Scamp newbie questions -- any help greatly appreciated!

[charleypartanna]

Hi there!

We are in the market for a 16 foot Scamp. It will be our first one.

The only strict requirement we have is that it have the bunk beds (we have 2 young boys).

We've found a 2001 for sale. Looks like it is in very good condition. BUT, it's about a 6 hour drive to get there so I want to strike a deal with the seller before I drive there.

I have one major question: does this model have the bunk beds? The owner doesn't think so. He's a young man who is selling the trailer on behalf of his uncle.

I called Scamp and they told me that IF the camper has the front couch, which this one does, then it DOES have the bunk bed. Perhaps the owner has lost the hardware bars, which can be replaced.

QUESTION: Are there any Scamps experts here that can confirm that based on the attached picture?

To me, the back cushion looks like a CUSHION, not like a plywood-backed sturdy bunk bed.

Also, any pre-purchase checklist that someone can recommend? Any gotchas that I should lookout for? The owner tells me that the A/C works great and there are no leaks.

I also attached a few additional pics for context.

The owner is asking $5,200, which seems fair based on NADA. But any comments are welcome.

Thanks!

Charley

[Bob Miller]

It looks like it should be a bunk or at least was a bunk. In any event, when new it was a bunk bed as are all Scamps with front sofas I have ever seen.

"Selling for his Uncle" is a bit of a red flag. The seller may just be "flipping" the trailer and there is always the question of legal ownership. I would be very, very careful that you don't wind up buying something with title problems, especially if you are taking it to another state.

I don't know what state the seller is in, but in many states selling a vehicle that you don't have a title in your name for, is illegal. Be sure you know where to find the person who's name is on the title.

16' Scamps are heavier than the sales literature indicates. What will you be towing with and are you set up for trailer brakes?

BTW: That looks like a very good price, NADA values have little bearing on FGRV selling prices, don't let them fool you.

Good Luck

[KevinPete]

Sure looks like a bunk/sofa, can even see the edges of the flanges for the uprights, just sticking out from under the bottom cushion. The bunks are far sturdier than I thought they would be, we have a 6' tall 13-year-old who claims the top bunk. There is plywood behind the cushion, even out on the "wings" that curve around the ends.

Get the checklist from the documents section here, it's thorough. Only "gotchas" would be whether the appliances all actually work, in all modes, e.g. fridge works on AC, DC, and Propane. Plus if there have been any leaks, the floor goes out quickly, but it's fairly easy to see since the OSB floor swells and delaminates where it's been too wet.

[kootenaigirl]

Heres the link to the checklist as it can be tricky to find
Fiberglass RV - Document Center - Buyers Check List
Looks like a nice trailer in good condition with the bunk bed sofa. Hope the title part is above board as its a good price.

[Donna D.]

Looks like the counters were covered with Corian or granite?

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by KevinPete

Sure looks like a bunk/sofa, can even see the edges of the flanges for the uprights, just sticking out from under the bottom cushion.
.

As Kevin suggests that does look just as the bunk/sofa in my 92 16' side bath scamp looks when the top bunk is in the down position. There should be another cushion - people call it a banana cushion that fits between the wall and the bottom cushion. You should ask if they still have it as it makes the bottom bunk larger. It may just be stuck in behind the back of the sofa and not visible but as the back is laying pretty flat I am going to suggest its not hidden back there in the photo.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by charleypartanna

Hi there!

We are in the market for a 16 foot Scamp. It will be our first one.

The only strict requirement we have is that it have the bunk beds (we have 2 young boys).

We've found a 2001 for sale. Looks like it is in very good condition. BUT, it's about a 6 hour drive to get there so I want to strike a deal with the seller before I drive there.

I have one major question: does this model have the bunk beds? The owner doesn't think so. He's a young man who is selling the trailer on behalf of his uncle.

I called Scamp and they told me that IF the camper has the front couch, which this one does, then it DOES have the bunk bed. Perhaps the owner has lost the hardware bars, which can be replaced.

QUESTION: Are there any Scamps experts here that can confirm that based on the attached picture?

To me, the back cushion looks like a CUSHION, not like a plywood-backed sturdy bunk bed.

Also, any pre-purchase checklist that someone can recommend? Any gotchas that I should lookout for? The owner tells me that the A/C works great and there are no leaks.

I also attached a few additional pics for context.

The owner is asking $5,200, which seems fair based on NADA. But any comments are welcome.

Thanks!

