Are You a Hunter Shadow Owner?

[Sarge]

I recently bought a Hunter Shadow HU-4, fondly referred to as the Fat Shadow because it is 5 feet wide. So far I've been very impressed with it. The fit and finish is excellent and it tows like a dream. I have no bounce and it tracks straight as an arrow.

I am very aware that Dave from CampADK has a Hunter Shadow, but does anyone else? I read a lot about CampInns on this board and of course lots of custom/home made trailers, but very little about Hunter trailers except for Dave's.

Is it just Dave and I?

-Sarge

[San Diegan]

Sarge,

I am a future HU-1 owner. Mine is ordered and under construction. SuZanne and Phil at HOP have been very accomodating of my questions and modifications. At this point, it will look like this:

I wanted to optimize cabinet space and have a second extendable shelf. Cooler technology is changing and I would just as soon have them in the tow vehicle as things change. I have designed and built prototype cabinets for above the galley shelf (thank you Camp ADK, Kate and Dave) and an interior cabinet to replace the lower shelf at the back of the cabin.

I do admire the Camp-Inn. One of the principals, Cary, posts in here regularly and has been generous with advice and parts deals. Camp-Inn has an excellent product

I just liked the basic simplicity of the HU-1. I chose the smaller model since it would be better sized for my 2005 Dodge Magnum tow vechicle and I am not tall enough for the length to be a problem. I had a good opportunity to talk with Phil, the builder and fabricator, about roof fans, battery placement, electrical fusing, and other topics. He is fairly modest about the offering and I think he is solid. He actually talked me out of a few things without any gile or defensiveness; just good experience with trailers.

Hope to join you soon out there on the road.

Tom

[Sarge]

San Diegan,

I tow my Fat Shadow with my Honda Element and it's 2.4 liter 4 banger with no problems. I'm not going to win any races, but I'm also not the slowest vehicle on the road. Your Dodge could pull a lot of teardrop trailer.

SuZanne and Phil were great and I had the good fortune of meeting SuZanne when she personally delivered my trailer to me.

I think you'll be very impressed with the workmanship. I couldn't find a single flaw anywhere and I looked!

I look forward to hearing of your delivery and your first adventure.

-Sarge

[San Diegan]

Sarge,

My eldest daughter has a Victorian in the Marina district (it was built in 1904 and it's still standing, so I guess it will be OK). We (Mrs. Diegan and i) usually fly up and take Muni around town. A car is useless in the City, but I suppose we will be passing through with the Hunter at some time. It would be fun to have a photo of our Hunters together, and, what the heck, I guess we could find some place to camp. Have you been to Inverness? It's on my list of north coast places where I would like to spend some time.

Tom

[Sarge]

San Diegan,

I grew up in the City. Funny how we in California know "the City" is San Francisco. Even when you live in a much bigger city like San Diego, "The City" is still San Francisco.

My dad also worked for Muni (for the uninformed, Muni is short for San Francisco Municipal Railway). I agree that having a car in San Francisco is a disadvantage. Towing a trailer will be an adventure in itself.

Yes, I have been to the Inverness area near Point Reyes. Can't really remember if I've been to Inverness the town at all, but I've definitely been in the area. Beautiful! Of course, it can also get WINDY and cold quickly.

I now live east of San Francisco in Walnut Creek at the foot of Mt. Diablo. There are quite a few camping sites in the Bay Area. Samuel P. Taylor park near Inverness and Mt. Diablo state park in my neck of the woods to name just two.

Keep me informed about the delivery of your trailer and we can work on the details of meeting.

Take care,

-Sarge

[campadk]

Hey San Diegan,

Glad some of our design helped out! That was the only thing about the Hunter.. they really need to build a complete galley.. or maybe have a few options as far as setup are concerned, otherwise a great tear and well priced. I don't believe I have spoken with Phil about our mods.

Good idea on the cooler. We gave up on that idea, using that space for your 2nd cabinets will work well.

What did you do with the upper cabinettes? Our cabinette maker was thinking we should go with doors that open upwards but we chose opening downwards. Sliders was another option.

You have the Dodge Magnum? Nice! Will look sweet with your tear. We were sad to trade our PT Cruiser in, which went along with the tear so nicely. The magnum with the 2.7L engine will pull 1000 lbs so I assume you have the 2.7 instead of the 3.5 or 5.7L. Our HU-3 loaded came in about 1096lbs if I'm not mistaken. There is a 50lb difference between the HU-1 and HU-3.

[campadk]

I am very aware that Dave from CampADK has a Hunter Shadow, but does anyone else? I read a lot about CampInns on this board and of course lots of custom/home made trailers, but very little about Hunter trailers except for Dave's.

Is it just Dave and I?

-Sarge

Sarge I think all the other Hunter owners are just too busy camping so we don't hear from em

Sort of like the Cozy Cruiser (http://www.cozycruiser.com/). Its a slick looking tear, but I have never heard of anyone on here or elsewhere that has one. Same for the PT Snoozer also (http://www.ptsnoozer.com/).

