Replacing an Axle on a 13' Scamp Trailer (1984)

[Panamafour]

Does anyone know of a 3rd party / aftermarket company that makes a comparable axle for a 13' Scamp Trailer? I just purchased a 1984 Scamp, and am looking to get the axle replaced. Scamp sells it directly on their website, but the cost is $760 and I'm looking to see if there are less expensive alternatives.

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Panamafour

Does anyone know of a 3rd party / aftermarket company that makes a comparable axle for a 13' Scamp Trailer? I just purchased a 1984 Scamp, and am looking to get the axle replaced. Scamp sells it directly on their website, but the cost is $760 and I'm looking to see if there are less expensive alternatives.

If it is welded this is your chance to convert to a bolted axle. Next, in most farm / ranch areas you will find a local trailer sales / repair shop that can look at it and tell you what you need. Mine on a 2017 Scamp s a Lippert brand and there are dealers nation wide.

Remember that Scamp now has a location in AZ and may same some shipping cost if you buy from them.

[Jon in AZ]

What are the specs for the axle from Scamp (weight rating, arm angle, brakes or no brakes)? Is your current axle installed in leading or trailing configuration? Will you be doing the install yourself or hiring it done?

There are only a couple of manufacturers of rubber torsion axles, and they're not cheap. They are custom fabricated for the specific frame dimensions. In the past Scamp's prices were generally comparable to a direct factory order, but Scamp's shipping was higher. I haven't kept up with the current situation.

It is possible to fit a leaf-spring axle on a Scamp, which would be cheaper. I don't recommend it for a number of reasons, but it has been done. The ride will be harsher on the lightweight frame and shell. It will sit a lot higher, which affects towing characteristics. It might require frame modifications, so it is a job for an experienced metal fabricator.

[Green Frog]

I probably should have started a new thread for this, but am wondering whether that vintage Scamp takes the same style axle as my ‘83 Burro? Mine has neither leaf nor coil springs, but a sort of semi-elliptical rubber loaded torque thing. It may have been Rube Golberg’s last great design. I’m wondering whether you and I would both come out ahead throwing the whole mess away and having the trailer shop install leaf springs. Has anyone here gone this route? How did it work out for you?
Froggie

[owenmaura]

Also onto a bit of a tangent, as ours is a SurfSide. A truck/trailer shop took the measurements from our old torsion axle and ordered in a replacement from Dexter Axles [headquartered in Elkhart IN.] I picked it up, though I haven't decided whether I'll do it myself [it appears that they have the brackets/holes located correctly] or take it back to them ... 2 hour drive away. The old/original/?? was a 1500 lb. Ingersoll ... I figure my loaded weight is probably 2100ish lbs. Dexter makes a 2200 lb. one, but the technician at the shop figured 3400 was better, so that's the way I went. It'll all come out in the wash .... i.e. in 6ish weeks when the snow has melted. Good luck with yours.

[Brent W.]

https://www.southwestwheel.com/ in Texas makes Flexride axles and should be a little less.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Green Frog

I probably should have started a new thread for this, but am wondering whether that vintage Scamp takes the same style axle as my ‘83 Burro? Mine has neither leaf nor coil springs, but a sort of semi-elliptical rubber loaded torque thing. It may have been Rube Golberg’s last great design. I’m wondering whether you and I would both come out ahead throwing the whole mess away and having the trailer shop install leaf springs. Has anyone here gone this route? How did it work out for you?
Froggie

It sounds like you might be describing a rubber torsion axle, but I'm not sure what you mean by "semi-elliptical."

This video below shows how a modern torsion axle works. A number of companies have made versions over the years, and Scamp has changed manufacturers more than once. I don't know if Mr. Goldberg has one, but Airstream is among a number of premium brands using torsion axles for a smoother ride. They typically last 25 years or more in typical small fiberglass travel trailer service, and the OP's may well be over 40 years old.

I have already given my opinion regarding a leaf-spring conversion. Scamp's drop-floor frame design creates some challenges.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtvvWFRhifE

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by owenmaura

The old/original/?? was a 1500 lb. Ingersoll ... I figure my loaded weight is probably 2100ish lbs. Dexter makes a 2200 lb. one, but the technician at the shop figured 3400 was better, so that's the way I went...

Sounds like yours is already built, but this is worth mentioning for others considering a new torsion axle.

Rubber torsion axles can be de-rated for a closer match to the actual GVW of your trailer. Scamp used to install a 2200# axle on 13'ers, but now that new 13'ers are trending heavier, in 2020 they switched to a 3500# axle, de-rated to 2500#. De-rating means shorter rubber cords, but it retains more robust components and larger brakes.

You want a reasonable margin on the weight rating of your axle over your actual GVW to allow for variations in loading, but beyond a certain point, more is not better. A super stiff ride allows more road shocks to be transmitted to the lightweight shell and frame rather than being absorbed by the suspension.

[Patricia Baxter]

You might find Dale's story of use to you- https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...-oh-96889.html