New owner questions

[Beverly Korn]

Our 13' Scamp is scheduled to come off the assembly line in early January. At this time, we plan to pick it up, driving from Ohio via the northern route, Michigan's UP, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota - a route suggested by people we know who have made the journey in order to avoid Chicago. Has anyone made that trip in the winter before? (either northern route or through Chicago) Suggestions? Would you do it again? (The $1,500 shipping cost is steep for us.)

The parents found campgrounds while on the road years ago using a campground book they carried. It detailed open season,cost, location, amenities and contact information. Are they still in use these days? If so, what is the best one?

[steve dunham]

We live in Northern Wisconsin . Most public and private campgrounds in our area have closed for the season . There are some State Parks that are open year round ( Pattison , Mirror Lake in Wisconsin ), but the water and campground bathrooms are shut down and they only plow out a few camp sites
We have camped at various Casinos during the winter . They often have sites available with electricity and offer inexpensive meals.
Unless you run into a major snow storm especially in the U.P or a stretch of 20 below weather , you should have no issues traveling in the winter . I would suggest you bring warm clothes and a emergency kit , the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin are sparsely populated and it can be a long distance between towns , and cell phone service is spotty at best.
We also try to avoid Chicago if at all possible.

GOOD LUCK

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Beverly Korn

Our 13' Scamp is scheduled to come off the assembly line in early January. At this time, we plan to pick it up, driving from Ohio via the northern route, Michigan's UP, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota - a route suggested by people we know who have made the journey in order to avoid Chicago. Has anyone made that trip in the winter before? (either northern route or through Chicago) Suggestions? Would you do it again? (The $1,500 shipping cost is steep for us.)

The parents found campgrounds while on the road years ago using a campground book they carried. It detailed open season,cost, location, amenities and contact information. Are they still in use these days? If so, what is the best one?

Many of the campground books are out of date. Some of RV resort books are probably OK.
But, here's what I use US AND CANADA CAMPGROUNDS - FORMAL AND DISPERSED PUBLIC CAMPING LOCATIONS - Home A lot of good information at this site.

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by Beverly Korn

Our 13' Scamp is scheduled to come off the assembly line in early January. At this time, we plan to pick it up, driving from Ohio via the northern route, Michigan's UP, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota - a route suggested by people we know who have made the journey in order to avoid Chicago. Has anyone made that trip in the winter before? (either northern route or through Chicago) Suggestions? Would you do it again? (The $1,500 shipping cost is steep for us.)

Interesting route choice for a winter trip. IMHO, a more straight shot through IND and ILL would give you better road conditions if this Polar Vortex keeps dropping snow as you would be farther south. Also possible places to over night, even if it's a business parking lot. I'd be for avoiding Chicago too...at anytime .

[Wayne Collins]

Lake effect snow near the big water can make the drive "interesting" if you're up to it.
Where in Ohio are you? If in the southern part you can avoid Chicago; go west via Dayton, Indianapolis, Peoria IL, north on I 39 to Rockford, then Madison, WI, I90/94 to the Twin Cites and up to Backus.
Of course, the weather can get nasty anywhere so drive safely!

[Two Step]

Originally Posted by Beverly Korn

Our 13' Scamp is scheduled to come off the assembly line in early January. At this time, we plan to pick it up, driving from Ohio via the northern route, Michigan's UP, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota - a route suggested by people we know who have made the journey in order to avoid Chicago. Has anyone made that trip in the winter before? (either northern route or through Chicago) Suggestions? Would you do it again? (The $1,500 shipping cost is steep for us.)

The parents found campgrounds while on the road years ago using a campground book they carried. It detailed open season,cost, location, amenities and contact information. Are they still in use these days? If so, what is the best one?

We have made the trip (using various routes) between Columbia MO and Northern Ontario on fourteen occasions over the past three years. On five or six of these treks we went during the winter months between American Thanksgiving and March break for the university. Traveling in winter makes it near impossible to find much open vis-a-vis camping and so we ended up trying to travel as far as possible each day (during the rather short daylight hours) and pulling into truck stops, rest stops and Walmarts. The down side is that you need a good battery to run the gas furnace (and propane in the tanks which is not always the case when you pick up the new trailer so be sure to check), and warm clothes and bedding. Our coldest night was 7 F and one morning we woke up to 8 inches of snow so be prepared and study the weather forecasts for all of your potential routes before you head out. Good luck, you have a huge advantage in not having to pull a lengthy, heavy unit so the major concern will be the road conditions.

[Raz]

When you get your trailer home do your best to wash off the salt.

[Carl Pa]

I would get on 80 w and go to Iowa, then north into Mn. When we went to backus the gps led us through Chicago, worst trip I ever had, thank god I was not towing. On the way back I came straight S to Iowa and hooked up to 80 E which brought me into PA. Tolls were about 39.00 though. Carl

[floyd]

West on I-80 to I-39N
I-39N to I-90/I-94
At St Cloud go north to Backus through Brainerd
OR... Like Carl said

When on your way Home...We live in Morris Il. We have a flat driveway only a few blocks off of I-80 with electric hook-up and even a heated building if needed.
PM me if you would like to overnight here on the way home (its about half way).

[Triker]

If you would like a full propane tank when you pick up your new trailer, ask your salesman to add that to your sales order. The cost was minimal.

