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It’s been a little while since our last episode of Set Up, Tear Down, and we’ve got some catching up to do! This week, Tim and Kristen are back with some major life updates, including Kristen’s career change and the heartbreaking loss of Scout, our beloved Brittany Spaniel of 16 years. We take some time to remember the dog who helped raise Monty and Gadget, teaching them what to do (and a few things they probably shouldn’t!). Then it’s back to camper life! After a 2,000-mile journey to Rich’s Retreat, our Forest River R-Pod 192 needed some TLC. We’re talking about repairing our camper dinette, replacing worn rubber trim caps, and tackling a much-needed wash and wax of the fiberglass exterior. From saying goodbye to a four-legged family member to the never-ending maintenance that comes with RV ownership, this episode reminds us that camping isn’t always about the destinations. Sometimes it’s about everything that happens in between. Whether you’re a longtime listener, a fellow dog lover, or an RV owner dealing with your own camper maintenance projects, grab a seat around the campfire and catch up with us! 🏕️ Stay Connected with Camping with the Innies 🌐 Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies 🎥 YouTube: Camping with the Innies 🎙️ Podcast: Set Up, Tear Down: Tips, Trips & Campfire Tales 📧 Email: [email protected] 🔥 See you around the campfire!

Traveling With Dogs? Why We Choose KOA Cabins Over Hotels Traveling with dogs can make finding a pet-friendly hotel a challenge. In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down, we’re sharing why KOA cabins have become one of our favorite road-trip travel hacks when we’re traveling with Monty and Gadget without the camper. This is Part 4 and the finale of our KOA series, and we’re talking about how KOA camp cabins give us another option when an RV trip doesn’t make sense. Whether we’re traveling for a runDisney weekend, heading to a convention, taking a quick road trip, or just need a place to stay with the dogs, KOA cabins have worked surprisingly well for us. We talk about: • Why we choose KOA cabins over traditional hotels when traveling with dogs • What makes a campground cabin convenient for pet-friendly road trips • The difference between traveling with the camper and staying in a cabin • What to check before booking a pet-friendly KOA cabin • Our experiences using KOA cabins in Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas • Why you don’t need an RV to take advantage of a KOA campground KOAs mentioned in this episode: Hiawassee KOA Holiday — Hiawassee, Georgia https://koa.com/campgrounds/hiawassee/ Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday — Davenport, Florida https://koa.com/campgrounds/orlando-sw/ Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday — Kissimmee, Florida https://koa.com/campgrounds/kissimmee/ Charlotte / Fort Mill KOA Journey — Fort Mill, South Carolina https://koa.com/campgrounds/charlotte/ Follow Camping with the Innies: Website https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies/ Questions, comments, or a campfire tale? [email protected] If you’ve been searching for pet-friendly travel ideas, alternatives to hotels with dogs, KOA cabin reviews, or ways to enjoy a campground without owning an RV, this episode is for you. Sometimes the best camping travel hack is realizing you don’t have to bring the camper at all. See you around the campfire.

Two Orlando KOAs You’re Probably Overlooking In Part 3 of our KOA series, we’re heading to Orlando—but this time, we’ve got two different KOAs and two very different reasons for staying at them. We first stayed at the Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday in Davenport during a runDisney trip. Later, when Kristen was attending a convention at the Orange County Convention Center, we tried the Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday. In this episode, we talk about our experiences at both campgrounds, why the location of each worked for the trip we were taking, and why these two KOAs might be hidden gems if you’re planning a trip to Central Florida. We cover: • Our stay at Orlando Southwest KOA during runDisney • Our experience at Orlando / Kissimmee KOA • The differences between the two locations • Why location matters when choosing a campground around Orlando • Access to Disney and the rest of the Orlando area • Which campground made more sense for each of our trip • Why KOA continues to work for the way we travel 🏕️ CAMPGROUNDS FROM THIS EPISODE Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday Davenport, Florida Orlando Southwest KOA Holiday Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday Kissimmee, Florida Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday Both campgrounds are KOA Holiday locations and offer RV sites, tent sites and cabin accommodations. (KOA) 🐕 FOLLOW CAMPING WITH THE INNIES Follow along with Tim, Kristen, Monty & Gadget as we share the trips, tips, campground stays and occasional chaos that come with camping and traveling together. Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies Website: campingwiththeinnies.com Email: [email protected] 🎙️ SET UP, TEAR DOWN: TIPS, TRIPS & CAMPFIRE TALES If you enjoyed the episode, follow or subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review. It helps more campers find the show and join us around the campfire. See you around the campfire — and remember, everyone deserves a Rich’s Retreat: a place you never want to leave, even if it’s just the backyard.

