Natural State Series: Chris Rinehart

We’re back with another edition of our "Natural State Series," where we celebrate our community of Tune M1 owners. This month, we're excited to feature Chris Rinehart, a skilled design engineer from Portland, Oregon.

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As an engineer with a love for outdoor adventures, Chris had been working on designing his own pop-up camper, not finding any on the market that matched his vision of using extrusions to maximize space. That was until he discovered the Tune M1 at Overland Expo PNW—and he knew it was the perfect match.

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Since then, Chris has put a ton of thoughtful work into making his Tune M1 his own. It has been customized to include a tailgate-replacing rear back door, lightweight plywood benches covered in indoor-outdoor carpet, and a fold-out table. Every modification was purpose-built, balancing function and mobility for his active lifestyle.

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For Chris, the Tune M1 is more than just a camper—it’s his warming hut on winter ski trips, giving him easy access to ski-in/ski-out lots and avoiding the early morning scramble and traffic. Alongside his teenage sons, Chris shares adventures, hauling coolers, sports equipment, and bikes as they roam to ski, mountain bike and fish. One of his sons loves taking the Tune M1 on fishing trips to the Deschutes River, a Wild and Scenic designated waterway in central Oregon with world-class fly fishing in a high desert environment.

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Chris also puts the Tune M1 to work while volunteering at the Pickathon Music Festival, a four-day experimental immersion venue on 80 forested acres run entirely by a community of volunteers. He maximizes the M1’s cargo space for tools during setup and enjoys staying overnight on-site, effortlessly transforming his setup into a festival-ready space when the music starts.

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One of Chris’s favorite adventures in the Tune M1 so far was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife in the breathtaking Alvord Desert. Together, they explored the high desert, enjoyed hot springs, and took in panoramic views of the Steens Mountains—a trip they’ll cherish for many years.

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Inspired by Chris and ready to start your own adventure? The Tune M1 offers the versatility and rugged design to support your outdoor pursuits.

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