Adding a screen door on a Scamp 13

[JerryJohn]

Ok all you Scamp moders, who has added a screen door? and does the factory screen door come complete? The scampers who have a screen door are you happy with it?

[Jon in AZ]

Can't help with the retrofit questions as mine came from the factory with the screen door option. As to how it works, it's functional- not beautiful, but does the job with minimal weight. We use it a lot and would definitely want it if we were ordering a new trailer.

Right now one of the panels needs rescreening, but I'm not seeing an easy way to remove the panels without disassembling part of the frame. I really haven't looked too closely, though. When I get to it, I may also add kick panels on the bottom 6-8 inches. That's where the screen is coming apart (on the side that's exposed when folded against the closet). If I were installing a new one, I'd do that from the start.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Can't help with the retrofit questions as mine came from the factory with the screen door option. As to how it works, it's functional - not beautiful, but does the job with minimal weight. I would definitely want it if I were ordering a new trailer.

Right now one of the panels needs rescreening, but I'm not seeing an easy way to remove the panels without disassembling part of the frame. I really haven't looked too closely, though. When I get to it, I may also add kick panels on the bottom 6-8 inches. That's where the screen is coming apart (on the side that's exposed when folded against the closet). If I were installing a new one, I'd do that from the start.

It just pops out at the pivot, similar to a closet door.

[honda03842]

If I were ordering new I'd buy one from Scamp. I built one by using make-it-yourself screening and a few hinges. Very light and designed to be re-screened.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by floyd

It just pops out at the pivot, similar to a closet door.

Good to know, Floyd. Thanks!

[papa-t]

Ours came with the factory screen door. I like ours. Of course ours is more for the puppies than for us. LOL

[Timber Wolf]

Have one, use it some, like it. Before I bought a replacement from Scamp though I think I would try and build one from some nice clear wood and a few hinges.

[JerryJohn]

Thanks to Jon, Floyd, Norm, Ted and Tim for your replay to my screen door question, I will be doing a little more research and then decide on the factory screen door. Thanks again for the help.
Jerry

[Ian G.]

This is my solution, It works extremely well. Used it all last season and it kept out all the bug and insects except at one location a few wasps (which were everywhere) managed to get in. The movement of the beads seem to keep them away except the wasps thought the wooden beads were a good source of material for their nest (I guess)

[JerryJohn]

Your Scamp looks great, like the colors and chrome wheels. The beads also look great and thanks for the new idea.
Jerry

[Darral T.]

Jerry,

We have the bi-fold screen door on our Scamp that was an option we included buying it new. The wife LOVES it and uses it considerably.

BUT, if you're adding one...or if I was adding one, I would READILY consider this one. It's a simple magnetic screen and I've heard nothing but good about it. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Magnetic Screen Door: Premium Quality, TOUGH CONSTRUCTION. Velcro SEWN Around ENTIRE Frame-NO GAPS! 36" x 83" Frame =Fits Door Openings UP TO 34" X 82" MAX. Wont Fall Apart Like Magic Mesh As Seen On TV, Bug Off Magna. "Bugs-Not-Invited" Guarantee! -

[Paul O.]

Ian, it sounds good. What kind of wood are the beads made of? Does it have a natural bug repellent, or is it treated with something man-made? Somehow I think that it is not a physical barrier. Especially since wasps got through. Something else at work here.

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by Paul O.

Ian, it sounds good. What kind of wood are the beads made of? Does it have a natural bug repellent, or is it treated with something man-made? Somehow I think that it is not a physical barrier. Especially since wasps got through. Something else at work here.

No special wood and no repellant used (although that may be an idea). I know of others who have used plastic beads with the same results, I think it is the movement of the strings in the air that may be the primary reason. The wasps were actually not trying to get into the trailer, they were landing on the beads and with the wind movement they ended up inside.

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by Darral T.

Jerry,

We have the bi-fold screen door on our Scamp that was an option we included buying it new. The wife LOVES it and uses it considerably.

BUT, if you're adding one...or if I was adding one, I would READILY consider this one. It's a simple magnetic screen and I've heard nothing but good about it. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Magnetic Screen Door: Premium Quality, TOUGH CONSTRUCTION. Velcro SEWN Around ENTIRE Frame-NO GAPS! 36" x 83" Frame =Fits Door Openings UP TO 34" X 82" MAX. Wont Fall Apart Like Magic Mesh As Seen On TV, Bug Off Magna. "Bugs-Not-Invited" Guarantee! -

I tried these and they worked OK but I prefer the beads.
The problem I found with these is they need to be tight at the top so they close right, which means they are sewn onto a common banding at the top. You have to mount them just above the door opening, when you pass through them the top is held in place and it actually reduces access through the door at the top (this is hard to explain.

[Darral T.]

The magnetic screen doesnt look like it's sealing very well in that pic. I'd still prefer it over the beads, but it definitely looks like it could use some "tweaking". Then again, if it reduces the overhead of the door even further, that's another negative. I'm only 5-6 and still have to be careful about banging my head on the door frame exiting the trailer!

[Ian G.]

The problem with the top of the magnetic screen is think of a simple tent entry with a single zipper up the center. When you spead the door open the top, being held at the center, forms an inverted "V". This works OK on a tent where the opening is large for on our trailers the door is only 22" wide so this greatly reduces access through the door.

[JerryJohn]

More ideas, thanks for the idea and link, I will check it out and thanks for the pics. Nice camper.
Jerry

[Perryb67]

Originally Posted by floyd

It just pops out at the pivot, similar to a closet door.

The screen door on our 2000 16" Scamp side bath kept binding. The top pivot had stripped out screws. I called Scamp and they admitted it did NOT just pop out. They explained how to completely take apart the top to remove the screen so I could try to hold the pivot point. That was a PITA. It worked for about one year and then started binding again. It was worse than before, but I got it working again. We sold the Scamp!

My SIL's 2005 (?) 16' side dinette had the exact same screen. I had decided if the door bound up again I would install the same screen as Darral T suggests in Post 11.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

...I called Scamp and they admitted it did NOT just pop out. They explained how to completely take apart the top to remove the screen so I could try to hold the pivot point. That was a PITA.

I think the only time the screen door pops out is when you don't want it to! A number of years ago, the Johnson Hardware for the screen door on my Scamp was all worn out. I took it down and installed three 5" brass piano hinges. Doesn't bind, doesn't fall... No more problem!

[JerryJohn]

Thanks everyone for the input, I am looking at all your ideas and plan to see if I can find someone here in Florida that has a screen door on their Scamp. I have a cousin in MN that lives close to the Factory and will have her ask some questions and take pics. Lucky me she also comes to Florida to visit each year and I will have here bring one with her, save on shipping Cutting a hole for a baggage door in camper today for access to old water tank area under the seat. Had a door custom made by Lippert Components, pic to follow when done.
Thanks,
Jerry