Camp-Inn 550

[Eaganites]

We are close to purchasing a Camp-Inn 550 probably without sink and water tanks and unsure of the mattress. We have tent camped alot but a tear is a whole new project. I wonder what I have not thought about. I read "The Perfect TD". Any one have a Camp-Inn 550 with ideas of what to consider - would be appreciated. Or anyone with any ideas about what to include or leave out would be appreciated.
Thanks, Pat

[hiker chick]

A Camp-Inn is a great segue into teardropdom. Congrats!

Do you have a list of everything you're getting? Be easier for peops to see if anything is missing that they think you may want to consider.

Will Camp-Inn be sending you build pics?

[caseydog]

I tend to agree with not getting a sink and water tanks. For a few days of camping, it's not hard to live without a sink in the galley, and if frees up some countertop space.

Depending on your age and ease of sleeping in strange beds, I would try to get a mattress that is as close to your bed at home as possible.

CD

[Eaganites]

we went to their website and looked over the comparison list http://tinycamper.com and more or less looked at what we could live with out. We thought we would want all the cabinets, shelves and probably the stainless steal counter top. So I guess it is closet to the ultra. We are going to the show room this week to try getting in and out, etc. and hopefully firm up an order. My sister (who I camp with) is younger and more able body I am at the top of your age pole - so the mattress is important - but we wondered if those who use the memory foam have any trouble with climate moisture.

[Arne]

I also agree about no sink... easy enough to do on a table or picnic table. I do carry a 2x4 plastic table from sam's, which serves several purposes. It doubles as a cover for my generator. I carry water in a 5 gallon plastic container and do as little washing as possible. paper plates and bowls, but real utensils which are easy to wash up with a little brush or sponge.. I do consider a microwave an essential, as it can do a lot of chores, including heating coffee water (instant coffee) in an explodeable pyrex measuring cup..

I'm even going to start heating water in my electric fry pan for washing (or I can do it in the microwave. rinsing is a plastic salad bowl filled with cold water. Drying is a towel or setting out on the table in the sun on a paper towel.... I don't like to over complicate things. And I don't need to bring my house with me when I camp.

[Eaganites]

I agree when I camp I want things simple. No muss and fuss. but I would not have considered a microwave - it is a far cry from tent camping - but is it really that helpful? Seems like it would require quite a bit of electricity - but then I see you use a generator.

[caseydog]

I agree when I camp I want things simple. No muss and fuss. but I would not have considered a microwave - it is a far cry from tent camping - but is it really that helpful? Seems like it would require quite a bit of electricity - but then I see you use a generator.

A lot of teardroppers have microwaves. I can't make myself get one for camping. It just don't seem right to me. I don't bring a TV, either, but some folks have flat-screens and satellite dishes. To each his own.

I do have a coffee-maker in my galley. And, I sometimes bring along a blender for making tasty beverages.

CD

[Arne]

Choice: that's what make t/d's so great. Everyone has likes and dislikes, and when you build your own, or have it built to your specs, you get pretty much exactly what you want...

[Eaganites]

[4123]

Our Camp-Inn 550 SUV is equipped with the sink and water tanks, pump, external hook ups etc. I tied the 8 gallon water tank in series with the 8 gallon gray water tank giving us a total of 16 gallons of potable water. One of Olga's favorite things is the spray head that connects to the external hook up. That's what she shows first whenever people ask to see inside the galley. It makes dishwashing a breeze! We love the water features! We often go camping for weeks at a time and I don't believe we could do it without the larger water supply.
We also love the heater. It's made winter camping comfortable as can be.

[Eaganites]

Ron and Olga,
looks like you do some serious camping. I am impressed that after all your experience you chose the Camp-Inn. It gives me alot of confidence in our planned purchase. We will not be giving our tear as much activity: site seeing road trips, a weekend a month at state campground and trips to Arkansas and Texas. But who knows if I ever retire maybe more. I loved your telephone site - a long way from a blackberry! Pat

[Eaganites]

Well we did it we ordered our Camp Inn 550 tear. Cary patiently took us through everything. "What is this?", "How does it work?", "What is it made out of?", "Can I try it?", "Why do I want it?", "How do you do that?" and on and on.

We ended up with the 550 Classic . Added the upgraded lights, fastantic fan, and the wood cooler table, We will wait till we use it a while to see if we want a side tent, second table, and full-screens. After seeing the water set-up we kept the water.

Now the hard part is waiting for winter to pass and camping to start in the early spring.

Cary said we will get pictures - so that will help with our dreaming and planning for our 1st short trip to pick it up and then camping every chance we get.

Thank you all for your help in answering my questions.
Pat

[SandyD]

Congratuations Share the Pics as you get them !!

[BillandMarijo]

Congrats on the CampInn. Very nice. We usually camp at State Parks and KOAs and they all have sinks to take your dishes in to wash. And you can always purchase a vinyl camping sink (eBay) that folds up for easy storage. I see no need for a sink.
Enjoy!
Bill and Marijo

[fpoole]

Heyya, congrats on the new "Drop"...
You'll have a blast...

I'm probably NOT the one to ask for "...what can I do without..." as I have just about everything except the Air Conditioner... not really needed up here in Washington eh??

I use the sink most of the time, carry a 5-gal bottle of Filtered water (market's pour your own) with a push pump and use that for drinking. Then another 5-gal for campground water if available for dishes etc. I cook with a lot of utensils and use 3 plastic tubs for soap-rinse-rinse cleaning.

Sink is used when needed and glad I have it, but not critical.
The HEATER is... heheh..
it's a little c-c-c-cold up here..

Mattress, in it's current configuration is the regular mattress, 2" memory foam, electric heating pad (works great), mattress pad and opened sleeping bag soon to be replace with a down quilt me thinks...

Anyway, I've used just about everything except the leveling jacks and that's just cause I've been lucky or lazy.. not sure which...

Have fun with it, half the fun is "Outfitting" it...
See ya on the road eh?

fp