Wood Paneling Mahogany vs Bamboo Finish

We recently made a visit to Camp-Inn to deliver stereo components for our upcoming 560 build. I know several of you out there had an interest in seeing samples of the two up-grade finishes. I photographed both together along with the stock natural finish. In the first photo the Mahogany in on the left and Bamboo on the right and natural is on top. The second photo is the bamboo with a leather sample my wife picked out although this is an undecided option at this point.

 

My two cents on the darker paneling: Mosquitoes become virtually invisible on a Mahogany background.
Our 550 is #543, so ours is the original “oak” paneling. We have spent many nights in our camper.
Once camping in east Texas on the ocean, we found swarms of mosquitoes as soon as the sun set.
A small camper has the advantage of close range fly swatter control of these beasts with very good lighting to work in. Lighter paneling makes the task a snap!
Especially satisfying to be able see a blood stain on the lighter paneling. Easily wiped up later or left as a nice trophy wall.
We CampInn people have it made-
Imagine trying to chase insects around in a big RV?
Fly shatters really don’t work in a tent either.
Life is good in a CampInn!

 

those wood samples all look great, and I bet you will be happy with what ever you choose.

wood and wood finishes are just a very subjective and personal choice item. I am very fond of quarter sawn oak, and birds eye maple, although I suspect (at least for my use) that the latter would be the better choice for the interior, being a lighter color in a not-excessively light up environment.

@Jim && Selma - that is a very though provoking post there regarding the mosquitoes. I'm in Texas myself, but we only use our 550 during the cooler months, or at least so far.

 

The proverbial state insect...the Wisconsin Mosquito...use a Therma-cell to keep them out

 

Those Texas mosquitoes were beyond Therma-cell. Don’t mean to bash Texas either. Sea Rim State Park was awesome during the daytime. See Photos.

 

Very nice, looks like somewhere I should be ...

 

We really liked the mahogany...besides just being a great wood in general, it contrasts nicely with the the other maple and birch wood and our green leather sofa. Haven't had any issues with not being able to see mosquitoes, but a.) we're very meticulous in keeping bugs out, and b.) most of our camping is in the western half of the United States, which is way less buggy that back east (though we have camped as far east as the Mississippi River in the 560).

Added few pics below that we took to highlight how beautiful the mahogany is!

 

Hey Mike & Lisa.....do you guy's get room service when you're "glamping"?

Just kidding, looks really nice...and the leather looks great on the bunk/sofa with the mahogany. I also like the contrasting colors between the natural and the mahogany. But heck I am partial to Mahogany anyway........I live on Mahogany Court

Bill

 

Campdude, that's only the tip of the iceberg...you should see the hot tub we have inside the 560!

On a more serious note, the only one getting room service in there right now is my wife...she fractured the top of her tibia while taking the final skills test for her motorcycle safety course recently, though she managed to save the bike from a nasty drop while doing it. Then she completed one more test item (!) with her leg basically strapped to the bike and drove herself home afterward (a 1-hour drive). She works part-time on an ambulance, and wanted NOTHING to do with getting transported to a hospital! The wife ended up with the highest skills score in the class, and got her license...but she'll be immobile for a couple of months. None of that, however, has stopped us from camping with the Camp-Inn (in fact, it turns out the teardrop format is pretty easy to get in and out of with a leg injury). I've been taking care of all of the cooking (normally something she likes to do), and bringing her meals, coffee, etc. to her while she hangs out either inside the trailer or outside in her chair. She doesn't like sitting around and not doing things, but she is enjoying the 5-star service!

 

I dropped my Gold Wing pulling a small camper (Leisure Lite) about 20 years ago. Tried to keep a 900lb motorcycle from falling. Bone in my arm was fractured; took 4 Tylenol and drove it down the mountain home.

 

Ouch...Gold Wings aren't light! Riding with a fractured arm does not sound pleasant. Hopefully you didn't suffer any lasting damage to you or the bike.

I've got a KLR 650 and a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy with the new Milwaukee- Eight engine. The KLR doesn't mind getting dropped (I do it on the off-road trails every once in a while for fun), but the I shudder to think about picking the Harley up if I drop it. I'm actually toying around with adding a sidecar to the Harley, they always looked like fun with all of their weird riding characteristics. I'm also looking at getting a Mighty Hauler 1000M rack for the back of the truck that would allow me to bring the KLR or the Harley (without sidecar) while also towing the trailer.

 

OK… I’m not bashing Mahogany wood or broken tibias either.
Mahogany is one of the classic, old fashioned veneers. If it’s good enough for pianos, it looks great in a camper.
And contrasting types of wood are fantastic. And best of all it is real wood veneer, as opposed to the photo oak paneling that was the only option we had in 2012.
CampInn just keeps getting better, although we’re 550 all the way. Grandkids can sleep in a tent!
And as for tibias, I shattered my tibia plateau and broke my fibula, plus compressed a vertebrae a few years ago.
Six weeks in a walker and leg immobilized definitely gives me a taste of old age.
Selma had us on the road as soon as I could bend my knee into the camper…

 

We have the Mahogany and I think it’s fantastic. Adds a certain class and warmth to the interior. It’s just beautiful.

 

Does anyone have pictures of the stock interior or the bamboo? It’s hard to tell on the CI website what they look like.

 

When I was shopping I pulled all the photos from the internet that I could find. If you see grooves in the wood it's the original. If smooth it's either hog or bamboo. But remember that only applies to interiors and the inside lid of the galley. I know that the second to last photo is bamboo because I saw that one in person and confirmed from the owner.

For the record, I went with the Mahogany.

Camp Inn Teardrops - JohnChico

 

Oh that’s super helpful. These shots really help, thanks!