Or, the "Bybee Fun Caravan" rolls again.
If you have not been following along, I am the new owner of a
Happier Camper HC1. I picked it up on September 1 and drove from Los Angeles to Sacramento, about an 8.5 hour drive... at 58 mph. I can say one thing, I would not recommend, for your first towing experience with a new trailer, to tow it in LA traffic, and then over the Grapevine into California's Central Valley. I survived, so on with the story.
I have been fiddling with things on the trailer, but Kris and I realized that if we did not go out now, the first chance we would have to test the trailer would not be till November. For the next few days from 9/8 on, the Sacramento temps were expected to be in the 103 to 107 range. Bodega Bay it is then. Bodega Bay is about 100 miles or so north of San Francisco along the Pacific Coast. There is a state park there that though not directly on the beach, has many recreational opportunities near by.
On 9/8 we towed over to the coast. We were beginning to wonder about our decision as it was still 100 degrees within 12 miles of our destination. Luckily, the last few miles brought a dramatic dip in temperature and we were at about 78 by the time we got to the State Park. This is very warm for the coast, but by Sacramento standards very balmy.
We spent two nights at the park, testing our theories on how to set up and use the camper. The
HC1 is designed to give you a lot of flexibility for both your initial interior set up, as well as easy changes to the interior on the fly. It is nice to have options and we fine tuned things a bit from our initial ideas. I have included a few photos.
This is a shot hooked up and ready to tow. Here we are along the edge of Bodega Bay and you can see the fog in the distance trying to move inland. You know you are having fun when you have the BBQ tied on top of the car.
Here I left the work counter low. I am 6'5" and cannot quite stand up straight, so it was easier to cook while sitting down. We are using a portable butane stove. Cook inside, or take it outside if you like.
We used our medium ice chest for this trip. It fit pretty well next to the door and was readily available for drinks and cooking at the counter. We may look at 12v powered fridges, but for now, getting out and using the trailer will help us decide what to do later.
On the
HC1, the rear of the trailer opens up. This is looking at our dining configuration with the last row of boxes converted to a dinette. When the weather is nice it is a great spot with the hatch up.
A view of the rear of the trailer from the exterior. Same set up as the interior shot. Good morning Kris. Hey, the new bowls match the
tail lights.
View from Bodega Head.
We have decided it may be tough to go back to a tent with a 1" thermarest pad. 4" of duel density foam cushioning...I like it! The
LED lights create a warm glow for the interior. Good Night Kris.
Good night
Happier Camper.
2014 Lil Snoozy LS
2017 Escape Escape 19
Mr. B
Sweet
2009 Escape 19
Fuel Economy towing HC1
Linear Mode
