New Guy Needs Information

Ron Hutchison

Ron Hutchison

Novice
Hi All,

I just joined the forum today, even though I became interested in Camp-Inn teardrops in 2004. I had planned to buy one then, but got sidetracked so, 6 years later I'm back and I'm ready. I'm a retired engineer and live in west Tennessee. I love backpacking and hiking and do several trips a year in the Ozark Mtns of Arkansas or the Smokies in east Tennessee.

I have some questions for anyone who can offer some advice or in-sight from their camping experiences. I'm not even sure if this is the correct section of the forum to ask for this type information, but here goes... I'm planning a 4 to 6 month tour of many western U.S. and Canadian National Parks beginning next April or May. I will not have a set schedule as I may stay in a location anywhere from a day or two up to 2 or 3 weeks. My questions are as follows:

Without reservations, due to not having a firm schedule, how difficult will it be to get into campgrounds either in or near national parks?

Where do you camp for a night while traveling between destinations? I've heard that Walmart parking lots allow overnight RVers, but I would rather stay in campgrounds.

While in a NP campground can you leave your teardrop on the campsite while away backpacking the trails for a few days?

Any information anyone can offer is greatly appreciated.

Hutch
 
Hello Hutch,

The only one I can answer is between destinations. We always hit a KOA or a county/Provincial park if there isn't a KOA. KOA is like McDonald's, not great but you know what to expect. We have seen very few nice private parks. Locals will tell you about county/good parks when you get tired. You will probably find your schedule will come together and when you take off in the AM you can check a KOA guide and have an idea where you will get that day. None of the above should be full except maybe on holiday weekends. We call ahead when we can. If your miles per day puts you in the middle of nowhere. Stop short, it will be more fun.

Hilditch
 
Hutch, we did a 2.5 week road trip this winter when we picked up our Camp-Inn. We stayed in a different place every night, and drove at least 6 hours every day.

We started out looking for good camp sites (we're part of Resorts of Distinction, and KOA) but there were several nights where we just pulled over after dark at the nearest places we could find - a WalMart, a RestStop, and a free "RV park" that was just a field.

With the short winter days, once it was dark, there wasn't much point in driving out of our way to find a camp site.

I'm not sure about the unoccupied NP question.

And, of course, welcome to the forum! So, are you planning on having a tear by next spring?
 
Welcome to the forum Hutch. Sounds like a great trip! You've already got some good advice on where to stay while moving from one place to another. As far as availability in NP's, it will really depend on holidays, etc. We were in Yosemite over the Memorial Day weekend and there were traffic jams to contend with. They said it's the busiest single weekend of their year. So that could require some prior scheduling to get a spot in the park. During those peak times, I would think it might be easier to get a spot in a surrounding campground.
There won't be a problem leaving your trailer at a campsite while backpacking, as long as you've reserved the site for the length of your hike. Each park seems to have their own limit on the number of days you can stay in one campsite - I know some are 7 days and others were up to 14 in our experience. You can certainly stay longer in a given park, but you'd have to move to another campsite...
It should be a great trip - keep us posted on the planned parks!
 
Welcome Hutch,
Sorry I can't offer advice with your questions - but wish you all the best with your trip.
 
Thanks to all of you for the good advice and for making me feel welcome to the forum. I am planning to purchase a Camp-Inn teardrop in the near future. Currently, I'm looking for a well cared for used one. I also need to check with the guy's at the factory on lead time requirements in case I need to end up purchasing a new one. My trip departure date is approximately 10 months away. Hopefully, I'm not already beyond the build lead time requirement.

I've already picked up some very good tips in the forum regarding accessorizing the teardrop. Little things that can be personally fabricated and adapted for use that enhances the experience and enjoyment of camping life.

I'm looking forward to continued visits on the forum and becoming acquainted with everyone.

