1st Mod on 96 Scamp ( bike rack)

[Tim Wood]

Well , I didn't think I was going to be doing any mods until we did some camping over July 4th. But looks like my grandson and his friend are going with us so I had to have a way to carry the bikes. This is my newly acquired 96 Scamp and wanted to put the bikes on the tongue. I know some of you have done this before, as I've seen some of the mods. I removed the lp tank, and battery with hopes of welding some square stock onto the braces across the tongue. And I added a piece of square stock under the frames rails for more strength. I also added a couple pieces of bed frame to the stock just in case. I also wanted to be able to take it apart so I could open up the gravel guard. So I drilled a hole through the outer and inner square stock and put a pin in it. I have just enough room to get the battery out of the case, which I had to move back towards the body a little bit to give me room for the rack.

[Donna D.]

Watch out Tim, the mods are starting and it will be never ending in the pursuit of perfection

Looks good BTW

[Tim Wood]

Thanks Donna. Being this is my 4th Scamp and 5th Fiberglass trailer, I do know what you mean. Tim

[Bill K]

What is keeping it from rocking fore and aft other than the front and back welds ?

Bill K

[Tim Wood]

Originally Posted by Bill K

What is keeping it from rocking fore and aft other than the front and back welds ?

Bill K

Hi Bill, There isn't anything keeping it from front to back, but I did test it pretty good and its very solid. I really had no place to weld to for front to back as it would be to high on the mast to take it apart. I'm going to give it a run over July 4th and see how it does. If I need more support I might have to re-work it out. With the lp tank on and the battery in its hard to get a brace in there where its not in the way.

[Donna D.]

Tim how about running a support to the belly band? Like this one on CarolnJim's Casita: http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post100130, maybe instead of a bolt, you could use a C clamp??

[Tim Wood]

Donna you are reading my mind. But what I was thinking is putting in a wood block on the inside behind the rat fur. Then running a bolt through it and to the mast of the rack. I would have a larger square stock that would slip over the mast with a bolt tapped into it so that I could get it snug around the mast. Then a brace back to just under the belly band where the block is. I can picture it better in my mind than tell someone how I'm going to do it. But I'm going to think over your idea before I do anything. Thanks for the info. Tim

[Tim Wood]

Donna, If I do use this new set-up for bikes I'm going to go with the belly band brace. But when I was in my barn the other day, I spotted a pair of yakima bike racks that go on top of a car. We have a yakima rack on the wife's Forester so I'm going to go with that for now(I've had them for years). So on the tongue bike rack I'll just pull the pin and leave the short piece on for the time being. But if I should sell the Scamp some day the new owners will have a bike rack.

[Donna D.]

Cool Tim! See... there are several different ways to accomplish the same thing. Maybe you can use the post to carry a "dirty" charcoal barbeque... I've seen that. Folks didn't want to carry the dirty thing in the trailer or tug...

Now, you know you owe us pictures when you go out camping with your setup

[Tim Wood]

Donna , will do hopefully over the 4th, we will be in the Adirondacks.