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01-15-2006, 03:59 PM
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#61
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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A number of those employees could probably be put back to work almost immediately if a facility can be located. Parts department for one. Scamp doesn't manufacturer all the parts for their trailers. They purchase from a third-party all the hardware, appliances, etc. AND, parts is still big business as they can usually offer something to the consumer cheaper than a consumer can purchase directly.
If the latest molds are gone, they probably start rebuilding those almost immediately too. Once again if a temporary facility can be found. Making a mold isn't nearly as messy as creating the product that comes out of the mold.
Sure glad I ordered and received the front/rear window gasket material when I did.
Loyalty goes both ways too. A loyal employee will pitch in and help get a business back up and running when the goal is to get back to work and earn a living.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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01-15-2006, 05:24 PM
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#62
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1986 U-Haul CT13 ft
Posts: 494
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As I recall, the mill that makes PolarFleece burned down a few years ago, and the owner paid full salaries to all employees until the mill was back in business. They got good publicity, earned the loyalty of their good people, and are doing just fine now.
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01-15-2006, 08:03 PM
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#63
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1975 13 ft Trillium
Posts: 2,535
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Quote:
I've been to a fiberglass hot rod body building business and their molds were in a totally separate building because of the need to run big exhaust fans, etc.
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Donna, I'll just bet you had a "Boring" time hangin' around "Sandy"...LOL!
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01-15-2006, 08:18 PM
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#64
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2007 Casita Liberty Deluxe 17 ft / Honda Odyssey
Posts: 705
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I vote that their new molds be made 6" taller!
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01-15-2006, 10:05 PM
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#65
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Quote:
Donna, I'll just bet you had a "Boring" time hangin' around "Sandy"...LOL!
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You got that right Dam-as-cus: Wescotts
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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01-15-2006, 10:10 PM
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#66
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Senior Member
Trailer: Former Burro owner and fan!
Posts: 9,015
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Hey Hey Hey! Be careful now..
I actually used to LIVE in Boring. (Yes, I had to explain it as a legit address to everyone)
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01-16-2006, 10:19 PM
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#67
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Junior Member
Trailer: 2000 (Circa) Scamp 16 ft
Posts: 2
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This is becoming old news, but I just found out what happened. I have been lurking at this site getting various ideas since placing our order for a 16' Scamp last September. We were due to pick it up in March and have been planning our maiden voyage during Easter break.
Currently we feel devastated, but I am sure everything will work out in the end. Thankfully nobody was hurt. So hopefully time, hard work, and some insurance money will get the plant up and running soon.
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01-16-2006, 10:49 PM
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#68
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Ahhh Todd, I'm so sorry to hear a member of this forum has been directly affected by this loss. We're all feeling really bad because indirectly we're all affected.
You're probably going to be one of the best conduits of current information. Please let us know what you hear from Scamp.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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01-16-2006, 11:23 PM
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#69
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
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The below is copied from a posting to the Scampers Yahoo Group.
For what it's worth, I talked to someone at Scamp today and she said the factory was a 100% loss. Offices ok. They had just gotten their phone lines back up and working. She said I was her 3rd. call so they had literally just gotten phone service back. I think that was around noon so it seems they are moving right along and trying to get the mess taken care of as soon as possible. They are hoping to get back to at least working with customers concerning warrantees in about about 2-4 weeks.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
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01-17-2006, 11:54 AM
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#70
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Senior Member
Name: Dave & Kathie
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21
Oregon
Posts: 426
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You are offline for a few days and look what happens! We were shocked and saddened by the news. The fiberglass rv community truly mourns this loss. Seeing a Scamp is what led us down the road to buying our little egg. We've recently said that when we retire, if we decide to go bigger - it will be with a 5th wheel Scamp, so glad to hear they are planning to rebuild. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Scamp family.
__________________
"I do not understand how anyone can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to." M K Rawlings
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01-17-2006, 04:47 PM
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#71
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
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Here's another message from the Scampers Yahoo Groups. This one sounds like it could be from somebody at or close to Scamp.
