New tiny trailer blog

[carlkeigley]

From my experience,
surge brakes have come a long way baby.

[Jared J]

When surge brakes are adjustable on the fly for road conditions, can be applied independently of the tow vehicle, provide as much braking as electric, and don't screw you over backing uphill, let me know.

Until then, I won't touch them.

More complicated? Electric brake problem - buy $30 loaded backing plate, 4 bolts, two wires, everything is replaced. As for a bad connection, if that's not working, your lights aren't either. The only time electric brakes have failed me is when the wheel flew off my truck and ripped the trailer harness apart. I've used two surge brake trailers with rusted master cylinders

Surge brake problem. Possible master, caliper, bleed brakes (brake fluid should be replaced every few years, by the way), hoses to rot, etc.

Cost? Less to buy a good controller and wire it, then it is to pay for the surge setup on the trailer.

The only benefit to surge brakes is the rental industry, where they can't be sure everybody is equipped with trailer brakes, and boat trailers that get submerged.

[Debbi Lynn]

Jared - How do you like the Scamp overall? What else did you look at before purchase?
D

Originally Posted by Jared J

When surge brakes are adjustable on the fly for road conditions, can be applied independently of the tow vehicle, provide as much braking as electric, and don't screw you over backing uphill, let me know.

Until then, I won't touch them.

More complicated? Electric brake problem - buy $30 loaded backing plate, 4 bolts, two wires, everything is replaced. As for a bad connection, if that's not working, your lights aren't either. The only time electric brakes have failed me is when the wheel flew off my truck and ripped the trailer harness apart. I've used two surge brake trailers with rusted master cylinders

Surge brake problem. Possible master, caliper, bleed brakes (brake fluid should be replaced every few years, by the way), hoses to rot, etc.

Cost? Less to buy a good controller and wire it, then it is to pay for the surge setup on the trailer.

The only benefit to surge brakes is the rental industry, where they can't be sure everybody is equipped with trailer brakes, and boat trailers that get submerged.

[frank_a]

I have modern surge brakes on the heavy duty highway speed ready trailer my classic speed boat is on. I love them! (Just so y'all know.) I swear they help my truck stop!

I sure wouldn't want electric brakes on a boat trailer...

Frank

[Debbi Lynn]

Carl - great photos of the Snoozy. I'm impressed with the cabinetry and how spacious (well, it's relative, right) it looks in spite of the curve. And I really like the roof line. Are the walls covered with something like carpet (like the Casita?)
Debbi

Originally Posted by carlkeigley

Here's some pics of a stock Snoozy with options:

Backyard Photo Shoot

Thetford Cassette C200

Cassette C-200 CW/S/CS

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by Debbi Lynn

Carl - great photos of the Snoozy. I'm impressed with the cabinetry and how spacious (well, it's relative, right) it looks in spite of the curve. And I really like the roof line. Are the walls covered with something like carpet (like the Casita?)
Debbi

The inside is coated with some kind of spray on plastic I think.
Not sure what the material is, but there's no fabric sort in it.

I did opt for all the extra windows because it is all relative.
With 3 picture windows you can feel like you are still outside if you want.
They all three open (escape windows).

[MCDenny]

The inside is a layer of structural fiberglass with a bumpy finish layer of gel coat.

In this close up of our towel rack you can see the interior finish on the wall.

[Jared J]

Originally Posted by Debbi Lynn

Jared - How do you like the Scamp overall? What else did you look at before purchase?
D

Sorry, I missed this. I wanted a fifth wheel, and this was what I found in my price range, cheaper than many 13' ones of the same age on here.

I tore into it, I have a little left to go (no time at the moment), but it's mostly redone. I love it, I was against campers until I discovered the fiberglass side. I'm ok with redoing it at the beginning, but not ok with the issues the other ones always seem to have compared to these fiberglass ones.

[Debbi Lynn]

Originally Posted by MCDenny

The inside is a layer of structural fiberglass with a bumpy finish layer of gel coat.

In this close up of our towel rack you can see the interior finish on the wall.

Attachment 62631

McDenny
Doing your article today and looking for pics. This is a nice close up of the walls. I like the walls better than the casita or parkliner (although maybe the fuzzy walls do insulate better). I'm a bit of a weather-wimp so guess I'll find out.
Debbi

[Debbi Lynn]

Originally Posted by carlkeigley

Here's some pics of a stock Snoozy with options:

Backyard Photo Shoot

Thetford Cassette C200

Cassette C-200 CW/S/CS

Carl,
Mind if I use a few of your photos? I'm doing an article about the Snoozy.
Debbi

[carlkeigley]

You are more than welcome to them Debbi.
I like your blog.

Here's a few from the factory from a couple of the club members.
I think one pic is the original prototype......

http://lilsnoozyclub-com.webs.com/ap...bumid=14183253

Prototype?
http://lilsnoozyclub-com.webs.com/ap...toid=169305470

[Debbi Lynn]

Originally Posted by carlkeigley

You are more than welcome to them Debbi.
I like your blog.

Thanks Carl. I have a couple from McDenny too and the manufacturer site.

I checked out that cassette toilet...humm...but then I'll be a solo female traveler...

[carlkeigley]

The cassette is an "option." I think the standard is the porta-potti,
but you can delete that for adjustment.......

[cpaharley2008]

Cassette toilets are great. You can empty them in public restrooms and if you get one with it's own fill tank, you can use it in the winter with auto windshield antifreeze as your liquid.

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Cassette toilets are great. You can empty them in public restrooms and if you get one with it's own fill tank, you can use it in the winter with auto windshield antifreeze as your liquid.

I was kind of excited when I read your posts on the windshield
antifreeze, but then determined mine uses the fresh water tank.
I thought,,,,,,,,,,,,hm, bummer. But my tank is on the inside so
can manage when camping.

[cpaharley2008]

Correct, but you would have to fill your entire water system with rv antifreeze, maybe 4-5 gallons with the separate source, 1-2 gallons of windshield antifreeze is all you need without intermingling it with the rest of the water system in the trailer and no sanitizing in the spring. I wonder if snoozy offers the other model, it was in my T@da!!

[Debbi Lynn]

Originally Posted by carlkeigley

You are more than welcome to them Debbi.
I like your blog.

Here's a few from the factory from a couple of the club members.
I think one pic is the original prototype......

SNOOZY TOWN FACTORY

Prototype?
Old Yellow

Thanks for these too. I'll take a look. Been reading a couple of other threads about single and double hulls...still confused if the Snoozy is a true double hull.
Debbi

[cpaharley2008]

I do not think Snoozy is, Bigfoot and Oliver both are, not sure about anyone else.

[MCDenny]

Originally Posted by Debbi Lynn

Thanks for these too. I'll take a look. Been reading a couple of other threads about single and double hulls...still confused if the Snoozy is a true double hull.
Debbi

I'm sure Alan Smoak would mail you a little scrap of the fiberglass/foam sandwich. Then you could see exactly what the material is.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Jared J

When surge brakes are adjustable on the fly for road conditions, can be applied independently of the tow vehicle, provide as much braking as electric, and don't screw you over backing uphill, let me know.

Last part done: many years ago surge drum brakes went to "free-backing", which means they don't apply when moving rearward. This doesn't work for disk brakes, so with them you use a solenoid which disables them when in reverse, which means the trailer must be wired to the tug's reverse lights.

There's no reason why a surge system can't provide just as much braking as electric, but that would require configuring them correctly, rather than randomly (as is normal practice).