Hi! I'm new to the forum and hoping to get some help with axle questions. A little old 13ft Scamp finally found me and I am so excited that it followed me home! It is in good shape for being 40'ish years old, but it still needs some loving care. Major care is replacing the original axle. I have been doing lots of homework, but not getting all the answers I need to make a decision on how I want to approach replacing it. Being a mid - late 70's Scamp, the axle is the old leading arm set up. It is pretty much shot and the trailer is riding very low. I will be adding brakes with the new axle.
I'm not looking to do this to my Scamp . . .
. . . Just get it up where door threshold is about 10"-12" step up. 
I should also add that this wee Scamp will be my full-time home, mostly traveling on the road and off-road to boondocks.
My questions:
1. I have read /had it suggested that I change the axle to a trailing arm set-up. I understand the benefits of this switch, but can't figure out how to make it work and how to choose an arm angle for it, since the axle would have to be dropped like 8+ inches below the frame to clear the dropped floor and it's supports. When I called Scamp to find out how they did that, they said they did NOT replace axles on the older trailers with trailing arms, only did them as leading arm as originally set-up. How are the newer Scamps' frames different underneath that allows them to have trailing arms? Anyone have an older Scamp that they were able to change to a trailing arm that could provide me with more information on how they worked that out?
2. Looking at axle weight ranges, the 1000 - 2200 lbs seems to be the obvious choice for a 13' Scamp. But I have read / heard that some people go up to the 3500 lbs one. Has anyone noticed a negative difference with this axle? It seems overkill. But I'm curious what people's reasoning is for choosing that upgrade.
3. I've also been learning that it may be wise to change from 13" wheels to 14" wheels since 14" tires are more readily available with more choices. Has anyone gone this route? What are your thoughts?
4. My Scamp is in mid Ohio (an hour north of Columbus) and I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for places to do the axle work in that area. I'd like to avoid Columbus proper (or large city areas) or anything much more than an hour away - tires are not great and makes me nervous to tow on them, and since I will be replacing the wheels with the new axle to a 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern, I'd prefer not to have to buy tires for both old and new wheels if I can help it (added expense I can't really afford, but may have to to get the axle done right).
5. I have been hearing that there is a NEW AXLE IN TOWN, the Lippert. Opinions on this brand over Dexter? From the trailer places I've looked into, they have said they are comparable in quality, just that Lippert is easier to work with than Dexter has become.
I realize keeping the axle as a leading arm and going with the 22.5 down angle would be the easiest way to go and raise the trailer height up to a better clearance height. But if I can modernize it to the trailing arm without a lot of extra expense and hassle, it sounds like that might be a wise choice. I would greatly appreciate any input on these questions.
The easiest thing to do is get Scamp to replace it. Floyd over at Fiberglass RV had his S-13 done recently. Lots of good info. in the thread and contact numbers. www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f54/new-axle-for-my-13scampdeluxe-89518.html
Questions: Axle weight cap. #9 Dexter up to1 to 2.2 K , #10 Dexter 2.5 to 4K . Some order a #10 rated to 2.5K to get the 10" brakes. The #9 only comes with 7" brakes.
I had a new 22.5 deg down leading axle installed on a S-13 at the factory . It raised the Scamp about 3". I stayed with 4x4 hubs and they did not have an axle in stock with brakes. You need to discuss brakes on a leading arm with Scamp. With an appointment it only takes Scamp a couple of hours to do the swap.
If you go with a 5x4.5 14" tire/wheel I would go with a Good Year Endurance tire. I have been lucky and only had one blow out on Scamp's with questionable tires with no damage. Others have had major glass damage with blow outs FWIW.
I towed my S-13 from Va to Scamp to get the axle swapped. I took my time coming home and called it a vacation.
Good Luck
Eddie
Thanks Eddie for the info! I appreciate it.
I did see Floyd's post on the other forum, but he has a newer Scamp than mine and I think his axle would have had the trailing arms originally? I need to hop over there and ask him. When I called Scamp they told me they would only do a leading arm axle replacement on mine. I would love to travel up there and have them do it (though it's too close to one of my favorite places (BWCA) to not get to go play!
) - plus I don't have the time or money for the trip and need to do more work on the Scamp before I could make that trip.
I have seen that people get the 3500 lbs axle and have it "downrated" to 2500 lbs to get the larger brakes. Does that difference in the brake size really make a difference? I am still trying to comprehend everything about axles and haven't shifted my brain to understanding differences in brake sizes yet.
Was your original axle a leading or trailing arm? Which did you replace it with? I have found out that leading arm axles aren't made anymore, so would have to switch the brakes around to accommodate that arrangement - another reason I'd prefer to go with the trailing arm if I can.
Thanks for the info on the tires. A friend recommended MAXXIS tires, but good to know of another quality tire choice out there! What my friend told me, it is becoming harder to find "New" 13" trailer tires (less than 6 months old), but 14" are more common and there are more choices out there for that size, so finding "new" ones is easier. Thus my interest in possibly changing to 14" wheels - though they are almost 2x as much as 13" wheels!
It sounds like you had a great vacation with your Scamp! I love upper MN and wish I could make that trip with mine to get the work done. Glad yours is all road worthy and safe for many more adventures!
Thanks again for your help!
Jordan
Jordan
If you do replace your own axle cut off the old swing arms near the bushing end. It gives you more room to grind off the old welds. There are several post on the other forum about turning the axle around. If you stick with the forward facing configuration you will have to notch the factory mounting plate on the door side. As for tires Maxis (my#2 choice) is a good tire but the Endurance are really well built. I have not heard of any Endurance failures they have been out just over a year. I buy my Dexter axles from Red Neck if you pick them up at the store there is no shipping.
Eddie