As everyone knows by now, A fire ( and ensuing explosions )
destroyed the Scamp factory on Fri 1/14. No employees were hurt, but
the building is a total loss. Scamp was actually in THREE different
buildings: The Welding Shop, The Custom Deluxe Shop and the main
Production Shop. The Production Shop was the building that was
destroyed in the fire. Luckly the employee that was in the building
was able to save ALOT of important records and the companys
computers.
What is the Future for SCAMP ????
Scamp does plan on rebuilding as soon as all the legal stuff is
done. For now, Scamp will try to complete the units that were stored
in the back lot with the space they have. A timeline as to WHEN the
factory will be up and going is not yet known.
Scamp has battled through alot of challedges before, and they will
battle through this one as well. The one thing Scamp does need now
is the support of all the owners.
More info as it becomes known .......
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
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01-17-2006, 04:59 PM
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#72
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Quote:
Scamp has battled through alot of challedges before, and they will
battle through this one as well. The one thing Scamp does need now
is the support of all the owners.
More info as it becomes known .......[/i]
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SEND CARDS!! Let them know they have a huge following of supporters:
Scamp Trailers
P.O. Box 2
Backus, Minnesota 56435
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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01-18-2006, 11:26 AM
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#73
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
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This just in from the Brainerd Dispatch;
Scamp compact travel trailers will be built once again in Backus, but it's unclear how long the rebuilding process will take after fire destroyed the manufacturing facility Friday night.
Kent Eveland, president of Eveland's Inc. in Backus, said Tuesday he and his family plan to rebuild their Scamp compact travel trailer business, the second-largest employer in the small community of Backus. The business, which has 47 employees, will remain in Backus, he said. The company was established in 1971 by Eveland's father, Duane Eveland; his aunt, Gladys Coffland; and uncle Gerald Eveland.
Scamp campers have a large dedicated fan base. Scamp owners have established Scamp clubs throughout the country, meeting on a regular basis and creating newsletters dedicated to the compact trailers, which can be pulled behind small cars and trucks.
Eveland said it's unclear at this point how long it will take to rebuild the business. During Friday's fire, about 20-25 trailers were destroyed inside the building while about 25 finished Scamp trailers were saved that were located outside the building. The company produces about 400 Scamp trailers a year and had several unfinished orders for the trailers at the time of the fire. Eveland said many of their customers haven't canceled their orders and are waiting to see what happens next.
"For us, it's a tragedy," said Eveland, of the fire. "Our product was moving as good as it ever was. To all of a sudden be out of business is a catastrophe. You lose all your income for the year. I have 47 people who work here. How do you find income for all of them when you're rebuilding?"
Eveland said the company was insured but the process of rebuilding may be a lengthy one. The molds for the distinctive compact Scamp campers were destroyed in the fire and they will have to have more molds created. They also can't simply start building the Scamp campers in another building because of airflow regulations involved with the spraying process, he said. A new building plan will have to be developed. The company had five buildings at its site. The main manufacturing facility was the only building that was destroyed in Friday's fire.
Mark Germain, deputy state fire marshal, said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Eveland said he was told the investigation likely will be finished on Monday.
The fire broke out just after 6 p.m. Friday at the manufacturing facility on Highway 371 in Backus. No one was injured in the fire. Backus Fire Chief Karl Flier said eight other area fire departments were called to the scene to assist the Backus Fire Department, including those from Walker, Hackensack, Pine River, Longville, Crosslake, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Ideal Township. Firefighters were on the scene for more than seven hours battling the blaze.
Eveland said he and his family appreciate the support they've received from community members and from the firefighters who helped at the fire Friday.
"It's one of the most horrible feelings in the world," Eveland said of watching his family business burn down Friday. "You watch fires sometimes and sometimes they're fun to watch, like bonfires. But when it's your business, there's nothing good about it. It's just a bad deal."
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
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01-18-2006, 12:27 PM
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#74
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Senior Member
Trailer: TrailManor (Gone to the Darkside)
Posts: 466
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Quote:
The molds for the distinctive compact Scamp campers were destroyed in the fire and they will have to have more molds created.
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Well, that answers the $64,000 question.
The only real issue then is if the recreated molds will be the same (good for current owners of Scamps and other classic eggs) or a "new and improved" version of the Scamp. I'd vote for new & improved myself.
