One month to go!

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punkiep
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Last seen: 5 years 10 months ago
Joined: 07/02/2017 - 17:09
One month to go!

I have a few questions about bedding before we pick up our Scamp next month. What size sheets for the big bed? Are the cushions comfortable enough for sleeping or should we be buying some kind of pad?

Also what should we be bringing with for our first camping nights? We plan on camping near Backus when we pick our camper for a night or two. We have not owned a camper in 30 years and that was a pop-up. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are definitely rookies.

rriebow
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Last seen: 1 year 4 months ago
Joined: 07/07/2016 - 07:06
Fun!

Probably queen-sized sheets.  No sheets really fit any RV bed, always a lot of tucking!  It is easier to buy two top sheets and skip struggling with a fitted bottom sheet.  A full-size bedspread will cover it.  We bought a 2" foam pad for ours, but you may want to wait until you get home so you can cut it down to fit nicely.  Save the plastic package it comes in to repack it when you take down the bed.   A down bed pad helps too, and won't be as unwieldy unfitted. 

For you initial trip, just sit down and go through what you would like to do while camping and make a list.  Think smaller and lighter when stocking the camper.  Coffee maker, cups, breakfast, lunch, dinner?  Clothes for the weather?  Utensils and cookware?  Little outdoor grille?  Just go through the steps of all you want to do or have to do.  You won't be able to think of everything, but try to cover the most important things to you.  Think of less breakable stuff too, or remember to pack it tightly in the trailer.  Contents can bounce around a lot!  You will have a lot of fun shopping trips outfitting your Scamp, and coming up with ways take what you need but save valuable storage space.  Think little Glad containers vs. full-sized containers of essentials.  Living small is a blast!       

Rhonda Riebow

JTST_Scamper
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Last seen: 1 year 2 months ago
Joined: 08/27/2016 - 14:25
What we Did

We picked up our 16 last year about this time. We camped in the area testing everything out and stopped back at the factory for a couple minor things. (If you have anything you are thinking about purchasing from the parts department now is a good time to keep from paying shipping costs later.) I ended up getting an extra plastic "mouse hole" and snap caps.

I digress; the cushions for the big bed are close to full size and you will end up tucking extra sheet length/width underneath. Not really very comfortable for sleeping but good enough to camp in the area and get you home. 

Once home I headed to Sam' Club and picked up a queen size memory topper.  I know; I said full size earlier but the size is odd and the cost was little and I wanted to make sure I had enough memory foam for a good fit. A cheap electric carving knife, like you cut up the thanksgiving turkey, is all you need to cut the 4-inch memory foam. We pulled the cushions out of the camper and laid them on top of the memory foam to act as a template. We leave our bed setup full time and only get into the side seating storage on rare occasion.

We brought food to cook and picked up cold food while up in the area having brought along a small cooler. If you eat out it would simplify your shake down camping and I suggest  you check out your choices in the area before  you go. It is rather sparse and you might have to do a little driving.

Camping stuff; you probably did this with the pop-up but don't forget wheel chocks, lighter for the stove top, and drinking water. If you have a toilet in your new Scamp then that adds the need for disposal and cleaning supplies. (The sewer hose they supply isn't worth the time taking it out of the front tube.)

We always use the RV Park shower facilities. Although our 16 has the shower it doesn't make sense to us when you have lots of hot water just a short walk away.

To keep from tracking rocks and dirt inside I would suggest an inexpensive welcome mat. It makes it easy to take off your shoes outside. 

Lastly, the fresh water hose, pressure regulator and 45 degree angle fitting for the hose attachment on the side of the Scamp. We never use the onboard fresh water tank but it should be cleaned and sanitized before use. That would be something for when you get home. The RV park water supply was used for washing and we brought a case of bottled water for regular consumption and cooking. 

Sorry for the random thoughts and tried my best to remember our first overnight with our new trailer. I packed along more stuff than we needed but boy did we have fun!

Best of luck

Randy
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Last seen: 1 year 1 month ago
Joined: 03/09/2018 - 18:22
Pre-grats!

Pre-grats on the new egg.

First off, I'm still in the factory queue myself and don't own one yet for but what it's worth. You might want to remember to bring your proof of insurance with you for the camper. Also, they come with a spare tire but it doesn't come with anything to change it with. A good jack and lug wrench might be handy. I haven't checked it myself but I remember reading on another post that the tires are only rated for 55mph so take it slow and enjoy. ;)

punkiep
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Last seen: 5 years 10 months ago
Joined: 07/02/2017 - 17:09
Heater

We got an email this week that our Scamp is done. We did not get a furnace. Has anyone used a small electric heater is their Scamp? We do not plan on picking up our camper until May but with winter hanging on in Minnesota (we went snowshoeing tonight), we may need a heater.

Also how do you secure your Scamp when not with it? I do not want anyone just backing up to it and taking off with it.

Thanks for your advice.

rriebow
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Last seen: 1 year 4 months ago
Joined: 07/07/2016 - 07:06
ceramic heater

We use a little ceramic heater, about $45 at Walmart, etc.  It kept our 13' nice and warm when outside temps were in the low 40s.  Use rugs though, the floor was quite cold!  You can buy a trailer hitch lock for about $30, and you can find them online or at an RV store.  Probably UHaul sells them too.   

Rhonda Riebow

Duane M. Rykhus
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Last seen: 8 months 3 weeks ago
Joined: 10/15/2016 - 09:42
Small heat

I purchase this one from Menards $7.99 you will need hookups at camp grounds but not vary good for boon docking you will get cold ! or you could go with a little buddy heater ?

Have Scamp will travel !

Duane M. Rykhus
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Last seen: 8 months 3 weeks ago
Joined: 10/15/2016 - 09:42
Security

Nothing is foolproof but they might look at it and say that will take to long.  We use wheel lock, lock on hitch and guard dog !

Have Scamp will travel !

athearn2
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Last seen: 14 hours 38 min ago
Joined: 02/16/2015 - 10:43
Hitch Lock

If you are worried about theft and use a lock on the trailer hitch keep in mind that these trailers can be easily towed by the safety chains. I use a padlock that is longer then the standard lock. When locking the hitch I lock the safety chains into the padlock. We are in Maine so our Scamp is still wrapped up or I would post a picture. It is sad that we have to worry about these things!

Randy
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Last seen: 1 year 1 month ago
Joined: 03/09/2018 - 18:22
I like that one.

I'll have to remember that one.  Thanks Athearn2.  I wonder if anybody has tried removing the chains when parked.  Like cut them short then use a screw close link to reattach them when ready to hook up again.