SOS-Need help! Just bought my first Scamp BUT...

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SoulSurferGirl
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Joined: 04/29/2016 - 00:28
SOS-Need help! Just bought my first Scamp BUT...

Hi Scamp family! I have been dreaming of owning my own Scamp and I finally found The One of my dreams! I just bought a 1981 Scamp retro vintage trailer that has been upgraded on the interior. Problem is - the Scamp sits about 9" from the pavement so keeps hitting many incline pavements. When I park next to a sidewalk, I can not open the door of the Scamp because it is so low! I found out that my 4 lug axle has dropped over the years so needs to be replaced. The parts take a few weeks and over $1400 to repair. I live in Southern CA so will need to pay for the parts to be shipped from the factory in MN. A FEW QUESTIONS: 1.)  Does anyone know if i can drive it around super low on a dropped axle on a few local trips for the next few weeks until i get my axle fixed? 2.) Has anyone out there fixed their own axle to save on costs using a local welder shop instead of going to the Expensive Corporate money suckers like Camping World or RV repair shops? 3.) Is there a cheaper alternative to changing out the axle, like buying a bigger /higher trailer tongue and then using springs to lift the back end of my Scamp? 4.) My tow vehicle is a Suburu Forester AWD with a tow capacity of 1500- my Scamp is 900lbs/ 13 ft. Do i absolutely need to get a brake controller installed or are my Suburu brakes ok without it? THANKS to anyone out there with any insight on this! - Rita

Greg A
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Axle

Yep, sounds like an axle replacement is in your very near future. Your $1400 is 2-3 times what it should cost to have an axle done. The Dexter #9 torflex should be under $400 with brakes. Any good horse trailer or general trailer shop should be able to handle the whole thing for you for less that half of that $1400 figure. The trailer shop will need to most likely understand they need to flip it, so they know how to order the correct angle.

Axle changeout story is in Maintenance table of contents.

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LyleB
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Joined: 07/28/2015 - 07:24
I just had the axle on my '99

I just had the axle on my '99 Scamp 13 replaced. I bought the axle through Scamp for under $500. I elected to add brakes, so if you stay with no brakes, the axle will be cheaper. I had a local shop install the axle as a bolt on (to make future upgrades easier). They charged me $300, more expensive than Scamp would have been, but it saved me a trip to MN. The $300 included wiring the trailer for the brakes. The shop called up Scamp Service, and they were very helpful in providing the local shop with assistance to make the job easier and "correct". 

Scamp sent the axle out via UPS. It cost about $50 for the shipping (included in the cost stated above). I had the axle at my house four days after ordering it. Very impressed with the Scamp service folks.

OtisPedro
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Love the vintage look of the Scamp in your profile photo!

ManWithaVan
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Axle Replacement

Dear Rita:

Two upgrades to consider when replacing your axle:

     1, Adding brakes to the new axle.

     2, Upgrading to a 5 bolt hub for the wheels.

I strongly recommend adding brakes when replacing your axle. Adding brakes does not add that much expense to the replacement and it could save your life. Again, I strongly recommend adding the brakes !!  Could also help when you sell your Scamp in the future.

Upgrading to a 5 bolt hub is also recommended because of added safety and because you have more wheel options with a 5 bolt pattern (5 bolt pattern is more common ). Also, if your tires are more than 5 years old, or have been sitting for a long time, you need to replace the tires anyway, so you only have to add the cost of two new rims. Note: you can even order tires already mounted from Amazon, or other internet tire stores.

In regard to your question about adding a brake controller to your Tow Vehicle, Yes, definitely,  add the controller. The brakes on your Tow Vehicle were designed to stop the vehicle itself, the brakes on the Scamp are designed to stop the trailer, both systems work together to safely stop you when needed, ESPECIALLY IN PANIC STOPS !!!

As Always,

Happy Scamping !!!