Hi Folks,
Just wanted to ask a question. First let me tell a story.. I'm supposed to take delivery of my 2018 Scamp 5th wheel in mid-May 2018. I initially bought a 2017 Toyota Tacoma with the I4 engine to haul it around thinking with a towing capacity of 3500lbs all would be good based on Scamp factory specifications. I have learned that sometimes these specs aren't exactly "real world" and usually on the very low side. I'm going to keep the 2017 Tacoma as a grocery getter and purchase a new TV for my Scamp. Now the question..If you could pick a dream TV for your rig what would it be? I've learned quite a lesson here and I just want to throw this out there. There is also the question of 4 wheel drive and excess capacity of the TV. If you guys don't mind I'd love to read your thoughts and gain from your experience. Thanks in advance.
Ray
When it comes to tow vehicles and a Scamp 19 there are lots of choices. I've owned 3 Scamp 19's and four tow vehicles. The first choice is a mid-size or full-size truck. I've towed with three mid-sized trucks: an S-10 4 cyl (2.5L), an S-10 V6 (2.8L) and a Nissan Frontier 4x4 V6 (4.0L). I've also towed with a Chevy Silverado V8 (5.3L). The Silverado was a good truck but too big for the Scamp. Its size made hooking up difficult and while towing you could feel no feedback the trailer. I once had a flat and drove for a couple of miles because I couldn't feel that I was riding on the rim.
Gas mileage wise they all were within 1-2 MPG of each other. Performance wise the Silverado was best but the Nissan Frontier is a very close second and much more civilized to drive and park. On all the mid-sized trucks I installed airbags to allow me to adjust their stance to level. The Silverado was always problematic even with a raised trailer I was never able to get the trailer stance so the front wasn't catching air under the bedroom.
To 4x4 or not to 4x4? For a mid-sized truck, I'd definitely say 4x4. If you boondock or do National Parks (forests, etc.) clearance and traction is everything. Even RV parks roads turn "unimproved" in the spring and fall. Additionally, 4x4 usually comes with additional tow capacity.
I'm amazed that you aren't able to tow the Scamp 19 with a 4 cyl Tacoma. I have a friend that has a Tacoma with special bracing for the hitch (as the bed is a composite) and a 4 cylinder 6-speed manual tranny, His truck keeps up with my Frontier quite well though he has to flog it a bit more than I do to maintain the same pace.
Good luck truck shopping.
Scott Sturgeon
techscott@gmail.com
2003 Scamp 19' 5th Wheel
2015 Nissan Frontier 4x4
Scott,
My Tacoma is an automatic. I didn't purchase the towing package which raises the towing capacity from 3500lbs to 6500lbs. As I understand it my Deluxe Scamp 5ver comes in a little more than that and I plan to head west into the mountains. As to special prep for the hitch in the composite bed, Scamp told me that no special prep is needed. In fact the guy I talked to said Scamp had talked to Toyota and was assured that their mounting method was more than adequate. He indicated that they drill and bolt the hitch in the bed.
Ray
Interesting, my buddy got just the opposite advice from both his Toyota dealer and a hitch shop. They both suggested a plate under the composite bed to provide a larger surface to spread out the load and torque produced by the 5th wheel. I listened carefully as I was considering a Tacoma at the time.
Regarding the tow capacity, I have no doubt that if you spend the $350 on Firestone airbags and get a quality hitch, your Tacoma will handle the load of the Scamp 19. From what I can tell the difference between the tow and non-tow package models is: heavier springs, heavier shocks, 7 pin wiring and a frame mounted hitch. No special frame or brakes. Before I purchase another vehicle I'd spend a few hundred and check it out first.
As for speaking to the Scamp folks, there might be some experience there but there's not a *real* engineer in the lot. I suspect their Toyota contact might have been the local mechanic. I was at a truck rally and asked a mechanic at the TRD truck division and he said not to mount just to the composite bed. The bed is designed for downward force not push-pull / up and downforce.
My truck had its hitch installed by Scamp at the factory and it's mounted in the wrong position so to not inconvenience the installer. The correct installation would have required the installer to remove a bed component and reposition a bolt. Laziness left me with a hitch too far rearward.
Good luck.
Scott Sturgeon
techscott@gmail.com
2003 Scamp 19' 5th Wheel
2015 Nissan Frontier 4x4