Hitching Up - Disconnecting - And Leveling A Trailer
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
- Step by step and detailed explanations of how I connect my Scamp 13 trailer to my tow vehicle as well a leveling and disconnecting at a campsite.
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Equipment seen in video:
Tire pressure gage: amzn.to/3xOdCb4
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: amzn.to/3xEHEy1
Air compressor: amzn.to/4chdPm3
Trailer Hitch Lube: amzn.to/4aEe3DE
Chock + Lock 2 Pack (keyed alike): amzn.to/3RwZsD0
Locking Lug Nuts (1/2 in thread size): amzn.to/3RrKv5u
Proven Industries 2-Inch Trailer Coupler Lock:
amzn.to/3rguFQq
Lil Coupler Lock: amzn.to/3r8PqgZ
Dual Propane Tank Cover: amzn.to/4aZ3iLT
Back Up Camera: amzn.to/3U1Zy5h
Bubble Level: amzn.to/3W4HPgu
Camco Leveling Blocks: amzn.to/49GEOFZ
Lil Orange Chocks: amzn.to/3QvkNvF
My Super Sweet Sunglasses: alnk.to/8iTzwjJ
Outdoor Rug (8'x8'): amzn.to/4aHugIi
Camping Chair: alnk.to/1N1xeki
Trailer Sequence List
Start sequence:
1. Unplug from house if you are attached, check tire pressure. Keep chocks in place.
2. Retract stabilizer jacks
3. Raise camper hitch up to 1" above hitch ball back tow vehicle up to
camper. Readjust as needed.
3. Unlock hitch, make sure jaws open. Check bolt/nut on jaw mechanism. Lower tongue and close clamp.
4. Attach chains, electric chord, emergency brake chord.
5. Turn on tow vehicle and check lights, brakes, cameras.
6. Remove chocks.
7. Replace coupler lock.
8. Close all vents, cabinets, windows and stove cover.
9. Do a walk around. Lock Door.
Setting up sequence
1. Before pulling into spot, do walk around, check clearance, electrical post, water, sewer receptical working / position.
2. Back or pull in, use levelers if needed. Chock tires.
3. Attach electrical, water, sewer.
4. Unlock hitch, raise and disconnect. Uncouple electric, brake, chains.
5. Pull vehicle forward/park. Turn off vehicle.
6. Lower camper tongue, check level, lower stabelizer jacks.
7. Open camper. Turn on and check electric. Turn on water and empty air from lines. Turn on hot faucet to fill water heater.
8. Open awning if needed, lower on one corner.
9. Set up outside gear.
10. Crack a beer.
0:00 (Intro)
0:39 (Tire Pressure)
5:02 (Tow Ball Lube)
6:02 (Remove Security Measures)
7:54 (Safety Check)
9:11 (Retract Stabilizer Jacks)
9:41 (Safety Lap)
10:00 (Lift Tongue)
10:25 (Back up Camera)
10:57 (Back Up Tow Vehicle)
11:20 (Lower Trailer Tongue)
12:27 (Check Coupler Connection)
13:12 (Safety Chains)
14:14 (Emergency Break Cable)
14:41 (Electrical Connection)
15:06 (Check Trailer Lights)
15:21 (Collect Blocks & Chocks)
15:41 (Insert Coupler Lock)
16:11 (Batten Down The Hatches)
16:42 (Lock Door)
17:01 (Backing Trailer In)
17:52 (Bubble Level)
18:48 (Checking For Obstacles)
19:37 (Leveling Blocks)
21:38 (Chocking Wheels)
22:10 (Raising Trailer Off Hitch)
24:09 (Disconnecting)
24:44 (Leveling Front to Back)
25:27 (Theft Prevention)
26:54 (Stabilizer Jacks)
28:19 (Play with Dog & Drink Beer)
Thanks for this step by step video! Getting ready for 1st camping stay as a newby--your video will make such a big
difference in my confidence level!
This is SO great to hear! You're welcome and have a blast out there. Let me know how it goes.
You are too wonderful to redo everything even though you were done camping! Thanks for always thinking of us! ❤️
Well I did this particular overnighter for a quiet night and to film this content specifically. Knowing how much these videos are helping people is really good motivation to put in the time/effort.
Nice demonstration. I figured out after a couple of times that the reason I was having a hard time hitching was that I was leaving my stabilizers down, so there was no wiggle room for the coupler to settle down on the ball. Once I corrected that, it was easy! So I added that in BIG CAPS to my hitch/unhitch checklist. (And after I get unhitched and set up for my campsite, I also put out a chair and crack a cold one...)
Easy mistake to make for sure. I have it in bright red caps on my list too lol. Definitely feels good to crack that beer once everything is set up tho. It's the best reward for all the hard work it takes to get there. Happy Scamping friend!
