A big howdy from Austin

Hey all,

My first post as a new wannabe. I've probably followed the same path as many in my new infatuation with teardrops. As a lifelong tent camper, I always presumed I'd get a pop-up, but am now leaning in a different direction.

I've searched endlessly on the net and was leaning toward a Little Guy trailer, but probably sealed my fate when I visited a neighbor yesterday with a 550 Ultra. Like most folks on this forum, they were very enthusiastic about their purchase, and my "hands on" confirmed the craftsmanship and thoughtfulness of design I was looking for. I'll go visit a dealer with other brands soon, but I have a feeling it will only confirm my gut feeling about Camp-Inn.

And so, to sound like a broken record to 'yall, 550 or 650? I think the space on the 550 would be sufficient, and I definitely prefer the traditional teardrop look instead of the flat roof. Essentially, does anyone think that the couch itself is worth a few thousand dollars? The comfort for those rainy days is obvious, but I have to consider the costs, also.

Greetings to all,

Timothy

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Welcome to the forum, Timothy. Both the 550 and the 560 have enough storage space for everything you need. It's all the stuff that you don't need that ends up taking up all the room.

As a 560 owner, of course I think that the extra couple thousand is worth it. (Also, we have a 7-year-old daughter that sleeps in the bunk). If you are thinking that the couch would be great for those rainy days (which it is!), and cost is biggest concern, then I'd say: Suck it up, and fork over the extra dough. Pain is temporary, but a Camp-Inn is forever... or something like that. It's an investment that could easily last you for 30 years. You might as well get what you want.

 

Timothy, welcome to the Forum and enjoy the ride. We took the same route as you plan. Looked at the Little Guy and were impressed but since we had never seen a teardrop before we didn't have a frame of reference. We looked at all the web pictures of the homemade tears and wished we were so talented (but aren't). Finally, we found a CI owner near here and arranged a visit - the rest is history. We pick up our 560 in Sept. We decided on the Raindrop because of the couch / bunk bed option. We have 4 little grandkids and , like The Field Of Dreams, Granny figures if we buy it , they will come.
Have fun, we sure have.
Mike

 

Timothy,

Welcome to the forums, there's a lot of information waiting for you on here.

We recently had an opportunity to spend a weekend amongst twenty+ other teardrops. The mix was several homebuilts of varying styles and quality, a couple T@B's, several Little Guys including their flagship 6' wide Silver Shadow, and two 550 Ultra's.

Observation: The T@B folks, teardrop lovers that prefer a manufactured "standee" still wanted the tour and ogled at the all the amenities CI is able to incorporate in such a limited space. The homebuilders, sometimes a tough crowd to please, were all impressed with CI's craftsmanship. The most often response from the Little Guys owners was "I wish I had that in ours". One of the first couples we met owned the brand new Silver Shadow which they just traded up to from a one year old Little Guy …the husband's first comment was "man, that's top shelf, hope I get there someday"

CampInn owners never get tired of hearing that stuff!

So, trust your gut… it will probably lead you to CampInn when you're ready. We promise you won't be disappointed.

enjoy!!

 

We decided on the 560.
One sit in that couch did it. It will be just the 2 of us. But we're not getting any younger, and just think lay down to read a book or watch a movie or just kick back or have a nice couch to sit on to kick back.
You can't add it later.
Take my wife with you when you order. I promise you will leave with a nice trailer ordered.

 

Awesome. All the friendly welcomes are appreciated.

I'm sure I'll be asking plenty of silly questions in the future.

Timothy

 

We also have a 4.5 year old, and that couch/bunk set up was the main reason I was able to convince my husband we neeeded a teardrop. Then he saw a Camp-inn, and our order went in the next day. I fall more in love with m 560, every time I use it.

As of right now, I wouldn't change a thing. I am sure you will figure out exactly what you need. One thing I tell folks is, really think about how you camp, and apply that to what you are looking for.

Until then, please feel free to ask questions (I have asked plenty of silly ones too), and good luck with your search!

 

Welcome to the forum Timothy!
As everyone has been saying, it really is a personal choice. We absolutely LOVE our 550 Teardrop. It is plenty big and comfortable enough for the two of us. If the weather is inclement, we have the Northern Breeze screen house to put up over the galley, which allows plenty of room to hang out in. We spend the majority of our time out and about, so the cabin is used mainly for sleeping and such!
The only reason we considered the 560 Raindrop for even a second, was because of our two small grandchildren, who might occasionally tag along. Then we figured, that might only happen a handful of times between the diaper-less stage and the time they would outgrow the bunks. So, we decided to go with the looks and style of the 550 Teardrop, and have NOT regretted our choice. And that's being said after nearly 60 nights of use!

