to use them (never felt the need), apparently they work very well keeping the heat in.

JB_AOL · #8 02-13-2018, 06:24 PM

It should be mentioned that you can not use hybrids/tent trailers in certain areas, I believe lake Louise is one, and I know there are a couple cg's in Canmore that don't allow it. Something to keep in mind.
Also, no one's mentioned the rain, and the fact you have to dry out the canvas at home after. Which can be a pain in the cities.

Tungsten, · #9 02-15-2018, 06:45 AM

There also very easy to break in since its Velcro that holds them down.Noise is also an issue.
Like has been said its basically a tent.

Jamie · #10 02-15-2018, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

It should be mentioned that you can not use hybrids/tent trailers in certain areas, I believe lake Louise is one, and I know there are a couple cg's in Canmore that don't allow it. Something to keep in mind.
Also, no one's mentioned the rain, and the fact you have to dry out the canvas at home after. Which can be a pain in the cities.

Really? What is the idea behind that?

Dewey Cox · #11 02-15-2018, 07:59 AM

Bears

Albertadiver · #12 02-15-2018, 09:06 AM

The main advantage of hybrids is that they are lightweight and fold out to sleep a lot more people than a hardwall with a slide. This works well for families that are looking to get out and have a fridge, toilet, etc.

Like a tent trailer, if it's raining when you're packing up you'll have to dry it out when you get to storage. And as others have said, there is no real insulation value in the pop out portions, but they do sometimes come with heated electric mattresses.

They work well for some folks, but for my uses I've avoided them.

JB_AOL · #13 02-15-2018, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Really? What is the idea behind that?

Wildlife...

(I didn't say I agree with it, but it is what it is).

Albertadiver · #14 02-15-2018, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Really? What is the idea behind that?

http://www.pc.gc.ca/qrt/LakeLouise-EN.pdf

Stinky Buffalo · #15 02-15-2018, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albertadiver

They work well for some folks, but for my uses I've avoided them.

Same here. If you have any fabric walls in your trailer, you will need to cover it for late-season camping, like the foil covers that thing mentioned, or tarps etc.

I have used a tent trailer for hunting in the past; we would cover it with tarps/canvas etc. and put a wood stove in a vestibule area outside the trailer. At least it was portable and got us off the ground.

Jayhad · #16 02-15-2018, 10:09 AM

Well I'm upgrading from a 89 VW westi, that is mostly tent material, and doesn't have a furnace and I use it into well into November, so I am aware of the negatives of canvas.
I like the Hybrid for the weight, as I only drive SUVs and a heavier trailer will require another vehicle purchase.

JB_AOL · #17 02-15-2018, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhad

Well I'm upgrading from a 89 VW westi, that is mostly tent material, and doesn't have a furnace and I use it into well into November, so I am aware of the negatives of canvas.
I like the Hybrid for the weight, as I only drive SUVs and a heavier trailer will require another vehicle purchase.

As mentioned, they work for ALOT of people. We're just informing you of the shortcomings for that type of trailer.

I always wanted one as I like the idea of the shortest trailer while travelling, but the most room.

Jayhad · #18 02-15-2018, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

We're just informing you of the shortcomings for that type of trailer.

That's what I'm looking for, thank you.

Stinky Buffalo · #19 02-15-2018, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhad

Well I'm upgrading from a 89 VW westi

Wait, what?

There is no upgrading from a Westi!

thing · #20 02-15-2018, 12:23 PM

Pros of a hybrid:

-Weight...they're light. Can easily be towed with SUVs

-Space....a 19ft hybrid has more room inside than a 21-22 foot trailer. The whole living space inside is being used for just that, living space. The beds are on the outside of the trailer. Can sleep a lot of people comfortably.

-They allow tons of light in and fresh air....allowing you to enjoy the feeling of being outside.

Cons:

If folding away wet, they need to be opened up when back at home. Depending on your storage situation, it could be a pain.

Noise..I suppose a little. I'm not going to say they are quieter than a hard sided trailer.

Warmth, tons of options to keep warm though. Would only be an issue if camping at close to freezing temps.

The Lake Louise link above clearly mentions no hybrids, but I've never heard that before. We've never ever been told we can't use a hybrid when camping, not one time. We've camped at many campgrounds throughout BC and AB.

Jayhad · #21 02-15-2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Wait, what?

There is no upgrading from a Westi!

True, but now with a 2 year old. Nights with the fire ban, sitting in the dark, being quiet while he sleeps at 19:00 sucks..... let alone if I want to pull something out of the cupboards, i have to fold up the bed.

I love the Westi

Stinky Buffalo · #22 02-15-2018, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhad

True, but now with a 2 year old. Nights with the fire ban, sitting in the dark, being quiet while he sleeps at 19:00 sucks..... let alone if I want to pull something out of the cupboards, i have to fold up the bed.

I love the Westi

I hear ya! Just ribbing ya.

We started towing trailers when our kids were little, and it's made for much more enjoyable camping.

goldscud · #23 02-15-2018, 12:30 PM

Furnace fan running all night will eat up your battery as well...so consider extra battery power

JB_AOL · #24 02-15-2018, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thing

The Lake Louise link above clearly mentions no hybrids, but I've never heard that before. We've never ever been told we can't use a hybrid when camping, not one time. We've camped at many campgrounds throughout BC and AB.

It pays to read the rules (and that's the reason I remember it, because it was (IMHO) an odd one).

The funny part is, places like boulton creek, which has bears that frequently (as in almost daily) pass thru the campground, and yet tents are allowed there.

Albertadiver · #25 02-15-2018, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB_AOL

It pays to read the rules (and that's the reason I remember it, because it was (IMHO) an odd one).

The funny part is, places like boulton creek, which has bears that frequently (as in almost daily) pass thru the campground, and yet tents are allowed there.

It's just PARKS Canada in their infinite wisdom. Wouldn't be surprised if Alberta Parks heads down that direction too....

Unclebud · #26 02-15-2018, 12:38 PM

Been there, Done that! Spend your money on a real trailer, new or used.
There are many reasons not to buy, but my re-sale value was terrible!

thing · #27 02-15-2018, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclebud

Been there, Done that! Spend your money on a real trailer, new or used.
There are many reasons not to buy, but my re-sale value was terrible!

Really, I was going to list resale value as a positive lol

We bought ours brand new in 2010 for just under $16000 cash (at the RV show)

We sold it last year (2017) for $10500 (and it needed tires) within 24 hrs of it being posted on kijiji.

We used it for 7 summers and got 66% of our purchase price back.

Kev · #28 02-15-2018, 04:15 PM

I had one, and liked it. However, heat holding was one of the only downsides I could see. I did use it down to about -10 I suppose though, and it was still tolerable, but far from warm. The only other downsides I would offer, is:
1. you heard more noise at night in busy campgrounds;
2. where the 'hinge' in the mattress was, was not very comfortable. More modern designs may have dealt with this.