Absolutely. I’d keep the notes cleaner and include only the main Black Hawk link: Episode 14: Mystic KOA Holiday Review: Is It Worth It? Connecticut Camping & Porgy Fishing Part 2 of our four-part KOA series takes us north to Connecticut and the Mystic KOA Holiday. Last episode, we talked about why we think KOAs can be one of the best values in camping. This time, we’re looking at another side of that value: using a campground as a home base for everything there is to experience around it. We share our experience staying at Mystic KOA Holiday, what we thought of the campground and sites, how it worked for traveling with Monty and Gadget, and how it compares to the Fredericksburg KOA from Part 1. But one of the highlights of this trip happened away from the campground. We headed to Niantic, Connecticut, for a porgy fishing trip aboard the Black Hawk with Captain Greg Dubrule. We talk about our day on the water, fishing for porgies, our experience with Captain Greg and his crew, and whether we’d book another trip. This trip really drove home why we like using campgrounds such as Mystic KOA as a home base. Sometimes the campground itself doesn’t have to be the entire destination. It’s about having a comfortable place to come back to after a day of exploring and making memories. In this episode: Our review of Mystic KOA HolidayHow Mystic compares to Fredericksburg KOAWhy location plays such a big role in campground valueExploring coastal ConnecticutOur Black Hawk Sport Fishing tripPorgy fishing on Long Island SoundCaptain Greg and the Black Hawk crewWhether we’d return to Mystic KOA🎣 Black Hawk Sport Fishing Niantic, Connecticut https://blackhawksportfishing.com/ 🏕️ Mystic KOA Holiday https://koa.com/campgrounds/mystic/ 🌲 Camping with the Innies Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies Email: [email protected] Next up in our KOA series: we’re heading to Orlando to talk about two KOAs we think are hidden gems for visiting Disney and exploring Central Florida. Then, in Part 4, we’re sharing one of our favorite travel hacks—using KOA Camp Cabins instead of hotels when we’re traveling with Monty and Gadget. Rich’s Retreat is a place you never want to leave—even if it’s just the backyard. We’ll see you around the campfire.

Episode 13: Fredericksburg KOA Review | Camping Value & Why KOAs Are Worth It Are KOAs really worth the money? In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down, Tim and Kristen kick off a four-part series exploring why they believe KOAs are some of the best values in camping. The first stop is the Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday in Virginia—a campground that’s become one of their favorite places to stay when traveling along the East Coast. From spacious sites and well-maintained amenities to friendly staff and a convenient location, they discuss what keeps bringing them back. Along the way, they also explain the differences between the three KOA campground types, share how the KOA Rewards program has saved them money over the years, and discuss why KOAs continue to offer excellent value for campers. In This Episode Why we’re starting a four-part KOA seriesKOA Journey vs. Holiday vs. Resort campgroundsIs KOA Rewards worth the annual membership?What makes the Fredericksburg KOA one of our favoritesWhy we think KOAs continue to offer one of the best values in campingCampground Featured Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday Helpful Links 🏕️ Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday https://koa.com/campgrounds/fredericksburg-washington-dc/ 📝 Read about our original stay: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com/monty-and-gadget-s-adventure-blog/2650672_on-the-road-leg-six-leaving-rich-s-retreat-and-heading-south 🌐 Website https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies/ 📧 Email [email protected] Coming Up Next This is just the beginning of our KOA series! Episode 14: Mystic KOA Holiday (Connecticut) – One of our favorite New England campgrounds. Episode 15: Two Orlando KOAs That Make Visiting Disney Easier (and More Affordable). Episode 16: The Ultimate KOA Travel Hack—How Camp Cabins Can Save You Money When Traveling with Dogs. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave us a five-star review, and share it with a fellow camper. Your support helps us continue bringing you campground reviews, camping tips, travel stories, and plenty of campfire conversations.

