Hi I'm Kathleen

[EddyEd]

Kathleen, Welcome to the site. Glad to see you are seriously looking to become FGRV owner, I don't think you will regret the decision. I have a 13' Cloud and love it to death, best thing I have ever purchased.
I have used my camper in several different ways and I think they are pretty versatile as long as you have an open mind and are not super picky about certain things. Such as the bathroom, you can solve that issue simply by using a porta potty which is what I do and I think it works great. The nice thing about that is you can slide it out of the way and under the front bunk of most of the 13' campers (unless it is one that actually has a bathroom already in it which would then eliminate the need anyway), I have slept on the bunk bed/couch area in the front of my camper on several occasions and find it very comfortable. If you think this would be enough room you could then leave your table a table all of the time. I have also made my table into the bed in the back and have just left it like that and used my fold up table outside as my eating area.
I think you would find having a two burner stove a nice option especially if you enjoy cooking but a lot of people have solved this problem by just buying a really nice propane stove that can be used inside or outside which then frees up your counter space in your camper when you don't need to be cooking or when you just want to be cooking outside. I too live in the north and have had need of a good furnace. If you purchase a newer camper there is good chance it will come with a furnace, mine is older but did have a furnace in it but I found it wasn't up to par for keeping my camper very warm come November and December so I purchased a Buddy Heater (you can get them at Menards) and it works wonderfully. The nice thing about the buddy heater in my eyes is in the summer when I don't need it I can store it out of the way as they aren't that bulky and the space where you would put a permanent furnace which a lot of the time is under the closet by the door can then be used for storage.
I can't really chime in on the refrigerator as mine came with an ice box and I now use it as a cupboard and bought a good cooler. I would like to have a refrigerator but don't want to cut any more holes in the side of my camper for venting it.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all, I am in the Duluth area so not to far out of the way.

[Infogypsy]

Thought I'd jump in here although not sure how old Kathleen's post was. I am pulling a 16' scamp with a 2009 4wd manual trans Forrester and so far it's great. I'm a woman on my own sans dog. I've gotten 21mpg with Subaru tow. So no problems with that year/. model and my -6' weighs a bit more.

[Carol H]

Great resource we have here regarding trailer weights is the thread called Trailer Weights in the Real World. Most of the trailers on the list were weighed on arrival at a fiberglass trailer meet loaded up for camping. As the campground has serves it would be a good bet that not many of the trailers were traveling with much if any water in their tanks.

[Infogypsy]

Wondering myself if ALL water needs to be dumped before towing or just gray water tank (per scamp video suggestion)?

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Kathleen M

I would feel a bit more comfortable though if I could find something with a tow rating in the 3000 - 3500 range.

There are many vehicles out there with very high tow rating that are actually very poor tow vehicles. In contrast there are many tow vehicles with very low tow ratings that make great tow vehicles.

Realize a vehicle's "tow rating" may or may not have much to do with how well the vehicle can tow a trailer, how long or will last towing a trailer, or how reliable it will be towing a trailer.

Whether your Forester has a 500lb tow rating or a 5,000lb tow rating it has a good reputation from users for the size of trailer you are considering.

Also pay close attention to the way it is connected. The correct hitch and sway control will make all the difference in how well the rig performs as a unit.

Best of luck with your venture. Let us know how it all works out.

[Kathleen M]

Thanks all for the advice so far. I'm feeling better about using the Forester as my TV. For the hitch, am I better to take it in to the dealer to get it installed? Otherwise, I'm sure my brother would have someone he uses (he's a excavating and concrete contractor so he tows equipment a lot, plus their camper).

[Infogypsy]

I had my hitch put on by Ziebart. Recommend dealer instead. Forrester was apparently hard to hitch. Took them four hours and had to take it back after first tow to lower bar and raise connector.

[Glenn Baglo]

Well, the Toyota factory hitch was only class II and cost more than $900.
The dealer brought in an after-market installer ( Hidden Hitch ) and he put in a Class III and installed the Prodigy brake controller, and ran a #10 ground wire for me for $650. The work was done in the Toyota shop.
So, I suggest you shop around.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Kathleen M

Thanks all for the advice so far. I'm feeling better about using the Forester as my TV. For the hitch, am I better to take it in to the dealer to get it installed? Otherwise, I'm sure my brother would have someone he uses (he's a excavating and concrete contractor so he tows equipment a lot, plus their camper).

We used a towing specialist here in our area. They have been in business for 40 years and have a rock solid reputation for getting it right the first time. Sorry, not sure how to help you since we are not familiar with the resources in your area.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Infogypsy

Wondering myself if ALL water needs to be dumped before towing or just grey water tank (per scamp video suggestion)?

