Hi, folks.
We bought a 2020 13 FT Scamp in February and since we're new to the whole towing thing, I'm attempting to put together a checklist for us to use to make sure we don't screw up. This Forum is amazing and I have learned so much from all of you. I thought perhaps you folks might be able to quickly identify important steps I might have left out below?
Thank you in advance for any contributions!
Preparing the Scamp for Towing:
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Turn off propane
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Switch the refrigerator to 12 volt power (access panel outside near front left tire well)
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Move lock in place in upper left corner of fridge (so no food flies out)
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Make sure table is in bed position
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Ensure weight inside the Scamp is low and distributed
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Keep all heavy items inside towing vehicle or, if inside Scamp, as close to axle as possible
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Properly stow any electrical or water hookups
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If loose items are in Scamp, store them safely inside Scamp
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Close and latch all Scamp windows
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Attach and lock the front Scamp window/gravel cover
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Make sure vent fan is securely closed/off
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Make sure awning is properly closed and secured
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Walk around Scamp to catch any loose items or attachments
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Lock the front door (it’s no fun when it pops open on the highway)
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Check tire pressure on all tires and spare
Attaching the Scamp to the Towing Vehicle:
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Remove the ball lock (if used for theft prevention) and stow in the Scamp
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Back towing vehicle up so that hitch ball aligns with jack (have someone direct you, if possible)
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Lower the jack by cranking the handle counterclockwise (make sure the ball is set deep into the ball hitch)
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Push down on the tongue latch and secure it with the carabiner
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Lift up on the trailer tongue to double check the ball is secure
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Raise the jack (if the wheel or plate is on, remove and stow in the Scamp)
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Cross and then hook up the safety chains to the cut holes on the vehicle hitch
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Connect the lights by taking the wiring harness and plugging it into the socket on the hitch of the towing vehicle
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Test all running lights, left and right signal and brake lights
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Step back and verify that the trailer is level or slightly uphill
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Make any mirror adjustments on towing vehicle
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Remove any wheel chocks or blocks and stow in Scamp
Make sure jack stands on rear of trailer are all the way up and secured. I have bought two single ones due to rough roads jarring them loose.
Bob D
2005 13' Scamp "Lil Critter"
Brenda, AZ
Always have the tow vehicle ignition turned off when you connect the electric wiring to it, not only your Scamp but any trailer. Connecting to a live circuit can cause a fuse to blow sometimes on some vehicles. Just turn it to off. then connect, restart and check your lights n brakes.
Thank you, I'll add these both.
Live simply so others can simply live.
When I first bought my 2013 used, the jack stands stayed locked up with no problem on the road. This past year they started jarring loose once in a while. I now use bungies on them. Good idea to have a check list, we have always used one. My husband made one for a friend new to RVing for her Scamp--she has texted us twice that it saved her from driving off while her Scamp was still plugged in! This is a good list. It is always important to not let yourself get distracted while going over it before leaving. Ha ha, I usually use my Scamp on my own so no distractions. I have learned to not make ONE PEEP while my husband is going through his part of the checklist for our fifth wheel. It is very reassuring to have it all written down, and we usually run through it a second time before taking off. You are going to have fun RVing in your new Scamp!
Rhonda Riebow
We owned a fifth wheel trailer for some years. I developed a check list in a speadsheet format, with a check box in front of each item. We printed multiple copies, which we carried with us in the PU on a clipboard. As we walked through and around the trailer, we ticked off each item. This assured we didn't miss anything. (There's a tendency to become more casual about this process over time. This discipline counters that tendency!)
When ever I tow with 12 volt - refer, it draws my battery. If I turn off the 12 volt/refer completely my scamp battery charges right up to 13 volts, but as soon as I turn on the refer while towing or even not towning it drains down the battery quick. Infact if I leave my car hooked up it will eventually draw down the car battery. So all my fellow campers tell me to run the refer on propane when driving. I have heard that wont work either as the wind will blow it out.
What has been your experience?
Gary
gwhaile