550 / 560 550 Versus 560

IMO, the biggest decision to make after deciding to buy a Camp-Inn, is whether to go with the 550 or the 560.
I'd like to give everyone who has already made this decision (whether an owner yet or not) a chance to weigh in on this subject.

1) What did you choose - 550 or 560?
2) What considerations affected your choice? (Price, looks, weight, kids, dogs?, etc...)
3) Did you see just one model before deciding or both?
4) If you are an owner, would you choose differently today?

If you have any additional insight, please add that as well...

 

We decided on the 560 because of the extra room and windows. As we have a little one traveling with us, giving him his own space was important, and we figure when he gets to the point if not wanting to travel with us, it gives us more space to stash stuff. Also, when you decide to be inside due to nasty weather, the extra daylight sure makes a huge difference.

The 560 is the reason we decided to go with Camp-Inn, and it sealed our decision pretty quick (we did see one 560 before we placed our order, just to make sure we were going to like what we were investing in. We haven't been camping much recently (for several reasons), but this has gotten us excited about it again...especially since we can't backpack anymore.

 

I was very concerned about weight. Of course I wanted the 560 because of our small daughter, but I didn't think our 4-cylinder Honday CRV would be able to tow the 560.

So, originally, I was planning on getting the 550 - after all, it does have a decidedly more 'retro' look. And, Camp-Inn's FAQ states that the queen bed will fit two adults and a small child. Boy, am I glad I talked this over with Cary. He said that you can tow EITHER of their trailers with just about anything that tows. He also put me in touch with Kent Kanipe, who was just leaving for Alaska with his CR-V (identical to mine) and his 560.

Kent also gave me some good advice: Don't defeature your CI to fit your tow vehicle. You can always upgrade your tow vehicle, but you will have your trailer for many years.
Kent had no trouble traveling to Alaska and back, although I think he has upgraded his tow vehicle since then.

The only Camp-Inn we saw before purchasing was a 560. But I think we had already made up our minds by then.

In the end, we went with the 560 and are VERY glad that we did. First, Katie gets her own bed. (If you've ever shared a bed with a small child you know who's the one not getting any sleep.) And second, the couch makes it possible for us to spend a whole rainy weekend inside the trailer reading and watching TV. I'm not sure I could do this lying down. Because of this, we can use our trailer year round.

As far as looks are concerned, I'll admit that the 550 certainly has the edge - it's classier. But the 560 is still pretty cool looking, just a bit more modern.

For our purposes the 560 is exactly what we wanted - no regrets.

 

The 550 has appeal because of the retro looks and obviously the price and this was probably the way I was going to go. However the benefits of having that extra room for those rainy days and the Love Seat with all that light seem so appealing.

Even though our sons are all grown up the extra space for those future tiny people will be handy or even a dog bed.

We will get to see our first Camp Inn this weekend at the Mi Te Jo Camp out in Maine so hopefully this will seal the deal with an order for a 560 to follow.

 

Since I have not seen either yet, I am basing my choice on the couch and windows. The windows are what led me initially to Camp Inn as opposed to other teardrops. The couch appeals to me for those rainy days.

Hopefully, I will be able to drop in on a gathering to get a look. Alternatively, my nephew is getting married in Milwaukee next July. Might have to arrange a road trip to Necedah. (Although if I do, I will probably need to bring my check book.)

 

I really prefer the look of the 550. I got the 560 for the sofa and was especially pleased with this while traveling about Alaska. It is not just that old bones like a touch of comfort, but working on the laptop and watching movies on the same, all while listening to the rain dance on the roof is an absoulte treat. It is of note to have both the fantistic fan and the extra light from the sun/moon roof. Still, we buy what is best for our circumstances and personal priorities. It would be tough to go wrong with either model equiped anyway one wants it......

Kent

 

Joan

Why don't you contact one of the other owners near you I'm sure they would love to show you around I know I would if I had one.

We are traveling from Nova Scotia to Maine this weekend a round trip of 2,000km to get a first look.

Apparently there is already one Raindrop scheduled for Nova Scotia and we have requested via Alan Hill of Popular RV that he passes on our email address but at present the owners have not got in touch.

Still Annie is looking forward top a weekend of shopping.

 

Barry,

There is someone in Portland who owns a 560 I believe. Evan is also about two hours away. There are two reasons why I have not made arrangements to see one:

1. Due to my personal circumstances, it is difficult for me to arrange time to get away although seeing the one in Portland would be easiest if the owner is willing.

