I haven't posted before, but I have read every message on the forum and benefited from the time you have taken to share. I thought it was probably time for me to contribute. We purchased a neglected 1985, 16' Scamp in March and I have spent the past three months working on it. Here are some before shots:

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Being able to work on the trailer in the garage made a huge difference...

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One thing I learned is that email makes a trailer look better than it does in person. You can't really see the warp in the table, or how disgusting the carpet is.

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Racing stripes??

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Note the Coca-Cola frisbee attached to the wall with a drywall screw. I'm sorry I didn't leave up the matching curtains...

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Those screws required a hammer and impact screwdriver.

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Hammerite on the metal sides, and Kilz then exterior latex on the floor.

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Derek, I have the same kinda project going.Looks good ,your Scamp is getting a new life.
I have 80's scamp 13 . Removed all the bench seats and going to rewire.How did you get the refrigerator out?
Bill

Here are some after shots:

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Still rubbing out the fiberglass. My Meguires #49 is OK, but I think I need something more abrasive.

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I like the looks of the Dometic refrigerator better, but it was $70 more plus another $50 to $90 extra for shipping. Plus, the Norcold is made in the USA. I might make an oak insert and attach it to the door face.

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I stole this idea from one of the forum members. It is hard to make yourself drill holes through the fiberglass (the only thing undamaged on the trailer), but the screw caps made for a finished look on the outside of the closet. I still need to add edging to the shelves and put some finish on them. I may also order brackets that allow you to attach drawer slides to the brackets so I can add a drawer.

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It's even harder to cut out a great big chunk of fiberglass to add a lower door, but is just didn't make sense not to.

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Another idea from the forum. The shoe holder covers the entire bathroom door.

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I installed hooks on both sides of the bathroom.

Nice work Derek!

Bill,

The only things holding my refrigerator in were the rivets around the front frame. There were a lot of them, but once I drilled them out and disconnected the propane, AC, and DC, it slide right out. The difficult thing was modifying the hole for the new refrigerator--they do not make the same model any longer and the replacements from both Dometic and Norcold are a slightly different size. I ended up making a wooden frame that I screwed into from behind using the original rivet holes. The refrigerator attached to the frame from the front with six screws. I also had to make a platform to raise the refrigerator up to the proper height. The old one sat on top of the wheelwell, but the new one was not as tall.

Derek

Derek, Looks real nice ...great job.
Is that a laminate that you put on the floor ?Did you putty the seams ?
My refrig does not have rivets on the front..
Bill

In a previous post, there was an interest in what it might cost to fix up an older trailer. I thought it might be entertaining to post my actual costs (it will be more entertaining to you than it was to me... ). I am about a grand over my highest initial estimate, and I probably still need to replace the axle. I learned a lot, some of it was fun, and the trailer is how I want it. Financially, however, I should have probably been more patient and waited for a clean, loaded trailer for just a few thousand more. I now believe I paid a bit too much for the trailer. So it goes...

It was my experience that in the Pacific Northwest these trailers are in high demand. I lost out on the first three trailers I tried to buy because I didn't decide immediately. You need to be able to evaluate the trailer right then and there, perhaps over the phone, and have cash on hand. And, be ready to drive anywhere in the state the very next day. I think that this puts new, inexperienced purchasers at a disadvantage. I am now prepared with the knowledge necessary to make a purchase--unfortunately, I already have a trailer and it's almost done...

Derek



Item Quantity Cost

Purchase price ('85 Scamp 16') $2500.00
Tax, registration, inspection $307.75

Cleaner/wax 1 $10.81
Oxidation remover 1 $9.18
Oxidation remover $9.18
Oxidation remover (3M) 1 $10.06
Nev-r Dull 1 $3.76
Plexiglass cleaner 1 $6.07
Brasso $3.54
Caulk (Alex plus) 2 $4.08
Caulk (Alex plus white) 1 $1.60
Caulk $2.14
Caulk (butyl) 1 $1.93
Caulk (wood tone) 2 $3.20
Kilz primer 1 $5.29
Hammerite (black) 1 quart $11.28
Stove spray paint 1 $5.59
Tacky tape 1/30' roll $9.65
Hardware $11.92
Hardware (screws) $9.59
Hardware (screws) $5.37
Hardware $2.25
Hardware $5.07
Hardware (bolts, rod, brushes) $3.98
Hardware $6.06
Acorn nuts 24 $7.99
bolts for door 10 $2.17
Screws $1.45
Screw covers $3.13
Screw covers $3.13
Rivets $6.89
Rivets $5.81
Ferrel $0.31
Door latch $12.67
Hooks (clothes) 8 $10.63
Table leg hinges $16.89