I haven't finished watching the whole video but wanted to mention a couple things. I painted the ball receiver (not sure that's what it's called) white so it's easier to see when I'm backing up my car, especially if it's in shadow or low light. Also, there was a post in one of the Scamp Facebook groups a while back about a woman who reached under to check that her ball was seated correctly and it shifted and crushed her hand. Don't reach in with your hands to check it!
Yikes! Thanks for the heads up. During my Scamp walk through they told me to check with my hands but I've never felt that was very safe. That's exactly why I use the jack to test the fit instead. I really appreciate you letting me and the rest of us know how dangerous using your hands can be.
Painting it white is such a good idea! I bet that does help a ton in low light. Thanks for the tips. Happy Scamping!
Wonderful explanation. Very clear and thorough. I have a 13 ft Scamp as well and your videos are a great help!
I love knowing that these are helping people Jean. It makes it all worth it. Thank you so much for letting me know. Happy Scamping!
I use a square piece of WAXED PAPER folded twice to a small square on the ball hitch, never squeaks and is clean.
Ok well that's just brilliant. I'm really glad you shared this with me. Thanks so much for taking the time to mention it! I'm totally going to try it out. Cheers!
What a great idea
That's about as simple as you can make it. Awesome video as usual.
Thanks so much. I do my best to make complicated things easy to understand.
Thank you I greatly appreciate
No problem.
We really like your videos! Hope to see you at the Scamp Rally in July?? Thanks from John & Renee in MN.
Thanks so much y'all! I would love to come to the rally. As it stands right now I'm scheduled to work that weekend but I am going to see if I can negotiate some time off cuz I would absolutely love to attend. 🤞
We hope it works out! We’ll keep an eye out for you.
🙂 Me too. Please come introduce yourselves and join me for a beer if you spot me!
Thank you!!
You're welcome 🙂
Great video! Thanks so much for showing how to lock up the chains!
You bet!
I really, really value your videos; succinct, but detailed, well filmed and orderly. Just bought a 13' and you answer questions I didn't know I had. Do you chock the wheel you have the leveler under? Our maiden trip is coming up!
Thank you so much for your kind words. I do my very best to make it easier for anyone just starting out. Your encouragement means a lot to me.
If a campsite is really wonky I will chock both wheels bc I tend to go overboard on safety. I use these rubber chocks repurposed from my previous class C RV on the side with leveling blocks bc they cram into weird angles better. amzn.to/3UqU3OY
But if the site is relatively level I don't bother with the extra chocks. Have fun on your upcoming adventure! I'd love to hear all about it afterwards. Safe travels.
Very helpful -- thanks!
You're the best Dave! I've really been enjoying your channel too.
Great information. Thank you.
@pdxraves you aren't always my first comment any more! You're slippin! JK JK must be the channel growing. But I'll never forget those who have been here since the very beginning 💜
@@BackcountryDirtbag :-)
Great video. So we'll explained and demonstrated. Perfect for a beginner and I've learned so much! If you're stopping for a quick overnight, can you leave the camper attached to tow vehicle? If so, would you lower the stabilizer jacks? Thank you
Thank you. I'm really glad it helped you. When I spend the night at rest stops I don't disconnect everything. I only remove the electrical connection bc I'm paranoid about the trailer slowly draining my truck's battery overnight. I leave a post-it on my steering wheel to remind me to reconnect it before I drive away in the morning.
The stabilizers are your call. It's definitely helpful when 2 people are sleeping in the trailer. The rocking when one person rolls over is REAL. But when I'm solo I don't bother with the stabilizers on quick overnight stops.
Super helpful! Thank you! Also, how did you hang your blinds inside?
Thanks Tammy! The blinds came hung that way from the factory. Are you referring to those or do you mean the reflective material in the windows I use to keep the trailer cooler inside?
👍
🙂
My Scamp tires say run at 80PSI. Did you change your tires?
I still have my original tires and the literature that came with my 2023 Scamp 13 says to keep it at 50 psi.
Do you have a Scamp 16 or larger? I know they come with different tires and higher recommended pressure.
What size trimax do you have? I know there are two sizes and I don’t know which one to buy.
You can always find links to everything I demonstrate in my videos in the description below the video. You just have to tap the part that says "...more" next to where the number of views for the video is listed. That will let you see the full description box. I always link directly to the exact model that I have and use.
But I'll put it right here for you too:
amzn.to/3RwZsD0
If you’re doing a long haul, can you sleep overnight in the Scamp without uncoupling? If so, have you tried it?
Sorry, I should have read thru the comments. Asked and answered. Thank you!!
No worries! It's a common question. Happy Scamping out there.
Stop spraying the tow ball, instead spray inside the receiver hitch,
This is the first I'm hearing of that method. How does it make a difference?