Scamping in December

7 posts / 0 new
Last post
bunk bed on wheels
Offline
Last seen: 3 years 1 month ago
Joined: 10/21/2014 - 21:05
Scamping in December

We are considering a trip from MN to AZ during Christmas break.  Using a CRV to pull the Scamp getting south as fast as possible.  My optimistic self would like to travel 600 miles each of the first two days.  We travel light, not using water and taking it across the truck scale periodically to ensure we weigh in under 1,500.  We did a 500 mile trip this summer on a 100 degree day with no mechanical issues, but wondering if consecutive long travel days could present an unforeseen issue.  Appreciate any insights that this group may have or observations on must have supplies/tools beyond tire changing supplies and AAA plus camper support. 

 

 

Gary Lee
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 7 months ago
Lifetime Member
Joined: 05/11/2014 - 09:45
Scamping in December thoughts from a traveler

Hello, I hate referring to you as (Bunk Bed on Wheels) but you left no name to refer to.  Anyhow I will put in my two cents here as we just returned a few weeks ago from a 72 day trip through Canada, Yukon and Alaska.  I brought way more stuff than I needed but this was a monumental trip I wanted to think I was prepared for but you cannot prepare for everything believe me if you have read our forum post on our trip. 

Traveling 600 miles per day for two days is asking quite a lot of your equipment and more importantly the stress on you but everyone knows their limitations.  On our trip of 12,500 miles over 72 days, we could only successfully do 350 per day at a safe speed limit with our scamp (on terrible roads) with (13" wheels).  We were always tried at the end of the day but this is up to you to try as you probably have limited time to travel.  This is just a thought of mine, that is a lot of miles to realistically travel per day. 

Recommendations of preparation before long trip: 

Tow Vehicle:

1) Inspected & Maintained mechanically, all fluids changed in vehicle front to back, brakes inspected and tow vehicle wired to pull your Scamp using Electric Brakes. Be sure "V" belts are not aged, you will be traveling many hours per day. New air filter as well.   

2) Good spare tire for tow vehicle & Trailer and jack system to change a tire on both vehicles if needed.

3)  Small roll of non coated wire for emergency in case something becomes loose and it will or it did to us anyhow on the terrible roads we traveled (and never will again). 

4) Small tool kit, found at Lowe's with sockets and all emergency tools you will need if repairs are needed and can be done by you.  (using AAA will minimize this and is recommended as you already mentioned).

5) Portable (air compressor / battery jump station).  You can maintain the proper 50 lb. of pressure on the tires of Scamp every morning for safety and also the needed air in your tow vehicle tires for safety and best travel mileage. We got ours at Lowe's and very satisfied and used it several times, even to start my vehicle as my battery was old and I needed a jump start twice on our trip until I ended up getting a new one on our trip. Check tire pressure every morning when tires are cold before leaving on the road.  

6) A couple of quarts of oil for the tow vehicle, 1 gallon of full strength antifreeze, if needed you can reduce this to two gallons of 50/50 mix using water you may have in your cooler if needed, we had to do this on our trip as well.

7) I would still put about 3 gallons of water in my Scamp tank in case you need to use bathroom on the road, nothing beats having your own facilities in case there isn't any open etc. where you need to use them.  (Believe me this is wonderful especially for a woman) when needed. Make sure all waste tanks are empty before leafing on trip, add waste tank solutions to both waste tanks to control odors.

8) Fill propane tank, we used propane nearly on our entire trip as the cost and use of propane was minimal for refrigerator, and I did not have to keep changing from battery to electric to gas outside.  This is just me now.  But you will need propane for your cooking stove anyhow. 

Scamper Recommendations:

1) Bring warm clothes as well as comfortable ones in case it gets warmer than expected where you go.  

2) Be sure your shower door, (if you have one) cannot accidentally lock from vibration going down the road etc. Yep, we had that happen to and had one heck of a time getting door open.  Just a thought on my end here. 

3) Be sure to let wife or mate arrange inside of Scamp cabin the way they want it to be, things will be tight at times and letting the inside be the responsibility of the spouse will be rewarding to you in the long run, especially after a very long trip.

4)  Bring a small cooler with drinks in your tow vehicle you both want on the road filled with ice each morning.  It is good just to have a drink at any moment you need it.  

5) If you have little critters, (cats, dogs, guineas etc.) you have to pack for them too.  Be aware that sometimes animals have anxiety issues when traveling too long in one days time.  This happened to us the last 14 days of 72 total to one of our dogs and she was so anxious and could not rest.  

6) Be sure to stop for 10 minutes every 2 hrs or less to stretch etc, my wife come close to having clots in her leg from being in a position she could not relax in as we were really packed tight in our car and scamp.  I am so glad to not travel with that much stuff again and never will. I had to start stopping every 1 hr for a few minutes for her safety and health.  