Episode 12: Harvest Hosts vs. Campgrounds – Which One Wins? (+ The Story Behind Camping with the Innies) Is a Harvest Hosts stay better than a traditional campground? In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down, we compare two very different camping experiences after staying at 1781 Brewing Company and Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views. We share what surprised us most about each stop, break down the pros and cons of Harvest Hosts versus full-service campgrounds, and explain why the best choice really depends on the kind of trip you’re taking. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful overnight stop or a campground to settle into for a few days, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we’re answering a listener question we’ve been asked more than once: How did “Camping with the Innies” get its name? (Hint: it has nothing to do with belly buttons!) In This Episode Harvest Hosts vs. traditional campgroundsOur stay at 1781 Brewing CompanySpacious Skies Shenandoah Views reviewPros and cons of each camping styleWhich type of camping is best for different tripsThe story behind the name Camping with the InniesMentioned in This Episode 1781 Brewing Company: https://www.1781brewing.com/Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views: https://spaciousskiescampgrounds.com/shenandoah-views/Follow our adventures: Instagram: @camping_with_the_inniesWebsite: https://campingwiththeinnies.comEmail: [email protected] you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with a fellow camper. Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover? Send it our way—it might be featured in a future episode!

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 the way. Not every road trip goes exactly as planned. We talk about the gas can that somehow fell through our cargo basket while we were driving, a small battery that unexpectedly exploded in the cup holder, and why our Nissan Pathfinder may be giving us the first signs of a transmission problem. If you enjoy RV travel, camping adventures, campground stories, tow vehicle maintenance, and honest conversations about life on the road, this episode is for you. In This Episode ● Rich’s Retreat 2026 camping recap ● Campfire stories, food, and favorite memories ● Visiting Echo Hill Orchards & Winery ● Dinner at the Historic Steaming Tender Restaurant ● The gas can that escaped our cargo basket ● A battery explosion inside the tow vehicle ● Possible transmission concerns with the Nissan Pathfinder ● Lessons learned from another memorable camping trip Places We Visited Echo Hill Orchards & Winery: 
A family-owned orchard, winery, and distillery in Monson, Massachusetts. If you’re traveling through western Massachusetts, it’s a fantastic stop for locally made wines, cider, spirits, fresh fruit, and beautiful scenery. Website: https://www.echohillorchards.com Steaming Tender Restaurant
: Located inside the historic Palmer Union Station in Palmer, Massachusetts, this one-of-a-kind restaurant offers great food with front-row views of active railroad tracks—perfect for train enthusiasts and anyone looking for a unique dining experience. Website: https://www.steamingtender.com Antonio’s Pizza by the Slice
: A western Massachusetts favorite known for its huge selection of creative pizza slices—from classic cheese and pepperoni to unique combinations like buffalo chicken, mac & cheese, and more. It’s a quick, casual stop that’s perfect for grabbing a slice (or a few) while on the road. Website: https://www.antoniospizza.com We’d Love to Hear From You! What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened on one of your camping trips? Have you ever lost gear on the highway, dealt with vehicle trouble, or had a camping mishap that turned into a great story? Share it with us—we may feature it in a future episode! 🌐 Website: https://campingwiththeinnies.com 📧 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a five-star review, and share the podcast with your camping friends. Your support helps us continue sharing real camping stories, travel tips, and adventures from the road. Thanks for listening, and until next time… happy camping! Tim, Kristen, Monty and Gadget

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 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies 📧 Email: [email protected] We'd love to hear about your favorite Harvest Hosts experiences, RV modifications, and camping adventures!

