Hello from Oregon!

Just thought I would pop in and say hello. Our family ordered our 560 Ultra last month (we have named her 'Dottie' and she should be going into production in the next couple of weeks!). We are thrilled and found everyone we have dealt with at Camp-Inn fantastic! Cary told me about the forum, so I thought I would check it out. Looking forward to hearing your stories and sharing some of our own!

Sarah

 

Welcome, Sarah! Glad to have you here. If you have any questions about options this is the place to ask them before your unit actually starts production. And, if you like, you are welcome to post photos of your build as it progresses.

 

Thanks so much! We will! Once production is nearly done, I am going to pick brains for best places to stop between MN and OR. We will be heading out either October or Novemeber, so it is going to be a bit colder, but it will break her in. Especially since we plan to take her up to the ski areas with us!

I do have a quick question: the underside of the trailers. With our wet NW weather, did you have it coated or does it do ok with the wet? We don't plan to just use it for summer/fair weather travel, and this was something we wanted to look into, especially since we will take her into the snow and will be in the wet and probably off-road. We also don't have room in the garage for her, so we got the cover, but she will be outside all of the time. Would love advice there!

 

Regarding the underside of the trailers:

I had an extended conversation with Craig about this. Apparently it's one of those things where common sense is wrong. A coating on the underside prevents the plywood from breathing, traps moisture, and eventually rots. Several RV manufacturers did this and all of their floors rotted out after about 10 years. The Camp-Inn has a good thick varnish, but is otherwise unprotected which allows the wood to breathe. Craig's trailer (#2) is 10 years old and has been in all kinds of weather. He said it looks like it's a few months old - a bit dirty - but otherwise in great shape.

I don't think you will have any problem unless you mount a propeller on the back and attempt to use your CI amphibiously.

Betsey, if I misquoted Craig feel free to correct me.

 

I too was concerned about the lack of aluminum skin on the bottom. I asked Cary about the exposed wood. He mentioned there is no exposed wood. They bank on the varnish to keep the wood solid. I would have to defer to the Camp-Inn folks on that decision.
Steve

 

Thanks everyone for your info! That makes perfect sense now that you explain it. Out here, the wet is an issue with everything (especially since it last 9-10 months of the year), so it is always one of our first questions.

 

What I never understood is how can the wood underneath the trailer breathe when it is coated with a marine varnish? Isn't this still a sealer that prevents the wood from breathing??

 

Welcome Sarah, I'm in Corvallis, don't know where you are, but if you're close I'd be happy to sit down and talk CI with you. This is a great place to learn. I've had a one full winter experience with Oregon rain, the CI cover and now a custom shelter for my second winter fast approaching. You will really enjoy your 560.

Kent

 

Hey all, just chatted with Cary via email and it looks like I will be making the long haul out to MN to pick up our Dottie girl the week of the 25th (we are currently targeting the 26th for THE DAY!)! Starting to get routes all lined up and finalizing plans. We are so excited!

Just wanted to share and thank everyone for all of the great advice and comradery thus far! Can't wait to change my badge (Evan, I will contact you from the road!).

Have a good weekend everyone!

 

Have a safe trip!