OUR DILEMMA - Should we upgrade to a CARAVAN? Or does our HYBRID Van work for us? | MDC AUSRV XL13

Is it time to upgrade to a full-size caravan? Join us as we meticulously weigh the pros and cons of owning a hybrid van. No stone is left unturned in our quest for answers to this pressing dilemma. 🤔
Tune in to uncover our verdict, and be sure to share your thoughts-do you agree? Don't miss out on this crucial discussion that could redefine our travel adventures! 🌍 🚐
#mdchybrid #CaravanLife #HybridCaravans #TravelAdventures #VanLife #HybridVsTraditional
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76 series cruiser and MDC Caravan AUSRV XL13
Lap of Australia
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[@mickyg8633]

We love you guys! We look forward to following your adventures. Love the enthusiasm & honesty. You are living the best life. Really hoping you guys have many more years of travel ahead. Stay safe, best wishes Mick & Jodie from the Gong

[@hapninemptynesters]

Ooooh thank you so much, we really appreciate all your support!!

[@mickyg8633]

The photo on the fridge, is that Caine on the fly out of the centre looking for a lead?

[@Frjabrka4]

Hi, fellow Townsvillian here, we have a 16ft SUV hybrid. We have king size bed that doesn't need to be pulled out as that was one thing I didn't want to compromise on. We do not have any internal kitchen either, but we are not travelling full time so that has not been an issue. We LOVE ours but SUV has brought out a 16ft full size 16ft van and it's bloody awesome. Safe travelling guys 😊

[@hapninemptynesters]

Woohoo another Townsvillian! That sounds amazing, we really like a 16ft van would be perfect! The hybrid has been amazing upgrade from the camper but the bed is a definite draw back.

[@juliehumphreys1199]

We use a Kmart high loft mattress topper on our jayco camper ( awful mattress ) bed $69 or so and its thick soft and very comfy .worth a try i reckon .i love ours

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks heaps, we will definitely look into it!

[@user-qm1wh1ki2y]

We have a full off-road caravan but it’s only small at 14’4 but omg it’s amazing. I have a cupboard I use for laundry and a folding basket that it all goes into when I take it to the laundry. We’re only selling because it’s time to upgrade because we need more room for our 2 dogs 🙌

[@hapninemptynesters]

That sounds almost perfect! What brand is it?

[@Lainiefj]

We have a 13ft hybrid also and decided to swap out the 2 inner spring mattresses for a queen size foam mattress that we got from Clarke Rubber. We have put a bamboo mattress topper on it and a mattress protector over the top with triangle sheet clips that holds everything in place. We have a length of nylon webbing that sits under the mattress, with a piece sticking out of both ends of the mattress, that I use to assist with folding and unfolding the mattress. When we pack up I simply fold the sheet and doona over then grab the strap and pull the mattress over. The overall size is a little smaller but still full queen size and there is an advantage to this also as it gives us room about to put a book, water bottle, box of tissues, my phone or tablet, or in my hubby's case his CPAP machine down the side of the mattress where they can sit on a solid surface. So simple and lightweight and best of all very comfortable and no join in the mattress. Totally agree with you travelling in a hybrid is totally doable.

[@hapninemptynesters]

Ohhh that is a great tip! Thank you so much for sharing. We will definitely look into doing something like this with our mattress!

[@jodybarr4289]

We also have a 13ft hybrid, 2 pool noodles at the pillow end of the bed helps stop the mattress from sliding apart 👍

[@hapninemptynesters]

That is a FANTASTIC idea! Thank you so much for sharing, we will try that out!

[@steve_lea]

Get a deep impact socket at bunnings to do the legs with your rattle gun. Have the same van works a treat

[@hapninemptynesters]

Cain did try one but we might look into that again! Thanks!

[@SarahandKeelanTravels]

good on ya guys! some great ideas with space saving and there's nothing wrong with a hybrid aye! 🤙we often miss out old hybrid 16ft! great video

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks Guys! We really appreciate the support! We started watching you guys when you had your little hybrid!

[@lynntutticci9248]

Hats off to you guys for managing with the hybrid. We bought a second hand van 18ft, spent about 8k upgrading lithium, solar etc diesel heater etc we live full time on the road and find it really comfy. Definitely don’t have the $$ for brand new either.

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks Lynn, that actually is a good option! We might have to give that some thought down the track.

[@RoaminWithTheRubes]

Great video, always good to hear about the pros and cons of different set ups.

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks Guys! We wished we knew a few of these before we bought our hybrid, like the bed!

[@levt2156]

Okay...forget about the mattress insert. The further along I got in your video, the more convinced I am that the hybrid doesn't suit your lifestyle or what you really want/need from your little home on wheels. If in your position, I'd be researching ways to get into a fill on caravan 😅!

