Owner Spotlight

mark maurer & susan johnson

From

Olympia, Washington

Year and Make of your Happier Camper?

2020 Happier Camper HC1

What’s your tow vehicle?

Subaru Ascent

Why did you buy a Happier Camper?

The flexibility. We looked at a lot of other campers and they had all this built in stuff we didn’t want. With the HC1 we were able to get just what we wanted. I also like that it’s all fiberglass and that I can take everything out and wash it all down. Plus it looks cool.

Tell us about your camper!

We got the basic camper with an upgraded solar package to lithium batteries. We have done a lot of aftermarket things like add a Dragonfly Canopy (which I think HC now has as an option) and a Dometic cooler. We also purchased a Joolca HotTap for instant hot water and a shower tent as well as a Dometic porta pottie. That sets us up for dry camping (boondocking/dispersed camping). I did make a kitchette type workstation that gives me a 2’X4’ work area when it’s unfolded, but we haven’t really used it. It takes up a lot of space in camper. We did add a portable, folding kitchen we purchased from REI that works really well. We mostly use a Coleman 2 burner campstove that we’ve had for years but we do have a single burner butane stove that we pull out if we’re stuck in the camper and just want to heat something up.

What are your favorite HC features?

The cubes provide a lot of storage and flexibility, fiberglass construction, the rear hatch, jalousie windows.

Best camping trip you’ve taken with your Happier Camper?

That one through Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. We did everything from boondocking in Idaho, urban camping in Denver (Cherry Creek State Park), driveway camping at a friend’s house, and camping at various National Parks, BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and USFS (US Forest Service) sites. It was about 2 weeks long and the longest trip we’ve done with the HC1. But we have done some pretty sweet trips in Washington state.

What’s your next planned camping trip?

Death Valley NP, Joshua Tree NP and the Kofa Wildlife Refuge in Arizona in January. Wanna join us?

What camping destination is on your bucket list?

There are so many. We are planning a tour of Utah in the spring to see Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Peaks and Arches NP. We want to do the Al-Can highway when Canada finally opens back up. Yosemite is also on the list.

Any advice for new owners?

Do your research. I don’t think the HC1 is the best choice for everyone. As someone on the HC Owners Facebook Group is fond of saying, “It’s a step up from tent camping.” It’s a big step up, but it’s not something I want to spend a lot of time in. We like to live out of the HC1, that is we spend a lot of time outside and really just use it for sleeping. It may not be good for you if you want something to live in or if you want the comforts of home. (Don’t get me wrong, it’s comfortable inside but there’s not a lot of room for a microwave, TV, kitchenette, etc.) I think it’s just right for 2 people and a big dog.

Be ready to answer questions. We almost always have people stop and ask questions either in the campground or just filling up at the gas station. 

Enjoy yourself and the trailer. Use it. Don’t let it sit under the carport. Explore. Find a out of the way campsite and enjoy the quiet and solitude.