Owner Spotlight

Sharon Wilson & Rob Graham

From

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Year and Make of your Happier Camper?

2020 HC1; #324

What’s your tow vehicle?

2016 Lexus RX350

Why did you buy a Happier Camper?

We wanted something lightweight, practical, easy to use, and fun.  We took a trip in late 2018 to Mammoth Cave National Park with our two boys (now, 10 and 5) and saw a small travel trailer next to our cabin.  That got us thinking that we could tow a small trailer, without having to buy a larger tow vehicle, and still have everything we’d want and need.  We Googled “best small travel trailers” and discovered the HC1.  But who buys the first thing you find on the internet….right?  We did our research, went to several RV shows and dealers, and visited the Atlanta showroom.  Nothing held a candle to the HC1, and simply put, it just felt right.  So far, we haven’t been disappointed!

Tell us about your camper!

Meet Chinle, named after the grayish, green rock layer formed when parts of our western deserts looked like the Everglades.  We are a family of four, with boys 10 and 5.  We have (and love) the bunkbeds and enough cubes to make up a queen bed.  No kitchenette, but we do our cooking outside and have been enjoying our Yeti coolers, 22” Blackstone, Eureka camp stove, and a portable 5 lbs. propane tank from Ignik.  We didn’t get the lifted package but recently had the HC1 lifted a couple of inches to address the tires rubbing the wheel well, which has really improved ride quality (great customer services by HC!).  We have the AC and Maxfan…so far, the right choice for us as we live in Florida and most of our quests will be in the Southeast.  We’ve also enjoyed the heating strip on occasion to take the edge off the occasional chill.

What are your favorite HC features?

We really enjoy how easy it is to pack, tow, and set up/break down camp.  We knew that the easier it was to use, the more we use it. And it’s Just. So. Cute!

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

Our very first campsite after picking up Chinle in L.A. was Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park.  That campground might have ruined all others for us…Maybe not, but it was amazing being nestled amongst and scrambling over those boulders.  It felt like we had the campground, park, and whole Milky Way to ourselves! And being pretty new to camping, staying in a relatively primitive site in comfort and style gave us confidence to try a wider range of travel opportunities.

What’s your next planned camping trip?

We have back-to-back weekend travel plans coming up:  Crooked River State Park as a base to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore and a combo trip to Big Cypress National Preserve and Collier-Seminole State Park.  We’ll also head out to Badlands and Custer State Park (loved those places last year but didn’t have Chinle back then) in June and New River Gorge in August.

What camping destination is on your bucket list?

Big Bend

Any advice for new owners?

In the beginning, try to have a good idea of the things you think you’ll need/want and pick up a few essentials to get started.  But I’d suggest waiting on most of your gear and make choices based upon your experiences.  That way, you pick up items that will really address your needs.  It’s great to learn from others, but ultimately, you’re the best judge of what works best for you.  And don’t feel bad splurging (cost and/or amount of space it takes) on a few items that will really make your camping experience enjoyable.  If you really sleep better because you have a big, heavy pillow…bring the pillow.  If you love campfires but don’t want to smell like smoke, bring the Solo Stove or propane fire pit.  If you sit outside for long periods of time, bring your big comfy camping chairs (Kuma chairs are great!).