5th wheel bumper pull - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-12-2009, 06:13 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 25
Thumbs up

Has anyone here had experience with a hitch mount for a 5th wheel? There is a 5th wheel scamp for sale in VA. I'm interested in that has an adapter set up to pull it with a "bumper" hitch. The owners said it is common on farm equipment, I think, and they have used it very successfully. It was listed for sale here but no pictures. its listed on craigslist wash dc as "rare 1990 scamp" posted 4/11. I was thinking about looking cause i could pull with my 1 ton van instead of switching to a pick up but I'm not sure.

Link to Scamp "5th wheel" with Bumper pull adapter
jeff y is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2009, 06:51 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
pjanits's Avatar
 
Trailer: 17 ft 1986 Burro
Posts: 889
I have no first hand experience but I had the same idea and asked Scamp about it a couple of years ago.
They didn't think it was a good idea.
And without any scientific proof whatsoever, my gut tells me it's not a good idea.
I'm guessing your gut is telling you the same thing or you wouldn't be asking the question.

I have found it's best to trust that feeling.

There was one for sale here not long ago and the hitch was bent , hmmm I wonder why.

Pulling on a farm and on the road at 65 mph is two different worlds.
pjanits is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2009, 07:35 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Pete Dumbleton's Avatar
 
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 3,072
Send a message via Yahoo to Pete Dumbleton
Depends on what was modified to make it work.

The original Scamp hitch is essentially the farm or Gooseneck hitch, just scaled down with a smaller ball, designed for horizontal pull on the vertical member.

There's been some recent discussion on this topic on the Yahoo Scampers group.
Pete Dumbleton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2009, 08:09 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 25
my understanding of this is its not a premanent mod but can be used either way by not sure of the attachment method. guess i'll have to ck it out. its about an hour and a half from me
jeff y is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2009, 10:47 PM   #5
Moderator
 
Frederick L. Simson's Avatar
 
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
Registry
Send a message via AIM to Frederick L. Simson


Name:   3na3o43leZZZZZZZZZ94b462c6f3bd4011570.jpg
Views: 599
Size:  9.2 KB

Photo of the adapter hardware to connect a gooseneck trailer to a standard hitch receiver.
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
Frederick L. Simson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 07:42 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel Dlx / 2001 Ford Ranger 4x4
Posts: 1,125
Personally i woulnt pull the 5er this way... to me its a accident waiting to happen.... The reg scamp 5th wheel hitches arent that expensive. I am wondering if your insurance would even cover you... ( even tho liability is on your vehicle when towing) Its meant to be attached to the truck bed..... Since it can be used both ways.... hook up to the bed..
Christi V. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 08:07 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Kevin K's Avatar
 
Trailer: 1983 13 ft Scamp
Posts: 3,082
Registry
Very dangerous setup
Kevin K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 08:20 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
When was the last time you saw ANY manufacturer of 5th wheel travel trailers that offered this type of hitch as an option? If it was a good idea, the manufacturers would be all over it as it would open up 5th wheel ownership to a whole new group other than just truck owners.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 11:27 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 1
I have also been thinking of a way to pull from a bumper hitch. I have a 19ft scamp and would like to bumper pull behind a ford van. I have been toying with the idea of extending the lower frame to a hitch assembly. Then converting the void space into a large storage area. Any thoughts.
Zach O is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 11:40 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
curtis c's Avatar
 
Trailer: 1994 Lite House
Posts: 172
unless your a structural engineer with certified welds its not only dangerous but illegal... a 5th wheel is designed to have a high mount point and be over the bed with even hitch displacement. changing the geometry of the pull location can have massive frame effects. bends, cracks, new center of gravity. unless you are confident that you can make a trailer from scratch. i would recommend leaving it alone. and a bumper pull hitch for a 5th wheel is made for minimal moving and towing. Ive found that the engineers that design things are usually better at it than i am
curtis c is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2009, 07:51 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
Quote:
I have also been thinking of a way to pull from a bumper hitch. I have a 19ft scamp and would like to bumper pull behind a ford van. I have been toying with the idea of extending the lower frame to a hitch assembly. Then converting the void space into a large storage area. Any thoughts.
Doing this will create a massive amount of tongue weight... and then you add to it by adding more "stuff" forward of the axle. The only way I see these even being a bit feasible is to put the entire Scamp on a flat bed trailer... one where you can move the axle(s) to balance the load.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2009, 04:19 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Trailer: Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 25
talked to some equipment people and some farm people in loudon co horse country around here and they said they use this rig locally. said it should be ok for distance but they prefer a safer tow. guess i'll look for a p/up if those who use them lack confidence in the rig. thanks all
jeff y is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 09:36 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Phil Underwood's Avatar
 
Name: Phil
Trailer: 17ft 98 Casita FD
Texas
Posts: 752
Quote:
When was the last time you saw ANY manufacturer of 5th wheel travel trailers that offered this type of hitch as an option? If it was a good idea, the manufacturers would be all over it as it would open up 5th wheel ownership to a whole new group other than just truck owners.
x2
__________________
Phil & Denise Underwood
1973 13ft Lovebug
1998 17ftCasita FD
Phil Underwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 09:18 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Pete Dumbleton's Avatar
 
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 3,072
Send a message via Yahoo to Pete Dumbleton
You can get away with it maybe on a relatively light-weight trailer like a Scamp 19', but typical 5W trailers have a LOT of pin weight (aka tongue weight) -- Many go as high as 20% because the weight is almost directly over the truck axle, not on the end of a lever.
Pete Dumbleton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2014, 04:04 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
C&G in FL's Avatar
 
Name: Carl
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA
Florida
Posts: 1,691
Registry
5th wheel bumper pull

As Pete says, even if converted, you would have to consider the approximate 600 pound tongue weight of the Scamp 19, which can be handled by a hitch over the axle in the bed of a truck but by a conventional receiver hitch.....
IMHO, asking for big problems.

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
C&G in FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2014, 05:45 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
Trailer: Casita Patriot
Posts: 329
Registry
Click image for larger version

Name:	scamp 5th wheel convert.jpg
Views:	53
Size:	203.7 KB
ID:	78657

a year or 2 ago i was camped with a guy (from florida as well as i remember) who had converted a scamp 5er to bumper pull. he extended the frame and converted the space under the bed to storage. he said he had no problems towing (he'd made it from florida to sc). he towed with a full size pickup.

p@
patrick crawford is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
SCAMP 19' Fifth Wheel or Bumper Pull! 1990 Maureen S Classified Archives 3 10-20-2010 06:16 AM
Pull OVER!! Flygal General Chat 44 08-19-2010 10:49 PM
SOLD - 2001 CASITA BUMPER PULL 17-HOUSTON, TX Greg A Classified Archives 2 03-06-2009 12:45 AM
I had to pull over james kent General Chat 9 08-16-2006 08:35 AM
5th wheel bumper pull jeff y Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear 0 01-01-1970 12:00 AM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.