I ordered our 2020 13 Scamp without a furnace, thinking it was unnecessary since we were not planning on doing cold weather camping, and I wanted to keep things simple since I might be going solo. Plus we have a small electric heater to supply a bit of heat when we have shore power. Now I regret not getting the furnace. During our northern Wisconsin trip last September, temps went into the 30s at night, and we didn't think it was safe to run the electric heater all night. Plus, as I’m making plans for an April trip to Utah, available camp sights with electric hookups are few and far between. I’m thinking it’s better to have a furnace and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Sunnyone, thanks for the advice. Like you, I would not feel comfortable with running a small electric heater all night, so my strategy would be to run just in the morning to warm things up. Now, after reading your comments, I should probably get the heater. In the end, I'd probably be glad I spent the money.
I would order the Scamp with a furnace even though it adds to the cost of the Scamp. You never know when you might do some cool or wet weather camping and would enjoy the furnace to take the chill or dampness out of the air. Furthermore, I think having a furnace will improve the resale value of a Scamp. Most trailers and RVs have furnaces. When connected to electricity in cool weather, I prefer using a small electric heater. Electric heaters should not be dangerous if you buy one with a tip-over shutoff switch and don't place the heater near flammable things like curtains, clothes, and bedding. I would not run an electric heater in an unattended trailer. Also, I think one should have a carbon monoxide detector when using a furnace or a smoke detector with an electric heater.
I might have skimped on cost if I had bought a new Scamp and not ordered an air conditioner. However, I am glad that I have AC in my used Scamp because most trailers/RVs heat up like an oven even on moderately, warm sunny days and an AC likely improves the resale of the trailer. The 12-volt ceiling fan does a good job on milder days or when not plugged into electricity.
Yes, exactly my thinking. After reading Heath-Moons "Blue Highways" I have given up on my Scamp Dreams. Instead after helping my daughter trick out her 2018 Ram Pro Master City into a stealth van, I have decided to go with a similar van with a high roof. While she likes to go to State and National parks and plug in, I want to be able to be self sufficient. The Olympian 3 would be my choice ( see Static Campervan ) I intend to travel North and South with the weather like "My Scaam Tralvels Adventure" John Holdsfield who I have been following for years. While I see a lot about the Tribe in the southwest, I would be staying on the East Coast from Newfoundland to Florida
Thanks for the feedback, Sunfish. It's your advice and others that make this forum a good place to get ideas. Much appreciated! I will get the heater when I place my order (in 2021, I hope!)
We got our 16 Deluxe yesterday and checked out the heater. It doesn't seem to be all that noisy, at least compared to the heater we had in our truck camper. I like the fact that it's forward away from the bed. When ours we delivered the inside temp was 34 degrees and the heater brought it up to 68 quickly. Even summer camping in the high country (we in Colorado) it's nice to use the heater to take the chill off in the morning.
My daughter had a day spaa in Durango a few years ago. We had the best of two lives as we live at the beach in Lewes, DE and we would go out to her place in May and January for Snowdown. So we went up to Silverton on may 15th and when we got up the next morning there was three inches of snow on the Harley seat! I guess the new heaters may be quiter than the older ones. I like the Olimpian 3 otherwise.
Just got back from 2 nights of camping and the temps were in the 40's. We were camping on the Corps of Engineers sites. We were low on propane so I used the heat strip. The heat strip is a handy investment on a new Scamp. We didn't order it on ours, having it added a later was 3 times the price.
If boondocking, the propane furnace can also be used as a hair dryer.
I ordered our 2020 13 Scamp without a furnace, thinking it was unnecessary since we were not planning on doing cold weather camping, and I wanted to keep things simple since I might be going solo. Plus we have a small electric heater to supply a bit of heat when we have shore power. Now I regret not getting the furnace. During our northern Wisconsin trip last September, temps went into the 30s at night, and we didn't think it was safe to run the electric heater all night. Plus, as I’m making plans for an April trip to Utah, available camp sights with electric hookups are few and far between. I’m thinking it’s better to have a furnace and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Sunnyone, thanks for the advice. Like you, I would not feel comfortable with running a small electric heater all night, so my strategy would be to run just in the morning to warm things up. Now, after reading your comments, I should probably get the heater. In the end, I'd probably be glad I spent the money.
I would order the Scamp with a furnace even though it adds to the cost of the Scamp. You never know when you might do some cool or wet weather camping and would enjoy the furnace to take the chill or dampness out of the air. Furthermore, I think having a furnace will improve the resale value of a Scamp. Most trailers and RVs have furnaces. When connected to electricity in cool weather, I prefer using a small electric heater. Electric heaters should not be dangerous if you buy one with a tip-over shutoff switch and don't place the heater near flammable things like curtains, clothes, and bedding. I would not run an electric heater in an unattended trailer. Also, I think one should have a carbon monoxide detector when using a furnace or a smoke detector with an electric heater.
I might have skimped on cost if I had bought a new Scamp and not ordered an air conditioner. However, I am glad that I have AC in my used Scamp because most trailers/RVs heat up like an oven even on moderately, warm sunny days and an AC likely improves the resale of the trailer. The 12-volt ceiling fan does a good job on milder days or when not plugged into electricity.
Yes, exactly my thinking. After reading Heath-Moons "Blue Highways" I have given up on my Scamp Dreams. Instead after helping my daughter trick out her 2018 Ram Pro Master City into a stealth van, I have decided to go with a similar van with a high roof. While she likes to go to State and National parks and plug in, I want to be able to be self sufficient. The Olympian 3 would be my choice ( see Static Campervan ) I intend to travel North and South with the weather like "My Scaam Tralvels Adventure" John Holdsfield who I have been following for years. While I see a lot about the Tribe in the southwest, I would be staying on the East Coast from Newfoundland to Florida
Cap'n Rick
A stealth van would be fun! Sort of a fantasy idea for me. Cheers on the Guinness.
Thanks for the feedback, Sunfish. It's your advice and others that make this forum a good place to get ideas. Much appreciated! I will get the heater when I place my order (in 2021, I hope!)
We got our 16 Deluxe yesterday and checked out the heater. It doesn't seem to be all that noisy, at least compared to the heater we had in our truck camper. I like the fact that it's forward away from the bed. When ours we delivered the inside temp was 34 degrees and the heater brought it up to 68 quickly. Even summer camping in the high country (we in Colorado) it's nice to use the heater to take the chill off in the morning.
My daughter had a day spaa in Durango a few years ago. We had the best of two lives as we live at the beach in Lewes, DE and we would go out to her place in May and January for Snowdown. So we went up to Silverton on may 15th and when we got up the next morning there was three inches of snow on the Harley seat! I guess the new heaters may be quiter than the older ones. I like the Olimpian 3 otherwise.
Cap'n Rick
Just got back from 2 nights of camping and the temps were in the 40's. We were camping on the Corps of Engineers sites. We were low on propane so I used the heat strip. The heat strip is a handy investment on a new Scamp. We didn't order it on ours, having it added a later was 3 times the price.
BobH. one of the Samper Campers
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