Need advice for low riding 2017 Scamp 13' Deluxe

[GpaNed]

I need advice from this group on what axle torsion arm angle to purchase for my 2017 13' Deluxe. I need to raise my camper up a few inches. I weighed my Scamp at a local CAT scale and the total weight was 2060 lbs, with an axle weight of 1820 and tongue weight of 240. I purchased this Scamp with all of the options: AC, furnace, awning, toilet. This is our first camper and I wasn't sure what options I needed so got all of them.

We live in Iowa and have used or Scamp on trips to Nova Scotia and to Alaska. I have damaged the toilet drain line, the grey water tank, and bent the tongue jack. We stay in private RV parks and many National Parks. I try not to go on rough roads but many of the National Parks have very bad roads.

This camper came from the factory with a LCI Lippert 2200 lb axle with a 22 degree up angle. I have not been able to find Lift Kits for this axle. Scamp will sell me a 0 degree axle for $455 plus $200 shipping. I contacted Lippert and their axle price was similar. Then I thought why not purchase a bare axle and reuse all of the bolt-on items: hubs, bearings, and brakes. Lippert will sell me a new bare axle for $150 plus $150 shipping. I can pick any angle I want between 45 degrees up to 45 down.

Before I purchase a new axle I would like to hear from this group thoughts and ideas. I leaning towards a 10 or 22 degrees down. I would like to raise my Scamp about 3". Our Scamp 13' weighs 2100 lbs when loaded for a trip.

I have searched this site and found a lot of helpful information.
- Kevin K went to 22.5 down and gain quite a bit of height
- RogerDat says 10 degrees equals 1" in height
- BillE had a great write-up on how he fixed his 13' Scamp
- floyd says that this year all new 13' Scamps come with 0 axles (good decision by Scamp)

I plan to post before and after pictures with dimensions to help others.


Thanks, GpaNed

[Jon in AZ]

The 10 degree down option will give you the 3" you want. But I'm also wondering if either setting (10 or 22.5 down) would give enough clearance to install 14” wheels and tires. That would be a nice upgrade down the road, mainly for greater choice and availability in tires.

Following, because this is a change I’d like to make eventually.

[thrifty bill]

I would look at a Flexiride axle as well. It has an adjustable arm angle.

But Jon's right below, since your existing axle is so new, probably not a good idea in your case. I'd research the two down options.

[Jon in AZ]

Only issue there, Bill, is the Flexiride has shorter arms, so you'd probably have to relocate the mounting brackets. That means cutting and welding.

That, and you'd lose the economic advantage of reusing all the bits from the old axle.

[David B.]

A fabricator can make a spacer between the axle and the frame. I believe that your axle is bolted on. The fabricator should be able to make a bolt on spacer that your axle would then bolt onto.
Dave & Paula

[floyd]

David B's solution is a good and inexpensive way to gain the height desired. Your present axle will work fine.





The 2019 Scamp13 now uses a 0° axle with 10" brakes.
This is something which I have advocated for some years now, at least for heavily optioned trailers with plumbing underneath, to provide needed additional clearance.



I recently replaced the axle on my SCamp13D with the new 0°axle and it provides the clearance needed . It looks and performs beautifully.


The original axle still performed well but now I don't have to be so careful at every driveway and entrance.
I also like the addition of the 10" brakes.



Below is before and after...

[GpaNed]

floyd, Thanks for responding. The pictures definitely show an increase in height and more clearance around the tires.

Can you tell me how many inches you gain in height with the 0 degree axle? What is the floor height when the trailer is level?
What is the axle height?

Did you change tire size or are you still using 13" tires?

[floyd]

Originally Posted by GpaNed

floyd, Thanks for responding. The pictures definitely show an increase in height and more clearance around the tires.

Can you tell me how many inches you gain in height with the 0 degree axle? What is the floor height when the trailer is level?
What is the axle height?

Did you change tire size or are you still using 13" tires?

Scamp says about 2=1/2 to 3"

I didn't do a before measurement but That is about right.
My trailer is a 2004, It had a welded Dexter Axle before the change.


I did not and will not increase the wheel size, the radius difference is negligible.


If you changed your axle it would be a simple bolt on change.

You could also sell your axle to someone with an older Standard Trailer.

[GpaNed]

After talking to Floyd, on this site, and reading what others had done I decided to add 3" risers. I purchased some 2"x 3" tubing and drilled holes to match the Scamp mounting holes and axle. This was a low cost way to gain clearance and reduce the chance of damaging things on the bottom of my Scamp. Total cost was $45: $15 for two pieces of tubing, $10 for a piece of angle iron, and $20 for hardware.

The new floor step in height is 13.5".

I did not change the hitch mount height on my tow vehicle. After I hooked it up it looked and pulled OK.


I copied the changes that Steve1234 completed to the floor center support. This was a bolt-on way to reinstall this structure.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...amp-77366.html

[thrifty bill]

Well done, should be stock from Scamp!

[Mike Magee]

I prefer swing-away pivoting jacks, so when I ordered my Hauley I specified that kind. It is great. It will never catch on anything... well, unless I forget to swivel it. Harbor Freight sells a bolt on version.

[AC0GV]

Etrailer sells a lift kit for that. I just installed one in my 2017 16' Scamp.

[GpaNed]

I was not able to find a Lift Kit for the 2200 lb LCI/Lippert Axle. I found them for the 3500 lb Lippert Axle and the Dexter Axle. I searched extensively and called Etrailer. Could not find one. Relatively easy to make, a piece of tube and four holes.


EDIT: The Etrailer part # LC270682 may fit the 2200 lb Lippert Axle used on the 13" Scamp. I just watched the video on their site and the measurements are shown. The holes are 9" on centers and I think this Lift Kit might work.