HI! I am in the market for my first Scamp and this one came my way. I'm not intimidated by the project but my main concern is the frame, the electrical and propane systems. Cosmetics are no problem. I have an 1847 house, I know my way around a paintbrush and minor electrical/plumbing/carpentry repairs. This is a 1981 13-footer. Any thoughts/concerns based on the pics below?
Current owner reports that the interior lights work but the brake lights are erratic. Propane has not been tested. A new axel as been welded on. They bought it from someone else but did not restore it or use it. From the pics it looks a bit moldy/mildewy, and that is a concern. Asking price is under $4K.
Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!
Mark
Sounds like a lot of potential issues to me. I’d much rather spend $10,000 and get one in better shape. I’d just rather be out camping then working on a project. But as with anything in life we are all different, if you truly like and enjoy a big project where you can look back later and see all you’ve done then it may be a great fit for you. But looks pretty crusty to me and I think is going to take a lot more money and time then you are thinking. Scamps you see for this price are likely needing a lot
Unfortunately, that's not in my budget.
This one’s pretty rough. Given the rust, I’d really check the sub flooring for rot, massive labor to replace sub floor. Hard to tell with the pics, but I’d really check that axle and that it was ordered and installed properly. The frame would really need to be inspected well with all the rust. If frame, axle, sub floor, and shell all have integrity then its mostly a gut and redo. New foam and upholstery (if needed, cant tell) is approx $800, new roof AC(that one looks bad and 81’s weren’t reinforced for roof unit. Factory AC was at bottom of closet so may be incorrectly installed) $800, tires n rims $350, clean n paint elephant hide $100, vinyl plank flooring $80, snap caps and rivets $75,and on and on.
Having redone several Scamp 13’s I would guesstimate to bring this one back up properly about $4-5000 and a ton of hours of labor. Based on that and a restored resale value of about $6-7000 I personally would only buy this if I were younger and only for a certain price point. Only you can make that decision if you want to take on this aggressive a project.
Example there is a 1984 13 Scamp in TN on Fiberglass-rv-4sale.com right now for $5500. It looks in really good condition.
https://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/for-sale/1984-13-scamp-trailer-7500-nashville-tn
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Hey Greg,
Thanks for all that info and for sharing your experience. I have no problem with cosmetics and interior work, even wiring. But if the frame or floor have issues, I'm out. There's a Trillium ready to go that's around $6800...it would be a budget stretch and a half, but that might be the better route for my first camper, unless I can get a better price on this Scamp which is currently offered at $3800...
Mark
Mark,
The one factor that I’m hearing is same with me. I’m proudest and had the most satisfaction from my very first ground up 81Scamp restore. It is still going with the new owner after we used it for 5 years. Sometimes there is no price you can put on the satisfaction of bringing one of these back and it sounds like you would enjoy that aspect as well.
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Hi Greg,
I think I would enjoy the project. My teenager would too, she is pretty into the idea of cleaning this up and taking it on the road. The more I think about it the more I think the asking price is a bit much, seeing some decently restored ones going in the $5-6K range. I'm willing to put in sweat equity and some cash, but it would be nice to think it would leverage more should we need or want to sell it some time in the future.
Mark
Lay under it and look for frame cracks or rust through. If there is none, make a low ball offer around 2 thousand. Your argument is all the work you may have in making it road worthy, cleaning, unseen problems, ect. Then it would be worth the effort to refurbish. If you don't get it another will come along.
KJ
$3,800.00 and potentially another $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 to restore it!? You could have 9 grand into that trailer. A brand new basic unit can be purchase for about $10,500.00 and it won't have 37 years of use on it!!
Anthony Memoli
I thought about refurbishing an Airstream Bambi before I bought my first Scamp. The cost to buy each part is overwhelming.
So I just went and bought new in 2013. I'm with Anthony on this one. Lots of used ones if your willing to drive and get it.
I would agree to get away from this project as fast as you can! Trailers are for fun and getting away from work. Get a better one!
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