Hi! I'm totally new to camper world!

[tori2shoes]

Hey All!

New England teacher here deciding to try and make the most of my school schedule while I'm young and eager to travel. I want to use a 13' scamp (behind a subaru outback) to visit new places and escape with my dog from boarding school for weekends and breaks. I don't actually have a scamp yet, and I'm new to the idea of camper trailers in general... but I'm thinking basic 13 with no toilet.

Any (single lady) scampers out there that want to reassure me that I can scamp alone with my dog?

Any tips for buying used? Everything on the forums is so far from New England.

Any tips for keeping things as low maintenance as possible? I'm handy and can use power tools... but would rather not sink a bunch of time/funds into fixing maintaining.

Thanks!

[Jon in AZ]

Your post says New England, but your profile says MI, which is Michigan last I checked. You can edit your profile using the "User CP" link at the left end of the task bar under your log-in information.

Welcome, Tori!

[tori2shoes]

I move around enough I still use my folk's address in MI as my permanent address. I'll update it to avoid confusion.

[Jon in AZ]

Makes sense. MI is actually not a bad place to look for a Scamp. In general, the closer you get to the factory in MN, the more there are. Perhaps your parents could help with the search.

[rbryan]

Tori, we are not a "single lady", but we've met plenty of them traveling around the country who are RVing solo. The only thing I'd say is, if it's something you want to do, GO FOR IT, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[rdickens]

You might check out these websites and look for Facebook groups and Pinterest items:
Sisters on the Fly - https://www.sistersonthefly.com/

Girl Camper - http://girlcamper.com/

Good luck and safe travels! [emoji4]

Ray

[mary and bob]

We belong to a vintage camping group in New England. There are some single ladies in the group and some others that are married but camp alone without their spouses. As for finding a used camper in our area, you never know when one will pop up for sale. We bought our Uhaul 20 miles from home, it was in Pittsfield MA. Another Uhaul owner we met that lives in Pittsfield went to Montana to get his, how funny is that. Fiberglass campers usually sell real quick, sometimes the day that they are advertised. But be careful as they are often the object of scammers, mostly on Craigslist.

[thrifty bill]

One thing on my truck that makes towing easy is a good backup camera. Once I realized what I was looking at, I can clearly see the hitch ball along with the coupler on the trailer. I usually end up right where I need to be without getting out of the truck to look and adjust.

Before I understood the camera view, it would take a second person and several attempts before getting lined up just right.

On maintenance, realize you are taking a "house" up and down the highway. That puts stress on everything. Much more stressful to the trailer than a stationary house. You are either going to spend time on maintenance, or money.

Now if you get an older trailer, you not only have routine continual maintenance, but rehabilitation maintenance. So those you have to refurbish first, then continue maintenance.

Also there is storage. I much, much prefer to store my camper under cover, in my case a carport. But a lot of people don't have the room for such a building. Keeping rain, sun, and any weather off your trailer when it is not in use is important IMHO.

No matter where you live, molded fiberglass trailers are relatively scarce. It seemed like every single one I found was outside my region, 500 to 1000 miles away, or even further.

[MK Evenson]

Tori, we really like our Casita, bought new. I did look for used while waiting the 6 months for ours to be built. Most I called on were sold the same day they posted. Be ready , with cash, to drive to see the trailer. There are other 13' FG trailers on the used market. It may increase your chances if you look also at other brands.
Good luck on your search.

Mark

[Mitzi Agnew-Giles]

Not a solo lady rv camper, although I've done a little solo backpacking and camping with just my kids and me in the long, long ago. Not to mention with my Boy Scout troop.

Altho I enjoy D'hs company, I remain willing and able to camp without him, as I did for many years. But so far, ever since we got the Snoozy, he's been very willing to accompany me. ♡♡

[wilyoung]

Not a single female, but was a single male. Now half of an elderly couple. And I have been a backpacker and tent camper so I know about toiletless camping. I know a number of people go with a trailer camper sans toilet, but it is the one thing I would not leave out. At least a porta-potty. If you're hauling a trailer might as well haul a potty in it. Having to "go" either in a hurry or in the middle of the night can be a problem.

As others have said, finding a used FG trailer is a hit or more often miss deal. It took us over a year to find one. Unless you're the first caller after an ad is posted it's likely a miss. We missed several before we got lucky. And watch out for scams. If the deal seems a little flaky it's probably a scam.

Good luck, and go for it!

[Gilda]

Most campgrounds have toilets ranging from outhouses to luxury digs. I, too, recommend a simple port-a-pottie in your trailer for the times you must "go". They are easy to "dump" and rinse. We use ours for #1 only without toilet paper (as much as possible). That way we only have liquid to dump and rinse after.

