|
04-12-2009, 06:13 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Trailer: Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 25
|
Has anyone here had experience with a hitch mount for a 5th wheel? There is a 5th wheel scamp for sale in VA. I'm interested in that has an adapter set up to pull it with a "bumper" hitch. The owners said it is common on farm equipment, I think, and they have used it very successfully. It was listed for sale here but no pictures. its listed on craigslist wash dc as "rare 1990 scamp" posted 4/11. I was thinking about looking cause i could pull with my 1 ton van instead of switching to a pick up but I'm not sure.
Link to Scamp "5th wheel" with Bumper pull adapter
|
|
|
04-12-2009, 06:51 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 17 ft 1986 Burro
Posts: 889
|
I have no first hand experience but I had the same idea and asked Scamp about it a couple of years ago.
They didn't think it was a good idea.
And without any scientific proof whatsoever, my gut tells me it's not a good idea.
I'm guessing your gut is telling you the same thing or you wouldn't be asking the question.
I have found it's best to trust that feeling.
There was one for sale here not long ago and the hitch was bent , hmmm I wonder why.
Pulling on a farm and on the road at 65 mph is two different worlds.
|
|
|
04-12-2009, 07:35 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 3,072
|
Depends on what was modified to make it work.
The original Scamp hitch is essentially the farm or Gooseneck hitch, just scaled down with a smaller ball, designed for horizontal pull on the vertical member.
There's been some recent discussion on this topic on the Yahoo Scampers group.
|
|
|
04-12-2009, 08:09 PM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Trailer: Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 25
|
my understanding of this is its not a premanent mod but can be used either way by not sure of the attachment method. guess i'll have to ck it out. its about an hour and a half from me
|
|
|
04-12-2009, 10:47 PM
|
#5
|
Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
|
Photo of the adapter hardware to connect a gooseneck trailer to a standard hitch receiver.
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
|
|
|
04-13-2009, 07:42 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel Dlx / 2001 Ford Ranger 4x4
Posts: 1,125
|
Personally i woulnt pull the 5er this way... to me its a accident waiting to happen.... The reg scamp 5th wheel hitches arent that expensive. I am wondering if your insurance would even cover you... ( even tho liability is on your vehicle when towing) Its meant to be attached to the truck bed..... Since it can be used both ways.... hook up to the bed..
|
|
|
04-13-2009, 08:07 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1983 13 ft Scamp
Posts: 3,082
|
Very dangerous setup
|
|
|
04-13-2009, 08:20 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,711
|
When was the last time you saw ANY manufacturer of 5th wheel travel trailers that offered this type of hitch as an option? If it was a good idea, the manufacturers would be all over it as it would open up 5th wheel ownership to a whole new group other than just truck owners.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
|
|
|
04-13-2009, 11:27 PM
|
#9
|
Junior Member
Trailer: Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 1
|
I have also been thinking of a way to pull from a bumper hitch. I have a 19ft scamp and would like to bumper pull behind a ford van. I have been toying with the idea of extending the lower frame to a hitch assembly. Then converting the void space into a large storage area. Any thoughts.
|
|
|
04-13-2009, 11:40 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1994 Lite House
Posts: 172
|
unless your a structural engineer with certified welds its not only dangerous but illegal... a 5th wheel is designed to have a high mount point and be over the bed with even hitch displacement. changing the geometry of the pull location can have massive frame effects. bends, cracks, new center of gravity. unless you are confident that you can make a trailer from scratch. i would recommend leaving it alone. and a bumper pull hitch for a 5th wheel is made for minimal moving and towing. Ive found that the engineers that design things are usually better at it than i am
|
|
|
04-14-2009, 07:51 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,711
|
Quote:
I have also been thinking of a way to pull from a bumper hitch. I have a 19ft scamp and would like to bumper pull behind a ford van. I have been toying with the idea of extending the lower frame to a hitch assembly. Then converting the void space into a large storage area. Any thoughts.
|
Doing this will create a massive amount of tongue weight... and then you add to it by adding more "stuff" forward of the axle. The only way I see these even being a bit feasible is to put the entire Scamp on a flat bed trailer... one where you can move the axle(s) to balance the load.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
|
|
|
04-14-2009, 04:19 PM
|
#12
|
Junior Member
Trailer: Scamp 13 ft
Posts: 25
|
talked to some equipment people and some farm people in loudon co horse country around here and they said they use this rig locally. said it should be ok for distance but they prefer a safer tow. guess i'll look for a p/up if those who use them lack confidence in the rig. thanks all
|
|
|
04-15-2009, 09:36 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Bigfoot 21ft (25B21RB)
Posts: 752
|
Quote:
When was the last time you saw ANY manufacturer of 5th wheel travel trailers that offered this type of hitch as an option? If it was a good idea, the manufacturers would be all over it as it would open up 5th wheel ownership to a whole new group other than just truck owners.
|
x2
__________________
Phil & Denise Underwood
1973 13ft Lovebug
1998 17ftCasita FD
|
|
|
04-15-2009, 09:18 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Scamp
Posts: 3,072
|
You can get away with it maybe on a relatively light-weight trailer like a Scamp 19', but typical 5W trailers have a LOT of pin weight (aka tongue weight) -- Many go as high as 20% because the weight is almost directly over the truck axle, not on the end of a lever.
|
|
|
11-16-2014, 04:04 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Name: Carl
Trailer: 2015 Escape 5.0TA
Florida
Posts: 1,694
|
5th wheel bumper pull
As Pete says, even if converted, you would have to consider the approximate 600 pound tongue weight of the Scamp 19, which can be handled by a hitch over the axle in the bed of a truck but by a conventional receiver hitch.....
IMHO, asking for big problems.
Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV
__________________
What a long strange trip it’s been!
|
|
|
11-17-2014, 05:45 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Trailer: Casita Patriot
Posts: 329
|
a year or 2 ago i was camped with a guy (from florida as well as i remember) who had converted a scamp 5er to bumper pull. he extended the frame and converted the space under the bed to storage. he said he had no problems towing (he'd made it from florida to sc). he towed with a full size pickup.
p@
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Upcoming Events |
No events scheduled in the next 465 days.
|
|