Water does not need to be dumped out of any of the tanks prior to towing BUT you will need to make sure you have stowed the trailer correctly to compensate for the extra water in the tanks. IE if you tow with water in the fresh water tanks or the grey water tanks which are located at the rear you will need to add some weight up and over or in front of the axle to balance the trailer to avoid sway issues. The black water tank is located just ahead of the axle so towing with it with some water in it is not a big stow changer.

Keep in mind that water weights 8.3lbs per US Gallon - which can add up fast to a lot of extra weight if the tanks are full. Thats 215lbs extra weight at the rear of the trailer if only the grey water tank is full. Another 99lbs if the fresh water tank is full. Most people try to avoid towing with water if possible as the added weight will impact MPG as well.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Kathleen M

Thanks all for the advice so far. I'm feeling better about using the Forester as my TV. For the hitch, am I better to take it in to the dealer to get it installed? Otherwise, I'm sure my brother would have someone he uses (he's a excavating and concrete contractor so he tows equipment a lot, plus their camper).

Kathleen suspect you will be better off going to a hitch specialist. Subaru only started offering up their own hitch a few years ago so not many of their people are overly familiar with installing them as most come from the factory installed. Not to mention Subaru only offered a Class I hitch at first (that may have changed) and you should be getting a Class II . As others have said your Forester will tow the 13' just fine. Lots of us here tow with Subaru's and are pretty happy with them.

Edit: Forgot to mention that Subaru requires (as do many vehicle manufacturers) that you have brakes on any trailer you tow over 1000lbs and they *do not* recommend that you use a Weight Distribution hitch on their cars as they claim (when I asked) it may interfere with the safe operation of their AWD system. You should not need one on a 13' trailer regardless, but some folks like to recommend them anyways ;-)

[Infogypsy]

Price-wise Ziebart was $430.

[Nancy]

Kathleen,

I just sent you a private message. If you didn't get it please let me know.

Nancy

[Carol H]

I have had U-Haul install hitches twice on an Outback without a problem. They also installed the wiring harness and modular that needs to be added to the basic trailer wiring that Subaru supplies. You will need to have a break wire added from scratch as Subaru as with many other manufactures does not prewire the break wire at the factory.

[Kathleen M]

I went to the Minnesota State fair today and Scamp had a display with 5 trailers on display. They had the 13' both with and without the bathroom so I could see them side by side. I definitely want the one without the bathroom.

It made dealing with the huge crowds today worth it. I'm very happy and I talked with the reps about what options I want to go with, although I'm still considering used too.

[Mike Magee]

Glad you got to see some new ones like that! Scamps hold their value very well. They may depreciate a little faster in their first 2-3 years, then after that they decline in value verrrrry slowly. If you see a used one you think you might like, jump fast to look and perhaps purchase... or it will probably be gone the next day! And it can take a lot of looking and patient waiting for the right one to come up for sale within a reasonable distance. If you decide to spring for a new Scamp, late fall/winter is a great time to shop because they might have a few on hand (trying to keep the workers busy) that they would be willing to discount a bit during the slow season.

Those folding A frame trailers look so cool, and I like them also. But there's something to be said for not having to set up the walls (especially in wind or rain!) before using the trailer, and for having eye level storage cabinets (none of those in the A's). I talked to a couple in Yosemite with their Chalet this July, and they had to carry much of their stuff in boxes, milk crates, or other containers in the tow vehicle... and then haul them into the trailer at setup time and put them on the front seat or the floor. Not for me!!

Fortunately, FG eggs look cool also. And so much more practical. More tight from wind and the elements, less frame flex, more convenience.

Check around your area for places that sell and service cargo trailers, or a rental like U-Haul (one of their big main places, not necessarily the guy on the corner), for a good price on hitch installation.

[Night Sailor]

Originally Posted by Kathleen M

Thanks all for the advice so far. I'm feeling better about using the Forester as my TV. For the hitch, am I better to take it in to the dealer to get it installed? Otherwise, I'm sure my brother would have someone he uses (he's a excavating and concrete contractor so he tows equipment a lot, plus their camper).

I drove a 2008 Forester company provided car for several years and picked out of a large list that I test drove. I was very impressed with it and even bought a second set of rims with studded snow tires. It was the best 4 wheel drive vehicle I've ever driven. I owed several trailers, one 500 lb w/o brakes and one quiet a bit heavier--also without brakes for short distances. It handled the weight well and I would have gotten trailer brakes if circumstances had not changed.

If you try it I think you will be happy with it as a TV and agree with the other comments about adding trailer brakes--always ago of idea with alight weight TV. Good luck to you.

[Night Sailor]

Originally Posted by Infogypsy

I had my hitch put on by Ziebart. Recommend dealer instead. Forrester was apparently hard to hitch. Took them four hours and had to take it back after first tow to lower bar and raise connector.

I put mine on myself. I can remember how long it took. No more than 2 hours. A 2008 Forester. I buy most of my stuff from eTrailer.com and read the reviews. Sometimes I research there and buy in eBay.