Saturday, October 15, 2016

Scampy





Scampy Is Coming

7:45am - You may already know about our newest Team Member, "Scampy." In our Blog comments, we spilled the beans about the October 24th arrival of a 13' Scamp Trailer. This Blog post, is our first about Scampy.

On October 24th, we will be driving to Pomona, California. That is where Scampy's owner resides. 

We have made an arrangement with a tow hitch company in the City of Hesperia, to install an appropriate hitch on Little Honda FIT.

Little Honda is not approved by Honda Motors for towing here in the United States.

The Honda Jazz [same car as FIT], is approved by Honda Motors for towing in Europe.



Note: You may learn more about Scampy by clicking [here]. In the plan views, Scampy is the plan titled: "13' Front Bathroom."


9pm - Mountain View
Late this afternoon, we were almost to the entrance Lone Wolf. Little iPhone got all crazy about the mountain view.

It's only when the Sun is low in the sky, that the light across the mountainside creates the shadows that drive Little iPhone nutsy boidle.

Click on pic to enlarge


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Posted by at

41 comments:

  1. Just curious. If Honda does not recommend the Fit to be used for towing, why would you not follow Honda's recommendations? Honda obviously does not think the Fit can safely tow anything. Have you given any thought to the possibility of having an accident when towing the Scamp? Will your insurance carrier cover any losses if it can be shown that you ignored the recommendations of Honda? Just something you may want to consider. Wishing you the best.

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    1. Hi Raymond,

      Thank you for your comment. And for your caring about me enough to write.

      Yes, I have considered all of what you comment about.

      Tioga George


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    2. I don't think it's Honda that has not approved the Fit for towing. More like it's Uncle Sugar that's not approved it. You know the same one that's trying to take control of our being able to buy vitamins and such. It's all for our own good. We don't have enough sense to take care of ourselves you know?

      Delete

  2. Does your Scamp come with electric brakes? The site shows they are optional.

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    1. If Scamp does not now have electric brakes, I plan to have them installed.

      George


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  3. Absolutely be sure the Scamp has electric brakes. Could easily save your life....

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  4. You may already know this, George, but the FIT is rated for towing outside of the USA. However the maximum rated tongue weight is only 70 pounds. You will need much more than 70 to safely tow a trailer the weight of the Scamp. At 70 lbs you will be subject to fishtailing and possible braking issues. Be very careful!

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    1. Hotel,

      Please comment back letting me know the source [URL] of the 70 pound data in your comment.

      Thank you!

      George


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    2. I believe it's 70 kg which would be about 150 lbs.

      http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/general-fit-talk/47175-fit-towing.html#post729708

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    3. The U.K. Brochure quotes 1000kg max tow weight for the Jazz based on EU regulations. It doesn't give a max tongue weight just a max Roof weight. EU regs. typically use a tongue weight of 5% of max trailer weight (compared to 10% of max trailer weight in U.S.). 5% of 2200 lbs is 110 lbs, 10% is 220lbs. The Australian website says 150lbs max tongue weight. The Scamp website says between 120 and 160 lbs based on options. Should be good to go - don't put too much stuff in the Scamp, George.

      Delete

  5. George,
    As someone who owns Scampy's sister, Casita, (similar in size and construction), I would be very wary of trying to tow it safely with a Honda FIT. I recommend you investigate this aspect further. This would be in the best interests of your safety as well as others.

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  6. George,
    Is it here a particular reason you have this small Fit? You can't be driving enough miles that mpg makes much difference. Have you thought about a larger towing vehicle?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Yes, I have thought about that.

      George

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      Delete

  7. George,http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-generation-ge-08-13/32112-towing-capacity.html this may help:

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hi Bill,

      Thank you for that URL.

      Based upon my research, Honda Motors sells the FIT in Europe. Markets it as "Jazz" in Europe.

      The specifications of the Jazz in Europe OKs towing trailers.

      Here is what I shall do. I'm getting a hitch installed on my FIT. I shall get an expert to drive the FIT towing Scampy. Based upon the report from my expert, I shall decide whether or not to use Little Honda as a tow vehicle.

      If I decide not to use Little Honda as a tow vehicle, I shall rent a truck to go camping using Scampy.

