We just retrieved our tow vehicle from our personal mechanic, and had a transmission cooler installed. Our 6 cylinder Ford Escape Limited is a great and strong tow vehicle, but was not actually made to tow. Our mechanic highly stressed such a mod, and now we are even more Ready for the demands of the road with a new transmission cooler.
Good move Flyboy Scamp. I have the tow package on my Escape and have never had a problem towing.
Don
2015 Scamp 16'
Tow Vehicle...2013 Lincoln MKX 3.7L V-6
SW Ohio
Well, we towed some to other states without any problems. My personal mechanic just thought a good idea to get a cooler for,the tranny. Our Escape was not designated with a towing package, so we felt it a good move. Our hitch was put on by eTrailer, and a electric brake controller as well. Our 16 has electric brakes. We now will tow with much more confidence. Are you planning to head up,to Lanesboro MN for,the gathering May 27? We sure are!
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Doug, choosing a TV can be really tough nowadays. When I went shopping for mine and the dealer told me the Toyota 4Runner sr5 has the tow package which is rated for 4700 lbs, I assumed the car has a tranny cooler. (very familiar with the word 'assume')
Now I have to check tomorrow in the daylight.
The manual says nothing about it. BTW , I'm hoping to make the Sept 2015 Norcal Rally.
Happy trails
Bill
I was born and raised in San Diego, but family broke up and I got stuck here! Squarely in the middle of America! I see Scamp owners on the west coast are sure having fun 12 months a year, not having the dreadful winters we do here. It was just weeks ago I was snow blowing my driveway, and now spring is in full bloom, and very nice spring temps too.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
I share your thoughts about the climate, Doug. The winters here in New Jersey are now intolerable. Of course I imagine aging has a connection to that. Regardless, my eyes are toward the southwest and west. We stayed in Imperial Beach 6 years ago right across from Coronado. It was beautiful. The house was on the beach. I spent a whole week sailing the bay out of Shelter Island. One time I looked back over the transom and saw a seal staring at me! I've been researching RV parks and state parks out there. Rates are very high, as are all other expenses in CA. I'm a member of Escapees but it appears that they don't have any RV park affiliates in North CA. A typical full hookup will cost about $65 up there. In Tiburon, across the Golden Gate Bridge one of the parks has a conditiion that the tow vehicle must stay on site with the trailer. The best place I found sofar relatively close to San Francisco, is Half Moon Bay Beach RV Park off Kelly Avenue. $65. for full hookup. My last two week trip to visit my daughter in February cost $3500, all expenses including flight.
I expect Scampcamping will be much more affordable.
Wow! Such high costs ! That seals it for us, no California Scamp trips! Spring has truly sprung here, everything is in bloom. Scamp comes off the jacks next week, anti freeze out of it, and stocking it for a great season of Scamping!
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
Yeah, if my daughter and new grand daughter didn't live in San Francisco, I would look elsewhere. Escapees has a nice park in Jojoba, southern CA, but too far to commute to SF. The weather here is warming .
Escapee's has a Co-op park in Northern Ca. in Coarsegold, just outside Yosemite, east of Fresno on highway 41. It's called Park Sierra.
I live in California and generally only camp in Forest Service campgrounds because of the high prices of SP's and RV parks. I'd love to go over to San Francisco but I can't find any place that is reasonable. I won't generally pay over $35/$40 for any campsite, anywhere. There is nothing near the Bay Area that is reasonable. And any that might be somewhat reasonable require easily an hour or better to get into the city and you are likely to incur some type commute traffic. I commuted the last 10 years of my career from the South Bay into SF and have no desire to do any type of commuting again. The traffic was hellish then and is certainly much much worse now. My last commute day was 12-27-1987. There are a few more freeways now but a lot more people comparatively, than back then. I haven't been to "The Bay", as we fondly refer to it, for at least 10 years. I do have a couple of family member there but they come to me.
Joy A. & Olive
2001 13 Scamp "Puff"
Full-timer
2019 1500 Ram Longhorn
SOI #168
Hi Joy, ve found the same situation near San Francisco as you have. I'm looking at State parks as an option. As beautiful as the coastline is, it's disappointing to find such a dirth of RV Parks. One park on the shore near Half Moon Bay has such tight sites you wouldn't be able to put out an awning! In my travels (without a camper) from Gualala to San Diego my favorite area is Pacific Grove and El Sur. Too bad it takes wealth to live there. Coarsegold looks like a nice place. If only it was closer to SF.
Happy trails
Bill
On my first visit to San Francisco, I flew into Oakland and took the commuter train (Bart) into San Francisco (very good Public Transportation there).
One option for those wishing to Visit the San Francisco area is to find a campground South of the Bay Area and take Amtrack into the city, maybe even spend a couple of nights in a hotel. The extra effort to get to San Francisco is well worth it !!!
By-the-way, the train trip from San Francisco down to Southern California is one of the best in the country, well maybe not as spectacular as the Zephyr out of Denver to California, but really special nonetheless.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!