Hello,
We are both sixty and are looking at the Scamp as a way to bring our dog with us when we travel as my wife is uncomfortable with kennels. I know there are many dog-friendly hotels, but eating on the road gets limited to drive-thru since we are also not comfortable leaving the dog in the car. My thought was that a camper such as a Scamp would give us a new interest (camping) and also be a safe place to leave fido for a stop at a restaurant (windows open of course) and could also be a place to sit down and have a meal while traveling.
In addition to ourselves, we often bring two kayaks on a roof rack, and two recumbent bikes on an hitch-mount carrier. It is my understanding some Scamps have a rear hitch mount.
Our vehicle is an Outback rated at 2700lbs tow capacity. The bikes, bike rack, and kayaks add up to about 160 lbs and we each weigh under 150. My wife says A/C and a toilet are musts, and a shower is high on her wants list. So my first question is what size(s) & models of Scamps would be well suited starting points for the above criteria?
Much thanks -- Paul
A 13' scamp F/bath would fit your tow requirements , however if you want larger 16' F/bath you would have to go to at least a 3500# tow. The 16' F/bath is what we have,(with dog) and it works. We use a Rav4 V6/Tow pkg. #3500 tow limit #350 Tongue wt. So far so good . Good Luck, Carl
I agree with Carl, a 13 footer for your tow vehicle. We tow a 13 footer with a Forester. Even though your tug is rated for 2,700 lbs, you will definitely feel the camper behind you with that four cylinder engine. Now if you had the Outback with the six cylinder engine, you could pull the 16 footer, even though the tongue weight is only 200lbs. So if you like the 13' Scamp, great! But if you like the 16 footer and buy the 13 because of your tow vehicle, I think you may have some regrets. Decisions, decisions! Good luck!
Anthony Memoli
Thanks all!
Definitely get a 16 ft. Scamp
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Id stay with a 13' I tow a 2012 13' with my outback - no problems - a 16' is reallyu pushing the limit
Meditations on traveling with pets in a Scamp:
My Scamp 13 gets rather warm inside when parked without ventilation, i.e., in traveling condition, even in moderate summer weather. Depending on the season, maybe it would be okay to leave Fido in there if you open windows and roof vent and run the fan while you're out eating. But only IF Fido doesn't have anxiety issues about waiting in there for you. I wouldn't leave your dog in there during your dinner break, unless you know for sure how conditions are going to be inside the Scamp, and how she's going to feel about it. Maybe experiment by hanging out in there yourself, in a parking lot with no shade and the trailer set up the way you'd expect to have it be for Fido. I'd also experiment with placing Fido inside, while I myself sat a little distance away *outside,* observing her behavior. Does she start to bark? Does she gnaw on cushion corners? When you check on her after an hour, is she panting even though it's cool (sign of stress)? Etc.
Assuming you've taken care of the health/well-being issues for your dog, be aware that some campgrounds, such as state parks in Minnesota, don't allow any animals to be left unattended at any time, whether in campers, RVs, or tents. So iif you're thinking of leaving Fido in there while you're off to the restaurant/museum/art fair/music festival, you might get in dutch with somebody, unless Fido is one of those very chill dogs who just takes a nap and doesn't advertise her presence.
Not trying to be too discouraging here. My dog, who like all herding breeds wants to keep her eye on her flock (me) all the time and has to screw up her courage when we have to be separated for longer than a business day, has after a number of experiences finally begun to regard the Scamp as a Safe Place. But it has taken a while! And I have been able to successfully leave her inside during 60-73 degree weather, parked in a driveway, while visiting friends. Windows open, of course.
I have a 2017 Subaru Outback for tow vehicle. My Scamp 13 has electric brakes, and I tricked out the Outback with a Tekonsha P3 brake controller. It does just fine with my 13, but I would *never* put a 16 behind it. Even with the 13, it eats significantly more gas; though I can't say it seems to feel like it's straining. The engine feels amazingly powerful. I suppose it would be great to be able to afford a big fat SUV for a tow vehicle, but then I'd have to pay higher prices for gas per mile for all the other driving I do, and there's a LOT of it. Not to mention that it's hardly a "green" choice. Plus I simply don't need that sort of heavy-duty equipment for anything other than towing a Scamp, which my Outback does perfectly well.
You might want to find out how much that AC unit is going to add to your Scamp's weight. And you might further want to *not* haul water for any shower/toilet/sink, but instead fill when you arrive at whatever campground with only the amount you expect to need, and dump all that you can before you leave. Water is heavy.
It's a question of balancing priorities, once you figure out what will actually work. My 2¢.
We camp with our two dogs, but we have a larger RV for our longer trips (my Scamp is for short trips, usually by myself). When we had an "only" dog, we didn't leave him alone for long periods in the trailer. We would go out to eat by taking him along and locking him in the truck with the A/C on. Since you are planning on taking kayaks and bikes, I assume your dog won't go on those excursions either. We live on a farm with animals, so we always get a farm sitter. We have had great luck with vet students from MSU--animal lovers, and they have experience with horses too. Your dog might be happier staying home with a new friend as opposed to being shut in a camper alone while you are doing non-dog activities. Much more expensive than taking him along of course, but perhaps a better experience for him. Maybe better for you also, you won't have to worry about getting right back from a bike or kayak outing!
Rhonda Riebow