After twenty years of making a living plowing snow, it's time to sell the plow and head south for the winters! A new snowbird wannabe.
Nick at Scamp has given me a quote on a 13', and connected me with Tom Eames, a local 13' owner. After seeing Tom's new Scamp, I'm ready. I plan on picking up a new Scamp in MN in late October.
Plans now are for solo travel, maybe a month at a time. Leaving the Scamp in GA (to minimize repeated winterizing and travel wear), I'll periodically return home to check on the house. In the spring, I'll haul it north, but spend the summers here boating and gardening. With maybe a trip or two to Canada, only ten miles away.
At 71, I'm ready. It's time to visit this country and see where the wind blows me!
Sounds like you are about to embark on an awesome adventure!
Keep us posted.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
.Sounds like a plan. On your travels to NY from Ga. you will more than likely want to take the Scamp instead of staying in motels along the way. One note on the Scamp pick up in Oct. Campgrounds in Mn., Wi., and UP MI. usually shut off the water on the 1st of October and many close. That time of year you want to check the weather systems and maybe choose a more southerly route. When going to that area we take I-70 it may be 100 mi further but you avoid the toll roads and the Chicago traffic. I'm a snowbird once winterized there is no need to go back north except for family emergency. When you go home you have to de winterize when you get there and re winterize when you leave. Just have someone check your home every so often.
Eddie
I'll ask if it's dry, then wait until heading south in December to fill the lines...leaving the Scamp in GA until April or so, then going and getting it.
I'm no fan of interstates...I'd take route 20...with the bare Jeep I wouldn't mind, but not with a trailer with 13" tires...there's a reason that U-Haul places a 55mph limit on trailers.
Update....placed my order! Scamp tests lines with air, as someone else here mentioned, and it will be dry when I pick it up in late October.
If not now, when?
Larry
Larry, it sounds like you have a great plan! I envy it, and may emulate it in a few years, if ever I get to where I can really, fully retire. I'm already partly to where you are, boating a bit (sailing) on my lake, but mostly gardening, in the summer. With occasional Scamp trips.
I've had my Scamp a couple years and have never felt the need to fill the water tank or use the sink. I just keep a gallon of water for cooking/drinking etc, maybe a little more once I've parked and set up, and if there are no shower facilities, do my washing by warming some of that water on the stove and using a basin and washcloth. (It's surprising how little water a person really needs to use.) This way I can always be confident that my water is clean, and I'm not further reducing my gas mileage by adding a lot of water weight (8 lbs/gallon) to the Scamp. Plus... I never have to winterize or de-winterize! Which is a huge bonus, as there is plenty of other garden work demanding action at exactly those times of year.
Seems to me you'd still need to stop in places where you can connect to electricity though, if it's cold. You'll need to run your furnace fan, or electric heater if you use one of those.
Keep us filled in on your adventures, when they begin. :)
Yes, I think I'll keep it dry for starters, and carry water as you suggest. I'll get a 100w solar panel to keep the battery up, which should run the furnace as needed.
I'm attracted to the free boondocking life, and want to see how long I can hold out before needing to refill water...I'll have two propane tanks, and if I lay off the sink, toilet and shower, a week or two might be very doable. This will be a learning process, and If I find a cheap place with hookups, all the amenities are there to use!
If not now, when?
Larry
Totally agree with Going light