If your small trailer does not have a shower and toilet the space is usually filled with a convertible (to bunk beds) sofa, giving your interior a more spacious feel than one filled with a bathroom.

[DeanCHS1980]

Originally Posted by rdickens

You might check out these websites and look for Facebook groups and Pinterest items:
Sisters on the Fly - https://www.sistersonthefly.com/

Girl Camper - Girl Camper | Going Places, Doing Things

Good luck and safe travels! [emoji4]

Ray

Hi Tori,

Welcome! A 13' Scamp or other 13' egg camper would be great options. I would like to reiterate Ray's suggestion of checking out GirlCamper.com. Janine Pettit's podcast, Girl Camper - Going Places and Doing Things, is outstanding. Laura and I listen to it weekly. Of course, I listen to over 10 RV related podcasts as well!

Take care,

Dean

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by tori2shoes

Hey All!

New England teacher here deciding to try and make the most of my school schedule while I'm young and eager to travel. I want to use a 13' scamp (behind a subaru outback) to visit new places and escape with my dog from boarding school for weekends and breaks. I don't actually have a scamp yet, and I'm new to the idea of camper trailers in general... but I'm thinking basic 13 with no toilet.

Any (single lady) scampers out there that want to reassure me that I can scamp alone with my dog?

Any tips for buying used? Everything on the forums is so far from New England.

Any tips for keeping things as low maintenance as possible? I'm handy and can use power tools... but would rather not sink a bunch of time/funds into fixing maintaining.

Thanks!

As to being a woman and camping alone (without or without a dog) there is no real reason for concern. I have gone camping on my own for almost half a century and have never once had an incident happen. I have done solo camping in various areas of the USA including Alaska, British Colombia and an extended camping trip to France too. Lots of car camping with tents, I have had several vans, a small motorhome and now a little fiberglass trailer. I did blow an engine in my VW bus in the middle of nowhere Idaho but the local people were exceptionally kind in helping me get the repairs I needed.

Feeling a little nervous is normal but just remember to use "street smarts". Just like at home if someone makes you feel uncomfortable excuse yourself and leave. Do not immediately offer up that you are traveling solo, use the word "we", they don't have to know you are talking about your dog rather than a human alpha male. Don't accept "candy" from strangers. Predators including scammers will try to get a toehold to engage you by offering up various gifts including offering unneeded assistance in setting up your campsite. Just say "we can manage that" and politely disengage from conversation. Project your self confidence, that is very important.

[Civilguy]

Originally Posted by k corbin

Project your self confidence, that is very important.

Good post!

[Marjy]

Hello Tori,

I am a single woman with a dog. I haven't had my scamp too long, but have loved using it and look forward to many adventures. Darn work is getting in the way to do much traveling. (sigh)
I put a backup camera on my pickup making hooking up much easier.
I am finally getting the hang of backing up.
I have to admit I have had more than one overnight stay in it at home.
Have fun and good luck in your search.

[mary and bob]

Tori; sent you a message

[tori2shoes]

Thanks for the advice! I will look into those groups and podcasts to start. I am feeling excited about these adventures, and it sounds like I'll have to be patient and vigilant in my search for a used FG trailer. I am open to non-scamps, but the lightweight 13' size really seems right for me to be able to move it around and tow on my own.

[rdickens]

Janine Pettit (a.k.a. GirlCamper) was a keynote speaker when we recently attended the Eggshells on the Outer Banks rally. Good presentation!

In 2 days, we will have dinner with Cheryl and Stuart. We met them at a Scamper's Paradise gathering earlier this year and Cheryl told us about some of her adventures with "Sisters on the Fly". She tows their 13 ft Scamp to outings. They have named the Scamp "Ellie" (from the movie "Up") and Cheryl has decorated the exterior with balloons and characters from the movie.

The first FGRV that my wife and I bought was a basic Scamp13 that we initially towed behind a 2011 Honda CRV. The Scamp13 was a wonderful introduction to FGRV trailers and we really enjoyed it for several years before moving up to our current Scamp16 Deluxe.

We searched for many months for a used lightweight Scamp13 before realizing that there was very little financial penalty for ordering a brand new Scamp13. Resale values for well cared for FGRVs are very high and there is very little penalty for buying what you want and need now and then later selling and moving up.

Wishing you the best of luck and many happy adventures! [emoji4]

Ray

[EricAllyn]

Did you notice the 13 for sale in Mo? I think Fulton is in the Sty. Louis area.