7) Oh, be sure to CHEW all your foods on the road, I nearly died and my wife saved my life by giving me the Heimlich maneuver.  Lean to do CPR!!!!

Do not put on face book etc. that your are leaving on a certain date, you can brag about your trip after you get back.  We did not have anything happen to us but we had friends that were robbed the day after they left for a two week vacation because they bragged on the Internet Social Megaphone.  

If I can think of anything more it would be minimal but just think what do you really need and what can you do without.  This is harder to do than you think.  If I think of anything else I will add to this post later.  

Have a great trip, prepare the best you can using common knowledge, drive safely and SLOWLY, remember, 13" tires on Scamp!!  I hope you you reconsider the 600 mile per day goal, you will be worn out.  At 60 miles per hour that is 10 hours, you have to eat, go to the bathroom, stretch etc.  Life is too short.  

I hope some of this was useful, I am sure you probably knew all this stuff anyhow but I was more concerned about your long travel per day goal more than anything. 

Good Luck, 

Garylee

 

 

Garylee

ManWithaVan
ManWithaVan's picture
Offline
Last seen: 1 year 11 months ago
Lifetime Member
Joined: 11/07/2013 - 21:56
Long Distance Travel

Rather than planning for 600 miles per day I would recommend you simply stop when you get tired and drive when you are not. Realizing that you have your "Bunk Bed" rolling behind you, you can stop for an hour or so and take a nap when you (inevitably) feel tired and/or groggy. This will allow you to extend your "driving day" and put the most miles behind you SAFELY !!! Be sure to get a good, long, sleep each "driving day"

You also need to be realistic about your travel plans, you are planing a long trip in the middle of winter, leaving from "Cold Country" all the way "Down South". There is a very good chance you are going to hit some bad weather, including ice and snow. Realistically, 150 to 200 miles in a day is a very real possibility, allow for this possibility when planning your trip.

By-the-way, I agree with Gary Lee that a "Jump Box" with a compressor is invaluable, I have one (from Costco) and I have used the Heck out of it around my trailer since I bought it.

One other piece of advice, make certain your wheel bearings are properly greased and ready for the trip, a burnt out bearing while on the road will ruin your day.

As Always...

Happy Scamping !!!

PS: Are you planning on attending the Scamp Camp in  Sedona?

As Always,

Happy Scamping !!!

ELongest
Offline
Last seen: 9 months 1 week ago
Lifetime Member
Joined: 11/02/2013 - 20:13
North to South winter travel

We start with a winterized trailer and carry jugs of antifreeze to use for toilet flushing if needed. We carry bottles / jugs of fresh water for other uses and chase with antifreeze to keep the sink trap from freezing going south. When heading north in the winter we winterize before we head back north and use the same procedures and dump the tanks upon returning home. One other thing not mentioned is a laser thermometer (Harbour Freight) for monitoring bearing and wheel temps. Check every time you stop. One note: Tire and wheel temps can be 10-15 deg higher on the sunny side of the trailer.

Eddie  

Gary Lee
Offline
Last seen: 2 years 7 months ago
Lifetime Member
Joined: 05/11/2014 - 09:45
you're getting good tips now

I cannot believe I forgot about the darn wheel bearings after our wheel bearing failure on our new Scamp.  For gods sake please do this as they do a lot of work and I think you will see we all wish you a safe trip but reconsider those goals of 600 miles per day.  The temp monitor (which I now have) is a good, good suggestion.

I hope our suggestions are going to help you make good decisions.  Mentioning failures from other Scamp owners can surely help you plan to protect yourself from those same experiences, that is why we should all mention ANY and ALL failures we have had on our long trips to help our friends on this forum be safe.

Garylee

Garylee

ManWithaVan
ManWithaVan's picture
Offline
Last seen: 1 year 11 months ago
Lifetime Member
Joined: 11/07/2013 - 21:56
The Original Bunk Bed on Wheels

Hey guys,

I just found the Original Bunk Bed on Wheels...

 

Happy Scamping !!!

 

 

 

As Always,

Happy Scamping !!!

bunk bed on wheels
Offline
Last seen: 3 years 1 month ago
Joined: 10/21/2014 - 21:05
Thank you for the advice for Scamping in December.

Thank you for taking the time sharing scamp knowledge and experience.  The ideas for a jump box and laser thermometer are something I have overlooked during our first year with the scamp.  Small investment to remove a headache down the road.  Reading through the responses also made me realize that given planned miles it would be too much stress on the hubs and may result in needing to repack the bearings during the trip, something I don't want to make time to do. It is nice to have this type of forum to bounce ideas on, as well as get a little humor from ManwithaVan finding the original bunk bed on wheels...

We are passing through Sedona ten days after the gathering, it would have been fun to see or be part of the gathering.  Whenever we are out, the kids love to look around the campground to spot another scamp. 

 

Thanks again, 

Brad