We bought a 2000 Scamp 19' that is about 300 miles from where we want to store and renovate it. The trailer is in very good shape and we know it was well used up until about a year ago and the owner looked the type to do all necessary maintenance. But, we don't have a tow vehicle yet and would rather wait until we are close to done renovating it before getting one.
I had no idea that the 2 inch ball gooseneck was such an odd duck. We have plenty of movers with large diesel trucks with gooseneck hitches willing to move it until I tell them it is a 2 inch ball and they try to correct me.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to move this thing?
I promise to post pictures of our renovations as we do them, but half the ideas are coming from here, so don't expect anything too novel.
follow-up: I looked at Uhaul and their largest open trailer is a 6x12 that is 6 feet 2" from well to well. Scamp lists the 19 at 6' 8 ", but I'm not sure where that max width is measured.
Our 97 Scamp 5er project I was faced with the same dilemma and found a SOI member who had a 19 close by the trailer. He was very gracious to tow ours to our storage lot and gave him the fee.
I'll measure outside wheel to outside wheel when I go over to storage in the next couple of days. However, I'm not sure how you'd get it up on the trailer. It would be kinda awkward to manhandle or winch without damaging.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Thanks Greg for responding so quickly. Don't go out of your way on the measurements, I have to drive over to the trailer in the next couple fo days anyway to check on some things and can take a tape.
After reading a few of your posts I was a bit let down that there wasn't some gee-whiz way you had figured out to get it on a trailer! You seem to have everything else nailed down so well.
Also, I swung by uHaul and it really looks like their car carrier would be the best option, assuming we can get past the loading issue. Their other trailers have a small opening and high walls. Oh, and the width is really 6'1" between the wheels from about 20 to 35 inches off the floor.
LOL, sorry you got me, no gee whiz on that one. We may have someone weigh in here that has done something with trailering a 19. Keep us posted on what you find out.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
All Scamp frames and axles are the same width I think the axle hub face is 64". I just moved my S-13 on my equipment trailer with plenty of room. My equipment trailers bed 6' x 16', it's just a flat bed equipment trailer (Hudson) any farmer or car guy should have one. The seller should be able to help you out unless he pulled his hitch out. Just secure the Scamp trailer door if backed onto a transport trailer
Eddie
One other note: If you trailer is loaded onto another trailer backwards you have to secure your vent hatches. Wind can get under them and rip them off the trailer.
Lilly and I drove about 100 miles Saturday to look at a 13 footer. We had my lower door templates with us, and were very curios to see how well there door fit. It did fit nicely.
The owner took us around back of the shed and showed us a used 19 footer that they had for sale. It was a 1988 Deluxe in need of buckets of soapy water and TLC. The main issue on the 19 footer is the very tired axle, the tires are very close to the wheel wells. Lilly said I could buy it.
The issue is getting home without tearing out the wheel openings. We may be able to trailer it but it sets so low that we may not be able to winch it up without dragging the tail and breaking fiberglass. Has anyone tried wedging the torsion bar arms away from the frame as a temporary measure?
Will a totally worn out axle let the wheels rub?
Bob one of the Scamper Campers
Bob:
Next week we are going to be pulling our "new to us" fifth wheel with an original axle from 2000 with about 30k miles on it. I just bought some cheap 13" wheels with tires to replace the current ones that are a bit rusty and dry rotted. It was easier than taking the old off and having tires mounted due to logistics.
After we move it I'll post some pics of how sagged the axle is and how much damage we did in the process!
Keith
Keith,
Lilly and I decided last Wednesday morning that we needed to quit whining and get a new hitch, axle, wheels, and tires. I called Scamp and they could install the hitch Friday morning. So, we left Wednesday afternoon for a 700 mile trip to the factory. We got home about 5 this evening. The game plan it to drive about 100 miles after church tomorrow and tow the 19 foot Deluxe home tomorrow afternoon with the dead axle. We will have the new tires with us if we need them. The factory answered my questions on axle installation. Seeing how this trailer is a 1988, I sure that we will see several things that need attention. It took the guys about an hour and a half to install the hitch.
We found out that they started to build 19's in 1986, but production didn't really get going until 1988. This 19' Deluxe has a side bathroom, there appears to be no remote black water tank. Yes the floor under the clear water tank needs some attention. The twin escape hatches could use new panels.
Wish us luck in towing the 19 home.
BobH.,, one of the Scamper Campers
So, after screwing around with trying to find someone to load this on a trailer or rent a trailer we finally just installed the hitch, replaced the tires and towed it about 250 miles to where we are going to keep the trailer as we repair it.
This is a 2000 model year with about 30,000 miles of use. The axle is pretty worn so we just bought some off the shelf 13" wheels with cheap tires already mounted, about $50 each from a trailer supply company. (I can add a link, but I don't want to seem like I'm promoting anyone and I'm sure you guys have similar sources.) We are planning on replacing and raising the axle to fit some larger wheels, but I didn't want to damage the wheel wells. Here is a picture of the new wheel installed with the old one leaning against a wall in the background:
Any comment on whether that is a sagging suspension or about right?
And here is a picture of the trailer all hooked up and ready for its first trip in about two years:
There is just enough room between the truck and the trailer (vertically) but I would feel better if we raised the axle a bit and then moved the hitch up to the higher position (old style bar between the wheel wells). Here is a shot of the clearance with no reference such as a ruler, sorry:
It took more of my time to do it this way, but that was the advantage of finding one for sale close to home. And the advantage of having a really great seller. The previous owner was a saint about letting us keep the trailer there a few weeks while we figured everything out, put on new wheels, checked the bearings (well lubed, but rear seal blown so brakes were well lubed, too!), clean the brake pads and drums, wire up an umbilical adapter from scamp seven pin to the already installed utility trailer 6 pin, patching up a hole in the floor that is going to need serious attention soon, etc. Yes, it was more involved than hiring someone to load her up and move her out, but it somehow feels worth it at the end.
Sunday were towed our tired 5er home. The old tires held, we had new wheels and tires in the truck. Rough roads were a worry. I have started to clean it up on the inside. Tuesday We will get the new axle installed with risers. Saturday we will apply for plates and get the title transferred.
All in all. it towed well behind our std cab 2006 Chevy half ton. We were taking it easy and got about 16.5 MPG.
Bob H. (Scamper Campers)
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