Hi - We've just joined this forum, so I thought we should introduce ourselves. We're picking up our new 13' Scamp at the factory next month and plan on using her as our home while we travel around the States. We're currently looking to buy our next sailboat somewhere on the East Coast (we sailed previously in New Zealand) and thought the Scamp would be a good base for us while we search for our boat. We also plan on using our Scamp part-time during the year when it is off-season for cruising.
For those of you who have bought a new Scamp and picked it up at the factory, what advice do you have in terms of questions we should make sure we ask, things we should make sure we cover off etc.? We're new to travel trailers, so any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks - Ellen & Scott
PS - If you're interested, we keep a blog on our travel adventures and we'll be sure to post on how things go with our new Scamper on there as well. You can check it out at http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/
Glad to have you aboard! Sounds like quite an adventure ahead. Can't wait to hear the stories.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Thanks for the nice welcome Greg A!
Ellen & Scott Jacobson
http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/
They should do a walk through for you and explain all the systems. If at all possible, I would try to stay a couple of nights in the area of the factory so that if you notice something, you'll be able to take care of it. People are usually overwhelmed when they are picking up something like a trailer. I worked in the office at Horizons, Inc., maker of the New Horizons 5th wheel that sells factory direct and the people were so excited to pick up and exhausted from the trip that it would be easy to miss something. They used to stay in the area for a couple of nights just in case and to ask any questions that they had. And, welcome! Anxious to follow on your journey in anticipation of ours.
Cathy
Thanks Cathy - that is a really great suggestion to stay in the area for a couple of days just to make sure everything is covered off. I'm sure we will be so excited that we won't think of everything straight away and miss things!
Cheers - Ellen
Ellen & Scott Jacobson
http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/
When they are giving you the run-down, jump right in with questions. Even though they have done it so many times it's almost by rote, putting them off-stride, as it were, can get info they might gloss over. Like, they tell you all about winterizing, but not about de-winteriizing (springification?).
If you have never driven with a trailer before, the Scamp factory has a nice big parking lot wherein you can practice before setting out.
Good luck. It's lots o' fun. I'm already planning next summer's romp thru the west.
dr tom
I'm sure my hubby will be find towing the Scamp, but I can probably use all the practice I can get in their parking lot! Everyone might want to avoid the area while I'm out there practicing
I never even thought about asking about de-winterizing. What other questions would you suggest we ask?
Thanks for the help!
Cheers - Ellen
Ellen & Scott Jacobson
http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/
Hi Ellen, I have been towing most of my life and found the Scamp rather challenging. First of all, the rear view mirror is useless! Get proficient in using your side view mirrors. With some practice, you shall be proficient at backing up.
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
I think learning to drive without the rearview mirror will be a bit challenging, but hopefully I'll figure it out. Thanks for the encouragement!
Ellen & Scott Jacobson
http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/
We just got home on Sunday from driving to Mn and picking up the new 13ft Scamp. We kinda took the long way getting it,as I had had a bike accident and was to stay in Ks with people that could care for me while my husband went north to get it.Our two grown sons made arangements and went with their dad.Weather of course was awful to them but pretty normal to the locals up there :-).Maybe they were a tad worried about their dad going along.They had no problems pulling the Scamp back to Wichita,but when we left Wichita and headed west,the door started flying open at every stop (not a good thing) Hubby would get out and check and double check and the only thing we could come up with was the lock was viberating out of its pin or something like that...Its something that does not show up just looking it looks perfectly normal,We called the factory and they are going to send a new latch for it.They say that everyonce in a while they get one that does that.My husband put a bungee strap on it on the inside so that inside handle could not move and we made it home with it fine with no other problems.We had a new Scamp in 1982(been awhile) and when we decided to do a bit of camping now we ordered another one...years have went by and we are a tad older so have the front bathroom in this one. Really looking forward to our first trip out in it,We dont count the 2000 miles home(the round about way) to be a nice relaxing camping trip ha
Launey and Earlene
<p>Doug Allen 2016 Ford F-150 2018 Lance 1575</p>
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