A hybrid will tow a little harder for sure. Not sure if it's in the budget but an inline hybrid tows very nice being on 7' wide.



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I currently have a clamshell trailer and I am thinking about getting a hybrid trailer for convenience. I tow with a SUV, will I notice much of a difference from the extra height and weight when driving?

Yes ....I went from a Clamshell to a Hybrid and I definitely feel a difference in weight and aerodynamics.
Granted my new Trailer is a V Nose extra tall Hybrid, so I am sure a regular slant front/clam style Hybrid would of been less of a change.

 

Had a Triton Clam and loved it but tree fell on it so replaced it with a two place hybrid. Now that I’ve had both I’m kicking my spas I didn’t go 7 ft inline drive in drive out. Why? Clam you had to get down under it to tilt which was a pain and you have to duck and watch your head. The hybrid has a very steep ramp. So you have to have momentum not to spin or get stuck on the ramp which doesn’t give you much time to get lined up with the second sled. Mine are so wide only have an inch between the skis. Now if you can get set up on a bit of a hill for loading you can flatten out the ramp and it’s easy pesi to line up and drive in. Most all 7 ft in lines have much lower load height so everything is more simple. As far as towing I’m not partial but clam is light, hybrid more noticeable and the inline would be very aerodynamic so should tow well. I really think the drive out option would be nice to have with an inline not that it’s an issue backing out but so simple to just drive out. I just bought the hybrid this year but got a great price so seriously thinking of getting an inline for next year.

 

Really you have issues with the ramp steepness?

Thats surprising. Neither of my Sleds spin the track or need momentum with my trailer. I literally have loaded them from a dead stop even from grass or asphalt. 🤷‍♂️

I have rubber track mats and plastic slides and Sleds have studded tracks so maybe that is the difference?

 

I have both. Hybrid hands down as far as in and out as well I don't have to lift the damn clamshell.

But I always seem to wish I went bigger, especially with extra height to bring a side by side in the summer.

Depending on your SUV you'll be ok or it's a great excuse to buy a new truck ;-)

 

But I always seem to wish I went bigger, especially with extra height to bring a side by side in the summer.

and here I am thinking and considering "man would it be nice to have a smaller trailer for when I only need to haul our two sleds"

 

Mines a lot higher floor level off the ground.

 

Wow Must be really high then . What brand trailer just outta curiosity?

 

Check out a ProStarr Bullitt series trailer.. Coming from years of Triton clamshells I am very happy with the outcome on this trailer.

 

Same. Loving mine so far.

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I had several clam shells over the years and I bought a Blizzard Hybrid shortly after they came out in 2010-2011ish. The only difference I noticed when towing was the gas mileage is definitely worse with the hybrid, especially on the interstate otherwise it felt the same as the clam shell. I would never go back to a clam but would look at the inline because the prices have gone so far out of site on the hybrids. I paid $4200 with the side door, matts and guides back in 2011 and that same exact trailer with no changes sells for $6800 now, i have not priced the inline but I am sure they are up there to.

 

Mine is a Lightning trailer 11 ft x 101 single axile with side door. Wasn’t my first choice but with Covid causing lack of stock everywhere didn’t have much choice. But that will be fixed this off season. I’m going to remove the ski guides so I can more easily slide the first sled tight to the wall for easier loading of the second sled. With both sleds set at the widest ski stance not much room in the middle.

 

I would just save up for a 2 or 3 place inline trailer. I have a 4 place inline and can't ever imagine going back to a clam shell or towing a 8.5" wide trailer again,

 

I am very happy with my hybrid. I was tired of pulling the ramp out to load/unload. I pull with a Ram 3500 DRW so I'm not sure either would make a difference behind it. Unfortunately I'm going to have to get something bigger again and may go 29' inline. My 9 yr old daughter will be outgrowing her Snoscoot very soon.

 

It really comes down to money.

The step up from a 2 place open to a clamshell is probably around $1500.

