New owners: Any tips for a first trip

T

tjohn

Newbie
Hi,

We are excited new owners of a used Camp-inn 550 preparing for our first trip. Starting on the 20th we will be spending a couple of weeks in the Glacier National park area.

I was wonder if anyone would be willing to share a couple of items/tips you wished you had known prior to your own first trip in your Camp-Inn?

We are very experienced tent campers and have done this same trip at the same time of year in the past. However we are brand new to Camp-Inn and teardrop trailers in general.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
 
tjohn said:
Hi,

We are excited new owners of a used Camp-inn 550 preparing for our first trip. Starting on the 20th we will be spending a couple of weeks in the Glacier National park area.

I was wonder if anyone would be willing to share a couple of items/tips you wished you had known prior to your own first trip in your Camp-Inn?

We are very experienced tent campers and have done this same trip at the same time of year in the past. However we are brand new to Camp-Inn and teardrop trailers in general.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
 
Ok got it...debugged my Brave browser settings...
Went back and re-read your intro:

Glacier is magnificent. You are old pro's at tent camping and the place and are staying whole time so...

...really its just getting to know the CI vs tent, and the little changes in routine. And that will sort of evolve and be fun if you take time with it.

And getting there: see @JohnC and @Jenn
I'd take it about 10mph slower getting there just to get used to towing vs not, plus time for an extra gas stop or two depending how far away.

Oh I am so envious!
 
Last edited:
tjohn said:
Hi,

We are excited new owners of a used Camp-inn 550 preparing for our first trip. Starting on the 20th we will be spending a couple of weeks in the Glacier National park area.

I was wonder if anyone would be willing to share a couple of items/tips you wished you had known prior to your own first trip in your Camp-Inn?

We are very experienced tent campers and have done this same trip at the same time of year in the past. However we are brand new to Camp-Inn and teardrop trailers in general.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Be careful turning down unfamiliar roads that don’t have a U turn option to turn around.

Go easy as you learn to back in any parking spot. I have a bumper full of memories about what not to do. :-)

Practice some slowing and stopping so you can become familiar with how your brakes respond with all the added weight of the trailer.

Have fun and make sure to take lots of pictures. I’ve been wanting to go to Glacier but have never been.
 
tjohn said:
Hi,

We are excited new owners of a used Camp-inn 550 preparing for our first trip. Starting on the 20th we will be spending a couple of weeks in the Glacier National park area.

I was wonder if anyone would be willing to share a couple of items/tips you wished you had known prior to your own first trip in your Camp-Inn?

We are very experienced tent campers and have done this same trip at the same time of year in the past. However we are brand new to Camp-Inn and teardrop trailers in general.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Car gas: set a mental line on your gas meter where you will refill your tank and start looking for your next gas stop. The tow vehicle will use more gas for towing than regular driving.
 
If you can, take a smaller trip first -- just a little weekend trip to a state park or some place close to civilization. A small shake-down trip to make sure everything works, works right, and that you didn't forget something you may really find useful. This small trip will be a lot easier to find a department store to pick up forgotten items.

Don't try to take everything with you; focus on essentials. Its easy to go gear-crazy the first year...and the 15'th.

When you are loading things into the camper, put a small piece of tape (painters tape is great for this, as it doesn't leave residue), and when you take it out to use it, remove the tape --- after a year, if the tape is still there, take it out. You really don't need it as much as you thought you did
 
Remember despite our little 550’s being so small we still are too big to travel Going to the Sun Road past Avalanche on the west or Rising Sun on the east (though good spots on both sides to unhook if needed unless of course you are staying in the park then it’ll be happy at campground). Enjoy Glacier (and the Flathead Valley)!
 
Deb Hunt said:
Remember despite our little 550’s being so small we still are too big to travel Going to the Sun Road past Avalanche on the west or Rising Sun on the east (though good spots on both sides to unhook if needed unless of course you are staying in the park then it’ll be happy at campground). Enjoy Glacier (and the Flathead Valley)!
Click to expand...
Wait, what? Ok found it:
View attachment IMG_4656.png
PS: I am so envious! Have fun take pics!
Tell us all about it, after!

Camping - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov www.nps.gov
 
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