Shakedown trip

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Gene C
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Last seen: 1 year 3 weeks ago
Joined: 09/18/2018 - 16:16
Shakedown trip

We just returned from a five day shakedown trip. Shakedown is really what it was as every time we stopped and opened the door we would find the newest item on the floor from the bouncing. The 13 foot centered over the axle i guess really moves

We decided to replace the screen door with a retractable after we found it on the floor,  The generator mount worked great as did the forklift mounts  for the propane tank as our horizontal tank did not arrive till we got back and we would take out the tank out and set it on the ground vertically ( thanks for the advice)

We could not figure out our indoor lighting till we got back. As they did not work or would just come on unexpectedly in the middle of the night. So we were on flash light the entire trip, we figured it was from the bouncing too  Today I found the problem after going through every wire, there is a switch on the porch light. The indoor lights only worked if the porch light switch is on. (Frustrating)

We had ordered new covers and cushions for the bed/seats - which turned out to be a great investment as we slept great

We could not figure out the heater till the second night . It got down in the low 20's. We stayed warm with a comforter and heavy sleeping bag over us but definitely did not want to get out from under. The next night we found the switch  and wow! It did not take long to heat up in a 13' and had to be careful  we didn't get  blown out. When we got home I did take the compressor and blown all the dust etc out of the heater for next time

We were nervous to put anything breakable in the fridge with all the bouncing so we had most of our goods in the ice chest. We are thinking of upgrading with a new dometic  fridge so all we have to do is push one button for gas/electric

We did not get to try the awning and add'a room yet

The new tires were a major plus and a big difference in towing from what was on there. We towed behind a Honda Ridgeline and were very happy with the feel of the camper on the road.

All and all we are very happy

 

 

 

Gordon2
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Last seen: 2 years 1 week ago
Joined: 04/26/2015 - 09:01
Re: shake down trip

Hi Gene… you did not mention the year or age of your Scamp but digging around the site I think I found it… 1988, correct? I ask because you bring up a number of things that has me wondering.

1. How old is the axle? A worn out axle can make the trailer bounce a lot more than it would with a newer axle. I'm sure Greg can help you figure out if its worn out or not.

2. It is very strange that the indoor lights only work when the porch light switch is on. The porch light switch should control the porch light only. I suspect someone has done some serious wiring modifications and I would be concerned about that if it was not done right.

3. Lights coming on in the middle of the night is also not right of course. Perhaps they were “on” then entire time but there is an intermittent connection somewhere (or two, or three). Those should be fixed. It could be the result of someone's modifications but if its limited to one or two lights it is most likely bad contacts in the switch which might only need a little of this spray.

4. Good that the heater (furnace) works but when is the last time this thirty-year-old propane system has been professionally inspected? Do you have a LP / Propane alarm? We don’t want an accidents like the on in August when an older couple were seriously injured by a defective propane system in a Scamp, see: http://www.kake.com/story/38346884/firefighters-investigating-trailer-explosion-in-west-wichita

Note that we have pretty good information that the flash fire in the West Wichita case was caused by a break in one of the propane lines – something more likely in an older trailer that bounces around a lot.

Now you may have all this covered already but in case not, I wanted to make these suggestions.

Lastly, the fridges that have a control board require battery power and if you have a dead or very low battery, then they won’t even run on propane. IMHO if you have an absorption fridge that works on propane and does not require any electricity, I would keep it. If you want to replace it, I would look into the possibility of a Danfoss AKA Secomp compressor driven one that runs on 12 volts. Thats a huge topic however so it would be for a new thread. The practicality of it depends on how and where you camp, and more.

Gene C
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Last seen: 1 year 3 weeks ago
Joined: 09/18/2018 - 16:16
1. I have no idea how old the

1. I have no idea how old the Axle is I would assume original, If I have to replace it I would raise it at the same time. looking underneath these you can really see why they are light weight.

2. Yes I will change out the porch light as it makes no sense. The wiring that was done matches the rest of the factory inside the trailer

3 the co2 propane sensor  was the first thing a Put in, we do have a large Cruise America Facility and My wife who runs it , already inspected the heater and propane ( Nice to have a wife that knows her stuff)

4 With the older tires I could feel the vibration while towing, the new tires are balanced and it feels a world of difference smoother, 

Geno

LEberhardt
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Last seen: 5 days 3 hours ago
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Joined: 11/02/2013 - 20:08
More shaking info

As Gordon mentioned, an old torsion axle with hardened rubber shocks will transmit a lot of shaking. So will new "D Range" tires if inflated to 65 lbs. or tires that have not been balanced.

Gene C
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Last seen: 1 year 3 weeks ago
Joined: 09/18/2018 - 16:16
Do these have shocks? I don't

Do these have shocks? I don't remember seeing them. I'll need to look when I get home

Geno

Gordon2
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Last seen: 2 years 1 week ago
Joined: 04/26/2015 - 09:01
Shocks were not standard or a

Shocks were not standard or a factory option.  Its possible but doubtful that a prior owner added them.

I understand that expected life of a torsion axle is 20 years give or take.  See this (How do I check my axle for wear? section) and make adjustments in calculations as needed: http://www.proud-canadian.com/13-boler-basics-beyond-1/boler-axles/

 

rriebow
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Last seen: 2 years 11 months ago
Joined: 07/07/2016 - 07:06
Shake UP trip!

The wiring sounds sketchy to me too.  The bouncing tho...I have everything breakable secure in my 13' because it is a jumbled up mess at the end of a trip!  The cushions on the rear dinette/bed are always all over the place.  I tuck some things behind the front bunk cushion as that seems to ride okay.  Everything else is packed and/or padded.  I don't have too many breakable things in there though, including the fridge contents.  My little coffee pot has a s/s pot instead of glass.  I also learned the hard way that coffee cups have to be wrapped up in towels.  I would have the axle checked just due to its age, but they are happy little Eggs and they skip along on the road!    

Rhonda Riebow

Gene C
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Last seen: 1 year 3 weeks ago
Joined: 09/18/2018 - 16:16
Wine bottles breaking are my

Wine bottles breaking are my big concern,  especially champagne in the refer

Geno

rriebow
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Last seen: 2 years 11 months ago
Joined: 07/07/2016 - 07:06
Wine should be pampered

I never leave home without wine...I sell it for a living!  It rides in the car, and goes into the fridge once I am parked.  I have an insulated bag packed with ice packs so I am ready to relax once camp is set up.  I wouldn't chance having it survive bouncing around in the fridge.  If it broke you would have a huge mess and nothing to drink after you cleaned it up.  Ha ha, if a bottle of champagne survived the Egg scrambling it might blow foam like no tomorrow!

Rhonda Riebow

LEberhardt
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Last seen: 5 days 3 hours ago
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Joined: 11/02/2013 - 20:08
Camping Wine

There is some quite good wine now available in 1/2 liter boxes - perfect for a small Scamp fridge.

Gene C
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Last seen: 1 year 3 weeks ago
Joined: 09/18/2018 - 16:16
Maybe in rose' wine, but were

Maybe in rose' wine, but were near the wine country and that would be a crime in Calif

 

Geno