Thanks,
Hutch
 
Hutch,
Check with Alan at Poplar Hill RV in Maine. It is the only other place to buy a new Camp-Inn in the country. There should be a link to his website on the Camp-Inn homepage. You might be able to get a camp-inn sooner if the lead time is too long for you at the factory. We bought ours through Alan and we were able to buy one that Alan had ordered but hadn't been started yet, so we were able to tweak the camper to what we wanted and we didn't have to wait very long to get it. Either way you should try to get to the factory to at least meet Craig, Cary and crew. Welcome to the Forum and good luck in your search for a camper.
Charlie
PS. Sometimes Alan will have a used camp-inn on his website.
 
Good thought here Charlie and Bernice. I'll check their website. Maine is a long, long distance from here, but hey, I've never shied away form a good road trip.

I doubt having much success finding a nice used one anywhere.

Thanks,
Hutch
 
Hutch said:
I doubt having much success finding a nice used one anywhere.
Click to expand...

Check out the "For Sale" section here on the forum.

http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1762#Post1762

One of our customers is selling an older Camp-Inn 500 Classic. I haven't heard that it has been sold yet. He upgraded to a newer one. He kept his in very nice condition & even had some upgrades done on it prior to putting it up for sale. If you want more info, contact Cary & he can give you specifics on it.

:cool:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
FYI...

Hutch,
We bought ours used from Alan, and met halfway between Chicago and Maine to pick it up, so that'd probably be an option.
 
Hutch,
You probably don't even need to go to Maine, even though it is beautiful here and I am sure would enjoy yourself here. I am sure that you could buy it through Alan using all of modern technology available, and then just pick it up yourself at the factory. Have fun shopping and buying!
Charlie
 
Hilditch,
The price is the same whether through Alan or Camp-Inn. When we bought ours, Alan had one in the queu at Camp-Inn that we could get in a couple months rather than wait a year. I don't know how Camp-Inn and Alan do it, but the price was the same either way. When it was ready, we went to pick it up ourselves rather than have it delivered. Alan is just as helpful and concerned with quality as Craig, Cary and crew.
Charlie
 
Charlie,

I understand you did it right because of the timing issue, and that was good. I would have done it that way too. I was thinking if the timing and price were the same I'd rather Camp-Inn kept whatever discount Alan was getting. Being from Maine, you might not feel the same way.

My feeling is that the waiting line has now evaporated with production running about half capacity, even though the site still says they will store the tear for free until April 2010.

Also, we saved 2% by paying Wisconsin sales tax as they didn't hit us up for the difference when it was registered in GA.That could be a fluke, but it worked.

Hilditch
 
Betsey,

Thanks for the information on the 2004 500 Classic. I have sent an email to Brad seeking pictures and additional information regarding this teardrop.

On a side note, I exchanged emails and spoke with Cary on the phone a couple of times back in 2004 when I was planning on getting a teardrop. However, I got sidetracked in another endeavor at the time and never proceeded with the teardrop. Believe it or not, I have those email exchanges between Cary and I in a file and the dates were July, 2004.

Thanks again,
Hutch
 
I believe I actually left this same post (above)on the "For Sale" site of the forum. Just goes to show ya.... never let a forum novice play around in different threads. What a dufus!

Hutch
 
Hilditch,
Like you, we paid WI sales tax and when registered in TN we paid no more. I had anticipated to pay the difference. We saved several hundred dollars. That was a good day.
Steve
 
Hutch,

April of this year I tent camped in a fantastic Army Core of Engineers campground in Mark Twain Lake Indian Creek Recreation Area west of Hannibal, Missouri. In the future I will look for these campgrounds.

Also, check out county and city campgrounds. Most of very reasonable. Shower facilities might be interesting though. But you can pay for showers in truck stops, probably around $10. State forests have remote campgrounds, water, and pit toilets and reasonable rates.

Guessing that most state parks have primitive camping, these sites are rarely used by most campers. Shower facilites will be closer to the main campgrounds.

Chain campgrounds will have similiar facilities, can be pricey. Woodalls has a directery of US campgrounds. Will always be outdated the moment it is published.

Jean
 
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