Now that we own the Scamp we need to think about how we are going to tow it.
Our first option is a relatives F-150, it is a V6 extended cab 4x2 circa 2000. The relative is reluctant to sell to us because it doesn't have a towing package and is a V6, but from what I'm reading that shouldn't be an issue with such a light trailer. The tow rating for the truck is over 5000 pounds. I am wondering whether the 19' will fit nicely on the back of such a tall bed. Any thoughts on those concerns?
If that falls through we need to pick from the used market, so I wanted to know what folks here pulled with and, more importantly: what they wish they pulled with. So, what would be the BEST tow vehicle for a 19'?
I pull my 19 ft scamp with a 2006 tacoma access cab 4x4 and 4L v6. It has tow capacity of 6500 lbs with tow package. I have plenty of power to pull the grades in the northwest. It has 50 inch side rail height. With a full size pu I would've had to raise the trailer or lower the truck. 4x2 Might be low enough. I've been happy with my tow/trailer combo and wouldn't change a thing.
wls53
Not sure about about "best", but we pull with a 2011 Dodge RAM V8 4.7L crew cab which we bought used to tow our Scamp 5'er. We're hardly aware of the Scamp behind us , and It's great to have power capacity to pass vehicles comfortably and not feel underpowered going up steep grades. And no problems doing tight turns with the Reese hitch we had installed. And the1500 has good interior space and a very comfortable ride...more so even than a Toyota 4Runner which we used to tow a 17'Casita SD we had before this Scamp.
Thanks for the comments. We are going to tow it with the F150 for the first time this weekend so we will see how it goes. I have high hopes since it is a solid vehicle and we could get it at a fair price. But I suspect if we enjoy scamping as much as I think we will, we will be in the market for a new truck in a few years.
We are having some side issues with our f150 which has sides of 56 inches we are adding a 31/2 inch lift to the 5er. We have 54 inches from ground to the bottom of the bed or fiberglass is it any more or less?
! Does anyone know how much the scamp pushes down on the hitch is it at least 2 inches? Then we would be clear on the side rails and tailgate with that 2 inches.
Can anyone give me the measurements of the ground to the bottom of the fifth wheel fiberglass (bedroom) trying to figure out my t.v.
Mussy:
Like JPalm, we tow our Scamp 5th wheel with a full-size pickup, and love it. Out TV is a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 (1/2 ton), 2WD.
The distance between the top of the bed and the bottom of the 5th wheel hitch was originally too small to tow safely. There was the real possibility of crunching some sheet metal there, so we took our truck and Scamp both to a local hitch shop and had some modifications made.
First, we had the Scamp raised 4". This was accomplished by welding a "spacer" between the axle and the frame.
Second, we had the hitch re-worked to lengthen the hitch and allow us to use an "under-bed" mount with the "disappearing" 2 5/16" hitch ball.
So, back to your question. The bottom of my Scamp hitch, directly under the upper sleeping bunk, is 58 1/2" sitting level in the garage. The top of our pick-up truck bed is 50". This gives me a clearance of 8 1/2", which tows safely over bumps and dips without worries about damage.
Unfortunately, it looks like the full-size pick-up manufacturers have been increasing both ground clearance and truck bed height over the last several years, which only makes it worse. Your 4x4 will be even higher vs. a 2WD. Don't worry, a good hitch shop can take care of everything.
Good luck
was that 58 1/2" before or after the 4" lift?
Assuming after the lift. my Silverado side walls are 51 1/2" from the ground. Is 3" clearance (58.5 - 4 - 51.5) enough?
did you also put larger diameter tires on?
"Live well or die trying"
We put 15 in tires on the scamp and trimmed around the tires on scamp for clearance about two inches. We also put our hitch up too when we had it installed on our f150 4x4 it gave us a clearance of 7 inches. Good luck and have fun with your scamp!!
We never had it lifted the RV place said it was not able to do it because he thought it was too dangerous to lift it! Even though we knew it could be done we opted for a bigger tire!