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks, it’s what we would like. Do you know where the money tree is? 😂

[@levt2156]

@@hapninemptynesters I checked Amazon and they have a foam piece called mattress twin to king converter. It's shaped like a "T" with the narrow down part of the T slotting into the gap. The broad part of the T covers the span across the top of the cushions. There are also other foam pieces called "fix the gap" from various companies. I hope you find something like that to help make your bed more comfortable.

[@hapninemptynesters]

@@levt2156 thank you so much!

[@mandylyons71]

Great video guys. Have a look at the new JAWA 15 ft sirocco grande. Best of everything.

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks heaps! We have heard the JAWA are pretty good. I think that 15-16ft size would be great!

[@levt2156]

I don't know if they sell these things in Australia, but there's an insert that's designed specifically for the split in the mattresses.

[@hapninemptynesters]

That sounds great, do you know what it’s called?

[@ImJustOldMate]

I stupidly took Leesha into the Jayco dealership in Mackay today. I had to put her in a full nelson to get her out of there before she had me signed up to a billion year contract on my soul in exchange for some 35 foot, triple slide out, articulating 6 axle set up with an upper pool deck and room for a pony!!!

[@hapninemptynesters]

Hahaha but it was so shiny and nice!

[@SvedosTrippin]

The bed holes and work situation made me cringe. Can see why a full size van is on the wish list.

[@hapninemptynesters]

Yeah it’s not fun! If we find the money tree so we can upgrade we will let you know where it is 😜

[@TerenceHunt-xi3yz]

Fix two-piece mattress pulling apart fixed by putting several velcro straps from one piece of mattress to the other and pull tight together just an idea by good quality velcro Sam Kent UK

[@hapninemptynesters]

That is a great idea, thank you so much for sharing! We will definitely try this!

[@traceybjorksten4445]

Great episode, guys, love your work! We took delivery of an AusRV XL13 MKII at the start of this year and will be heading off for indefinite travel once we sell our house, so it's interesting to hear your thoughts on what what's been good and what's been a bit annoying. Regarding the mattress, we got a king size Tussoy topper from Ikea, which fits with the MKII bed with no modification. We already have the Queen size one on our bed in the house so knew we liked it.

[@hapninemptynesters]

Ohh thanks we might look into that topper! Overall it’s only little things that annoy us the actual van has been outstanding and we can’t fault it! Hopefully we will meet up with you somewhere along the road!

[@Vantastic_Aus]

Yes every set up is a compromise on something, a hybrid is a compromise on internal space but a full size van is compromise on where you can go due to the size and weight. In all our travels there isn't one ideal set up that will go everywhere, we want to go, so you need to have different setup for different trips.

[@hapninemptynesters]

Very true! And as humans we always want more or something different.

[@Vantastic_Aus]

@@hapninemptynesters yes unfortunately we can't have it all or tow it all at the same time 😁

[@hapninemptynesters]

@Vantastic_Aus haha no we can’t!

[@goeffburdon7351]

hi guys we are looking at the new MDC 15 mark 111 hybrid 2024 model great video guy's 😊😊

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks Geoff! We have to say we are really happy with the quality of our van. We can’t fault our MDC, I think the new hybrid looks like a ripper!

[@user-bp1pj3yd2c]

We have the xt17hrt same bed setup hybrid but foam mattress no gap and inside and outside kitchen.

[@hapninemptynesters]

No gap sounds good! 17ft would be a good size!

[@shaneyule3484]

Ok, honesty time. Unless you are camping in 25 degrees full time, hybrids, camper trailers, roof tops or anything with vinyl or canvas walls are not ideal. If it's hot you will be sweating buckets, if it's cold you will struggle to keep warm. Yes there are heaters and airconditioners but they will have to work harder because vinyl and canvas doesn't insulate. Then we move on to ants and mold that seems to make it's way in no matter how well it is made. Found out from experience.

[@hapninemptynesters]

So true! Although we are very lucky we haven’t had any issues with ants or mould yet!!

[@davidcurry5628]

We've got a Signature Iridium 13S with a King bed that splits in two and we use a topper we got at Big W (I think) that is great. It's about 25mm thick and we sleep really well. I'm 187cm and 130kg's and my wife is the complete opposite and we fit really well and sleep comfortably. The make was "Openook".

[@davidcurry5628]

Also, we are thinking of upgrading to a van. Looking at second hand Jayco 17.55-8 either All Terrain or Journey Outback. Some starting to come on the market at very reasonable prices (cheaper than the hybrid). Only restriction is payload. All Terrain has around 600kg and the Journey is only just over 400kg.

[@hapninemptynesters]

@davidcurry5628 sounds good.

[@kathleenwhelan6500]

Muscle mat topper unreal

[@hapninemptynesters]

Thanks I was wondering if it was any good.

[@coadyg]

You guys got the wrong hybrid watch the space from Stealth Caravans and Cruizy campers light weight and plenty of space offroad Caravans coming soon to the land down under.

[@hapninemptynesters]

We bought ours in 2021, so not as much choice. Are these vans rated for off road as most off road vans are definitely not light weight?