What I'd say on the topic of a rivet failure on the closest is that it might stand to reason that that is where it would be. The center of the trailer, on either side, will most likely be the most twisty turny as the trailer bounces down the road. The hull is thin fiberglass, it must move and tweak as you travel down the road. The closest is a structural support on the door side and the little metal supports by the sink are for the streetside.
Yeah, it's me again with a whole new issue, but since it may be related to the cabinet rivets issue, I'm tacking it on. Yes, gordon2, I did this for you .
Tonight noticed that the striping was not lined up at the door opening. This is the location where the closet with the refrigerator is located. I checked a photo I took in December 2014 right after I purchased the trailer and the stripe was lined up. Would the problem with the cabinet rivets breaking have anything to do with the door getting out of align vertically? The door still closes without problem, but I noticed the catch has new, deeper cracks in the fiberglass under the aluminum band. The bottom of the door seems to be tweeking to the rirht. Again I’m concerned to travel with this trailer. I can image it falling apart while I’m driving down the road - but then I have a good imagination.
As Joy said in post 12 the closet is an integral part of the roof support system. This is why one has to be careful with being over aggressive on closet redesigns. I'm not very familiar with the Scamp 16, but the 13 also has a 3/4 " aluminum tube on the interior left side of the door which helps keep the door aligned. I believe somewhere you indicated that the big fridge was not a factory install but an owner mod?? If so, the door mis-alignment starting is probably related to the whole closet/fridge issue. As Gordon says, this is definitely a concern and it needs to get nipped in the bud so to speak.
I'm sure the refrigerator was installed by Scamp as the original owner's requested option. I've learned that Scamp offers the option of 4.6cf fridge installed in the closet of the layout 4. This is what makes me even more concerned with the issues I'm having with a 2+ year old Scamp. I think Gordon has on order a 16' Scamp layout 4 with the refrigeratror installed in the closet. My conclusion that the refrigerator contributed to the rivet failure was of concern to him.
I just spoke with Steve at length and feel better, but am changing my travel plans for August to get back to Anacortes.
Someone has to physically examine this to determine a correct course of action, which is why we hooked you up right off with our SOI Member in Anacortes. Steve will help you sort it all out and I'm certain he'll come up with a good fix.
Actually, the way I read it was that it was assumed at first that the fridge was an owner mod, but now it seems it was likely the original fridge install.
Therefore, I would first establish for sure if the fridge was original or an owner mod. Second, I would try to examine the closet / fridge for anything that deviates from normal, especially looking for any structural or support changes. (Perhaps prior owner made some other mod). This is where someone who really knows these trailers would be a big help. In the meantime I would minimize my travel.
At least that’s the approach I think I would take.
Hi Gordon,
I've always believed that the original owner had the 4.6cf refrigerator factory installed. I just did not know it was offered as a standard option.
I am locating the appropriate SS or VIn numbers in order to contact Scamp. My communication with staff there in the past has been not too helpful. I've thought about taking the trip to Backus, but wasn't sure it would do me any good. With Greg's support I now have a top notch fiberglass repair / customization person to work with. I'm more than a bit dissapointed that my adventure into full-time RVing has been frought with seemingly major issues. I expected standard maintenance and upkeep, but what I've experienced seems to go into the realm of safety and makes me concerned about the over all workmanship.
I understand your concerns and sympathize with you on this one.. hopefully it will be determined to be a minor and/or correctable issue. In all my forum study, yours is the only one with these issues I have read about. Sure, a broken rivet here and there, and on 15-20 + year old trailers maybe more problems surfacing, but the cracking around door combined with closet separating on a newer trailer might be a rare problem or maybe a first. It still seems to be a good product for most people. Someone has to get the lemon though. Hope its not you. If it turns out to be a manufacturing issue you still have options even out of warrantee.
The frame is cut out for the door walkway and metal supports are welded under the opening to tie the frame together and support your walkway. Check the welds under the trailer just below the door. Once under there you will see what I am talking about. You might put a straight edge on the support pieces to see if they are bent under the walkway. Also check to see if the shell glass is still attached to the rear frame walkway rail. I have never seen a body sag and the door stripe stay above the rear body stripe. Do you have a before picture to post?
