Hi, all. My husband and I live in Middlesex County, CT and are very close to pulling the trigger on a Scamp 16 layout 4. We agree on most of the add-ons but we have very different opinions about the need for climate control in our dream Scamp. Our travel will take place primarily in May-September in New England with two small children and we plan to rely on a hook-up for the majority of our experiences. I’m from CT and don’t see the the need for a furnace or a/c with the type of camping we’ll be doing. My husband is from Southern CA and finds comfort in the climate control option. In addition, he thinks it’ll be generally better for resale and if we are already investing thousands of dollars in a new Scamp what’s a little bit more? Anyone care to chime in with their experience or opinion? Also, if anyone in the general vicinity has a Scamp 16 they are willing to let us see please let me know. Thanks!!!!
Fri, 05/17/2019 - 20:00
#1
Any Connecticut or New England Scamp owners out there?
Our 13 footer was purchased new in 2017 and was housed in CT. for two years. It is now in Northern VT. We just returned from a weekend at Horseneck Beach in MA. It was very cool and windy camping on the beach and we used the heater a couple of times just to take the chill out of the camper. I would definitely recommend adding a heater to you purchase list. Camping mostly in New England and Canada's eastern provinces, we opted not to get the air conditioner and have not missed that option. We do use and like the ceiling fan. If you contact Scamp, they will give you the name of someone in your area who would gladly show you their camper.
Anthony Memoli
We also have a 16' Layout 4 and we are enjoying it immensely! We don't have the propane furnace and use a small oil-filled electric convection heater instead. We have been carrying around a "just in case" Mr. Heater, but are thinking about leaving it at home. We try to always stay in sites with power as we also have an "electric only" refrigerator (runs via an inverter when traveling). Whatever the case I would think you should have heat available for those unpredictable cool nights which we have had in Nova Scotia in September and in various campgrounds in New England. As for the air conditioning, we got it, it's too big and noisy for out tastes, but we have used it twice. Once in Florida in the Spring, but only because the folks next door had an exceptionally smoky campfire and we ran the AC all night with the windows shut. We also had an 80 degree day in MA last Fall in early October and felt the need to cool things down after the afternoon sun warmup. We do use the vent fan a lot both for comfort and when we cook. The AC may be handier when we head to the Southwest next year, but if I had it to do over I'd opt for the "AC ready" option from Scamp and then get a smaller, quieter unit later on. The option has them reinforce the opening for the future AC and run power for it which would make it easier for a local service person to install a unit later on if needed or for resale value.
Just wanted to note that Scamp is known for being receptive to options. If you have something you'd like and it isn't listed just ask them. They may not be able to help, but if they can they'll make suggestions and offer "unlisted" options. I mentioned an electric only refrigerator and they were able to substitute a larger "closet module" that would accommodate our desire. Don't hesitate to ask and maybe it'll be within the realm of possibilities.
We pick up our 2019 13 foot This Friday and we to went with the Furnace/Heater and Rooftop AC prep only just in case desire it later. .
2019 Scamp 13 standard
If you ar interested in a heat source and do purchase an A/C, Scamp will install a heater strip in the A/C for about $100. The control is already in the A/C unit. The heat strip requires no additional storage. We had Scamp add one to our 2016 13' two weeks ago on our trip to Minot. We are pleased with the extra heat. We save the propane furnace for boondocking. Our Honda 200o watt generator will run the heat strip.
BobH. one of the Scamper Campers