      Sooooooooooooooooo, I am going camping with Scampy. That.....is a done deal. I love Scampy.😍

      George


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  8. Never mind insurance issues for over loading the FIT what if u kill someone. Not terribly responsible if you ask me

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    1. Hi Jim,

      Thank you for expressing your opinion. Always welcome here.

      Tioga George

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      Delete

  10. I can hardly wait until Scampy comes home with you, George. Congratulations! And on my birthday, too!

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    1. Hi Judy,

      Isn't Scampy the greatest thing?! 😎

      Tioga George


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  11. Americans are funny about tow vehicles and tow weights. Europeans are pretty smart people. I believe the issue is with liability. It's interesting to read UK and European rv blogs. Same vehicles, sometimes travel trailers and fifth wheels, but different tow weights. Maybe the Europeans know something we don't! I say, try it. If it works for you, carry on! I think fiberglass eggs are very cool both inside and out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hi LBDM,

      I have to admit, that the direction of comments kinda baffles me.

      Tioga George


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  12. It absolutely does have to do with liability and the resulting jury award that exceeds available insurance. Look at the trucking industry (article in the Wall Street Journal this week) where trucking firms are having trouble obtaining excess liability for trucking accidents given the extremely high jury verdicts for either inattentive drivers, overloaded trucks or failure to implement safety programs. The liability falls squarely on the driver if they fail to take reasonable precautions and jury's in the US are not at all afraid to award damages and punitive damages (where allowed by state law) that are in the $100 million and up range. Insurance companies are not afraid at all to refuse to indemnify and defend where the insured clearly failed to follow common sense (ie manufacturer's recommendations) and good judgment. How do I know this? The JD after my name says it all.

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    1. Additionally, if George has a serious accident, this blog alone will stand as a discoverable document by plaintiff counsel and would likely show lack of judgment and failure to take common sense safety precautions. I would not want to be defending a claim wherein parts of this blog were read to a jury. Especially in a vehicular homicide case.

      Delete

    2. Hi Jim Burnett,

      I do not know how to reply to your two comments.

      Tioga George


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    3. You took the words right out of my mouth Jim even if he put it in an LLC it still wouldn't relieve him of the liability My guess is as well, even if he gets in a minor fender bender the insurance will not honor it,s policy
      There's an ambulance chaser on every television and street corner
      Even by his own admission he doesn't understand why the comments baffle him
      I believe it's called lack of direct responsibility and clear thinking

      Delete

  13. The Fit has right at 5" of ground clearance. Add a hitch and trailer and that could be reduced by an inch or two in the back. Likely to scrape many driveways , ruts, and such, if you're not very observant. I would certainly avoid most FS dirt roads.
    Renting a tow vehicle, as you suggested, is likely the best option.
    Enjoy your new egg.
    Ed

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    Replies

    1. Hi Ed and Carol,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Tioga George


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      Delete

  14. Personally any towing is dangerous as I've read blogs where their trailer have some how gotten unhitched...but I guess this sort of thing happens occasionally. None of the blogs I've read damaged property or injured anyone when their trailers got unhitched.

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    1. Hi Rita,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Tioga Geoge

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      Delete

  15. LOL... I suspect George will do what George wants to do! It'll all work out in the end. I also suspect George will likely sell the FIT and show up with a truck that will tow both his trailer. Relax everyone, George will do it right.

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    1. Hi Middle,

      Thank you!

      Tioga George

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      Delete

  16. Congratulations to Team Tioga and Scampy!

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    1. Hi Cyndi,

      Thank you sooooo much!

      Only 8 days 'till we pick up Scampy! 😍

      Tioga George


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  17. Hi George, if your FIT is still in warranty, make sure to contact your Honda Garage. I know they will void my warranty if I tow a trailer higher than rated.
    Larry

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  18. Fiberglass forum with thread about towing a 13' Scamp with a Honda Fit. Looks like a great setup.

    http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f72/economical-tow-vehicle-51512.html

    ReplyDelete

  19. Wow so many legal experts here. And if I remember right an expert is an "EX or has been" and a spurt is a "drip under pressure". So it seems like a lot of has been drips under pressure... offering a lot of wrong guesses( because it sure is't information" to George.

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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