Need help, Newbie

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pnw-scamper
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Joined: 11/14/2015 - 16:48
Need help, Newbie

My wife and have been looking to purchase a 13' scamp for a couple months.This will be our first trailer. What we would really love is the deluxe because of the 54" bed and a front 2 person dinette. We do not want a bathroom. These seem to be really hard to find and after calling scamp it looks as though they have only 3 of these sold in Washington state that the owners are willing to let us look at but are far away.

I have seen that some tear out the bunk beds/ bench and put a dinette in, i am handy but still not sure i want to do this and you still have the 44" bed. Is it REALLY as simple as some make it look? I do not want to keep bench and use tv tray.  Does anyone know what year they started making the deluxe with the bigger bed, and what year they started offering the standard with the bigger bed option?  We have ran also ran across some that do not have a furnance, which is a must for us, are these easy to put in?  I do not want a portable propane heater inside the trailer.  I realize some of this has been discussed before, but being a newbie to trailers and scamps i thought why not post most of my questions here.

I am also wondering do they all have a grey water tank for the sink? do they have a water heater if they have a sink? do the sinks faucet run off a pump that runs off battery?  whats the standard size water tank that comes with them? We do not want ac, but do want a fantastic fan, from what i can tell the fantastic fan helps with condensation and pulls air in or out?  on older models it looks as thou you need to cut a new hole in the roof for it, where do most hide those wires? We also need a refrigerator but some have the older icebox? easy to swap out?

Have also seen some older models with no front window,is that a big job to add one?  my wife also insists on an awning, are these easy to install?

as far as exterior is it difficult to shine and protect an old one up? and what areas should i crawl underneath and inspect closely for rot?

Not willing to buy a new one.........yet.... and realizing that not many come up for sale the way you want,  i dont expect to have to do all of these things but probably some. 

last but not least does anyone have one i can come look at? i am north of seattle about 30 minutes, and is anyone looking to get rid of their 13' deluxesmiley

thanks for any helpyes

 

 

Scamper Campers
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Joined: 08/11/2015 - 16:13
Maybe,,, Some Help

PNW,

I'm about 4 months farther into this Scamp addiction than you are.  I lust after a !3 Deluxe with a front dinette and a 54" bed.  We have one on order.  We have been bit hard.  We now have a 13 Std and a 19 Dlx.  I want a 54" bed that can be left as a bed for days on end.

I have been studying my Scamps daily and I am learning some things.  Depending on your skill sets, you could modify an existing 13 footer to a 54" bed.  You can either modify the existing internal fiberglass or replace it with wood.  Specifically, The 13 footer that I have is a 1998 with factory side mounted air conditioning.

 

First, I would construct a "T" brace that would be temporarily installed to support the roof.  I would then remove both rear dinette benches.  Since I have fiberglass experience,  I would modify the closet / air conditioner area.  I would cut 10 inches out of the center of it and and reattach the sides using standard fiberglass repair practices.  Then I would remove the furnace, sink, stove, and refrigerator.  I would cut the empty cabinet onto at the rear edge of the furnace opening and remove a 10 " section of the cabinet.  Be aware of the wiring and propane system. At this time, I would remove the exterior furnace vents.  Re-assemble the and bond the cabinet ends.  The cabinet will need a new top or have the sink and stove cutouts filled in.  The new sink and stove cutouts will be turned a quarter turn from the originals. Everything that was in that cabinet has to be remounted.  Once all of that is done, make and install new or lengthened benches that are 10" longer.  Remove the "T" brace, remember to re-install the metal braces.  Yes, I have left many many details out. you get the idea.

After you get all of that done, the front dinette will be a piece of cake.  Oh, you are going to need a bunch of new cushions.  BTW. my air conditioner would be installed were the ice box was.  My cooler would set on the floor or under one of the front dinette benches.  Remember, my ideas and five bucks will get you a cup of coffee in some locations.

 

BobH.

pnw-scamper
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Last seen: 8 years 3 months ago
Joined: 11/14/2015 - 16:48
Wow that sounds like a lot of

Wow that sounds like a lot of work, i do not have any fiberglass experience, not sure if i am willing to do that, i know i could but not sure i want too. thank you for the info, I would love to hear how you like your 13 deluxe when you get it, super jealous.   I think the most i want to do is get a standard with a 54" bed and make the front bench into a dinette, otherwise i think i would rather pay the extra money up front and work a little o.t. A friend just sent me a text and one of their relatives has an older one they dont use anymore so we are going to go look at that this week maybe, will let you know.   I did call scamp and we almost pulled the trigger on a 13 deluxe with front dinette but dont want to do it yet.   You definatley have been bit hardsmiley

Scamper Campers
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Joined: 08/11/2015 - 16:13
13 Footers

PNW,

Good luck on your quest.  The little Scamps are just cute.  Follow the lead that your friend sent you, it will be time well spent.  Even if you don't buy it. you will learn a lot.

The 13 Deluxe with a front dinette is sweet setup.  When I got into a 13 Deluxe at the factory, I was amazed by how open it felt.  The larger bed is a must for me.  The front dinette is a wee bit tight but comfortable and allows me to have a full time bed.  As I'm aging, I like the idea of not climbing in and out of bed.

I think I have worked too hard on the 19 Deluxe,  my wife, Lilly, is very pleased with it.  She really enjoys the extra space and is very happy with the cherry wood.  I may be out voted, her vote is bigger than my vote.  Either way, I still win.

 

BobH.

pnw-scamper
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Joined: 11/14/2015 - 16:48
just a quick update.  the

just a quick update.  the people who were going to sell theirs decided not too. so still looking. Also we might have a slim chance to look at a trillium 4500 which i also really like. I know they are a bit heavier but not a big deal to us.  And it looks like they come with a 52" bed i believe.