Classic Scamp Failure

[Paul O.]

Originally Posted by Ramsey

That being said, should one consider being proactive reinforcing some of the frame areas as opposed to "wait and see"?

I am convinced that these events start as fatigue breaks, and it is possible to keep ahead of them, proactively. All airplanes you ever fly are treated that way - their structures are inspected regularly. The trick is to know where to look. From this thread you know about one of the critical areas, at least. It is good to check the underside anyway, a mechanic's creeper would be handy. (I have used an old snowboard for years, it slides even better on rough ground.) A steel brush could be used to remove rust or loose paint to reveal the progressing break. Then it is still possible to limp to a welding shop and make it easier to repair.
Paul

[mary and bob]

[QUOTE=Paul O.;439221] It is good to check the underside anyway, a mechanic's creeper would be handy. (I have used an old snowboard for years, it slides even better on rough ground.)

Retired truck mechanic here, and own at least 4 creepers, one of them being the extra low and supposedly good for rough ground Bone creepers that sells for over $100. Instead of the creepers, and for low ground clearance vehicles I will use large pieces of cardboard to lay on. Cardboard from an appliance box is good, washer or dryer or a refrigerator. When under a vehicle, especially if you are going to wire brush or scrape, wear goggles or safety glasses to keep dirt and rust out of your eyes.

[carlkeigley]

The next thing to do is to get a 8-track tape of
Willie Nelson singing "On The Road Again."

Might take on a whole new meaning...............LOL

[honda03842]

Of course we have "on the road"

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Donna D.]

On point against rubberized undercoating is it often doesn't display frame fatigue. The rubber stretches and covers frame cracks. Looking at the frame should be a maintenance issue every single year (at least).

[honda03842]

I'm under my trailer all the time. We have 5 storage containers connected to the bottom of our Scamp's floor so I'm regular under there. As well I paint under there every year. Unfortunately I did not catch it.

I think it takes a more intelligent viewing than I have done in the past. As well I think a crack could develop very rapidly. On our trip to Labrador we had a 1/4 inch piece of steel fracture on a brand new hitch in less than 2 months. It didn't have the potential for severe damage but it happened quickly.

[mary and bob]

As for intelligent viewing, my problem is that with bifocals it's hard to get something in focus that is inches from my nose. I put trailers up on a set of solid wood ramps that we used in a truck repair shop to get a little more working room, and use a good bright work light.

[honda03842]

One additional thought.

The floor is held to the frame with thru floor screws which rapidly pulled out. In fact it amounted to 2 screws per beam.

As shown in a previous post we've added tabs that will allow us to bolt the floor to the frame using big washers and hefty bolts. Hopefully this will provide a little additional time margin.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Darrell in Al]

Right after I checked out the frame of mine I started thinking about how I'd remake the frame. First heavier gauge material and 2 foot longer tongue.

[deryk]

Norm, sounds awesome! Yeah having a southern 2nd home sounds good... get to stay away from the freezing weather we are having up north lol.

Best of Luck!

[honda03842]

I missed an early warning sign.

I look thru the Honda's rear window via the rear view mirror and can see the window's heating element against the rock shield latches. I use this visual guide to see if the trailer's level.

Now that we've had the frame repaired it appears that this line has moved about an inch compared to pre-repair. I bet this line changed over time, un-noticed by me.

[Wallo]

Here is a unique idea if frame troubles plague owners of older FGRV's.

1956 Mercury Canned Ham vintage trailer

With the right trailer, there is room enough to carry extras if needed.

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by deryk

Norm, sounds awesome! Yeah having a southern 2nd home sounds good... get to stay away from the freezing weather we are having up north lol.

Best of Luck!

Last time I saw my cousin who lives in Florida but spends most
of his time here with his mom, he said from now on he will stay
in Florida in the winter time. Just toooooo cold here and he can't
handle it. But here we have it. Atlanta, Texas, and Florida Panhandle
(where he lives) is icy and snowy and colder than here.

It's not funny, but I can't help but laugh when I think of how he said it.
I went by there today and he was gone. Made me think about what
he said a couple months ago and now this weather.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Wallo

Here is a unique idea if frame troubles plague owners of older FGRV's.

1956 Mercury Canned Ham vintage trailer

With the right trailer, there is room enough to carry extras if needed.

Oh I love it!!

[cpaharley2008]

With both a front and back porch……...

[deryk]

Interesting! I like the idea for extra carrying capacity.

[steve dunham]

[QUOTE=mary and bob;439345]As for intelligent viewing, my problem is that with bifocals it's hard to get something in focus that is inches from my nose. I put trailers up on a set of solid wood ramps that we used in a truck repair shop to get a little more working room, and use a good bright work light.[/QUOTE

I have to take my bifocals off to look at objects that are too close. On several occasions I have removed my glasses to get a closer look and then fumbled around trying to find my glasses so I could see

[wgwood]

Sorry to go off topic for a bit, but was it you (Norm and Ginny) that I met in December at Seminole Canyon in Texas?

I was the guy (Greg) from California that had just started a multi-year trip in my new to me Scamp.

If that was you guys I am sorry to hear about the frame issues but I am glad you got it all worked out and nothing bad happened on the road.

Thank you for the tour of your Scamp and all the good ideas.

If that was not you two then just ignore this post.

Regards,
Greg

[Borrego Dave]

Steve, I've had the same problem. Trying to look at something say under the dashboard and not being able to use the close up portion of my bifocal because of the angle. I went to a local Longs Drugs store and found a pair of reading glasses off the rack that were almost spot on for close up work and the best part is I can use the whole lense no matter the angle. Now if I could remember where I put them things would be great

[honda03842]

Hi Greg,

We are one and the same. We are now back in FL and had a great time in AZ and NM. It turns out that we saw a lot of Scamps in our travels, 4 at Mcdowell Mountain Regional Park near Fountain Hills, AZ, one of the nicesr parks we've ever been in with 59 miles of trails, bike, horse and foot.

Hope your travels are going well.

Norm and Ginny