Hi everyone. I've been looking for a scamp for awhile on the used market and came to the realization everyone here has been saying, first that you need to move fast when one that fits your needs pops up, and secondly that they sell for amazing amounts. I just couldn't get comfortable with buying one way across the country based on pictures, too many scams out there. So I've decided to buy new (unless something drops in my lap).
I know I want the 13" standard as it will fit in my garage. No A/C as that makes it too tall. I need the layout #1 with the bunk beds in the front to fit my family, and the base things I want such as screen door, gravel shield,1.9 fridge, etc. are all in the options package that I will buy. I do not want a toilet, I can get a sani potti if we really need it later. But - I'm totally new to this trailer thing, know nothing about towing, or what many of these other options even do. I can't afford to just buy every option so need to be economical. Here are the other options I'm considering or trying to figure out what they even are. Can some of you chime in, keeping in mind I want to be money conscious, and tell me how "good" the option is, as well as what some are:
Three speed roof fan - I'm guessing nice to have since I"m not doing A/C? I live in Colorado but still can get warm.
Power Range Hood - is this just exterior venting from the range? Guessing it's a good idea?
Electric Brakes - all I've read says this is a definite add I should do.
Extra interior 12V lights.Honestly, we don't plan to use the lights much, but they are a cheap option.
Dual Tanks - propane tanks. Do I need this?
Exterior Ground Fault outlet
Stove Cover - what is this exactly and do I want it?
"Wheel on Jack" - what is this?
Gas or Gas/Elect Water heater - does that mean if I don't get one of these that I have no hot water? Surely the gas one is good enough?
12V water pump - assuming this is what the sink would use, if I didn't get it does that mean I hand pump or something?
Vinyl Floor - worth it to do this over carpet
Splach Guard -what is this?
Battery Pack - there is a 27 or 24 -no idea what the difference is or if the 24 will just serve me fine.
Heat Strip for Roof Air- no idea what this is.
Grey Water tank - assume this tank gathers the drain water from my sink otherwise it just pours out a hose off the side or something?
Thanks for any help/advice here!
The first thing to consider when choosing your options is your Camping Style. For example; will you be cooking inside the Scamp, or will you be dedicated to cooking all your meals out side? Will you still be cooking outside even if it is raining. If the answer is "Yes, I will always be cooking outdoors" (even in the rain), then you can forego ordering the power range hood. If you will be cooking inside the Scamp (even a little bit) I would recommend getting the power range hood.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing your options is resale value. Will this option increase my value when I sell the Scamp? Likewise, will NOT having this option make it harder (and take longer) to sell my Scamp?
You also have to consider that the weather is not always perfect and you may find yourselves sitting inside your new Scamp on rainy days, consequently, the optional lighting package would probably be beneficial.
Regarding the battery size; again your Scamping style will dictate your choice. If you intend to boondock a lot, then I would suggest the larger battery, if you plan to stay primarily in parks with electric hookups then the standard battery will work just fine. One other consideration with the battery, the larger battery option includes a larger battery box, if you decide to install a larger battery at a later date then you would also need to replace the battery box with a larger one.
Here is a link to a discussion on the Gas/Electric Water Heater:
http://www.scampowners.com/forums/ordered-16-need-gaselectric-water-heater
Electric brakes, Yes, in my opinion Electric brakes are "Must Haves", especially in Colorado !
Heat strip for roof A/C -- No, you don't have the roof A/C, if you do decide to order the roof A/C the heat strip would provide an optional method to heat your Scamp using the roof A/C in "Heat Mode".
The stove cover is a cover that covers the stove, very useful when working in the kitchen, it essentially increases your countertop space by covering your cook top, I would recommend it.
If you choose not to have the grey water tank, then you will need to come up with an alternative to store your grey water. Most places will not allow you to simply dump your grey water onto the ground, especially if it could contain food particles. Not having a grey water tank could also make your Scamp harder to sell in the future.
Electric water pump, again, this comes down to your Scamping style. If you will be primarily boondocking then you may not want to use your precious battery power to pump water into your sink, otherwise the electric pump is very convenient. I would recommend the electric pump, even if you plan to boondock a lot.
You've already answered your question about the roof fan, get it.