Battery $78.47
Battery box 1 $7.51
Battery terminals $2.09
Battery charger (Vector) $43.32
Wall sockets 2 $0.93
Plugin adapter $3.11
7-pin plug (for vehicle) $16.57
Bracket (for vehicle plug) $2.16
Bulbs 2 $1.28
Flourescent bulbs 2 $9.69
Fuse holder & fuses $6.27
LED lights 3 $14.41
Flourescent light (Thinlite) $55.23
Light lense 1 $2.59
Ceramic heater 1 $65.02

Propane tank 1 $23.85
Propane tank tray 1 $24.16
U-bolts 2 $9.93
Stove lines/fittings $12.03
Refrigerator (Norcold 323) $520.32
Propane line (for refrigerator) $12.78

Laminate flooring 3 boxes $81.34
Laminate flooring 1 box $27.09
Floor edging strips 2 $8.98
Plywood (1/2" oak) $37.95
Shelf brackets/clips $20.55
Knobs (for doors) 10 $20.59
Felt pads (for doors) $3.76

Tires 2 $111.81
Tire cover $15.82
Wheel bearings 2 sets $54.69
Wheel bearing grease $2.70

water line 1 $5.85
Water inlet $9.21
washers $0.37
Water pump $36.80
Fill hose 1 ft. $2.17
Drain hose/city water 5 ft. $4.82
Sink drain 1 $11.05
Fill cap 1 $1.83
Drain cap 1 $1.07
Hose clamps 2 $1.80
Hose clamps 4 $4.29
Hose (drinking water) $11.78
Hose (grey water) $9.96
Water regulator $10.72
Porta Potti $75.84
RV toilet paper $2.03

Exit vent 1 $82.25
levels $2.89
Circular level $2.68
canopy (freestanding) $59.15
Screen Spline $3.74
Pop-a-tissue $6.49
Pop-a-plate $6.93
Towel bar $5.63

Hitch ball 1 $13.00
Jack $53.11
Jack stands $43.57
wheel chocks 2 $7.92

Scamp order:

Cushions-full set set $480.00
Range hood 1 $65.00
Roller catches 12 $6.00
hinges 21 $31.50
chest hinge (bunkbed) 1 pair $6.00
bunk post caps 4 $1.00
marker lights 4 $24.00
evacuation flange 1 $4.00
rigid white trim 2 $5.00
snap caps (set) 1 $10.50
rivets $18.00
door hinge set $26.00
foam gasket for door $8.00
door keys $9.00
trailer end connector $14.00
safety chain 1 $12.00
shipping $180.00

Total $5694.37

Bill,

The floor is snaplock laminate from Costco. I think that linoleum would be the safest choice for moisture, but the laminate just looks too nice. I left gaps along all edges and filled them with woodtone caulk. Underneath is a thin foam insulation. The seams between boards are so tight that you would not be able to caulk them. If it floods, I will likely be in trouble, otherwise I think I will be OK.

I may add wood trim later, but the caulk alone looks pretty good to me.

Derek

Derek..I was not clear with my ? I was curious about the seams on the wall covering .Did you caulk the seems ? I didn't see seam tape in your pics .

I wonder if laminate adds much weight to the trailer?
Nice run down on costs .
B

The original seam tape was in terrible shape. I caulked the ensolite seams with standard almond caulk, then dabbed it with a paper towel to simulate the texture of the rest of the walls. It's not ideal, but the seam tape is just too wide for such a small seam and in my opinion makes them stand out even more. There is residue left from the seam tape that I need to try to remove that makes some of the seams look worse than they should. I may try to color match some paint, but others on the forum haven't had much luck with that. I think that the stencil idea is nice that others have done.