Another $2000 gets you a hybrid

$3000 more gets you a two place in line

(give or take)

From there, the sky is the limit. If you have more to invest, great. If you are on a budget, you may need to deal with a little more inconvenience.

 

You'll definitely use more gas pulling an 8.5' wide hybrid trailer, but how much depends on the shape of each trailer. Last year I bought a 7' wide x 16ft long inline hybrid. It weights 1,500 pounds and I can move it around by hand (flat ground). It actually gets quite a bit worse fuel economy than my last clamshell but it has a 6.5' ceiling so I am not complaining. It's a lot more useful with the taller ceiling plus I can stand up inside of it. I've seen many ProStarr Bullet's and they are nice but some of them aren't even 5' tall on the inside. Just something to consider.

 

For sure lots of things to consider when buying a new trailer. I was looking for the trailer that would tow the best it could and be everything I need in a trailer. My Prostarr Bullitt does this. Its as wide as truck pulling it and as high as well. It is alittle heavier that my tritons but not a game changer. To get fuel in sleds, the man door on side works great and can reach both sleds no problem. So no need for gas door on passenger side. As for fuel mileage, its a touch better than the tritons clamshell but not by much. In the big picture this trailer works and functions very well. I decided to go with not as tall as I dont need to stand up in it. And the extra height would make it not as efficient as the shorter one.

 

I have a new Mission hybrid. 8.5ft by 12ft. I cant stand up in it straight. My wife can. I would always choose this over an open and a clamshell. Its so easy to lead and lock the sleds down. Track traction is really nice to have too.

It pulls decently hard. My 18 f150 ecoboost gets 12.5 mpg on the highway pulling it average. I would have looked at an inline, but my driveway is so steep I had to go with something that has a taller bed. That and my parking pad the hybrid fits better.

Unloaded it weighs 1034 lbs. I can move this trailer easily by hand unloaded. Loaded you could too if your on a flat smooth surface.

Hopefully this helps you decide.

 

I have a new Mission hybrid. 8.5ft by 12ft. I cant stand up in it straight. My wife can. I would always choose this over an open and a clamshell. Its so easy to lead and lock the sleds down. Track traction is really nice to have too.

It pulls decently hard. My 18 f150 ecoboost gets 12.5 mpg on the highway pulling it average. I would have looked at an inline, but my driveway is so steep I had to go with something that has a taller bed.
That and my parking pad the hybrid fits better.
... Unloaded it weighs 1034 lbs. I can move this trailer easily by hand unloaded. Loaded you could too if your on a flat smooth surface.

Hopefully this helps you decide.

Thats pretty good. My Dad owns a '19 Ecoboost Raptor ....Im gonna have Him tow my trailer next ride to see what it gets MPG wise to compare the front aerodynamics to urs...just curiosity . I know it will be worse but I expected that when I bought it..

Only getting 10MPG with my old bitch, 6.0 Escalade 😆

 

Same thing ^^^^ Mission 101 x 12. Mats and guides and no regrets. Cant have anything bigger because of storage.

 

Just do an inline. The resale is very good on them but they do cost more. You won't regret. Just drive in the front and out the back.

 

27' aluminum 7' wide, with 4 sleds and gear. I run 80 MPH on the expressway at 2500 rpm with 1/2 ton Silverado 6 speed 3.42 gears. Get into hills the truck down shifts to around 3400.rpm. Cruise set when roads are dry. 8-10 miles per gallon typical average with this set-up and speeds.

The biggest thing that makes a difference and this is for safety. Control sway and mileage by running proper E rated 8 or 10 ply tires at proper air pressure. Make sure your trailer tires are around max air pressure as well. In November I installed new BFG KO2's that are E rated and I run at least 50 PSI when towing. Makes all the difference. I run no sway control or air bags.

 

The bullet trailer is very appealing for towing in winter conditions. Wish they made one 20'+ long.
Currently have a 6' tall 23' inline and you know it's back there. Less air drag and shorter sidewalls catching the wind would be a plus.

