Picked up the Happier Camper HC1 - Fiberglass RV
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Old 09-02-2015, 11:45 AM   #1
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Name: Donald
Trailer: Happier Camper HC1 (Subaru Outback Stranded Me)now towing with RAM 1500 Ecodiesel Major overkill.
California
Posts: 125
Picked up the Happier Camper HC1

I drove from Los Angeles to Sacramento (385 mi.) yesterday with the new Happier Camper HC1. The Subaru towed it great. (2011 Outback with 4 cyl and CVT) I had a whole variety of conditions to try out. The temps were in the low to mid 80's over the Grapevine (Pass between LA basin and California's Central Valley. Pass at 4410'). I could keep up with traffic but because of the lane restrictions and the slow trucks my speed was kept pretty low. In the Central Valley the temperature peaked at about 100F. By the time I hit Santa Nella, about half way home, there was a cross wind of about 25 mph for about 25 miles as I passed the San Luis Reservoir notch in the Coast Range Mountains. By the time I hit home the cool kiss of the delta breeze had kicked in and it was a very comfortable 74 and dropping. (Sacramento River Delta east of San Francisco Bay) The trailer towed steady under all of these conditions.

As you see we got the blue color of the prototype trailer. We loved the way the prototype was set up and saw no reason to change to something else. Some of the details of the trailer have changed as it moved from the prototype to the first production run. It is really coming together as a nice package.

I am going to love this trailer. Now off to DMV to register and then on to ultra light accessorizing. More pics to follow as we organize the interior to our liking. Love those moveable modular boxes.

I do not have total weight but I weighed the tongue. It was at 178 lbs, before I unloaded the luggage from the car and placed it at the rear of the trailer. (Under my 200 lb. tongue limit on the Subaru.)

Happier Camper | Ultra-light Travel and Utility Trailers

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Old 09-02-2015, 11:59 AM   #2
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Name: Rich
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She is a beauty !

Now go make some memories and keep the photos coming. We will all be interested to see what you do on the interior.
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Old 09-02-2015, 11:59 AM   #3
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Hey Donald, good for you! I can't wait to see the interior photos. Trailer looks awesome.
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Old 09-02-2015, 11:59 AM   #4
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Oh, it's adorable! Enjoy!
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Old 09-02-2015, 12:38 PM   #5
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best of luck , it like great , have fun
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Old 09-02-2015, 12:47 PM   #6
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Beautiful little egg! Best of luck to you and to the Happier Camper Company. I hope they do well.
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Old 09-02-2015, 01:27 PM   #7
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Looks great, Donald. Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences with it.
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Old 09-02-2015, 04:52 PM   #8
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Love that big smile Don!
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Old 09-02-2015, 06:13 PM   #9
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I don't know about the thing with wheels in the picture but the guy on the left with the big grin seems like he should be called a Happier Camper.

Pictures, lots of pictures.
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Old 09-02-2015, 06:30 PM   #10
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woot woot woot! That's the sound of a Happier Camper!
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Old 09-03-2015, 08:35 AM   #11
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Name: Larry
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Arizona
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Brakes?

Hello,

A beautiful little trailer.... Manufacturer website:

Happier Camper | Ultra-light Travel and Utility Trailers

From the info on the website I could not tell if
the trailer is equipped with brakes. If your Subaru
is like mine (2012 2.5L CVT) the towing specs
specify 1000 lb towing without trailer brakes.
Since this little trailer looks like it would weigh
1400 to 1500 lbs laden for travel brakes would be
required to meet the Subaru Outback towing
specifications.

Happy Trails,
Larry H
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Old 09-03-2015, 09:10 AM   #12
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Great driving review especially for us Outback drivers! Looks like a great camper. Best of luck and happy camping!
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Old 09-03-2015, 09:12 AM   #13
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Smile

Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry C Hanson View Post
Hello,

A beautiful little trailer.... Manufacturer website:

Happier Camper | Ultra-light Travel and Utility Trailers

From the info on the website I could not tell if
the trailer is equipped with brakes. If your Subaru
is like mine (2012 2.5L CVT) the towing specs
specify 1000 lb towing without trailer brakes.
Since this little trailer looks like it would weigh
1400 to 1500 lbs laden for travel brakes would be
required to meet the Subaru Outback towing
specifications.

Happy Trails,
Larry H
Looks like a brake release cable and battery pack in the photo above, so I assume electric brakes on this one.
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Old 09-03-2015, 09:29 AM   #14
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Name: Kathy
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Looks great! Happy Camping in your Happier Camper! Would love to see pics of the interior when you get a chance to take some.
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Old 09-03-2015, 09:43 AM   #15
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Name: Mike
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Ontario
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Larry all HCI come standard with electric brakes and brake release even in the base models and due to the use of lightply for our table tops and doors and rotomold cubes which are also very light most trailers should come in under 1400 lbs . But as with any trailer that will vary .
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Old 09-03-2015, 10:08 AM   #16
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Completely adorable!!! Bring her to a Texas rally soon to show her off!
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Old 09-03-2015, 10:18 AM   #17
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WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! NO RIVETS????

Oh getouta here!!

Nice-looking rig there pal. I saw your pic on Instagram as well. They're happy and we KNOW you're happy!! They have a wonderful concept going with the highly customizable interior and it will turn ALOT of heads in the FG RV world my friend!
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Old 09-03-2015, 12:02 PM   #18
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Name: Donald
Trailer: Happier Camper HC1 (Subaru Outback Stranded Me)now towing with RAM 1500 Ecodiesel Major overkill.
California
Posts: 125
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry C Hanson View Post
Hello,

A beautiful little trailer.... Manufacturer website:

Happier Camper | Ultra-light Travel and Utility Trailers

From the info on the website I could not tell if
the trailer is equipped with brakes. If your Subaru
is like mine (2012 2.5L CVT) the towing specs
specify 1000 lb towing without trailer brakes.
Since this little trailer looks like it would weigh
1400 to 1500 lbs laden for travel brakes would be
required to meet the Subaru Outback towing
specifications.

Happy Trails,
Larry H
The 2011 Outback is also rated for 1000 lbs maximum without brakes. The trailer comes equipped with brakes and I have the Prodigy 2 progressive controller on the Outback. (This works way better than the hydraulic brakes I had on my 22' C-Dory pulled by an F-150). It took about a half block to get the controller adjusted and then you can feel them kick in a bit as the brake pressure comes on.

I just got back from DMV and it is now registered. I must say I may be a danger to traffic when I tow this in town. I stopped to get coffee on the way home and people were stoping in the middle of their lane to ask about, and comment on, the trailer. The traffic that was being held up behind these folks was getting a bit irritated. I will have to keep my brochures handy, pass them out quickly, and ask gawkers to move it along or park their vehicle.

Next step is to start accessorizing. There is the porto toilet to get, those really cool melamine retro dishes, some mini lights, sleeping gear, butterfly chairs....oh wait! I am supposed to keep it ultra light. My new favorite stores will be Camping World, Allied Trailer supply, and Target.

As far as interior photos go, take a look at the Happier Camper web site. They can take way better photos than I can, but I will post some additional when we get it personalized. There is also an animation on how the modules can go together which is very interesting.
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Old 09-03-2015, 12:12 PM   #19
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Try also vintage trailer supply! I'll see if I can find their website for you!
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Old 09-03-2015, 12:14 PM   #20
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Ok "da" moment! It's vintagetrailersupply.com
Enjoy!
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