Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails - A Camping Podcast

Rich’s Retreat Recap : Massachusetts Camping, Road Trip Stories & Unexpected Mishaps Our annual trip to Rich’s Retreat is in the books, and we’re sharing everything that made this camping adventure one to remember. From spending time with family around the campfire to exploring some great local stops, this episode is packed with real stories, travel tips, and a few unexpected surprises along t...

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 w...

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...

🎙️ 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 sys...

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...

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...

Episode Description Camping with dogs sounds like a great idea… and most of the time, it is. But no one really talks about the challenges — the barking at night, the new environments, travel day stress, and trying to keep them comfortable and safe in a camper. In this episode, Kristen joins the show as we talk about what it’s really like camping with dogs — the good, the bad, and the things we’ve...

Sometimes the best trips are the ones that don’t go according to plan. What started as a trip to Florida’s Space Coast for a road race quickly changed when the race was rescheduled due to a scheduled rocket launch… that later ended up getting canceled anyway. Instead of heading south, we pivoted and turned the weekend into a birthday trip for Kristen. We packed up the camper and headed to CreekFir...

What’s the real difference between towing with and without a weight distribution hitch? In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails, we answer our first listener question about towing a travel trailer and understanding weight distribution hitches. Zack from Massachusetts wrote in asking how weight distribution affects towing safety — and whether it really makes a differe...

Coastal Camping, River’s End Campground & Traveling with Dogs In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails, we talk about camping on Tybee Island, staying at River’s End Campground, and what it’s really like traveling and camping with dogs during a busy event weekend. Recorded after returning home, Tim and Kristen reflect on their recent coastal camping trip with Mont...

Welcome to the very first episode of Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tails. In this episode, Tim kicks things off by sharing how camping became part of his life — from early island camping trips and tent adventures, to fifth wheels, DIY camper builds, and eventually settling into their current setup. You’ll hear how the idea for this podcast came together, why honest and realistic ca...