Fixes/upgrades 550: Advice sought

[tjohn]

We own a 2014 Camp-Inn 550 trailer which we purchased used in 2024. We have just completed a 104 day Alaska Highway road trip and ran into some issues with the camp-inn that need to be rectified and I am seeking advice from others who may have faced similar problems.

1. The under trailer plastic storage bins cracked in multiple locations. We did not do any off roading but the Alaska Highway does have sections of road with gravel and rocks on it that have to be travelled. Doing so resulted in the plastic storage bins under our trailer cracking in multiple locations . Does anybody know of a way to upgrade them so that they can handle gravel roads without cracking? I was thinking maybe a layer flex foam or something like that might work as a way to add some protection.
   
2. The kitchen stove location doesn't work for us on extended trips . It is too far back and too low which results in back strain and fatigue with daily cooking. We would like to completely remove the stock stove and replace it with a removable stove that could be placed on a higher surface . However we want it to be able to travel in the same compartment and continue to use the camp-inn native propane supply as well. Has anyone done this in the past and do you have any recommendations for a replacement stove and setup?
   
3. Upgrading window screens to no-see-um mesh. If anyone's done this in the past I would welcome suggestions and thoughts on how to proceed. Yes we do have the zip in no-see-um mesh but they make it very difficult to get out of the trailer at night . Also it would be great to upgrade the fan screen to no-see-um as well.
   
4. Replacing the black hard plastic gaskets/seals on the front of the trailer . Despite having rock guards the front of the trailer took some rock damage including cracking of the hard plastic gaskets up front . Does anyone know the best approach for replacing those ?

 

[The Postman]

We own a 2014 Camp-Inn 550 trailer which we purchased used in 2024. We have just completed a 104 day Alaska Highway road trip and ran into some issues with the camp-inn that need to be rectified and I am seeking advice from others who may have faced similar problems.

1. The under trailer plastic storage bins cracked in multiple locations. We did not do any off roading but the Alaska Highway does have sections of road with gravel and rocks on it that have to be travelled. Doing so resulted in the plastic storage bins under our trailer cracking in multiple locations . Does anybody know of a way to upgrade them so that they can handle gravel roads without cracking? I was thinking maybe a layer flex foam or something like that might work as a way to add some protection.
   
2. The kitchen stove location doesn't work for us on extended trips . It is too far back and too low which results in back strain and fatigue with daily cooking. We would like to completely remove the stock stove and replace it with a removable stove that could be placed on a higher surface . However we want it to be able to travel in the same compartment and continue to use the camp-inn native propane supply as well. Has anyone done this in the past and do you have any recommendations for a replacement stove and setup?
   
3. Upgrading window screens to no-see-um mesh. If anyone's done this in the past I would welcome suggestions and thoughts on how to proceed. Yes we do have the zip in no-see-um mesh but they make it very difficult to get out of the trailer at night . Also it would be great to upgrade the fan screen to no-see-um as well.
   
4. Replacing the black hard plastic gaskets/seals on the front of the trailer . Despite having rock guards the front of the trailer took some rock damage including cracking of the hard plastic gaskets up front . Does anyone know the best approach for replacing those ?

Wow! Epic trip! @dirty6 wrote up his family's visit inc taking the Dalton to Deadhorse.

But I think you hold the record!
Hope you can share some pics and a yarn or two.

Very interested in this too...good also for any long trips on BLM or USFS gravel roads ...

Just spit-balling here: maybe a good convo around a campfire at CICO?

1. skid plate like- cover of light aluminum bent to give sloped fromt and sides and bent again as tabs to be screwed in or through-bolted thru wood floor over the understorage bins...

2. Or thin layer of fiberglass (or a similar substance compatible with plastic painted on the inside of the bins?

3. CampInn offers an option for rhino liner like coating on bottom of wood floor deck- could that be applied to the plastic bins as well?

What did you do as a hasty repair to stop water coming in cracks. Duct tape?

 

[The Postman]

Stove alternative stowed in alcove...
I thought there was mention of this...
Found it:

Post in thread 'Gear Box For The Minimalists'

Oct 14, 2021

For those minimalists out there. My 550 Ultra is sans sink and stove. We prefer cooking on a table and using water jugs. Anyway, we utilize a Camp Chef propane stove that won't quite fit fully under the left cabinets where the CI stove would go. Made the storage box to adjust for that and created extra cargo space as well as home for the fold up table.

You didn't mention which model stove you are using, but the Camp Chef Ranger II model propane stove will fit under the left cabinet. We changed our out several years ago, and it has worked out well.

• dustinp

• 

There are newer lighter similar sized stoves...good start here:

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/camping-stove/coleman-cascade-3-in-1

 

[Carl U]

The plastic buckets seem to be the last to be put on in the build process. Maybe they come out easily and could be replaced.

 

[tjohn]

It was a great journey. Amazing scenery, beautiful wildlife and just enough unforeseen issues to make the whole thing an adventure. I know it is a popular trip and others are likely considering it as well so I will be happy to share some details and pictures in the near future.

I am not sure if they sell replacement plastic buckets but even if they do I am looking for something that wont crack as easily as these did. For a quick on the road repair I used Amazing GOOP Marine Contact adhesive. We were in Stewart/Hyder at the time and that was the best option available and it worked well.

