Hey all, I live in Virginia and am planning a trip to AZ around Christmas this year, if the weather cooperates. It will be the longest trip I've ever made in my new-to-me Scamp 19'. My question is this: living in Virginia where the temp lows hover around 20-30 that time of year, and going to a part of the country that seems to average around the same, if not slightly warmer (depending on elevation): do I need to winterize my Scamp prior to the trip? If I do, would I be able to de-winterize quickly if the temps rise right before my trip? And, if I don't, will I be able to use my shower/sink water at al if the night temps dip below freezingl? I've never camped in the winter before, so this is a pretty newbie question, but thanks for your insight!
Sun, 11/15/2020 - 19:34
#1
Winterizing Scamp Before December Trip to AZ?
As great as the Scamps are and we love them they are definitely not winter worthy from the water system perspective. We go all out with blowing them out and then filling the lines and such with the RV anti freeze. It is not very friendly to undue the winterizing process. There are several exposed water lines and the dump and return systems are all exposed and subject to freezing and damage. . Hopefully someone can chime in with a solution. Even having the interior well above freezing is not sufficient for protecting the plumbing.
2019 Scamp 13 standard
I'm looking forward to getting my new 13' in December but I'm disappointed about these issues with winter weather. I would have thought a trailer made in northern Minnesota would be designed for low temps.
I'm in New Mexico where temps at night in the mountains can dip below freezing even with it being 50 or more during the day.
Only 4 season Molded Fiberglass Trailers being manufactured are Bigfoot and Oliver, of the major manufacturers. Bigfoot will start approx in the $40k - $65k range and Oliver is approx $65k and up.
The pricing on the 2 season Scamps won't cover 4 season capabilities as you can see in the price difference.
I've had my Scamps down in below 20 quite a bit, but you just have to learn how to do it. Mainly it has to be run dry, winterized, and have a good heater or auxiliary Lil Buddy or cube heater if utilities are available.
I wouldn't hesitate to take it into low temps, but you will be learning to deal with condensation.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Thanks, Greg. Appreciate your note. I learn so much from these forums. I had assumed the gray and black water tanks would be an issue since I knew they were outside the shell. I had been assuming that the fresh water tank, pump and plumbing would be OK since they were inside the shell. I hadn't thought about the water heater. Makes sense. Hmmm. I'm really looking forward to actually getting my hands on my trailer and learning all the ins and outs. It'll all make much more sense when I have the actual trailer. Thanks again for the input - and others. Lots of good suggestions.
Tom
I would suspect that very short nightly dip below 32 would not be an issue. as it takes time to freeze. But any typical RV with a normal style water heater would be subject to freeze damage if not drained.while not in operation because they vent to the outside. and are open to the outside. The issue is even more critical while traveling in low temps. The limited space to run all the plumbing on our beloved scamps requires the return system is totally exposed. Only the larger RV's with enclosed and heated bays are able to weather limited freezing temps. . I suppose We could do some heat tapes and insulating of the tubes and valves to enhance the cold winter usage and then pour some RV antifreeze in the drains and sumps .
2019 Scamp 13 standard