[Sarge]

Dave,

You're probably right. Most of the Hunter owners are out camping instead of checking in to this web site.

I have to believe that even though Hunter TDs may not be all that well represented on this board, Hunter has helped with the popularity of tear drops ever since they became available through Eddie Bauer.

At one time I too owned a PT Cruiser and was very interested in owning a tear drop trailer since they compliment each other so well. After I sold the Cruiser, I sort of forgot about the tear drops. Then one day I was shopping at my local Eddie Bauer store and there in the showroom was this beautiful little trailer. I was in love all over again. I searched high and low on the internet for tear drops. I examined CampInn's site and CampADK (of course!) and Hunter Outdoor Products (mrglobal.com) among many others. I decided on the Hunter, but who knows how many others saw those little trailers at Eddie Bauer and eventually decided to make his/her own or buy another brand?

Anyone else go through the same experience?

-Sarge

[sftiggee]

I've had both a Hunter and now a Camp Inn and my review of my two trailers can be found in the vendor talk. I'm also in the bay area, just south of the city by the airport. i've towed my camp inn on van ness to get to the golden gate before....that was kinda hairy!!! I tow with a little beetle diesel and have no trouble.

When i had my hunter, i went to the grand canyon. it was great. the trailer tows well, but i foudn the lack of storage super frustrating (i'm not handy woman). I also had huge condensation problems (went in december) so the hunter got sold last spring and the camp inn ordered. I know the Hunter folks have improved the trailers greatly since my 2000 model.

i hope you go to the DAM gathering or perhaps we shoudl strike out together:) I'm planning on going here in March soemtime (i hope) to somewhere around here (within 3 hours). drop me an email if u ever want to go camping

[San Diegan]

My doctored image doesn't show the cabinets above the standard shelf. The cabinet face will slope out as it goes down. The door's will open down and be held at the horizontal with "door holders". I'll have a CAD drawing before too long.

I didn't see the Eddie Bauer exhibit until after I ordered and went to the Hunter site. I actually think that each of the manufacturer's sites and brochures sell their competitor's products as well as their own. My hypothesis is that people are buying into the concept of a compact camping trailer and, having made that decision, elect to build or buy, and then select a specific design or manufacturer.

I sure can't wait to take delivery (end of May, beginning of June). I want to go camping!

I would love to meet you folks "out there" once I am equipped.

Tom

[Rob]

Sarge--
The Mrs & I were looking for a move up from a tent, but still able to tow behind a car without being dragged. Happened into the Walnut Creek Eddie Bauer and knew we found our answer. Just had to learn about these new-fangled things called teardrops that we had never heard of. Have found BUNCHES of info at T&TTT and elsewhere. We originally were leaning toward the Fat Shodow, but found out there were so many other options - building it myslef is not one of them. Please tell me you are going to the Dam Gathering so we can have a look at the real thing.
Rob

[campadk]

Rob,

We have a few videos of our Hunter.. next best thing while your waiting to see one in person. Check them out at http://campadk.com/pjsnoozer/pjvideos.html.

Cheers

[Rob]

Dave-
Thanks for the links to your videos. I am not looking forward to customizing the galley. I would prefer one that is workable in the beginning. Since the boss usually does most of the cooking she is the one that has to see it and touch it. I'm hoping we can get a close-up look at Sarge's.
Thx, Rob

[Sarge]

Rob,

Being the PROUD owner of a Fat Shadow I will gladly let you examine it up close and personal.

I won't lie and say that I didn't lust after the CampInns when I first saw them on the internet, but after some deep reflection I opted for the Hunter.

Why?

# 1. As I mentioned in another message - I am a danger to myself and others when it comes to handtools and powertools. I am all thumbs, so I had to buy something made for me.

# 2. Time and money. I have too many other time obligations to spend too much money on a trailer that I have to steal time to use.

# 3. Standard equipment. The Hunter comes with 15 inch wheels and level jacks standard. Don't ask me why these were important to me, but for some reason they kept coming up in my analysis.

# 4. Spare tire. The Hunter can carry a full spare tire as an option in front of the cabin. I think it looks neat!

# 5. Annodized aluminum. The Hunter is available in annodized aluminum...of course the Fat Shadow only has it on the sides.

# 6. I don't think there is one kitchen design that is perfect for everyone. From the majority of messages that I've read and the photos I've seen, you can't simply open the back up and start cooking. The food is in the cooler, but you can't open the cooler while it sits in the trailer, so you have to pull it out...or you keep the cooler in the tow vehicle..something. The Hunter has a very basic kitchen area that one can either modify or in my case, live with because I don't go camping to cook. I survived years with a tent and enjoyed it, how come now I need a microwave?

# 7. My camping attitude. I always thought of teardrops as 'hard tents.' I'm there to enjoy the area and my trailer keeps me off the ground.

Hope this little insight into my thinking was helpful to you.

-Sarge

[Rob]

Sarge-
I appreciate your thoughts - much like mine. I'm looking for a puptent on wheels. I want to be able to pull up to a campsite late at night and begin camping or cooking. I'm looking forward to seeing yours live.
Thx, Rob