Having always been tenters, Karen and I are wondering if we will still be able to back our 13 foot Scamp into a tent site at places that provide both rv and tent sites and for those of you who prefer this type of experience, do you get charged for a tent site or do you get charged more for parking a small camper in a tent site? Also, has anyone been able to bring their 13 footer into a camp ground for tenters only?
Sat, 05/27/2017 - 08:24
#1
13 footer in a tent site!
We use our 13' in the tent sites in WV parks with no problems. The sites are large enough for a car and Scamp.
bill & valerie 2016 13' 2017 Kia Sorento EX V6, AWD
Hi Bill, I'm wondering if you have any issues with battery power after a couple of nights in a tent site with no power hookup? We are planning our first long trip in October and are more interested in the tenting areas than the RV areas. That's one of the reasons we are purchasing the 13 foot Scamp. We have ordered the larger 27 battery pack. We have a couple of battery lamps that we use camping, may use the heater so I guess there will be a power draw with that. Will the battery handle three nights? Then we will drive to our next destination for a couple of nights and the battery will recharge while we are driving. Do you ever start your vehicle in the morning and let it idle, recharging the battery that way? Thanks. Anthony
Anthony Memoli
Hi Anthony,
Many tent sites do actually have access to 120 volt power. I would suggest having a long, heavy duty, extension cord along with the 30 amp to 20 amp dog bone discussed below to power up your Scamp.
To get some insight into what you might expect if you are on a tent site without power, I suggest you read steps 2 and 3 in the Solar for Scamp Resources Section at the top of the screen. Those two sections discuss 12 volt power usage and ways to manage your battery to maximize your stay without running out of battery power.
Basically, if you reduce your power consumption (using LED lights, Pre-charge your Electronic Devices, use USB battery packs whenever practical) you could stay out for 5 or so days without needing to recharge your battery. Now, if you have to run your furnace, you are looking at needing to recharge the battery every day that the furnace runs overnight (you might get two nights). The furnace is just not very efficient when it comes to running the 12 volt fan.
Of course, these are simply Wild Guesses and you will need to test your power consumption to evaluate your particular situation.
One way to test your Scamp is to go "Boondocking with Power". Simply go camping and not use the electrical outlet, you will find out how long you can Scamp on battery power alone, if you run short, simply plug into the power pole on your site. Try this both with and without using the furnace, you will find out exactly how long, and under what conditions you can Scamp with out power.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Thank you ManWithaVan! Very helpful information!
Anthony Memoli
A lot may depend on your driving/backing skill!!
We have never had a problem. As soon as folks see you can use their 15/20 amp electric outlet (you do have a 30 to 20 amp adapter don't you?) they smile and ask if they can look into your "cute little" camper. Have used state, COE, National, and county parks. Along with several RV Parks that had all of their RV spaces filled.
Our biggest life saver was a KOA at Duluth, MN on a dark, stormy 4th of July night after we had been thoroughly lost for a while. While walking out the door after being told they had no spots available, I was called back to the desk and asked if I could use a tent site...seems that one of the desk folks had been on the phone taking a cancelation just as I was asking someone else for a space.
Man!!! I love our "Lil Critter"!
Bob D
2005 13' Scamp "Lil Critter"
Brenda, AZ
Well, I can't say I know what that is for! Can you explain?
Anthony Memoli
It's an adaptor that allows you to plug your 30 amp power cord into a standard 20 amp outlet. Most folks have one, sometimes included with the trailer when new. If you plug your trailer into an outlet at home, you probably already have it. Cheap and very useful accessory.
Thanks for the info Lyle. So this is not something that needs to be wired into the camper at the factory. It may be provided by Scamp or I can purchase one easily?
Anthony Memoli
Yep, it's similar to the three prong adaptors everyone has used at some point when their home wiring was the old two prong variety and you wanted to plug in a three prong appliance.
This adapter allows you to plug the large three prong 30 amp cord into it, then the adaptor plugs into a normal 20 amp (or even 15 amp) outlet like you would have in your garage. Quite cheap and available at virtually any RV oriented shop, possibly even Walmart, but not certain about that.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/PowerFit-20-Amp-120-Volt-Standard-3-Prong-Mal...
or:
30A Adaptor
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