What I'd say on the topic of a rivet failure on the closest is that it might stand to reason that that is where it would be. The center of the trailer, on either side, will most likely be the most twisty turny as the trailer bounces down the road. The hull is thin fiberglass, it must move and tweak as you travel down the road. The closest is a structural support on the door side and the little metal supports by the sink are for the streetside.
Joy A. & Olive
2001 13 Scamp "Puff"
Full-timer
2019 1500 Ram Longhorn
SOI #168
Yeah, it's me again with a whole new issue, but since it may be related to the cabinet rivets issue, I'm tacking it on. Yes, gordon2, I did this for you
.
Tonight noticed that the striping was not lined up at the door opening. This is the location where the closet with the refrigerator is located. I checked a photo I took in December 2014 right after I purchased the trailer and the stripe was lined up. Would the problem with the cabinet rivets breaking have anything to do with the door getting out of align vertically? The door still closes without problem, but I noticed the catch has new, deeper cracks in the fiberglass under the aluminum band. The bottom of the door seems to be tweeking to the rirht. Again I’m concerned to travel with this trailer. I can image it falling apart while I’m driving down the road - but then I have a good imagination.
Krestine
This would concern me but someone who knows more about Scamps needs to look at it.
As Joy said in post 12 the closet is an integral part of the roof support system. This is why one has to be careful with being over aggressive on closet redesigns. I'm not very familiar with the Scamp 16, but the 13 also has a 3/4 " aluminum tube on the interior left side of the door which helps keep the door aligned. I believe somewhere you indicated that the big fridge was not a factory install but an owner mod?? If so, the door mis-alignment starting is probably related to the whole closet/fridge issue. As Gordon says, this is definitely a concern and it needs to get nipped in the bud so to speak.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
I'm sure the refrigerator was installed by Scamp as the original owner's requested option. I've learned that Scamp offers the option of 4.6cf fridge installed in the closet of the layout 4. This is what makes me even more concerned with the issues I'm having with a 2+ year old Scamp. I think Gordon has on order a 16' Scamp layout 4 with the refrigeratror installed in the closet. My conclusion that the refrigerator contributed to the rivet failure was of concern to him.
I just spoke with Steve at length and feel better, but am changing my travel plans for August to get back to Anacortes.
Krestine
Someone has to physically examine this to determine a correct course of action, which is why we hooked you up right off with our SOI Member in Anacortes. Steve will help you sort it all out and I'm certain he'll come up with a good fix.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Actually, the way I read it was that it was assumed at first that the fridge was an owner mod, but now it seems it was likely the original fridge install.
Therefore, I would first establish for sure if the fridge was original or an owner mod. Second, I would try to examine the closet / fridge for anything that deviates from normal, especially looking for any structural or support changes. (Perhaps prior owner made some other mod). This is where someone who really knows these trailers would be a big help. In the meantime I would minimize my travel.
At least that’s the approach I think I would take.
Too bad she is so far from Backus.
Hi Gordon,
I've always believed that the original owner had the 4.6cf refrigerator factory installed. I just did not know it was offered as a standard option.
I am locating the appropriate SS or VIn numbers in order to contact Scamp. My communication with staff there in the past has been not too helpful. I've thought about taking the trip to Backus, but wasn't sure it would do me any good. With Greg's support I now have a top notch fiberglass repair / customization person to work with. I'm more than a bit dissapointed that my adventure into full-time RVing has been frought with seemingly major issues. I expected standard maintenance and upkeep, but what I've experienced seems to go into the realm of safety and makes me concerned about the over all workmanship.
Krestine
I understand your concerns and sympathize with you on this one.. hopefully it will be determined to be a minor and/or correctable issue. In all my forum study, yours is the only one with these issues I have read about. Sure, a broken rivet here and there, and on 15-20 + year old trailers maybe more problems surfacing, but the cracking around door combined with closet separating on a newer trailer might be a rare problem or maybe a first. It still seems to be a good product for most people. Someone has to get the lemon though. Hope its not you. If it turns out to be a manufacturing issue you still have options even out of warrantee.
The frame is cut out for the door walkway and metal supports are welded under the opening to tie the frame together and support your walkway. Check the welds under the trailer just below the door. Once under there you will see what I am talking about. You might put a straight edge on the support pieces to see if they are bent under the walkway. Also check to see if the shell glass is still attached to the rear frame walkway rail. I have never seen a body sag and the door stripe stay above the rear body stripe. Do you have a before picture to post?
Eddie
Pages