Actual Scaled Weights of Scamps, Please!

[ETSofUFO]

Hello,
We’re looking for a used camper to live full time in & we’re considering a scamp. We keep getting mixed information on the actual weight of the 16 foot scamp campers and our towing capacity(2700lbs max) is the limiting factor so it’s important for us to get accurate weights.
Google says that 16 foot scamp campers between years 1985-1990 are 1300lbs & the 13 foot 950lbs.
However, we called the scamp headquarters & they are unsure of the actual weights because they lost all their records in 2006. They estimate the 16 foot scamps from the late 80’s- mid 90’s may be 16-1900lbs depending on amenities, but the employee suggested we have people actually weigh their campers to have accurate weights..

Could anyone please provide accurate scaled weights (not online data) of their 13, 16 or 19 foot scamp campers?
Would you also please include the year of your camper & the amenities you have in there? Thanks so much for your help!!

[Donna D.]

First place to check with Frederick's great thread Trailer Weights in the Real World. He actually weighed most of these trailers and that was his profession.

[ETSofUFO]

Thank you Donna we did find that list though unfortunately there are no years listed that we could see. I see you have a 1988 16’ Scamp. Have you ever taken a true weight of it? Thank you again and take care!

[Jon Vermilye]

There are additional trailers in the spreadsheet version of Trailer Weights that includes the year for some. A few have notes on options, etc but most don't.

Trailer Weights Spreadsheet

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by ETSofUFO

Could anyone please provide accurate scaled weights (not online data) of their 13, 16 or 19 foot scamp campers?
Would you also please include the year of your camper & the amenities you have in there? Thanks so much for your help!!

I would think that the seller would weight it for you if they want to sell. I know that my 2017 deluxe 16' is the 2nd heaviest out here. That is with all modifications and loaded with all my hobby stuff.

[Radar1]

I believe my '05 16' Scamp was the heaviest on that spreadsheet, loaded for a 3 month trip. 3,040 lbs if I recall.
When we towed with our 2700/200 rated Outback, we would get the scale weight down to 2540 by packing light and removing one of the two propane tanks. The hardest part was meeting the 200 lb tongue weight limit. At least Subaru has raised the Outback limits to 2700/270 or 3500/350 on newer models depending on equipment.

[Jon in AZ]

The data in the spreadsheet is the best that’s available. It’s unfortunate that the year wasn’t included, but it matters less than some seem to think. What really matters is (1) what options are installed (older units tend to have fewer features) and (2) how you load it up.

Base dry weight of older 16’ Scamps was 1750#, definitely not 1300#, and that’s for the lightest layout 3 with no bath, no fridge, no furnace, no A/C, no awning, no water heater, no battery- just a stove, icebox, and hand-pump sink. Until recently, all of those other things were optional and not included in the base dry weight.

For full-timing you are going to want most of the livability options- larger fridge, wet bath, furnace, air conditioning- and you’ll be carrying more stuff than someone going out for a weekend. You need to plan on at least 2500-2600# GVW for a 16’er set up for full-timing, and there is no way I would consider towing with a 2700# tow rating.

[ETSofUFO]

Originally Posted by Radar1

I believe my '05 16' Scamp was the heaviest on that spreadsheet, loaded for a 3 month trip. 3,040 lbs if I recall.
When we towed with our 2700/200 rated Outback, we would get the scale weight down to 2540 by packing light and removing one of the two propane tanks. The hardest part was meeting the 200 lb tongue weight limit. At least Subaru has raised the Outback limits to 2700/270 or 3500/350 on newer models depending on equipment.

Woah! Thank you for the message. Was your outback 2.5 4cyl and do you recall the year? And it had no problem towing that close to the weight limit? Were you able to only cross flat roads or was it able to make it through mountain passes/inclined grades?

I have been afraid of overheating the transmission and brakes, and over all stress on the engine etc. And wanting to keep the weight to no more than 1500 or so.

I’d be interested to please know if you had any additions to your OB like a transmission cooler etc? Or anything extra for the breaks? I’d love to know a ballpark of the MPG you got with & w/out towing?, How many miles a year did you tow? How many years did that faithful OB last ?? Any & All info you’re able to share is so much appreciated. Thank you and have an awesome day!

[ETSofUFO]

Originally Posted by AC0GV

I would think that the seller would weight it for you if they want to sell. I know that my 2017 deluxe 16' is the 2nd heaviest out here. That is with all modifications and loaded with all my hobby stuff.

Jon in AZ,
Thank you! May I ask what you use to tow (year/make/model/tow rating) and what your MPG w/towing and MPG w/out towing is? Any additional modifications? Thank you so much for the help!

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by ETSofUFO

Jon in AZ,
Thank you! May I ask what you use to tow (year/make/model/tow rating) and what your MPG w/towing and MPG w/out towing is? Any additional modifications? Thank you so much for the help!

I tow a fairly light 2008 13’er with no bath, fridge, or A/C. UVW is 1350# and GVW runs around 1750#. We started towing with a 2000 Toyota Sienna 3.0L (no factory tow package) with a 2000# tow rating. It pulled fine in moderate terrain but overheated the transmission on a long mountain grade (wind was also a factor).

We upgraded to a 2011 Honda Pilot 3.5L with a 3500# rating. It’s still working hard on mountain grades but has shown no tendency to overheat the transmission, which is the weak link. Our 2WD Pilot gets 24-25 mpg non-towing (mostly highway) and 18-19.mog towing. We're looking at compact options for our empty nest years, including the Toyota RAV4 Adventure (3500#) and the Maverick Hybrid (4000# towing). I like to have margin.