 

Timothy we also have the 550 (2009) and have been out for the the last 2+ weeks we love the size and space of shelf and cabinets. We travel with a sheltie who sleeps at our feet with out a problem. We also have the northern breeze which this trip we never put up as no bugs or rain. We do put our screen tent up for pett toilet and such. Good luck with your decision making.

 

Hi Timothy,

Welcome! We are right up the road in Round Rock. I have been happy with our 550 ultra for several years now, but you can't go wrong with either 550 or 560. Other than sleeping or hanging out during rainy times, I don't spend a huge amount of time inside, but every once in a while I think that couch would be nice!

Thanks,
Steve

 

Timothy: re the 550 versus the 560, I think the analysis comes down to, "is our local weather so often inclement, that I think I will spend many hours IN the camper rather than OUT of the camper?" I am not familiar with the Texas weather, so I don't know how often you get rainy days that will "force" you inside. I live in California (SF area), and there isn't enough rainy weather up here to drive me to hang around inside a camper.

Of course, if you have small children, I could see getting the 560. I'd still rather put them in a tent, however.

and I mean absolutely no offense to the folks who chose the 560. To each his own, 100%. I am not camping, right now, more then 10-20 days/year, and the last thing I want to do is sit inside on a couch. I can do that at home!! Even if it is raining, I'd rather be outside. (and putting up a screen tent isn't all that hard to do) But I have to admit that I will likely be wishing I bought the 560 if I encounter day after day of rain on a trip. Of course, you can always kick back in your tow vehicle for an hour or so, reading a book.

But we didn't buy the heater or the AC, either, so that probably tells you which way we lean as far as amenities.

If you don't have little kids, I'd buy the 550 and a really nice screen tent/room (i.e., Northern Breeze). You may need the screen tent for the bugs, regardless - Nothing worse than having to run screaming into the camper because the bugs are out (even though you'd much rather be outside).

If you DO have kids, I'd still buy the 550,...and a nice tent for your kids to sleep in AND a nice screen tent/room (like the Northern Breeze). Kids want to mess around in a tent while camping. Eventually, if you are sharing the 560-, the kids willget tired of you telling them to "pipe down and go to sleep" - and they'll be sleeping in a tent, anyway.

just my two cents

and PLEASE keep asking "stupid" questions - I'd love the company!!

-Al

 

We have the 550 and have been very happy with it. Haven't felt the need at all for the couch and our kids are grown so we don't need the room.

Like Al we didn't get the heater or the ac. We've been down in the mid 20's and were fine with a down comforter. Also went to Palo Duro a couple months ago when daytime temp hit 102 but with the fan and screen doors (best option we got) we were fine at night and actually needed a sheet for cover. We don't spend much time in the trailer during the day and if the weather is bad we hook up and head for better weather.

I also agree about the tent for kids; that's our plan if we ever have grandchildren.

Whichever you choose you really can't go wrong.
Maybe we'll see you around the state parks of Texas sometime.

 

Ya know, Timothy...either model would be grand. We have a 550 classic and love it, love it, LOVE IT!!! That sofa can be handy for a cold evening's reading and the bunk beds are a winner if you have kids or grand kids. It's all up to what you really, really want. Go with your heart-it knows what it's doing.

And welcome home.

Camp On,

Sue and Jim

 

560 Ultra here. - what everyone else said . The workmanship is incredible. If GM made cars lie this, they'd probably have bailed out the government

 

Truer words were never spoken. And that is another reason to buy a CI: MADE IN AMERICA

Sue

 

Wow, I haven't checked for responses to my post in a while, and all your messages are greatly appreciated.

I'm running out of reasons not to make the plunge and place an order for a trailer. I've been to a dealer and looked at the Little Guys, and there just ain't no comparison. Considering how few Camp-Inns I've seen for sale, I feel like it's a pretty secure investment.

I just watched got a copy of this little documentaryhttp://www.overlandtrailer.com/ and it's just got me dying to join the owners group. There is a nice little section on CI.

 

So stop dragging your heels and put in that deposit. The sooner you get it, the longer you will have to enjoy the great outdoors.


Camp On,

Sue