Charley

Charley the photos and your comments do not add up. This appears to be a pretty stripped down Scamp for the asking price. Looking at the photos the trailer is has no visible AC (on the roof or side mounted) or a power vent fan - only thing on the roof appears to be the large escape hatch which has no fan. It also does not have any vents one would expect to see on the sides of it if it had a 3 way fridge, hot water tank, or furnace...... also no awning....

[Carol H]

BTW one more note on this trailer.

I do not believe the trailer is actually a 2001 model suspect its older than that. Do not know what year Scamp moved the electrical and water over to the drivers side (left side of trailer) but pretty sure that happened in the mid to late 90's for sure before 1997. Also the rear lights - Scamp was not using the round wedding cake lights in or after 1999 either.... not sure what year they changed.

[Bryan L.]

It almost looks like there is no bunk, although I would assume it came with one. Usually, the back cushion goes all the way to the fiberglass bench seat and the front bottom cushion rests up against it. In the picture shown it looks like the edge is resting ON TOP of the bottom cushion and not tucked behind the lower cushion as mine does.

[DrewSK]

The scamp decals look up too high for original work- I too suspect this trailer has had a lot of work done to it, and may not actually be the year stated.


Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV

[Donna D.]

Do NOT send any money to the seller to hold it. There's something kinda fishy about this one. Not saying there is... just has that "ring." Better to be safe than sorry.

[Jon in AZ]

It appears to be layout 3, and the front sofa did make into a bunk at one time. It looks to me like the upper bunk was taken down and the plywood base (which normally goes inside the upholstery cover with the foam) was taken out and it's being used as a backrest only. That could be replaced, and you could come up with new support posts. The one concern is whether the ledge under the window that supports the back edge of the upper bunk is in good shape.

[Carol H]

A bigger concern is what year is this trailer really.

It does not appear to have any rat fur (which Scamp started to use in 86) on the walls as they are painted which could mean along with the other items mentioned this trailer could be 15 years or more older than what it is being advertised as.

[floyd]

Those are Four lug wheels.
looks like a solid back window.
doors are non stock
carpet is non stock
cushions are like those from the early 2000s
Dorm fridge.
Decals are applied in a strange way especially on the port side
Side lights are late model taillights are old style
.
DO NOT SEND CASH!
inspect the trailer in person before purchase,
Look for 10" brakes, if they are 7" or not there, you have a very old trailer.
Look for an RV plug, the 6 round is the older type or a 4-plug says no brakes.
(may not mean anything but it all adds up)

Nice looking work, from what can be seen, although short on features... check the title against the vin on the tongue.
If it is as it looks, and all documents are legit,the price is good regardless of the year.
A signed open title is acceptable in Illannoy.
Obviously the trailer is not in Illannoy if you are there, and it is 600miles away!
One last point... When in doubt...DON'T

[charleypartanna]

Oh my gosh -- THANK YOU FOLKS!

That was simply amazing. I expected maybe a response or two within a few days. Instead I received helpful response after response including some PMs that echo'ed much of what was said here.

I will pass on this one and keep my eye out for a better one.

Thanks again!

Charley

[Borrego Dave]

Charlie I'm glad you're passing on this one but not suprised with the responces you recieved here. To many eyes here to see the red flags, glad you had posted the pics . Good luck in your search.

[Timber Wolf]

Originally Posted by charleypartanna

I will pass on this one and keep my eye out for a better one. Charley

Charley, how about posting the contact info of the seller. Maybe somebody here is close by and can put eyes on the unit. I am curious about it, I don't think I have ever seen a Scamp that stripped down and featureless. Might be the "blank slate" somebody is looking for.

[Carol H]

The Ad for the trailer can be found at:

Fiberglass RV for Sale - 2001 -16' Scamp - Murrieta CA

and on CraigsList:

2001 scamp travel trailer 13feet with a/c lightweight - $5200 (murrieta)

Funny enough the same trailer was on the market earlier this month on Fiberglass RV For Sale and shows up as having been sold on Sept 16th of this year. Me thinks someone is attempting a quick flip.

[Timber Wolf]

Hmmm, ads say both 13 & 16 footer, and "ice cold A/C". I see no A/C. And what is up with those angled wheel wells? It just gets curiouser and curiouser. Seems like a lot of trouble to make a few hundred dollars on a flip.

[Bob Miller]

HA.... I am only 20 miles from Murrieta (my son lives in (Murrieta) and I have tried to contact that seller 3-4 times in the past week with questions. I leave voice messages and get no reply.... In as much as he thinks it's a 13' and has A/C, I went ahead and flagged it for misleading advertising and no response. But it keeps coming back. Maybe it's a secret message to someone???

BTW: Unless someone is a dealer, it's against the law to sell a vehicle/trailer unless the title is in the sellers name. No hot titles allowed.