Category Archives: tips

If you have a newer trailer you probably have a pre-wired backup camera mount on the rear of your trailer. The “shark fin” mount is for a Furrion camera system but if you have checked into getting one you know they can be rather pricy.

I have been thinking about getting one but then I came across a bracket on Amazon for $9.99 that adapts the holes for the furrion camera to a different camera and includes a wiring adapter.

To go along with the bracket I got an Amtifo FHD 1080P Digital Wireless Backup Camera and monitor for less than $150.

The only hiccup was the fact that the bracket was for a halo view camera mount and I had a different brand of camera. I had to drill a few holes in the adapter to mount the brackets together. I am sure it would not have been an issue if I had gotten an Haloview backup camera but I am cheap and I saved about $25 bucks.

Here is the completed camera setup. I zipped tied the wires to the mount. I could have pushed them into the wall of the trailer but I figured it would be easier if I need to service it.

The monitor is a nice large 7″ color display and looks great with the 1080p high definition. The monitor plugs into a round power port ( cigarette lighter if you are old school like me) The power for the camera comes off the marker lights so you have to have your headlights on for the camera to activate. It connects to the monitor quickly. ( if you have a GM vehicle you may need to override the auto driving lights)

I have had the camera for a few trips and it works excellent for backing up. traveling down the highway there is a little bit of “skipping” from the motions of the road as it passes by, but it still works great. It is nice to know if someone is behind or coming up to pass.

I have been backing up trailers for a long time and pretty good at it but for less than $200 I really like having the camera. Especially because I travel alone sometimes and do not always have a spotter. If it saves me from running into a picnic table or fire pit it is well worth the money. And best of all. It could save your marriage.

Here are some affiliate links to the camera and bracket I used.

Amtifo FHD 1080P Digital Wireless Backup Camera With 7” DVR Monitorhttps://amzn.to/2RbqFfx

Haloview Backup Camera Bracket Adapter Compatible with Furrion Pre-Wired RVs https://amzn.to/2DAX9HV

2019 marks the 100th year the state authorized the Michigan State Parks. To Celebrate many parks have special centennial celebrations or events with special centennial activities. Believe it or not, there are some events starting in Mid-March and in April. You can see the current list HERE Be sure to check back later this spring as I think the different parks will add events as we get further into the camping season.

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Many state parks in Michigan offer camping all year long. Most of them are limited in the amenities during the winter season. Most of them close the modern bathroom facilities and only have pit toilets in the winter. There is also limited water and electricity.  Each park is different so if you plan on camping in the offseason be sure to check with the park to see what is available.

here is a list of parks that are open all year long.

• Algonac
• Bay City
• Brighton
• Clear Lake
• Fort Custer
• Harrisville
• Hoeft
• Ionia
• Luddington
• Mitchell
• Muskegon
• North Higgins
• Pickney
• Porcupine Mountains
• Proud lake
• Rifle River
• Sleepy Hollow
• Tahquanmenom Falls
• Tawas Point
• Traverse City
• Waterloo
• Wells

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Michigan is one of the most popular states for recreational vehicles and camping which can make it difficult to get reservations at your favorite Michigan State Park. The current online reservation system is the best and most intricate one the DNR has created and is a long way from the days when you had to send in a check by mail to hold a spot so you could choose what was available when you got to the campground. The current system lets you choose a date to see what is available in the state or you can pick a campground and see what dates they have an opening for that specific campground. I am not associated with the state parks and have no “inside knowledge” but I have learned some tips over the years to help with getting your reservations. If you don’t already know it, here is the link to make reservations https://www.midnrreservations.com/

Make them as soon as you can

The Michigan DNR will let you make reservations for a campsite six month to the day before the first day of your reservations. If you want to make reservations for 4th of July you will be making them the 4th of January. The system starts taking reservations at 8 am weekdays and 9 am weekends. For the most popular parks like Ludington, you will need to try to make reservations when the system opens for the day since the park is so popular. (if you are wondering I have yet to get a site reservation at Ludington)

Be flexible

Most people want to stay at the most popular sites in the most popular parks on a holiday weekend. If you are like me and are restricted by when you can take your vacation because of work, you need to be flexible on when and where you want to stay so you can find a campsite. It may not be exactly what you want but a day relaxing next to the campfire is better than not going at all. The system lets you pick your dates and then you can look on a map to see what campgrounds are available for those dates. Make sure the pull down with the lists of all the campground is set to the Michigan State Parks and it will show all the parks on the map and if they have availability

Maybe you are retired and the dates you go are not that important but you have a campground you want to stay at you can search for days the campground has openings. If a site you want is reserved you can click on it and see the schedule to see what days it is reserved and what days it’s available.

Do your research

If you are going to book six months to the day #SMTTD be sure to check the campground map ahead of time to know what site or a couple of sites that you want so you are not trying to figure it out while other people are clicking on sites. You can check the night before you make your reservations to see what is available.

Go a day early

Because the system lets you reserves sites starting with the day you arrive if you go a day earlier you can make your reservation before others do. I know this is not always feasible but if for instance on a holiday weekend you take Friday off from work you can go up Thursday and get a chance for a campsite before someone else who is going up Friday.

Please be considerate. Because the system will let you make reservations starting with the day you arrive and will let you reserve 15 days. Some people will make reservations 15 days before so they can get the site they want first. Then, later on, cancel the early days. I don’t do this and although it is legal it is really inconsiderate. Like people who cut the line or save seats for people. The DNR has changed the cancellation policy to help curb this. I am not sure how many people do this and I am thinking it is not as common as some people think. I know there are a lot of retirees who stay at the Michigan State Parks and are fortunate enough to camp for two weeks at a time. There are also more and more Michiganders who are going camping so some of the parks are really hard to get reservations for.

Going Later

If you are staying at a park for a week for your summer vacation it can be hard to get a campsite on the weekends since that is when they are usually full. I know you don’t want to give up time for relaxing but I have waited until Sunday to head to the campground. You can have more choices to choose from since the park may not be as busy during the week. Plus traveling on Sunday you may be going the opposite direction as the weekend crowd, so traffic is not that bad. Plus you will have Saturday to pack your trailer for the trip.

Check for cancellations

If that park you want to get into is full keep checking back to see if a site has become available. People can cancel their reservation and you may be able to snag it before someone else does.

Check for festivals and events.

Don’t forget about local events near the campground you are thinking about. Events like the Cherry Festival in Traverse City or the Cheeseburger Festival in Caseville will cause the parks to have a large number of people at them. If you are going to a festival or not there may be one that weekend, be sure to book early. Don’t forget about the harvest festivals most parks have in the fall. They are very popular and fill up the campground. If you want to go to one or avoid them check the list of events on the DNR website here. http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79133_79205_84073—,00.html

Trailer Size

Be sure to check the pull-down menu for trailer size. If you have a smaller trailer like I do, make sure you don’t have a larger one selected otherwise it will only show you sites available for a larger trailer.

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