I get this question a lot from people who want to join the Facebook Owners group. They are interested in the HC1 or the HCT and they are trying to figure out the best way to see one. This used to be a lot more challenging. Back in 2016 when we bought HC1 #44 (yes the early ones were numbered and yes owners do take a lot of pride in having it) it was really difficult to see one. We lived in Massachusetts at the time and Happier Camper headquarters is in Los Angeles, California so physically seeing one just wasn’t going to happen for us. Believe it or not, we bought our HC1 without ever having seen one in person, so if you think you are crazy to even consider that option, know that it went very well for us. So well in fact, that we did it again when we bought our HCT in 2020!
At the time I am writing this article, there are currently five ways to see a Happier Camper HC1 or HCT:
Visit a showroom
The showroom locations listed in the US will welcome you for an in person visit. As of this writing, the Happier Camper website notes showrooms in Los Angeles, San Francisco & Atlanta. It also provides information on contacting for a visit at their Canada location as well as a subsite for their Japanese partner.
Video Call
This is what we did to see the HCT before we put in our order. It’s not as great as being there in person, but you can see everything, ask specific questions, ask to see how something functions/opens/closes so it’s a pretty decent option. Way better than our sight-unseen approach in 2016, I can assure you!
Connect with a current owner
If you contact Happier Camper and tell them that you would like to know if there is anyone in your area with an HC1 or HCT that they’d be willing to show you, they will reach out to a current owner to see if they can connect you. This is really common and I think it’s one of the best ways to really learn about the camper. My husband and I used to do this all the time - especially in the early days when we were one of the few owners in New England. Not only are you able to see the camper in person, but you can talk to an owner about their experience without a salesperson being involved. This is what a lot of people trying to join the Facebook group are really after - the unvarnished perspective of a current owner on what having an HC1 or HCT is really like. If that’s what you are after, contact Happier Camper to see if they can connect you with someone.
Online virtual showroom tour
This is a slick bit of technology that Happier Camper launched to get you into the showroom even if you can’t physically be on the premises. What I like about the tour is that you can see a lot of the products that are available in the Adaptiv Components and Accessories section of the order form (check out this earlier article on what to think about when building your order) and you can also get the vibe of being there. It feels a bit more immersive than the website as you might imagine and even if you are just curious, it’s worth checking it out. Click here to access the virtual showroom
Camping World
I haven’t spoken to anyone who has seen one at a Camping World location yet, but CW is now carrying a standard HC1. I suspect that inventory is limited (it’s early days in their partnership with Happier Camper) but over time I think this will become a great option for people who want to see one in person.
Let me know if you have any other questions about checking out the Happier Camper HC1 or HCT. We’ve owned them both and can hopefully help you out!