The wheel on the jack is just that, there is a wheel attached to the bottom of the tongue jack, The wheel can be used to move the Scamp around on a hard surface. This can be easily added later if you decide you need it. If you are thinking the wheel will allow you to move your Scamp around with ease that is probably not the case, these wheels make it easier to hookup to your tow vehicle if you are misaligned but they are probably not sufficient to move your Scamp around very much.
Outside electrical hookup, this could be very convenient, I would recommend getting it, but this is one option I could also do without.
Carpeted floor versus vinyl floor: when camping you can track a lot of dirt into the camper and onto the carpet, unless you travel with a vacuum, I would choose the vinyl floors, a simple sweep and you are done.
Dual propane tanks, yes, I would get them along with the automatic switchover gas valve.
Read this posting regarding the advantages of dual tanks with the automatic switchover gas valve:
http://www.scampowners.com/forums/propane-switchover-valve
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Man with a Van - awesome!!! Thank you so much for the feedback!!! That was awesome, anyone else have some thoughts???
Yeah I totally should have told you a bit about our camping plans. It's primarily going to be me and my 3 little daughters - ages 3, 3, and 6 currently that are using this. I'm betting we'll sleep in it 20 times a year sitting in our garage! But for the most part other than that we'll take trips that are 50 to 100 miles from home and stay 3 or 4 nights. We'lll do some cooking over a campfire, but some in the Scamp too. Won't be bringing or needing TV as we just like to play games and that's tough in a tent. We'll always be near a campground with vault toilets and cold potable water taps we can go get water at, but would be nice to have some warm water in the Scamp to wash our hands before meals, maybe do some dishes, scrub their grubby faces, etc. So we aren't going to get too wild, but as you noted we will want to put in options that also help for resale.....although seeing how quickly used ones sell, I don't think that is an issue!!!!
You are very welcome !!!
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Three speed roof fan - I'm guessing nice to have since I"m not doing A/C? I live in Colorado but still can get warm. Definitely get, I'll be adding it to my Scamp.
Power Range Hood - is this just exterior venting from the range? Guessing it's a good idea? This or the window over the stove. With the Fantastic Fan, a powered range hood not as critical, as long as you have easy ventilation to bring in O2 near the stove.
Electric Brakes - all I've read says this is a definite add I should do. YES!
Exterior Ground Fault outlet Could be very useful.
Stove Cover - what is this exactly and do I want it? Definitely want one, but very easy and relatively cheap to make.
Wheel on Jack" - what is this? I use mine, but as already stated, not a necessity and easy to add later.
Gas or Gas/Elect Water heater - does that mean if I don't get one of these that I have no hot water? Surely the gas one is good enough? I would go with the cheaper, especially without a shower, but resale may be a factor.
12V water pump - assuming this is what the sink would use, if I didn't get it does that mean I hand pump or something? Not necessary, but would be nice. A hand pump would come standard, but it takes a lot of pumping to even partially fill the sink or a pot.
Vinyl Floor - worth it to do this over carpet Yes, this should be the standard option.
Splach Guard -what is this? Splash Guard or Stone Guard? Stone Guard yes. Splash Guard, maybe - depending on how much and what type of cooking you do inside the scamp. A Splash Guard keeps cooking grease from splashing onto the "rat fur" around the stove. A Stone Guard protects the front window from road debris.
Battery Pack - there is a 27 or 24 -no idea what the difference is or if the 24 will just serve me fine. Agree with the above, if you are staying mostly at campgrounds with electric, the standard battery is fine.
Heat Strip for Roof Air- no idea what this is. As above, without Air Conditioning, this is not an option. A cheap cube heater works just fine in this small space.
Grey Water tank - assume this tank gathers the drain water from my sink otherwise it just pours out a hose off he side or something? Would be nice if you can swing it, but there are cheap alternatives to just letting the sink drain out the side - short hose to an Aqua Tainer (available at Walmart) attached via some very cheap fittings available at Lowes or Home Depot.
Another option I would get, especially if I were getting a water pump and water heater anyway, is an outside shower. Would be very handy to "hose down" the kids and yourself with warm water.
Also, I believe a SaniPotty comes standard. You can always take it out if you don't want it, but it is very convenient, even if you move it to a privacy tent outside the Scamp while camped.
Best of luck, and have fun.