Picked up new Scamp 13 from Backus, MN

[SailorSteve]

I forgot to let everyone know that we picked up our new 2013 Scamp 13 from the plant in Backus on October 29. Woo hoo !! Love it.

We towed it the 1,100 miles back to our home in Tennessee with no problems. It pulled great behind our 2011 Toyota Sienna. No swaying. Fuel economy varied between 13 and 17 mpg depending on speed and wind conditions. I would say the overall average will be 15 mpg at 65-70 mpg. I'm thrilled because my old TV and trailer got 8 mpg (!) so I have now cut my fuel usage in half. By the way, I now see how the Scamps can be pulled by 4 cylinder vehicles. Hardly knew it was back there.

So what's my next move? Go camping, even if it's the back field at our place. Already planning a trip to Florida in February. And get some foam padding for sleeping on. Those new cushions are HARD !! Also need to figure our something for a light and simple canopy or awning. RECOMMENDATIONS?

Regards, Steve

PS - Equipment is "standard option package" plus.... extra overhead storage cabinets, extra interior lighting, gray water tank, AC, electric brakes, and FantasticFan. No heat and no awning. Keep it simple.

[BAMA & Pachyderm Posse]

Good for you , have fun and enjoy

[Eddie Longest]

Steve
For a cheap very light awning K-mart sells a 10X10 northwest shade canopy for $49.99. I put two small I-bolts where two rivets were installed to attach one side of the canopy to the S-16 camper but that trailer was 25 YO at the time. You should be able to rig up something on your new trailer.
Eddie
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/search_10...+dining+canopy

[kootenaigirl]

Congratulations - That was a nice trip home to break it in!
It's so nice when you buy new and can order it just the way you want.

[Marg]

You brought back wonderful memories for me when you mentioned picking up your new Scamp. My daughter-in-law and I took off from northern California and headed east to Bacus to pick up my new 1997 13' Scamp. Because we were both interested in history we followed the Oregon Trail backwards for quite a few miles through Idaho & Nebraska. We towed the 13' Scamp with a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder, 4-wheel drive, 5-speed stick shift. If I remember right the mileage averaged 16 mpg. Visited my son in TX and came home. Wonderful trip, wonderful memories. Marg in NW CA

[Carol H]

Congrats!! Let the memories begin!!

Quote SailerSteve "I would say the overall average will be 15 mpg at 65-70 mpg"

Keep in mind that if you have the stock ST tires on the trailer they are rated for a max 65 mph and your mpg will go up if you stay under that as well :-)

Have fun with it!

[Darrell in Al]

congrats, your mods may begin in making it truly your own.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Great. I hope you enjoy your 13' Scamp as much we enjoy ours.
To keep it right side up and enjoy the travels safely slow down. Trailer tires are rated for 65 mph max. Most of us typically tow between 55 and 60 mph to stay below that. We find it's much more relaxing to go slower along with safer and the tires like it better. Your gas mileage will be better also.

[StacyJayT]

Here is something I read last night. I would do a search in this website for more ideas! I'm getting a Scamp too- but really old! Hope you enjoy yours!
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...amp-50564.html

[Lil M.]

Originally Posted by Eddie Longest

Steve
For a cheap very light awning K-mart sells a 10X10 northwest shade canopy for $49.99. I put two small I-bolts where two rivets were installed to attach one side of the canopy to the S-16 camper but that trailer was 25 YO at the time. You should be able to rig up something on your new trailer.
Eddie
Northwest Dining Canopy from Kmart.com

Hi Steve,
If you get the above awning and you want to avoid drilling any holes or replacing any rivets, you might try using bungee cords on the trailer side corners of the awning by hooking them onto the front tongue frame and back bumper. I made my own awning, but it's very similar to the K-Mart one. Ready-made would save you a lot of work. I spent quite a bit extra figuring mine out, but am happy now with how it works.

See my awning saga here:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...p-51516-2.html

And here's a pic of my awning at work at Moose Lake State Park.

[Adrian W]

Congrats! Nice having something not sucking the gas down.

Happy Camping!

[SailorSteve]

Thanks, Carol & Byron, on the speed rating of the ST tires. I knew that. I normally tow at a much more reasonable speed but was in a hurry to get home. Traffic was none existant and terrain was flat. I agree. Normally, I tow between 55 and 65. Interesting that at lower speeds I actually have to drop down to 5th gear (from 6th), if the terrain is rolling, so the transmission doesn't keep hunting back and forth betweens gears and keep locking and unlocking the torque converter clutch. Haven't checked the MPG in 5th gear at 55 yet. Still should be pretty good because 5th gear is still an overdrive ratio on the Sienna. Slow and steady gets you there safely and relaxed !!

Thanks to everyone else for the awning suggestions.

[Gilda]

Congrats on your new Scamp! We also bought ours new and LOVE it! Here's a photo of our custom foam cushion topper. By covering two lengths of thermafoam with 100% cotton knit (think T-shirt fabric) with a zippered cover we can roll up and store them in under the dinette benches. We sleep right on the cushions and wash the covers periodically.
Happy camping!