[crowwing]

Beverly I would avoid the northern WS/UP route this time of year. I have taken the route many times and have been burned a few. Lake effect snow and long low populated areas can be dangerous. Going through Iowa to MN you have 35W and Interstate 94, in St. Cloud MN hook up with 371. It is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to Backus all four lane. When traveling in northern climes you need to be flexible and don't push to hard. Enjoy your Scamp. For those that are asking "why would he take it many times if it can be dangerous". I live in northern MN and my wife is from Escanaba, MI OK?
John

[stude]

Originally Posted by Beverly Korn

Our 13' Scamp is scheduled to come off the assembly line in early January. At this time, we plan to pick it up, driving from Ohio via the northern route, Michigan's UP, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota - a route suggested by people we know who have made the journey in order to avoid Chicago. Has anyone made that trip in the winter before? (either northern route or through Chicago) Suggestions? Would you do it again? (The $1,500 shipping cost is steep for us.)

The parents found campgrounds while on the road years ago using a campground book they carried. It detailed open season,cost, location, amenities and contact information. Are they still in use these days? If so, what is the best one?

: the problem I have with Campgrounds today is they do not put in the price per night of the different options, If I could just go to the book or internet and it said $25/$30 for all hookups I would head there right away and if all booked up and they only charge me $15 for no hook up and a place to park for a night or two then I would still stay there, but s they do not do this I have to pay more money to make a phone call.
Stude

[stude]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

We live in Northern Wisconsin . Most public and private campgrounds in our area have closed for the season . There are some State Parks that are open year round ( Pattison , Mirror Lake in Wisconsin ), but the water and campground bathrooms are shut down and they only plow out a few camp sites
We have camped at various Casinos during the winter . They often have sites available with electricity and offer inexpensive meals.
Unless you run into a major snow storm especially in the U.P or a stretch of 20 below weather , you should have no issues traveling in the winter . I would suggest you bring warm clothes and a emergency kit , the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin are sparsely populated and it can be a long distance between towns , and cell phone service is spotty at best.
We also try to avoid Chicago if at all possible.

GOOD LUCK

: you can park there safely and take the train into Chicago daily with return daily.
Stude

[stude]

Originally Posted by Beverly Korn

Our 13' Scamp is scheduled to come off the assembly line in early January. At this time, we plan to pick it up, driving from Ohio via the northern route, Michigan's UP, across Wisconsin and into Minnesota - a route suggested by people we know who have made the journey in order to avoid Chicago. Has anyone made that trip in the winter before? (either northern route or through Chicago) Suggestions? Would you do it again? (The $1,500 shipping cost is steep for us.)

The parents found campgrounds while on the road years ago using a campground book they carried. It detailed open season,cost, location, amenities and contact information. Are they still in use these days? If so, what is the best one?

: could you not ask them because of the time of the year to leave it until there is better weather then go and pick it up say end of April? You cannot go camping in the winter out there as way to cold. Heck were in a Deep Freeze one the west Coast and it has not been like this for the last 4-5 years but this Year El-Nino is here.
Stude

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by stude

: the problem I have with Campgrounds today is they do not put in the price per night of the different options, If I could just go to the book or internet and it said $25/$30 for all hookups I would head there right away and if all booked up and they only charge me $15 for no hook up and a place to park for a night or two then I would still stay there, but s they do not do this I have to pay more money to make a phone call.
Stude

I understand your point fully . Wisconsin State Parks used to have an off season rate which was lower . The water & bathrooms & showers were shutdown so all you got was a parking spot with electricity but at a reduced rate . Now under our new " improved " state leadership you pay the same "new higher" full rate year round .
In my conversations with State Park Rangers, they tell me that there winter business was always slow but now it's non existant.
What's the States answer , raise the camping rates & entry fees and get rid of the Park Ranger.
I refuse to pay anyone $30 to $35 / night for an unimproved parking spot.

[padlin00]

Another option.
We've taken a few of the state roads south of Chicago a couple times. Come S on I-35 to 34 in IA and work your way E to 24 at Peoria. 224 just W of Forth Wayne to 30. Gets you around Chicago, but less campground options. We spent a night or 2 in Walmarts.

The northern rt, which we've done, is nicer but we did it in the fall.

The only campground we've found consistently open year round, if it's not during or just after a good storm, are KOA's. We've not taken any routes as far north as you're considering though so you'd have to check on them. Keep in mind, they are mostly right along interstates.

[Beverly Korn]

Stude
Scamp says that we can't wait till April or something. We need to pick it up in a reasonable amount of time from the time she comes off the line. May be they don't have the storage space. We will just have to be careful and wise and pray for a window of good road conditions.

[reeves99]

Unless it's snowing, don't be afraid of Chicago. The freeways are remarkably well signed. Traffic can crawl a bit, you just need to be patient and not try to lane change too much.
I drove thru on a sweltering September day. I was initially worried but once in the thick of it I realized I needn't have worried.

[reeves99]

The Wisconsin State Fair grounds (near Milwaukee, just off I94) are open year round for camping (I think).

[Beverly Korn]

Thanks for the input one and all. Keep those cards and letters coming. We are not planning on camping either to the Great White North or south. Get in and get out. We do need the trailer by early February, however, which is why we're getting it in January. I understand the reluctance to take the northern route through the UP. I have also gone I-80 through Illinois and Iowa on many occasions. It's a mind-numbing experience. That's the route we'll take for sure when we leave the factory. We'll have just the Chevy 4x4 extended cab pick_up on the way to the factory, stopping before dark at motels along the way.