I'm sure that the laminate is heavier than some of the other options. My current weight, fully loaded, is 1900 lbs. on the axle and 200 pounds on the tongue, so I am not that worried about the extra weight. The trailer lacks a number of options, however, that might make other trailers a bit heavier. I think the biggest issue with laminate is the risk of water damage.

Derek

Derek,
Nice job! Very clean work. Thank you for the great info on your renovation.

We are in the market and just found an '82 for $3000, but have not purchased it yet. It seems pretty solid but it hasn't been used in 10 years and there is no refrigerator, bathroom, shower, or 12 volt system (all of which I want in my future camper). I was thinking it was a fair deal, but after reading your posts, I am seriously questioning that! Would it even be worth it for $2000? Does your Scamp have a shower or toilet (I see a porta-pottie on you order list)?

Scott

I like your renovation and I'm starting to plan a renovation of my own 1990 16' I bought in April. I really like the look of the Costco flooring -- it took 4 boxes to cover? ! What color did you choose? The oak?

Also, when you ordered your replacement set of cushions/foam from Scamp -- did the upper bunk replacement cushion come mounted with the plywood backing? The reason I ask is that the previous owner totally removed the upper bunk and I just have the lower cushion and I'm wanting to have it back to being a bunk bed. I'll have to order all the hardware as well.

Is the cushion pattern you chose the "marble"?

Thanks for sharing,
Maggie

Scott,

Sorry for the delayed response--we are on our first major camping trip with the Scamp and this is our first wireless access.

Our trailer does not have a bathroom. The room itself is there, but the toilet and shower walls were not installed, nor was a water heater or blackwater tank. Our Scamp is pretty basic--the only real options were an oven, a range hood, and a refrigerator. If a shower is a must for you, I would wait for a different trailer as it will be a lot of work and expense.

When you say there is no 12 volt system, what do you mean? There must be wiring. Ours does not have a "converter", but from what I've read that really isn't much of a loss.

As to what it's worth, I don't know for sure. Ideally, I'd like to see the forum put together a realistic "blue-book", since the real blue-books seem worthless for the Scamps. Probably not practical, but I was uncomfortable trying to set a price. If I were you I would try to estimate repair expenses as accurately as possible, then add a bit more. Then try to estimate the value after the repairs by checking sales on this site, Craigslist, Casitaclub, etc. Don't forget that the axle will likely need to be replaced. In my case the seller was asking $3500 and I paid $2500. I have ~$5700 into it without a new axle, and I don't think I could sell it for that. I probably should have paid more like $1500 or even less.

Oh, yeah--and if you spend to much time figuring out the costs, the trailer may well be sold...

Derek

Maggie,

The flooring is "Cottage Oak". I did all of the kick panels around the floor as well, and I ended up using all but one board out of the four boxes. I did not do under the dinette seats or under the couch except in the center. Be aware that laminate dulls blades quickly--I used a cheap tablesaw blade and also ruined my bandsaw blade making the angled cuts. Do not use a chopsaw that cuts straight down into the board--it dulls even the specialty blades. You need to move the board into the blade like on a tablesaw or the blade into the board like on a sliding chopsaw. Either way, the blade will be garbage or need to be sharpened by the time you are done.

The replacement cushions came with the plywood backing. I believe the pattern was "Marble", but I'd have to check at home to be sure. We didn't really like the choices, but the pattern we ended up with looks better in person than on the pictures. The cushions seem to be very nice, although the shipping cost was ridiculous.

The only hardware you need to mount the upper bunk is two "chest hinges". I ordered mine from Scamp, but they are common hinges available most anywhere. Most of the things I ordered from Scamp turned out to be commonly available items.

Derek

Very nice work! Everytime I see one of these renovations, it makes me want to find another poor old neglected Scamp and bring it back to life.... if it weren't for time, money and the fact that they seem to be getting harder to find... I would! Thanks for sharing the pics etc.