Preparing for Rich's Retreat, First-Time Harvest Hosts Camping & Essential RV Upgrades

Preparing for Rich's Retreat, First-Time Harvest Hosts Camping & Essential RV Upgrades

In Episode 10 of Camping with the Innies, we're deep into preparation mode as we get ready for our annual trip to Rich's Retreat, a longtime camping tradition hosted at Kristen's parents' backyard. Before we can kick back and enjoy the weekend, there are plenty of projects to tackle, and we're bringing you along for the journey. This week, we discuss the camper upgrades and RV maintenance tasks we've been working on to get road-ready. From reinforcing interior shelving to strengthening the rear bumper and preparing it to support a cargo basket carrying our generator, we're focused on making our travel trailer safer, more reliable, and better equipped for future adventures. We also talk about our first experience using Harvest Hosts and what we're expecting from this unique RV camping membership program. If you've ever considered staying at wineries, farms, breweries, or other Harvest Hosts locations, we share our thoughts on planning, preparation, and why we're excited to give it a try. As always, we dive into the realities of RV ownership, trip planning, and the unexpected projects that seem to appear before every camping trip. Whether you're a full-time RVer, weekend warrior, or just dreaming about life on the road, this episode offers practical insights, DIY camper modification ideas, and plenty of camping conversation. In This Episode: • Preparing for our annual Rich's Retreat camping trip • Our first-time experience planning a Harvest Hosts stay • Reinforcing camper shelves and storage areas • Strengthening the rear bumper for additional cargo capacity • Generator transportation and power planning • RV maintenance and pre-trip preparation tips • Travel trailer upgrades and DIY projects • Lessons learned from previous camping adventures If you enjoy RV camping, travel trailers, campground reviews, Harvest Hosts stays, DIY camper upgrades, camping with dogs, RV maintenance, and family camping adventures, be sure to subscribe and follow Camping with the Innieswherever you get your podcasts. Connect With Us: 🌐 Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com [https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies [https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies] 📧 Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com [info@campingwiththeinnies.com] We'd love to hear about your favorite Harvest Hosts experiences, RV modifications, and camping adventures!

We Ignored the Check Engine Light to Make It to Disney

This week on Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails, we’re talking about the trip that almost went sideways before we even made it to Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Halfway to Disney, the truck threw a check engine light and started idling at crazy high RPMs. Instead of turning around, we convinced ourselves it could wait because the vacation was non-refundable and Run Disney weekend was already booked. Then we pulled into Fort Wilderness and heard a completely different problem — a brutal grinding noise coming from the brake drum. But not every trip turns into a full-blown mechanical adventure. Sometimes the best memories come from slowing down, enjoying the campground, and making the most of the unexpected moments along the way. The next morning we found ourselves sitting in an AutoZone parking lot getting a free code scan and trying to figure out whether we were dealing with a simple fix… or a financially devastating Disney vacation. From check engine lights to brake drum chaos, we’re sharing the warning signs we ignored, the roadside troubleshooting that followed, and the reality that every RV trip seems to come with at least one unexpected mechanical surprise. ✉️ info@campingwiththeinnies.com 🌐 www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies?igsh=MTNud3JhMm9jeG1yeA== [https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies?igsh=MTNud3JhMm9jeG1yeA==] 🔗 https://linktr.ee/Campingwiththeinnies [https://linktr.ee/Campingwiththeinnies]

Dog Camping Gear That Actually Works | RV Life with Dogs

🎙️ Episode 8 Show Notes Dog Camping Gear That Actually Works | RV Life with Dogs If you’ve ever camped with a Shiba… you already know—you’re not in control. In this episode of Camping with the Innies, we’re breaking down the dog gear we actually use when camping with Monty and Gadget. No gimmicks, no overhyped products—just the gear that’s earned a permanent spot in our setup. From containment systems to comfort setups, feeding gear, and safety essentials, we’re walking through what works, what doesn’t, and what we’ve stopped bringing altogether. Whether you’re new to camping with dogs or looking to simplify your setup, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters. 🐾 What We Cover * The 4 categories of dog camping gear (and how to think about what you bring) * Why containment is the #1 priority—especially with dogs like Monty & Gadget * The difference between a dog that settles at camp vs. one that doesn’t (comfort setup matters more than you think) * Simple, effective feeding and water systems * How to build a functional campsite setup for your dog * Nighttime visibility and safety gear you shouldn’t skip * The “nice-to-have” items that actually make camping more fun 🐕 Gear Categories We Break Down Containment * Keeping your dog secure at camp Comfort * Beds, blankets, and creating a “home base” Logistics * Food, water, bowls, and keeping things simple Safety * Visibility, environment awareness, and backup planning 🔥 Our Biggest Takeaway Camping with dogs isn’t about bringing more gear—it’s about having the right system. When your dog is: * Secure * Comfortable * Fed and hydrated * Safe Everything else gets easier. 🎒 Want to See What We Use? We’ve got all of our go-to gear listed here: 👉 https://linktr.ee/Campingwiththeinnies [https://linktr.ee/Campingwiththeinnies] 🐾 Follow Along 🌐 Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com [https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campingwiththeinnies [https://www.instagram.com/campingwiththeinnies] 💌 Got a Question? Have a product you swear by? Want us to review something on a future episode? Send it our way—we might feature it on the show. Info@campingwiththeinnies.com

We Shopped Everywhere… Here’s What Actually Happened

This week on Camping with the Innies, we’re talking about the camper buying process—and more importantly, where you buy. From corporate dealerships to Facebook Marketplace meetups, we went through it all before finally landing at a small mom-and-pop shop that completely changed our experience. We’re breaking down the pros, cons, and lessons learned along the way—so if you’re thinking about buying a camper, this episode might save you some time, money, and frustration. 🌐 campingwiththeinnies.com [http://campingwiththeinnies.com] 📸 Instagram: @campingwiththeinnies 📧 info@campingwiththeinnies.com [info@campingwiththeinnies.com]

This Listener Question Sparked a Camping Debate (State Parks vs Resorts)

This week on Camping with the Innies, we’re diving into another listener question—this one comes from Greg in South Carolina—and it’s a good one: state parks or RV resorts? Are you all about quiet mornings, nature trails, and a simple campsite, or do you lean toward full hookups, pools, and planned activities? We’re sharing our experiences from both sides, the good, the bad, and the things we didn’t expect. From privacy and cost to convenience and crowd levels, we’re talking through what really matters when choosing where to stay. If you’ve ever wondered which type of camping fits your style (or your dog’s), this one’s for you. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just dreaming about it, Greg’s question might just help you decide—are you team state park or team resort? Got a question you want us to cover? Send it our way. 🌐 Website: campingwiththeinnies.com [http://campingwiththeinnies.com] 📸 Instagram: @campingwiththeinnies 📧 Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com [info@campingwiththeinnies.com] New episodes drop regularly with tips, trips, gear talk, and plenty of campfire tales.