Mike
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01-18-2006, 12:42 PM
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#75
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Quote:
Well, that answers the $64,000 question.
The only real issue then is if the recreated molds will be the same (good for current owners of Scamps and other classic eggs) or a "new and improved" version of the Scamp. I'd vote for new & improved myself.
Mike
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yeah me too...like change the door design...dump that air-craft style door!
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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01-18-2006, 12:53 PM
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#76
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Member
Trailer: 2005 Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 94
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WOW, this is terrible news.
Scamp does not have email as far as I know. I requested that when corresponding with them for the purchase of our 2005 13'.
When speaking to Wayne Pitlick (Scamp salesman), I asked him why they do not expand their operation. Obviously they are "behind" in manufacture. He stated that the entire business is owned outright, the company has no debt. The owners like to keep it that way.
Given that attitude, I don't think the chance of rebuilding is that great. The owners liked the no-hassle approach they were doing business. Investing in the rebirth of the company may be financial burden they don't want to take on.
On Edit: I didn't realize there were 6 pages to this thread. I read the first then posted. I am happy to see news reports that the owners are planning on rebuilding.
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01-18-2006, 01:25 PM
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#77
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Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 7,056
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Quote:
yeah me too...like change the door design...dump that air-craft style door!
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Actually I'd be happy if they just made the mold so the curve of the door matched the curve of the trailer. The curved door would be just fine if it was the same shape. The door on my brand new 2006 trailer doesn't match the curve of the trailer. Which would indicates, at least to me, that the problem with doors is design shape and NOT the sagging over time myth. Could be fixed with a new mold.
__________________
Byron & Anne enjoying the everyday Saturday thing.
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01-18-2006, 01:58 PM
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#78
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Senior Member
Trailer: TrailManor (Gone to the Darkside)
Posts: 466
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Quote:
yeah me too...like change the door design...dump that air-craft style door!
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I'm not gonna argue regarding the practical problems of the curved door. Yeah - it's impractical, problematic and has all the problems everybody says it does.
But they're cool.
As far as the body-sag explanation: Can't speak for Scamps - but I can fully confirm that when it came to the PlayPac we had. When it came to us it didn't have any support near the door latch and the bottom of the door SERIOUSLY gapped. When I installed a side closet, I propped up the roof - lifting it mildly. At least 90% of my gap problem was gone. That certainly doesn't say that is what causes the problem - just that it CAN cause the problem.
If I were coming up with a "dream list" for a redesigned Scamp - I likely wouldn't change all that much. Make the body a little longer, and maybe a bit wider (for a more "American-Sized" bed in the back). Get rid of the twisted iron supports. That's really it. I like the design generally.
Mike
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01-18-2006, 08:23 PM
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#79
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Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
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Quote:
I'm not gonna argue regarding the practical problems of the curved door. Yeah - it's impractical, problematic and has all the problems everybody says it does.
[b]But they're cool.
As far as the body-sag explanation: Can't speak for Scamps - but I can fully confirm that when it came to the PlayPac we had. When it came to us it didn't have any support near the door latch and the bottom of the door SERIOUSLY gapped. When I installed a side closet, I propped up the roof - lifting it mildly. At least 90% of my gap problem was gone. That certainly doesn't say that is what causes the problem - just that it CAN cause the problem.
If I were coming up with a "dream list" for a redesigned Scamp - I likely wouldn't change all that much. Make the body a little longer, and maybe a bit wider (for a more "American-Sized" bed in the back). Get rid of the twisted iron supports. [b]That's really it. I like the design generally.
Mike
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What would a Flat-doored Scamp be, other than a "me-too" Casita? On the positive side, that door curve allows for a taller door. In order to make the door flat on the Fiber Stream, it is only 60" (5' 0") tall. Kind of forces you to genuflect or curtsy upon entering. I agree with Mike.
Frederick
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
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01-18-2006, 08:59 PM
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#80
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1985 17 ft Burro
Posts: 135
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Great point, Frederick! I am all of 5' 2-1/2" and have whacked my head on our Burro door opening a couple of times. The Burro door is straight.
I think I will add some pipe insulation to the upper edge of opening so that when I do whack it again (there will be an "again") it will be a little softer.
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