Outdoors

Take An Adventure In ‘The Venture Rig’

Hikers Brew Coffee rents camper for the summer, offering new (and caffeinated!) ways to get outdoors

Rebecca Mennecke, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

If you ask Zach Pecha and Addy Serum – owners of Hikers Brew Coffee in Eau Claire – what makes them passionate about coffee, their answer won’t have anything to do with coffee: “It’s all about sustainability,” Pecha said. 

Their passion for the planet and getting outdoors pours over to the new part of their business, known affectionately as “The Venture Rig” – a 2000 BRX Trailer Teardrop off-road camper that this caffeinated couple will rent to adventurous locals this summer. 

It's good to take a break from everything, and just get out and explore.

Zach pecha

owner of hikers brew Coffee

“It’s good to take a break from everything,” Pecha said, “and just get out and explore.” 

This couple initially sought a food truck or coffee cart to sell their sustainably sourced and served coffees but – after the pandemic forced many families outdoors – they had an even better idea: renting the camper out to encourage locals to get outdoors. 

This eye-catching camper is available for rent through Outdoorsy, an online rental service for RVs, motorhomes, trailers, and camper vans, for $149 a night. With enough room to sleep five adults (two in the camper and three in the additional rooftop tent), this cozy camper is perfect for couples and small families.  

“It’s really cool because it’s perfect for the extreme people who like to off-road and can really handle those off-roading types of drives,” said Serum, an Eau Claire native, “but it’s also great for those new campers that aren’t totally comfortable sleeping on the ground or can’t go without the A/C.” 

ALL SET FOR THE SUMMER. This cozy camper contains a sink, two-burner stove, air conditioning and heating, a fridge/freezer, USB cable chargers for your phone, and a propane box for hot water, offering you the chance to take hot showers on the go. Talk about
ALL SET FOR THE SUMMER. This cozy camper contains a sink, two-burner stove, air conditioning and heating, a fridge/freezer, USB cable chargers for your phone, and a propane box for hot water, offering you the chance to take hot showers on the go. Talk about "glamping" it up!

With Timbren’s heavy-duty 3,500-lb. axle-less suspension, oversized tires from Gear, and up to 20 inches of ground clearance, this is the perfect camper for folks looking to get away. It holds up to 27 gallons of water for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and – yes, even showering.

It’s fully equipped with a sink, two-burner stove, air conditioning and heating, and a Domestic 53L fridge/freezer, as well as an extension cord for on-site power, USB cable chargers for your phone, and a propane box for hot water. 

First time towing? No sweat. This lil’ tyke is perfect for vehicles rated for 3,000 pounds or more, so even SUVs can tackle the tow.  

Rental includes pillows, bedding, linen, cooking utensils, forks, spooks, cooking knives, plates, bowls, cups, mugs, and, you guessed it, a whole lotta’ coffee. For an additional pet fee, you can bring a trusty companion: your dog. 

Addy Serum and Zach Picha (pictured above) have been outdoorsy folks since childhood. Their love for the outdoors has only grown since starting their company, Hikers Brew Coffee.
Addy Serum and Zach Picha (pictured above) have been outdoorsy folks since childhood. Their love for the outdoors has only grown since starting their company, Hikers Brew Coffee.

In the camping world, there’s a term for it: "glamping," or glamorous camping. And while you may still see this unique camper at food truck events and conventions in the future, owners hope it will be seen in state and national parks all around the country.  

“We would love people to take this out and visit national parks and represent the Chippewa Valley,” Zach Pecha said. The exterior of the camper captures the attention of those nearby, as it features a custom wrap of Big Falls County Park and the bluffs of Wisconsin.

The couple, who have already used the camper, said it drew a lot of eyes. “We were the talk of the campground,” he said. “Everyone could see us when we pulled in.”

Once winter hits and temperatures get below freezing, they can’t keep water in the camper, but the couple plans to rent the camper until then.

For beginners who are a little hesitant to use it, they give each guest a guidebook complete with QR codes that link to videos on how to set up the camper and use its amenities. They also give a 30-minute walkthrough of the camper to get you acquainted.


>> Check out this cozy camper here

 

LOOKING FOR A GOOD GETAWAY? You're looking right at it. This little camper can comfortably sleep five individuals with air conditioning and heating inside.
LOOKING FOR A GOOD GETAWAY? You're looking right at it. This little camper can comfortably sleep five individuals. (Photo via listing)

 


SOME CAMPING TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

When it comes to getting out into the outdoors, these experienced campers have a few tips...
  • Watch out for poisonous plants! Poison ivy and poison oak lurk around Chippewa Valley trails, so always bring a little bottle of Dawn dish soap to soak up the areas affected.
  • Trail ahead. Check out hiking trail apps like AllTrails, which help you navigate hiking trails.
  • Plan ahead. Look up the park ahead of time and screenshot trails.
  • Create maps and mark where you need to go.
  • Prepare for no cell reception. Have a plan mapped out ahead of time. Write down GPS coordinates of your destination rather than the addresses in case you have no service, you can still import them into a GPS.
  • Be sure to share your plans with friends and family so in case plans go awry, people know where you’re at. 
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