Shopping/deciding

[chemira]

Hi! I am Miranda. I am putting myself into a new rv from a 2004 Fleetwood Pioneer. I suddenly thought of a Scamp and now I am so excited about fiberglass. Does anyone have any thoughts about a scamp 16 vs an escape 19? For me, I am trying to decide on a single axel vs a tandem axel. Any thoughts on how it will ride, etc.?

Thanks!

[tractors1]

Huge difference in the ride between a single axle with two 60 psi tires and a tandem axle with 50 psi tires. My Casita was like a jack rabbit over RR tracks and my Escape is more like a turtle that just trundles along.

[EricAllyn]

Some of which to look at will depend on the tow vehicle (TV) that you have. That will determine the weight you can pull safely and therefore the size of the camper.

[chemira]

I am towing with a Toyota FJ cruiser. The Pioneer is about top of it's limit and I am going lighter. Leaning to the Scamp which is drastic lighter. I hope it will be comfortable, though. The 19 foot trailer might be too long for FJ's short wheelbase? I am not sure. I might like a jackrabbit instead of a turtle? I wish the scamp had tandem axel. . .

[chemira]

Scamp is 1000 pounds lighter and $10,000 less expensive than the escape. Roughly. And then maybe I will still be less mobile because of size. The risk of that single axel. I guess I will rent one and try it maybe?

[Jon in AZ]

My take... The number of axles does affect towing characteristics, but it would not be my primary criterion for choosing a trailer. Layout and functionality, as well as overall size and weight, are much higher on my priority list, and these two trailers are very different in that regard. You can contact both manufacturers and let their sales departments set you up with local owners for in-person demos through their referral programs. I think you will find big differences that may tip your decision.

You might want to look at the Escape 17 as well. Size, weight, and price-wise it's between the Scamp 16 and the Escape 19. Single axle- as are most trailers under 3500 pounds GVWR- means half the tires to buy, half the bearings to maintain, and lower tolls on roads, bridges and ferries.

Renting is difficult. I know of only a few places that rent molded fiberglass trailers, but none that rent Scamp 16s or Escapes. Dan's Trailer's in Woodland, CA rents a 13' Scamp and a 17' Casita.

[chemira]

Thanks. I will contact them.

[Ice-breaker]

Originally Posted by chemira

I am towing with a Toyota FJ cruiser. The Pioneer is about top of it's limit and I am going lighter. Leaning to the Scamp which is drastic lighter. I hope it will be comfortable, though. The 19 foot trailer might be too long for FJ's short wheelbase? I am not sure. I might like a jackrabbit instead of a turtle? I wish the scamp had tandem axel. . .

The Escape 19' is quite compatible with your FJ, which should have a towing capacity of about 5000 lb. I have towed an Escape 19' quite easily with my 2011 FJ since I purchased the Escape new in 2013.

[thrifty bill]

+100 Night and day comparison here.

Escape is a lot more expensive and 3 1/2 feet longer. With that 3 1/2 feet, you get a much bigger bed, much bigger dinette, much bigger bathroom, and more. The biggest bed you can get in the Scamp 16 is 52 inches wide (and only in the deluxe model, otherwise the bed is 44 inches wide), while the Escape has a 60 inch wide bed. Escape dinette is 44 inches wide, Scamp is more like 24 inches.

To be fair to Scamp, they squeeze a lot in a 16 foot trailer. But don't expect them to match the features of the Escape, there just isn't enough room. A more equitable comparison would be with the Escape 17.

Once you go inside an Escape 19, the Scamp will look really cramped and small. We did the same thing when we had a 17 foot Casita. We went to our first molded trailer rally, got the chance to tour an Escape 19 and we immediately started shopping.

All that being said, some people camp successfully in a 13 foot trailer, so the 16 foot Scamp would be large. It helps if you are coming from tent camping. Everything looks roomy! We originally camped in a mid size fifth wheel trailer, so just about every molded trailer is small in comparison.

For the price, you get a lot with a Scamp 16. But it will be no comparison to the spaciousness of the Escape 19.

With the larger size, you are pretty much forced to go dual axle. All the smaller sized trailers out there are single axle.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by chemira

Hi! I am Miranda. I am putting myself into a new rv from a 2004 Fleetwood Pioneer. I suddenly thought of a Scamp and now I am so excited about fiberglass. Does anyone have any thoughts about a scamp 16 vs an escape 19? For me, I am trying to decide on a single axel vs a tandem axel. Any thoughts on how it will ride, etc.?

Thanks!

Sounds like you need to get to a FGRV rally or two... You don't need to camp there to talk to owners.

Check out:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...-ca-80055.html
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...lly-77600.html

Perhaps a Casita would suit you? I agree that one or two axles would not be what I would worry about except to the extent that the camper weight was appropriate for my tug.

[chemira]

I would like to get to Lake Casitas. We'll see. Thanks for your thoughts about the axels and thinking about a more practical approach to my choice of trailer home.