New Scamp parts don't fit my old egg

[Roger H]

I removed the inside part of the door latch. Placing the new latch mechanism in its place, it's obvious that the doorknob is drilled in the wrong place to allow the new latch to contact the striker properly. The old and new latches are just that different. And there's no evidence that the "official" Scamp latch was ever installed previously.

I'll post a few pics of the trailer in general- that should look more familiar!

Well, John... your trailer certainly looks Scamp-y, doesn't it!

I really think it'd be a good idea to find the VIN on the tongue and call Scamp with it to see what they could tell you. I don't know when the first 16s came off the line, but you may have one of the first, or it may, in fact, be a "kit" trailer sold by Scamp for finishing by the owner.

Roger

[Donna D.]

Well, John... your trailer certainly looks Scamp-y, doesn't it!

I really think it'd be a good idea to find the VIN on the tongue and call Scamp with it to see what they could tell you. I don't know when the first 16s came off the line, but you may have one of the first, or it may, in fact, be a "kit" trailer sold by Scamp for finishing by the owner.

Roger

Joy A. posted this at YahooScampers: YahooScampers Scamp History

According to an interview with Duane Eveland, co-founder of Scamp-Eveland, in
SOI newsletter Fall 2001, they contracted with Boler American to build 1000
Bolers October 1, 1971. Before any trailers could be made Boler American went
bankrupt. Envoking a clause in their contract the Evelands started
Scamp-Eveland Inc. and produced the first 13 Scamp January 1972. They started
producing the 16 footers in 1978 and 5th wheels in 1981. The custom Deluxe all
wood interiors went into production 1986.

In the mid-80's 3 or 4 28 foot trailers were made but they didn't sell well and
were discontinued. In addition, between 1984-85 Scamp produced 10 motorhomes on
Ford Ranger chaises. They too didn't sell well and were discontinued.

[John Mc]

Thanks for the tip on that Decker lock. It looks identical, so I'll order one today.

As for my trailer's pedigree, I've confirmed the post-'82 Scamp VIN prefix (1S7) seems to be on what's left of my faint number plate. That means the beginning of the VIN number on my title is wrong, and also the stated 1985 model year. Scamp says the "L" in the number means it's a 1990. Hooray, my trailer just got five years newer!

The person I spoke to at the Minnesota mothership says that, "Two months after they leave here, they're becoming something else..."

[Charlie C]

Hi John, I noted that you did some kind of a fix for your sink drain. I don't know if it was temporary or permanent, but here is a link to a DRAIN KIT in the Coast Distributing catalogue. This is a similar design to what Trillium used for their sink drains.

[Brian B-P]

...Scamp says the "L" in the number means it's a 1990.

Yes, "L" means 1990 in the year field of a standard VIN, from any manufacturer. The standardized VIN is a great thing!

The person I spoke to at the Minnesota mothership says that, "Two months after they leave here, they're becoming something else..."

A humour columnist once wrote that he drove a "Canadian Tire" car - it used to be a Chevrolet, but so many of the parts had been changed...

[John Mc]

Hi John, I noted that you did some kind of a fix for your sink drain. I don't know if it was temporary or permanent, but here is a link to a DRAIN KIT in the Coast Distributing catalogue. This is a similar design to what Trillium used for their sink drains.

Thanks, Charlie. The "flex drain" looks appealing. I'd have to figure out how to remove my original exterior drain valve and install this. It looks a lot wider, which ought to mean fewer clogs than the garden-hose-gauge drain I have. The real problem would be the length, though, if it coiled too much on the way to the nearby drain location, and lost positive drainage.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Freaky Door latch:
Did you click on the link I posted? I think it's an exact replacement for the one currently installed. Kinda pricy - but solves any problems.

The Mobile Home I used to own had a door knob like that, as did other stick-built trailers of the mid '60s I am aware of.

[Joy A]

You mentioned the sink being next to the closet opposite the stove. Scamp made 3 16 footer layouts like that. 2 had couches up front, 1 with a fold down table next to the stove by the couch and the other had a side bathroom/storage room. The 3rd layout had a front bath and a storage cabinet between the bath and stove.

Other than that....keep in mind that people often do a lot of mod's to their trailers adding rat fur would be somegthing I'd do if I had an old Scamp with elephant skin. Just 'cause it's not like other Scamps you've seen doesn't mean it's not a Scamp.

[Dan Meyer]

OK, here goes... I'm attempting to upload pics of the drains and door latches.

That is the same lock that was used on my parents 1970 Bethany pop up, and also the lock that I used to replace the factory latch on my 2000 Scamp! I had to drill new holes in the door, plus fabricate a 'patch' of sorts to cover the old holes. If you are wondering, I found the latch at Hilltop RV, in Fridley, MN, and it cost a lot more than I expected; if I recall, it was over $65.

In my opinion, your lock is far better than the lock Scamp installs at the factory! With the factory latch, I had to manually close the door; with the new latch, I can 'slam' the door just like every other door.

-- Dan Meyer

[John Mc]

Ditto to that, Dan. I enjoy the auto-shut feature of my Scamp's door. The standard latch seems crude in comparison. No instructions are provided, but it appears that you insert a nail in a little hole to restrict the handle's movement. That's the door lock? The Dexter Lock I have seems much more convenient. Mine is just worn out, and a new one is on the way. Thanks for all tips.

[Byron Kinnaman]

In my opinion, your lock is far better than the lock Scamp installs at the factory! With the factory latch, I had to manually close the door; with the new latch, I can 'slam' the door just like every other door.

-- Dan Meyer

I think the problem with "slamming" the door has more to do with the strike plate than the latch. Look real close at how it's installed.