New Scamp 13 - Help me keep it simple!

[morz4]

Disclaimer: Lengthy post follows. Serious responses sought. In fairness, I should mention I have borderline OCD tendencies when researching ... anything/everything.

My wife and I will pick up our new Scamp 13' in early July. We'll be pulling it primarily with our '09 Honda CR-V; occasionally with our '00 Jeep Wrangler. While we're new to travel trailers, we're seasoned outdoor people. We tested the CR-V's ability with a rental trailer with a dry weight of 1300 lbs. With ourselves and an additional 250 lbs. aboard, the CR-V was not only able to hold its own, but even accelerate up long mountain grades of 7%+. Prior to pulling anything, I added the class III hitch, transmission cooler, trailer brake controller, and associated wiring.

Okay, I asked readers/responders to "help me keep it simple." Let me explain ... then ask some related questions.

For the most part we're minimalists. Yet the Scamp we ordered will include bath/shower, and everything else except AC, awning, TV antenna, and 2nd propane tank. We're shooting for light weight and aerodynamic. For the most part, we'll be dry camping. Yet there are some luxuries we may wish to include from time to time; just not every time. Thus my questions:

What's the best (each time defined as: simplest, most effective, cost-efficient), portable ...

1. Solar recharging system for the trailer battery?
2. TV antenna?
3. Small, 12V TV?
4. Cover for outdoor storage (Arizona desert)
5. Air conditioner
6. Pop-up canopy

That's all for now. I have many other questions to come and value the experience of those on this forum.

Thanks!

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by morz4

For the most part we're minimalists. Yet the Scamp we ordered will include bath/shower, and everything else except AC... Thus my questions:

What's the best (each time defined as: simplest, most effective, cost-efficient), portable ...

1. Air conditioner

If you did not order the roof AC, then I strongly suggest telling Scamp you want the roof prepped for AC so it can be added later if you ever want it on the roof. Otherwise the roof will not be strong enough to install one up there and you'll have to settle for sticking a window unit in a window.

[morz4]

Thanks, Frederick! Yes, we did order it so, mostly for re-sale though. We're thinking truly portable for those rare times we'd even take it along. A floor model vented out one of the small windows, for example.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by morz4

What's the best (each time defined as: simplest, most effective, cost-efficient), portable ...

1. Solar recharging system for the trailer battery?

Simple, Portable, and Cheap... a complete system in one box.
Solar Panel Kit - Save on this 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit

I talk about it in this thread:
Solar Charger and Panels

These work for me but others have a different opinion about their quality. While I did buy an extra charge controller for a permanent mount in the battery box, I also use the one that came with the system on a separate battery that I take along when boondocking.

[Donna D.]

Mike, I have nothing to offer for your questions... really, but wanted to welcome you to the wonderful egg owners club. We have no secret handshakes, but each enjoy our all molded towables and make memories!

You'll be surprised how quickly moving from a 'minimalist' attitude changes to ahhhh 'a hot shower" and 'flushy' happens once you have your trailer under tow to a campsite. You deserve it, now enjoy it!

[mary and bob]

We have a Winegard Hideaway TV antenna that works good. It kind of folds out of a tube like an umbrella. I mounted it on a piece of 2" heavy aluminum angle that is attached to a bracket on the rear bumper. Some of the popup canopys don't shed water good, it can pool up on the top and then bend things, but we bought our daughter a 10 X 10 Swiss Gear canopy that works real good and also is available with screens.

[David B.]

Mike, welcome to the forum. My wife & I have lived in the east valley of Phoenix Arizona 27 years, and are on our 2nd 13' Scamp. We towed with our 1997 Wrangler, and now with our 2007 Rubicon. I just installed a 100 watt mono-crystal solar panel (smaller foot print for more watts), LED lighting throughout, and am awaiting a 12 volt only 134a Danfoss compressor type refrigerator (Novakool 2600) any day now. It only uses 2.5 amps/hour of running time (30 watts). I decided to go this route when our Dometic was only able to give 30 degree below ambient cooling .... not good when over 100 degrees here, and I like to have ice cream. We use a small Coleman Black cat cat-heater in place of the furnace, so no furnace and smaller propane tank also saves weight. When TV is desired, we use our MacBook to watch a DVD or use Hulu for TV shows ..... no antenna or TV needed. I just installed a Fantastic Fan, with hopes of never needing an AC unit. Out unit came with a Dometic Awning, which works well, but I am not sure I would have purchased any awning, as a 13' doesn't cast much of a shade, and it must be put away when windy. We hope to meet you guys sometime. We have been to the Quartzsite gathering twice now.
Happy Trails.

