I been looking at new scamp trailers and was wondering how some 13 foot scamp owners felt about no electric brake option on there trailers , i have owned many trailers and one being a 13 foot boler with no brakes and it worked great no problems , im planing on getting a 13 foot scamp basic model with the option package and a furnace ,thats it ! At the moment my tow vehicle is more then capable of towing and stopping this trailer ,as it has a tow rating of 9700lbs, i have towed many miles with this truck with a utility trailer empty weight of 500lbs and a loaded weight of 1000-2500lbs with no problems and the utility trailer has no brakes , 99% of the time this trailer will be pulled on fairly flat land , just wondering how 13 foot scamp owners without electric brakes,felt about not having the brake option ,i know the electric brakes can be installed later and i can do it myself ,im a retired auto tech . I have also owned a 16 foot scamp and it had electric brakes, i feel that any trailer over 1500lbs should have its own brakes , i think the law here is if the trailer weights over 2000lbs .
thanks
Don
My main reason for installing brakes on my 13' Scamp was the idea if, unlikely though it may be, I get into a severe sway situation, the best, most effective, and quickest way out of the danger, is to apply the trailer brakes. Not having the brakes on the trailer, completely eliminates the most effective way of dealing with sway.
Sounds like your tow vehicle is capable but another consideration is in a break away condition. Usually there is a breakaway switch when electric brakes are installed that applies them with battery power or a small aux battery in the event of a separation. I too have puled many miles without trailer bakes but it is something to consider
2019 Scamp 13 standard
When I ordered Scamp would not do a breakaway at any price.
I ordered them on our 13 and I'm glad I did. We were in South Dakota and had been on the road for an hour and a half. I glanced in my side mirror and saw my trailer jerk violently, the pin had just came out of my receiver. There were sparks flying off my jack pad! I reached down and hit my trailer brake button, this pulled the slack out on my safety chains and help keep the trailer hitch from ramming into my tow vehicle. I was able to safely get off the road without any other problems. Now, the last thing that I do before I move my trailer is check the pin, the chains and the power cable.
I have no idea how the pin wes lost. All of my pin are now drilled for a second hairpin and I carry a spare pin and two hairpins.
Yes, I would add electric brakes.
Bob one of the Scamper Campers
Yes.
If not now, when?
Larry
Larry,
Electric brakes are not an expensive option. If you are having a new one built, include them in you order. I do not know if the non brake equipped axle can be modified to readily accept brakes. If my trailer was older with a tired axle, my new replacement axle would be ordered with electric brakes pre mounted.
The kind people in Backus can answer many questions for you.
BobH. one of the Scamper Campers
I included them...why take chances?
I run with a key lock pin in the hitch, plus a cable lock in the likewise key locked hitch pin. May upgrade to locked weight bearing caribiners for safety chains...I was never comfortable with hooks...spent many years towing a Bobcat behind a step van. Oh, and grease those axles!
If not now, when?
Larry