For the suggested replacement stoves do you know if there is an adaptor or something so they could can utilize the existing propane line? we did carry a few of the green propane canisters for the BougeRV water heater but in general I prefer to avoid them if possible.

 

[dustinp]

We did adapt a Camp Chef Ranger 2 to fit on the slide that the original stove was on, and it does slide in to the same space, and uses the same gas line. We've enjoyed the better flame adjustability, and the piezo electric lighters.
We also (if we remember) put ramps under the TD wheels when we set up, that gives us some extra height, and less stooping over to use the stove.
It would be cool if there was a dual action slide for the stove that rolled right, and then forward. Maybe some brilliant engineer here on the forum will come up with one.

 

[dirty6]

Welcome back from Alaska! Amazing place and amazing trip.

I think you’re right about all the gravel on the ALCAN - our 560’s first home was in Alaska, and one of the bins caught a rock and was damaged on the way up there. We repaired it very simply. What I can report is - it hasn’t happened again even after 1.5 years of use in Alaska, the drive out of Alaska, and 5 additional years of use in the lower 48. So, if you avoid the massive punishment of the ALCAN in the future, you may be ok.

We carry a footstool with us to help in setting up our roof top tent. Sometimes that footstool proves extra helpful when cooking to give the chef a little more height and reduce back strain. Aside from that, remember that your utility outlets on the driver’s side of the gallery exterior includes a propane hookup that ties into the propane line. We have traveled with a small Blackstone griddle before and tapped into that exterior line for cooking. You could always carry a propane stove that slides into the standard stove storage spot, and then connect it to the exterior propane line when you’ve placed the stove where you want it. Caution though - if you put your stove closer to the chef on the storage bins, you’ll lose access to them when cooking. I’d assume you need to put the stove on a separate table outside the galley.

@Sweeney thanks for the shoutout! Just for clarification - we didn’t go all the way to Deadhorse. We pulled the 560 to the Yukon River and then drove just a little further (without the camper) to the official Arctic Circle signpost. Deadhorse is another 300 miles past the AC sign. I badly wanted to make it as far as the North Slope of Atigun Pass (130 miles past the AC sign), but that wasn’t in the cards.

Preview of coming attractions - the Army has informed us we are 90% probably moving back to Alaska this summer, so our camper will be making that trek yet again. Perhaps I should reinforce my plastic bins before we go ….

 

[Sweeney]

We own a 2014 Camp-Inn 550 trailer which we purchased used in 2024. We have just completed a 104 day Alaska Highway road trip and ran into some issues with the camp-inn that need to be rectified and I am seeking advice from others who may have faced similar problems.

1. The under trailer plastic storage bins cracked in multiple locations. We did not do any off roading but the Alaska Highway does have sections of road with gravel and rocks on it that have to be travelled. Doing so resulted in the plastic storage bins under our trailer cracking in multiple locations . Does anybody know of a way to upgrade them so that they can handle gravel roads without cracking? I was thinking maybe a layer flex foam or something like that might work as a way to add some protection.
   
2. The kitchen stove location doesn't work for us on extended trips . It is too far back and too low which results in back strain and fatigue with daily cooking. We would like to completely remove the stock stove and replace it with a removable stove that could be placed on a higher surface . However we want it to be able to travel in the same compartment and continue to use the camp-inn native propane supply as well. Has anyone done this in the past and do you have any recommendations for a replacement stove and setup?
   
3. Upgrading window screens to no-see-um mesh. If anyone's done this in the past I would welcome suggestions and thoughts on how to proceed. Yes we do have the zip in no-see-um mesh but they make it very difficult to get out of the trailer at night . Also it would be great to upgrade the fan screen to no-see-um as well.
   
4. Replacing the black hard plastic gaskets/seals on the front of the trailer . Despite having rock guards the front of the trailer took some rock damage including cracking of the hard plastic gaskets up front . Does anyone know the best approach for replacing those ?

For the bins, I can see two options depending on how badly they are damaged and where they are damaged.

Replacement, in which case you'll need the factory - these are not off the shelf parts. I know these are one of the last things they install -- but I have never had to replace mine so I can't help with the how.

The second option is repair. THere are plastic repair tools available that use, which depends on your level of comfort -- things like plastic welding rods.

As for the kitchen, there isn't much you can do for that except to find another solution -- there are a couple threads here in the forum where alternatives are discussed. The one thing though, is that this is a propane appliance so if you remove it -- capping off the propane is an absolutely critical step and will kill you if you don't do it right. Read that again, it is not hyperbole. I would also suggest not making major changes since the next owner may want what you have.

When yo usay the black hard plastic -- do you mean the black trim that kind of goes around the edges? About 1/2 inch wide and domed? Don't over think this --- its super cheap on amazon and there are dozens of videos on how to replace it -- it is rather satisfying to do actually. A plastic 'spudger' and a little preasure will zip it right into place. Observer carefully places where it is screwed in and attached. remove and replace the silicone on the screws and hold down the 'cips' -- one at each od of the strip. I alwasy put a dollop of silicone into the screw holes before I replace the screws...keeping water out iss c.r.i.t.i.c.a.l. to keeping any rv alive.