 

It's amazing how well it tows. I don't need to stand up and party in my trailer so it was the right choice for me as easy towing was my number 1 priority.

It's a nice looking/built trailer as well.

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Started with a open trailer and good sled cover. Went to a clam shell trailer and never had to hassle with slush and cover's again. However they are far from weather tight.
Doing a hybrid trailer now and agreed with the steep ramp comment. Going to flip the ball on the hitch for a few inches.
Yes it is heavier but much better to work with sled wise. Though about the inline but price wise and availability it wasn't a option this season.
What I don't like is fueling, unlike the clam I have to use the door and most hoses are not long enough to reach the inside sled so I am going to add two fuel door's as the man door is behind the fuel tank on the sled's. That's never a issue with the clam, just pull up tight and lift it up.

 

Started with a open trailer and good sled cover. Went to a clam shell trailer and never had to hassle with slush and cover's again. However they are far from weather tight.
Doing a hybrid trailer now and agreed with the steep ramp comment. Going to flip the ball on the hitch for a few inches.
Yes it is heavier but much better to work with sled wise. Though about the inline but price wise and availability it wasn't a option this season.
What I don't like is fueling, unlike the clam I have to use the door and most hoses are not long enough to reach the inside sled so I am going to add two fuel door's as the man door is behind the fuel tank on the sled's. That's never a issue with the clam, just pull up tight and lift it up.

Fueling sleds was one of my big concerns when purchasing ProStarr, however I have zero problems fueling sleds through the man door which is on drivers side. Granted I am only fueling 2 sleds in mine. I havent even tried the gas door on passanger side yet.

 

Had the door been one bay closer to the front I think some of the gas pumps would work. Being as my door is just behind the sleds tank the inside sled is a no go. I'm using a 20121 Sno-Pro

 

I just fueled today using the man door on my hybrid on the far sled. Even if the hoses look short it always reaches easily. I have no problems fueling using the man door.

 

Had a Duramax 2500 before and at 1st didn't like towing with the 1/2er. But just don't tow as much as I used to so bought a truck for 95% of time use. Now that I've had it a while and got it setup right. It's not so bad towing with it.

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Had a Duramax 2500 before and at 1st didn't like towing with the 1/2er. But just don't tow as much as I used to so bought a truck for 95% of time use. Now that I've had it a while and got it setup right. It's not so bad towing with it.

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I have a duramax that I pull dang near the same trailer with at very similar speeds. I get in the 12-13 mpg range.

I have a 6.0 gasser that is pretty much the same truck... if I never pull a trailer with it that would be just fine. Sucks fuel... gutless... anything over 75mph and you can see the fuel gauge moving downward.

All my buddies that are pulling inlines with half tons are looking at diesels now due to them needing to stop twice for fuel to every one of my fill ups. They have never seen 8 mph at 80... must be different gearing or something?

 

Guys I ride with always had clam shells and started replacing with hybrids. Found out they are a PIA to load and unload. Clam shells are much easier and faster to load and unload. Carbides always getting stuck between door and floor of trailer.(large gap there) Also requires less space to unload since the hybrid door needs another 8 or 10' behind your truck/trailer. We all went back to clam shells.

 

I disagree with almost everything you stated. I've never caught a carbide but I do have runners and mats on my hybrid. Loading/unloading is a breeze. The mileage is not good, I'll agree there but in pretty much every way the hybrid for me is a big step up and I will not go back to clam

 

Most trailer tires are only rated to 65mph. I usually tow right around that speed and with my 7x16 inline hybrid I see around 19-20mpg with my ecodiesel. It tows incredibly well.

The roads in northern Ontario are usually pretty sketchy and icy so that's plenty fast for me.



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I saw a jeep compass towing a 2 place hybrid not long ago. The trailers nose was about a foot off the ground and the ass end in the air. It looked ridiculous not to mention that compass is way too small for a trailer that size.

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