Picking up our 2022 Scamp 13 Standard (Layout 2) with big bed, mid August. It is now in production. We are keeping track of "must haves" for the 1000 mile journey home from Backus to Colorado. Ordered a leveler, blocks, chocks, and wheel dock. Have a water pressure regulator (but probably won't use until we sanitize system at home). Will have hitch lock and stuff, too. A Few questions, if anyone wants to weigh in:
1. I hear you need to check/grease bearings after a few hundred miles. True? Or, can I go the 1000 miles home w/o doing this? If so, what is the best little grease gun and grease type?
2. Electrical: My biggest unknown. Surge protector I hear is recommended. Is there something reasonable out there so we don't have issues? How about adapters? Do we need some sort of volt meter or continuity tester?
3. Jack/lug wrench in case of a flat. I think we can use our car's jack (scissor type) but not sure about the wrench size (will check).
4. We will "camp" nearby to the factory for a night and if all is ok, head back home the next couple days. Got a recommendation for that overnighter?
Thanks!
1. I hear you need to check/grease bearings after a few hundred miles.
< No good way to check grease, check temperature of the hubs, put your hand on the hub, if it hurts it is too hot. They told me hot was normal for the first few hundred miles, but one was way to hot from being to tight.
2. Electrical: My biggest unknown. Surge protector I hear is recommended.
>It's like insurance, you only need it if there is a problem. I carry one but only use it in old campgrounds and stormy weather or long stays. The rest of the time I use a volt meter and outlet tester. (pictured below.)
3. Jack/lug wrench in case of a flat. I think we can use our car's jack (scissor type) but not sure about the wrench size (will check).
<Jack may not reach, you need to jack on the frame near the axle mount and it's a long lift, your blocking may help this. But remember that if it is flat you need to lift a long way to get the good tire on. Big problem some have had with the wrench is getting the SPARE off the back, may need a deep wrench, worth a check also. Note also that the Scamp tires may be a 60 MPH max speed tire.
4.. We will "camp" nearby to the factory for a night and if all is ok, head back home the next couple days. Got a recommendation for that overnighter?
> I stayed at Itasca State park, 60 miles away but it is the start of the Mississippi river.
Regarding jacking and lug wrench size: The socket size is 13/16 and you can get adapters (Amazon for example) for other common sizes. I carry one that adapts a 3/4 lug wrench to 13/16 (deep set). When it comes to jacking, I've no worries using a scissors jack under the axle as long as it's placed under the mount to the frame. Putting a jack under the center of the axle is going to bend it, but under the axle near the mount (close to the tire/wheel) has worked for me.
Regarding the hubs & wheel bearings: I also checked them by hand for high temperature along my 1500 mile drive home, no grease added or adjustments made. Brakes will heat up the hub, so check them after minimal brake usage.
On the electrical, I didn't bother with any surge (over voltage) protection on the trip home. Eventually I bought one that goes in between the power cord and the receptacle. However, I don't have much confidence in surge protectors for RV's, or even the likelihood of a surge that would damage anything. Good insurance is way more important, suggest contacting your insurance company as soon as you take delivery and have the VIN number. The plug-in testers that check for wiring errors are inexpensive, and are probably the cheapest insurance. I use one at the campground receptacle before plugging in the trailer, usually before any setup in case there's a problem.
Last year I had the axle replaced at Scamp and we stayed at Ruttgers Pine Mountain campground. It is right there, on the lake, so you can go back to the factory to ask questions as needed. From Golden, Colorado, it is a day and a half trip. One stop we made on the way up was at the Pipestone Visitor Center and quarry. A neat place.
-Paul
2004 Scamp 19 Deluxe,
2021 Tacoma, Double Cab, 6 cyl. 4WD
Colorado
Appreciate the advice and input.
Cheryl Winston