Trip Report: Camp Nation
Camp Nation, Hollister, CA August 11th & 12th
We can't say enough about the experience at Camp Nation. Camp Nation is the ultimate gathering for DIY camping and travel enthusiasts…no matter how you roll. This means there were people there that have refurbished their own trailers, Airstream and Levity Vans showing off their newest stuff, and vendors that support all the DIY needs for getting outside. If that wasn't enough, they also provided workshops on everything from metal working to curtain design to business strategy and navigating the industry. It was a very cool event.
Attending Camp Nation was our "soft launch" in that it was the first time showing the All Good trailers with the intent to sell. This meant deciding how to show up well and learning how to talk about the trailer. We had the hats, we had the t-shirts, and we had the plan.
In the end, we met a lot of great people and learned a lot!
Sarah, Matt, and Karin representing at our booth!
Key Takeaways
It's really cool to meet your heroes, or at least a dude whose video you saw on YouTube. Larry Shank was one of the first people we met and very quickly became our friend. He brings his family's original jeep and trailer to these events and tells the incredible story of adventuring in the Southwest as a child. No stranger to working on cars and trailers, especially out in the wilderness, you could always count on an inspiring story.
He quickly became our biggest fan. As we shared on our IG page, "Best exhibitor/booth of the place. I don't know, there's something about them- They're something else!" We're not sure what Larry meant, but we choose to believe it's all good. :)
People are into some cool stuff, from Shi Delgrosso who remodels RVs at Shidel RVs to PJ at ModVans, building high-quality vans for modern lifestyles- you should see their collapsible bathroom!
There was so much inspiration and the team immediately began dreaming of what's possible.
People are generous and they want us to succeed. I think this warmed our hearts the most. We'll be honest, we were a bit nervous about our "grand reveal."
Matt B was nervous about how people would receive this thing he designed…it's his dream.
The kids were nervous they would get bored…well they did, but that's a different issue.
We quickly learned the teardrop draws a crowd and many people were curious and interested in taking a closer look and learning more.
Those with experience could see that it was well designed. This was the most validating for Matt B. These were discerning folks, many with expertise in building their own trailers, so that made the comments especially meaningful.
Larry saying the final goodbye to the AGE team.
The Top Questions Asked (and our answers)
#1 How much does it weigh? Both are just about 1,000 lbs (with the Sierra overland model, being just above). More importantly, yes, you can tow it with your car, your Tesla, and even your VW bus, like the Bettman family does.
#2 How big is the bed? Queen sized with memory foam. Take it from those of us who have slept in it…it's deeeeluxe!
#3 Why isn't there a stove built in? In short, because you don't want to cook where you sleep in bear country, which a lot of California wilderness is. Don't worry, each trailer comes with an adjustable-height table for your stove or for your coffee table. You decide.
#4 Can I buy a table? Yes, soon. The Matts are hard at work moving beyond prototype to product for this very popular table.
#5 Where can I get a t-shirt or hat? Funny you should ask. We're in the process of researching the best partner to put out high quality swag that has a minimal impact on the environment. Newsletter subscribers will be first to know when our store opens.
#6 What if I want to buy a trailer? Great question. The next three trailers will be available late November, December this year. Could this trailer be the best holiday gift? Want to get on the waiting list? Email Matt B or Matt S with your interest and we'll set up a call or put you on the list.
Finally, we wrap up this trip report with a big THANK YOU to all who signed up for our newsletter! We are honored to have you be a part of our community. If you haven’t signed up, please sign up below.
All in all, it was a great event and we loved being there!