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. ✉️ [email protected] 🌐 www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies?igsh=MTNud3JhMm9jeG1yeA== 🔗 https://linktr.ee/Campingwiththeinnies

🎙️ 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 & GadgetThe 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 systemsHow to build a functional campsite setup for your dogNighttime visibility and safety gear you shouldn’t skipThe “nice-to-have” items that actually make camping more fun🐕 Gear Categories We Break Down Containment Keeping your dog secure at campComfort Beds, blankets, and creating a “home base”Logistics Food, water, bowls, and keeping things simpleSafety 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: SecureComfortableFed and hydratedSafeEverything else gets easier. 🎒 Want to See What We Use? We’ve got all of our go-to gear listed here: 👉 https://linktr.ee/Campingwiththeinnies 🐾 Follow Along 🌐 Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram: 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. [email protected]

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 📸 Instagram: @campingwiththeinnies 📧 [email protected]

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 📸 Instagram: @campingwiththeinnies 📧 Email: [email protected] New episodes drop regularly with tips, trips, gear talk, and plenty of campfire tales.

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 learned along the way. We share our experiences, a few mistakes we’ve made, and tips that can help make your next camping trip with your dog a little smoother. If you’ve ever thought about bringing your dog camping — or already have — this one’s for you. In This Episode The best parts of camping with dogsCommon challenges (and how to handle them)Travel day vs campground strugglesKeeping your dogs safe and comfortableTips for first-time dog campersConnect With Us 🌐 Website https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/campingwiththeinnies Listener Question Have a camping question or topic you want us to cover? 📧 Email us at: [email protected]

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 CreekFire RV Resort just outside Savannah, Georgia, and spent the weekend exploring the historic streets of downtown Savannah. In this episode, we talk about our stay at CreekFire RV Resort, walking through Savannah’s famous historic squares, and why sometimes the best RV trips are the ones that happen after your plans completely change. In This Episode How a rocket launch changed our travel plans Turning the weekend into a birthday trip for Kristen Our stay at CreekFire RV Resort Campground amenities and overall experience Walking around Historic Downtown Savannah What surprised us about Savannah Would we go back? Campground We Stayed At CreekFire RV Resort – Savannah, GA https://www.creekfirervresort.com/ CreekFire is a full-service RV resort just outside Savannah featuring full hookup sites, a pool, lazy river, clubhouse, and easy access to downtown Savannah. Places Mentioned Historic Savannah, Georgia https://www.visitsavannah.com/ Savannah is known for its historic squares, Spanish moss-covered oak trees, walkable downtown, and vibrant riverfront. Connect With Us 🌐 Website https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/campingwiththeinnies 🎧 Podcast https://rss.com/podcasts/set-up-tear-down-tips-trips-campfire-tails/ Listener Questions / Contact Have a camping question or a topic you’d like us to cover on a future episode? 📧 Email us at: [email protected] We’d love to hear from you! Listen & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps other campers and RV travelers find the show.

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 difference on the road. We break down: What happens when you tow without a weight distribution hitchRear squat and front axle unloadingHow tongue weight impacts steering and brakingHow a properly set up hitch improves stabilityChoosing the right weight distribution hitch for your setupWhy setup matters more than brandThis episode is based on personal experience and real-world towing. As always, consult your travel trailer owner’s manual and your hitch manufacturer’s instructions for your specific setup. If you’re new to towing or just want to better understand your rig, this episode will help you feel more confident behind the wheel. 📬 Connect With Us Email: [email protected] Instagram: @campingwiththeinnies Website: www.campingwiththeinnies.com Follow along on Instagram to see our travels as they happen. ⭐ Enjoying the Show? Follow the podcast and leave a rating on Apple Podcasts — it helps other campers find us.