2. I have poor impulse control. Once I see one, I will HAVE to buy it. Just not ready to do that yet.

 

Joan, not sure which part of PDX you are in, but you are welcome to see ours after we pick it up. That will happen either next month or Nov. We took a look at the McRory's as my husband works out that direction. And for the record...seeing it, sold both my husband and I. I totally understand what you are talking about.

Just thought I would put that out there!

 

Sarah,

Thank you very much for the kind offer. I think I will take you up on it when you get back from picking it up. You must be really excited.

I actually live in Beaverton, (I updated my profile.)

 

Joan, there are several of us around. I'm in Corvallis and you are more than welcome to take a look when you are feeling brave.

Kent

 

Kent,

'Tisha, I researched for over a year, perhaps approaching two. It was quite a task. Then I looked at a local 560 and placed my order within 48 hours. Whew!

Kent'

This is what I am afraid of! Thanks for the offer.

 

Yes this weekend is going to be a big one for me I did a lot of research about a year ago and then stopped as finance was an issue. Now that issue has gone I have started looking and it will be hard not to push the green button right after I have seen one.

Mind you I might not like it.

 

My vote.

I could have easily continued sleeping in my tent or inside my Vehicle .. However, I wanted to upgrade & did alot of research, over a few years.

There was a time when I had some thoughts of building one myself, and looked at several designs.
T&TTT:http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/

Most of the traditional Tears, were a bit tooo small for my taste.

I originally had my heart set on something a little larger i.e : " Airstream Bambi " .. !
Just one major problem... It wouldn't fit inside of my Apt. garage space. And .., the sticker price was just a bit much more than I had guesstimated on, $$$$$$$$


My only complaint to date; " The factory mattress was a bit too hard to sleep on ".
But we solved that by adding several very thick mattress pads, which made it very,very comfy. We were both surprised how much roomier it feels once your inside.

I wouldn't consider anything smaller than the " 560 Raindrop "


L.M.

 

Mine is still in the build phase, but I did choose the 560. I was initially drawn to the panoramic windows and felt that the sofa would make the cabin area feel more spaceous. The appearance of the front of the 560 reminds me of my family's horse trailer, which is (kind of) okay with me . I am also drawn to the sleek visual line of the 560's exterior.

The only CI that I saw was a 550. I did think about going with a 550 instead - mainly because of the lower price tag and because it would be easier to push by hand into my back yard when not in use. In the end, I stuck with the 560 and bought a trailer dolly to (hopefully) help me out with that.

 

We are sure we'll go with the 550 for several reasons:

I like driving a small car and am not willing to commit to a larger vehicle 365 days a year (and losing gas mileage 365 days a year) so that I can have a larger camper -- for me, it isn't a good trade-off.

Our kids are teens and have one foot out the door. From where we're standing, we can SEE retirement -- and we're planning things we want to do. Being able to camp or take spur-of-the-moment road trips is something we'll enjoy. A number of people at our church are involved in a group called Campers for Christ, and that seems like something we'd enjoy. After more than two decades of marriage, we like each other even better than we did on our wedding day, and we look forward to JUST US TWO time in retirement; thus, the 550 is plenty of space.

I like the easier access to the interior storage (not blocked by the sofa).

I don't like the idea of sitting on the sofa and putting my feet on my pillow.

Money is the last thing in the line-up. Yes, it's nice that the 550 is less expensive, but that really has little to do with our choice.

 

Our choice will be the 550, for weeks we had contemplated the 560 due to the couch and a bit of extra room. We finally realized that we were buying a Teardrop to go camping and to be outside. Here in the Southwest the days are warm and mostly dry, but the nights are cool so having a warm place to sleep is a real priority, however were I in an area where there was lots of rain a 560 would be real nice.

I suppose it depends on whether you have children, climate, and your style of recreation that will determine what is best for you.

 

One reason we chose the 560 and THE main reason was the couch - I hear some say here that the 560 will be too big - believe me, that's NOT an issue! It's still SMALL. But since I've had back surgery twice and laying down all the time causes me pain, I have to get out of bed at night and climb into my recliner to get relief. Many nights I just sleep in the recliner cause I wake with NO back pain. So the couch will be an extension of the bed for me - If my back starts hurting due to laying prone, I'll scoot up into the couch with my neck pillow and afghan and continue sleeping. Heck, I may just start out and stay sleeping on the couch - it RECLINES, and doesn't sit you really straight up. NOW THAT'S CLASS! Those CI guys know what they're doing!

And for those who suggest that I get memory foam for my bed - we already have a 4" on the bed - it's not the bed - it's my back that's the problem! (Actually it's my weight but we ain't going there...)