I am planning on ordering a Scamp 13 in early 2015, to be towed by a Subaru Outback 3.6R. I would be driving from Denver to Backus to pick it up, so I would need to coordinate the order date so that I can pick up mid to late April. I am worried about Minnesota winters, and I have never towed. Is this reasonable?
Also, since I have never towed before do I find the nearest parking lot and practice backing up and turning? Is there any reading I should do ahead of time? I would stay at a local Backus resort for a couple of days to try out all the Scamp options are working properly. But after that I was thinking of seeing some sights for a couple of weeks before ending up back in Denver. Would it be reasonable to visit the North Shore area, and then come back through South Dakota Badlands on the way home? I am not sure of roads and weather, and I will be traveling alone. I am also disabled to some degree, so I need to stick to civiization for any needed roadside assistance.
If you make it late April or early May you should be ok with the weather. There is a campground called Rutger's just East of town. That's where I stayed when I picked mine up last spring. Talk to the salesman at Scamp. They have a big lot. Maybe they can give you some help with trailering. The North Shore area might be a little iffy for camping that early. When you talk to the Scamp people they should be able to tell you how the spring thaw is going. You never know. It was a bit late this year. Also watch the weather reports for the Black Hills but it is usually ok by then. Wall, SD is an interesting place to check out too. I would camp around either Deadwood or Keystone.
http://www.ruttgerspinemountain.com/
Thanks for the info. I had seen Ruttgers Resort online so good to know it's a nice place to stay. After thinking more about the temps on the North Shore that early, I think I will go further south for my first stops. Maybe Door County and then Lake of the Ozarks before going back to Denver.
If you search for Backing Trailers you will find a great thread on the basics on this Forum.
I would also suggest that you go to the Home Depot and rent one of their trailers for a few hours. Then find a big parking lot and practice backing it into the spaces. You can also watch the wheels as you drive through the parking lot and try to avoid crossing any lines as you make practice turns.
This will be an inexpensive way to practice.
Happy (Practice) Scamping !!!
PS: Take the insurance from Home Depot, Just in case !!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Greetings Diane Lynn,
I too am new to Scamping and have had several practice sessions with backing up "my guy." I purchased a used 2013 16' Scamp, layout 4 this past November from a RV dealer in Post Falls, Idaho. During the month of December I trecked back to Colorado (current home) via Washngton, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Utah. One very helpful tip I got from one RV guy was to go to a BIG parking lot like Walmart or Safeway and during off hours practice turning and parking betweet the lines. Here in Delta, CO the Walmark and Safewaynparking lots are huge with very easy in and out. You can watch how the Scamp tracks in your side and/or rear view mirrors. I do not believe I will ever get the "backing up" merit badge, but I get better each time. During the weeks I spent scamping back to Colorado tried to get pull throughs, and did have to have assistance from the camp host at Devil's Lake SP in Oregon. I too am a mature, self reliant, single woman who travels alone. However, I've found that if needed, someone is there to help. I've had grounds keepers at Tousand Trails RV Parks just stop and lend a hand without me even asking or really needing help. That's just how good people can be, like ManWithAVan was very helpful with answers with I first started. In a month I plan to be on the road full-time RVing or should I say "TTing"? It seems that RVing for the most part always refers to those that are in huge motorhomes and Travel Trailers are a category always listed on reservation forms.
Good luck. Hope to hear about your adventures.
Cheers, Krestine
Krestine
Diannelynn, if you can time it right, there's a Scamp gathering at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park the first weekend in May. Kathio is located on the southwest side of Mille Lacs Lake, the big blue blob right in the middle of the state, about 75 miles south and a little east of Backus. Check the MN Department of Natural Resources website for the list of state parks for reservations. The Scamp group are reserving their spots in the Petaga campground. My site is #49. You can find out more about this gathering at the Gatherings - Upcoming Events section of the Forum, "Scrambled egg meet MN" posted by LLaney. This will be my first Scamp outing with my new-to-me 13' Scamp. You can contact me if you want other directions or help. I'll be meeting Scamp owners for the first time and will be learning how to back my trailer, too, so watch for tire circles in the road.
MarilynB
I, too, am a woman scamping alone (got tired of camping out of the back of my truck), and I just love RVers. Like you said, they are always willing to help or lend a hand. I spend a lot of time camping in wild horse territories to photograph the horses and the 13' Scamp is perfect! I am off to Colorado in a few weeks and the only thing that makes me nervous are those extreme climbs and slopes through the mountain passes. Any experience with this? I have a 5 speed toyota tacoma.
Laurie Ford
Just make sure to learn to back up using the side view mirrors, as there is no rear view at all when backing up. Aso try to limit the amount of turn when backing up.
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