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02-07-2012, 12:03 PM
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#1
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Commercial Member
Name: Mark and Tara
Trailer: 2005 13' Scamp
New York
Posts: 69
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Parts for "Orphan" trailers.
I am interested to know if there are suppliers and after-market suppliers that provides making parts for dead brands (Uhaul, Burro, etc). I noticed many of the current brands (such as Scamp, Casita, and Trillium) are very similar to the dead brands (again, Uhaul, Burro, etc). Can some parts be exchangeable? Reason I asked is because we do not want to buy a dead brand used model that may not have parts available. I noticed the FG trailers are very simple compared to the stickbuilt that are more complicated to get parts from.
I do know that when a brand goes out of business, by law, they have to make parts for 7 years from cease of operation of manufacturing such vehicles beyond. Like Oldsmobile ended in 2004, the 7 years kicked in from 2005 to 2012. Next year, GM stop making parts for the Olds except for engine since they are under GM banner. More complicated are for brands the parent company went out of business like Rupp snowmobiles for example. They stopped in 1978 and Rupp stopped parts 7 years later and now CPC makes parts till the last Rupp is gone.
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02-07-2012, 02:59 PM
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#2
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Commercial Member
Name: Mark and Tara
Trailer: 2005 13' Scamp
New York
Posts: 69
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Wow, 21 views but no response? Thanks!
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02-07-2012, 03:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: ,Bigfoot 25 foot plus Surfside 14 foot
British Columbia
Posts: 1,148
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I am sorta kinda maybe a teeny bit of the opinion that the "have to continue making parts for 7 years" thing may not be applicable in the case of the trailers. (not sure tho.... )
However, when you have a relatively small company, producing only a few units per year and it goes bankrupt - how will someone coerce them into continuing to make parts 'n' pieces?
Also please note that in several cases, the demise of a trailer brand was precipitated by a fire that destroyed the factory.
Having said that, however, there are VERY few pieces/parts that would be unique to any one trailer brand as I know of no brand that would have had the resources to make their own hardware, etc.
They were different in terms of the fiberglass design, the shape, the layout, the method of construction, but the main bits such as axles, door locks, propane bottle holders, fridges, stoves, water pumps, etc, etc were "off the shelf" items from major manufacturers.
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02-07-2012, 03:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCDave
...........
Having said that, however, there are VERY few pieces/parts that would be unique to any one trailer brand as I know of no brand that would have had the resources to make their own hardware, etc.
They were different in terms of the fiberglass design, the shape, the layout, the method of construction, but the main bits such as axles, door locks, propane bottle holders, fridges, stoves, water pumps, etc, etc were "off the shelf" items from major manufacturers.
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Right. If the basic fiberglass structure is there, you can buy just about anything that would wear out, rust out or break.
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02-07-2012, 03:44 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: U-Haul 16 ft Vacationer
Posts: 1,549
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In the case of UHaul, there are some parts still available from the company but the specialty items such as cabinets, doors, etc., are not available. However, many folks have made other things fit or have made their own. Even the most proprietary items on the UHaul can be swapped out for more generic models (specifically the axle and hubs).
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02-07-2012, 04:45 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 Bigfoot 17 ft ('Beastie')
Posts: 564
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Orphan trailer is a little more mainstream than dead brand trailer. As an owner of an orphan trailer, I've not seen any obligation to provide parts or service once the company ceases operation. The rules of the auto industry don't necessarily apply here.
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02-07-2012, 05:07 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 16 ft U-Haul VT
Posts: 2,867
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This forum provides "Dead brand" trailer owners with alternatives. As an owner of a "Dead brand," I have only to search for Bridgette's information on fixing her leaking windows to work on fixing our leaking windows. If I want to add insulation, I can search for Jen's information on how she added insulation to her Burro, another "Dead brand," and emulate that as the two brands are kissing cousins. If I want to put in new windows, someone on this forum (I apologize that that someone whose name I can't remember.), cut the window openings on his "Dead brand" Uhaul larger and put in Scamp windows.
If I owned a Cadet, not a "Dead brand," but one that is a camper made in Poland, a search will provide ways that people have replaced the very rare front window when it gets broken.
I don't think your 7 years pertains to FB campers, but this forum can help anyway.
Oh, and if you are looking at a Uhaul, be aware that wheels of a Uhaul in particular, are proprietary to Uhaul. You can buy new ones that fit from a Uhaul dealer or replace the axel and rims with ones that are not proprietary.