[ScampBum]

Originally Posted by morz4

Disclaimer: Lengthy post follows. Serious responses sought. In fairness, I should mention I have borderline OCD tendencies when researching ... anything/everything.

My wife and I will pick up our new Scamp 13' in early July. We'll be pulling it primarily with our '09 Honda CR-V; occasionally with our '00 Jeep Wrangler. While we're new to travel trailers, we're seasoned outdoor people. We tested the CR-V's ability with a rental trailer with a dry weight of 1300 lbs. With ourselves and an additional 250 lbs. aboard, the CR-V was not only able to hold its own, but even accelerate up long mountain grades of 7%+. Prior to pulling anything, I added the class III hitch, transmission cooler, trailer brake controller, and associated wiring.

Okay, I asked readers/responders to "help me keep it simple." Let me explain ... then ask some related questions.

For the most part we're minimalists. Yet the Scamp we ordered will include bath/shower, and everything else except AC, awning, TV antenna, and 2nd propane tank. We're shooting for light weight and aerodynamic. For the most part, we'll be dry camping. Yet there are some luxuries we may wish to include from time to time; just not every time. Thus my questions:

What's the best (each time defined as: simplest, most effective, cost-efficient), portable ...

1. Solar recharging system for the trailer battery?
2. TV antenna?
3. Small, 12V TV?
4. Cover for outdoor storage (Arizona desert)
5. Air conditioner
6. Pop-up canopy

That's all for now. I have many other questions to come and value the experience of those on this forum.

Thanks!

RE: cover for outdoor storage...there should still be a thread from a day or two ago titled "covers"

[john warren]

ok 4 camping trips under my belt with our new scamp, one of those ten days dry camping. so here are my sugjestions now that i am an "ekspurt"

#1 television is not only not needed, it detracts from seeing stuff you just spent a lot of money to be able to go and see,,,I.E. bought a camper.
now i know sometimes its just rainy,,or your wore out and just want to relax a bit,,,so a small portable dvd player, or a laptop with a selection of dvd's takes little space. remember,, you can't get more then 6 feet away from it so you don't need a big screen. i added a small pair of external speakers to my wifes laptop and we can play music, and listen to movies like its surround sound. for news i carry a small portable world band grundig radio, almost fits in my pocket.

#2 ac is great if you have 120volt . otherwise your roof fan and maybe a nice battery powered fan is going to have to do. the 3 speed roof fan is pretty decent .

#3 scamp has said they will be selling a cover , but who knows when?
meanwhile there are several around . or if you have a place build a small shelter like a car port.

#4 don't buy anything extra for you camper. if your out camping and you need it bad enough to drive to town and get it,,,you know you actually needed it,,,not just wanted it.

#5 go to bed when its dark, and get up when its light. don;t run your fan unless you need it. and your battery will last pretty much all week. if it has to be charged towards the end of the week. unhook it and hook a set of jumpercable up to your tow vehicle for a littlew while.( you do carry jumper cables don't you? get good ones)

oh,,a kindle is great, you can load it with books to read.

[john warren]

oh,,,we pull our 13 foot, no toilet or shower with our liberty, or my ranger. no problem. for a wrangler i would want brakes on the trailer

[morz4]

Frederick, Donna, David, Mary & Bob, Al, and John … I so appreciate and value the welcomes and the insights. You all are exceeding my expectations and giving me much to consider! My thanks … and keep the info comin’!
Oh, and what's this Quartzite gig I keep hearing about? I mean, is there an annual fiberglass TT gathering there?

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by morz4

Oh, and what's this Quartzite gig I keep hearing about? I mean, is there an annual fiberglass TT gathering there?

This is in the Archive:
Quartzsite gathering in February

[JohnF]

If you are dry camping, I'd suggest upping the size of the stock battery from Scamp. I went with a group 27 size for just a few more bucks over the stock group 24.

[morz4]

John - I had to educate myself a bit following your suggestion. End result: I just got off the phone with Scamp. My order is now updated to a group 27 battery. Thanks ... great tip!