I want a Scamp. I am wondering if I have an unrealistic, idyllic view of traveling with a fg travel trailer and camping with one.
Would you please share what you see as the negatives of traveling and camping with a fgtt? What is it you dread (if anything) about the process of loading up, getting on the road, or setting up/leaving at a campsite? What is the worst part of the whole "scene" for you? What would you change if you could? What unforeseen "negative" did you discover in the process?
Thanks so much,
Tonie
Pretty much my entire life I was a backpacker, evolving into a minimalist backpacker. If you had told me then that I'd be hauling a trailer behind a car when camping I would have been fit to be tied. Alas, time takes care of all our youthful adventuring and now the ease of setup and creature comforts of a full bath and memory foam bed sure take care of these old bones. Really am struggling to come up with negatives, most of our family's experiences are very positive. Entering, leaving campgrounds, backing up, sleeping on the hitch, time to set up and tear down are all positives with a small egg trailer. I remember when we were doing the PCHighway and we're in the Big Sur. Everyone needed the bathroom and there was nothing but cliffs and ocean.then it dawned on us. We're pulling a bathroom! (We were new to this) Pulled off in an overlook and we all enjoyed the incredible view while one by one went to the bathroom.
Nothing I dread, usually can't wait to be on the road for another adventure. The egg gatherings are always great events to meet old friends and make new ones. Fun to finally put faces on screen names that you've talked to in the clubhouse for years.
Got one. When four of us were traveling for a month in the 13 we wished we had a permanent bed and table and didn't have to break down/setup every day. But that was resolved in later trailers.
Still trying to come up with some negatives for you. If one pops in my head I'll come back and add it.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Thanks, Greg! I've been wondering about how I'll fare with the backing up .... and what is "sleeping on the hitch?"
It is great to hear such positives after your years of experience...
Thanks,
Tonie
OK, I haven't heard the terminology "sleeping on the hitch" so I'm wondering what that means too. I have not towed. My husband, although he won't be on the big adventure, tows but he won't practice backing up even with no one around and plenty of room. I asked my brother if he has towed and said he "yes" and I asked "Are you good at backing up?" thinking that maybe there was a "genetic" link that would work in my favor and he said "That's the hardest part." There is some really good information here on the website concerning backing up and it has an element that we were totally missing. I would have to say though that I have seen sites that I am not sure with the angle and trees that anyone other than a tenter could have gotten into.
Gosh, my older son when he started to drive, he wasn't really into it. He joined the Army Reserves a couple years after he started driving and was driving big Army trucks in Wichtia, one of our bigger cities in KS. I gasped "Well, we aren't going down there when he is on drill!." There was never an incident. Now he is an LTC and has a driver when he is on duty. He has always been a real character anyway. He can make a plan and carry it through so maybe with determination, most things can be accomplished.
Also, although there are smaller units than Scamp, things like teardrops if you don't need all the amenities that Scamp has. I think the most important thing is finding something you are going to be comfortable with and just doing something in the way of getting out there. If you can go with the 13' Scamp, especially pre-plant fire, they are pretty small.
You know, I actually used my son's Matchbox toys and studied the backing up videos online trying to get into my head the dynamics of how it all works.
Cathy
Sleeping on the Hitch is simply when you pull into a Rest Stop, Truck Stop or a Walmart and sleep in your camper without un-hitching from the Tow Vehicle.
Sleeping on the Hitch is a part of your camping style, some people plan to stay at a campsite every night and never do it, while others do it when traveling longer distances.
It mostly depends on the driver, If you like to drive for 6 to 7 hours and then stop for the night, you can plan to stay at campsites along your route.
Personally, I don't mind leaving at 7 o'clock at night, driving till midnight, pulling into a Rest Stop, sleeping for a few hours and then getting back on the road for another 4 or 5 hours. I find I miss a lot of heavy daytime traffic this way.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Hi Tonie,
We have just returned from a 7 week 5,000+ mile trip (our first) with our 13 Ft Scamp. The only real down side we experienced was driving on the interstates in the big cities. Cities like Pittsburgh and Washington DC. Too many cars and trucks going 70 to 80 mph, lanes starting and stopping, very poor condition of road surfaces. We are too old for this!!! We tried to use as many small two lane roads as we could. Sorry no other negatives.
As far as "sleeping on the hitch" is concerned you should try to get your tow vehicle set up so the trailer is as level as possible when hitched up. There will be unavoidable times when you will be using your trailer while it is hitched and it is just nice to have it level. Your gas fridg. will be happier too.
Good travels, Alan
Tonie,
This is my 15th year with my 13 Scamp and I have come across "no downsides". I travel solo with my dog. I've gone on a 3 month trip to Alaska and back, a nearly 4 month trip to the Great Lakes and back, as well as many shorter in between. I've logged some 90,000 miles on my Scamp. It would have been much more however I've been home quite a bit the last 3 or 4 years. Since I travel alone and don't have a bathroom in my 13 footer I have left the dinette down as a permanent bed. Then of course I have the couch up front to sit on. It all works well for Lily and I.
Backing a trailer into a site is easily learned. The key is to go slow and make small little adjustments to the steering wheel. If you start making large adjustments it's not long until you might see your trailer next to your driver door or maybe the passenger door.
As far as loading up, I keep my trailer loaded at all times with exception of perishable food and some clothing. So there is little to load and unload from my trailer. There is a routine you get into after awhile for hitching and unhitching and campground setup/take down. The key is to keep to your routine and not to let people interrupt your routine. That might very well happen as these little trailers attract people like a magnet. I usually tell people that I'm happy to converse and show them my trailer but it'll have to be a little later when I've completed my duties. Most people are very understanding.
Hey, I say go for it........You won't regret it.
Joy A. & Olive
2001 13 Scamp "Puff"
Full-timer
2019 1500 Ram Longhorn
SOI #168
Joy is "spot on" in her comments about both backing the SCAMP, as well as setup/takedown. The shorter the trailer, the faster and sharper the "jacknife" when backing. Following a set "routine" is esp. important for the takedown. (Initially setting up a written TTD list, in sequence, has proved helpful in our case.)
Alan's comment about driving through cities on fast, busy freeways is also "spot on." However, the SCAMP has an advantage, because towing a bigger trailer through these situations is far more challenging .
Yes, I have a negative for you....not enough time to get out and enjoy it more! I am retired but my younger wife has about 5 more years of work. Once she retires we shall be in Yellow Stone for about a month! So yes, that is the ONLY negative we have about our Scamp, not enough time to get out and enjoy it more!
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>