CindyL
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02-07-2012, 05:16 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler 1984
Posts: 2,938
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Stoves, heaters, refridgerators furnaces, air conditioners etc. that came with that 25 year old FG trailer, were not made by the trailer brand manufacturers but by other suppliers, most of which still make those products. The manufacturer made the fiberglass body and then looked around to see what they could find for axles, tail lights and interior hardware. Check the brand name of your particular appliance or item and you'll probably find a replacement item on line.
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02-07-2012, 09:53 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,710
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It doesn't matter what the brand of all molded trailer you are buying... there is more in common than different. All the appliances, windows, vents, etc. are manufactured by someone OTHER than the original manufactuer. When it comes to the "orphan" brands (as seen on the home page) other than the body and frame (and some interior cabintery... if fiberglass) and the frame.... everything else is manufactured by some other company. THAT's what makes molded trailers more alike... than different. ASK about what you need... and we can point you in the direction you need to go...
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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02-08-2012, 12:54 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2007 19 ft Escape 5.0 / 2002 GMC (1973 Boler project)
Posts: 4,148
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Hi: CNYEggerstrobe... Here's a link to Vintage trailer supply out of Vermont https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com . They have great hard to find window gaskets and some re-man. parts. Also some re-production parts the became extinct.
WELCOME to your newest addiction!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
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02-08-2012, 08:55 AM
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#11
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Commercial Member
Name: Mark and Tara
Trailer: 2005 13' Scamp
New York
Posts: 69
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Much thanks everyone!
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02-08-2012, 01:03 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: john
Trailer: scamp 13
Michigan
Posts: 1,318
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i think it depends what your looking for. appliances are rarely propriatory. so you should be able to get stuff like that anywhere. i think unless its a part the manufacture made themselves its probably a standard item
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02-09-2012, 06:45 PM
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#14
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Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
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The "NADA" guides call them "Orphan" brands
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobB
Orphan trailer is a little more mainstream than dead brand trailer.
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I agree. The Brands aren't "Dead". Only (for the most part) the companies that manufactured them are.
The one exception maybe " Burro"... It is a Ghost Brand that has a Zombie website...
I changed the title so this thread is more searchable.
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
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02-09-2012, 07:07 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,710
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson
I changed the title so this thread is more searchable.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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02-09-2012, 07:08 PM
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#16
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Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCDave
Having said that, however, there are VERY few pieces/parts that would be unique to any one trailer brand as I know of no brand that would have had the resources to make their own hardware, etc.
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Unique parts that may be no longer available: - Boler... Original 7" Round "Wedding Cake" style tail light (Reproductions available aftermarket)
- Boler... Frenched tail light mounts
- Hunter/Compact... "Pop-top" lift mechanism
- Hunter/Compact... "Pop-top" canvass
- Fiber Stream... Tinted Plexiglas Convex Front Rock Guard
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
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02-09-2012, 07:25 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 5,112
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson
Unique parts that may be no longer available:
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UHaul Taillight lenses
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02-09-2012, 08:23 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Martin
Trailer: Trillium 4500 1977
Quebec
Posts: 159
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Orphan RV
Quote:
Originally Posted by CNYEggerstobe
Wow, 21 views but no response? Thanks!
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Hi
Are you already feeling abandonned after 21 views ???
If you are looking for used and possibly orphan RV, you have to expect that some parts are hard and expensive to replace. It all depends on the level of patience, time and budget you have. Door lock parts, window, hinges and fridge problems are common headaches. If you don't feel like fixing most problems by yourself, maybe you should revise your budget and look for a fully renovated RV or a brand new one.
Getting into egg camping at low cost requires to invest a great deal of time more than money. The more you learn BEFORE you buy, the more your can do AFTER you buy, the more you will save.
__________________
Martin J. Qc Canada
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02-14-2012, 07:28 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: john
Trailer: scamp 13
Michigan
Posts: 1,318
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one option is, if you find a part you just can't get a new replacement for. is make it yourself. could even be a little business in it to help pay for your trailer. if you can make and sell a few of them.
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02-16-2012, 04:20 PM
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#20
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Commercial Member
Name: Mark and Tara
Trailer: 2005 13' Scamp
New York
Posts: 69
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Fredrick, you can call them "Orphans" but to me, I still call that Dead brands. It is out in the media. Two days ago, in our local newspapers talking about the Auto show this week and it said, "Saabs, Mercurys, and Pontiacs are not at the show. They are dead brands now...blah blah.." So, they still use the word, "Dead" Sorry to burst your bubble. That is the way it is out there. Maybe in the egg shell RV community, they are called "Orphans" I will still call it Dead. Its my dictionary. That is all. You can say what you want and I say what I want. And that is the way I have to say it in the design community.
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