Maintenance & Restoration

chrisbuzzard · 10-09-2016, 12:05 PM

My family is getting closer and closer to purchasing a camper for an extended adventure. Suggestions on lightest older models that have both a toilet and bunk beds for children (or ability to install bunk beds)? I see that casita offers a newer 16' with bunks and toilet.

Bobbie Mayer · 10-09-2016, 01:26 PM

Scamp has a 16 with bunks and a bed, too. How old are the children? I believe the bunks have a weight limit. I think the design has been around for awhile in both so you may find a nice used one.

chrisbuzzard · 10-09-2016, 01:50 PM

Oh that won't be a problem. both under 5. Do the scamp models go for less?

Bobbie Mayer · 10-09-2016, 01:59 PM

If you are looking at used, it just depends. New you can price out- I imagine they are competitive similarly equipped.

Carl Pa · 10-09-2016, 02:04 PM

Scamps are the most inexpensive ones. then Casita,Boler, Escape, Oliver. just to name a few that are being produced still. Good luck on your search. Carl

Jon in AZ · 10-09-2016, 02:20 PM

The Scamp 16' side bath, front bunk model is what I was thinking, too. It's the oldest 16' layout, so used ones cover a spectrum of age, condition, and price. Not as many late model ones- the side dinette layout seems to be more popular recently. Inspect for floor rot and frame cracks near the front tongue on older units. The frame can be reinforced, but floor rot is a fairly big project to repair.

Pricier and very rare used, an Escape 17B with the front bunk option is a roomier family-friendly option.

Best wishes!

Scott H · 10-09-2016, 04:16 PM

You can reduce price and weight considerably by going with a 13' with a porta-potti stashed under the front bunks. You sacrifice privacy and overall roominess. I just got a Thetford Porta-potti and can't believe I waited this long, it's really convenient.
I for one can't imagine trying to stuff a family of four into a 13'er but, if your towing capacity and wallet dictate it then... Our kids are now 7 and 11, they've been booted to a tent, and love the adventure of it. I love having them out of the camper, for lots of reasons.

Brentsdeal · 10-10-2016, 09:35 AM

A tent with a roof pod could be a great way to go!!

WaltP · 10-10-2016, 11:44 AM

Another option is the Parkliner (15') with bunk option. Those bunks will accommodate your kids as they grow into teens.

Walt

Lee Senn · 10-10-2016, 01:24 PM

My two cents, a Bigfoot 17 will comfortably fit your group ( they are a little heavier so you will need a tow vehicle with a tow rating of 3500# ). There are some older units around for $5,500.00 up , usually $6,500.00 to say $11,500.00. Our 1981 Bigfoot weighs around 2480# loaded for a 4 or 5 day outing. The newer Bigfoot trailers are even heavier and may require a tow vehicle with at tow rating around 5000# to 6500#. Lee

chrisbuzzard · 10-10-2016, 01:41 PM

I've been eyeing a Bigfoot, but our towing capacity maxes out 2500. of course that is us towing.... which is a bit conservative. I will upgrade the rear springs when we finally purchase.

steelypip · 10-10-2016, 02:16 PM

There's also a 16 foot Casita with side bunk option, I believe. If not, it's a very easy mod to do to remove the driver's side overhead cabinet and put in a bunk.

16 foot Scamps and Casitas are very comparable. Probably the only thing I've seen that was a real distinguishing feature between them was the deluxe wood interior option on the Scamp.

I was shopping used, and was willing to take either home, but ended up with a Casita because it came up for sale near home first.

rdickens · 10-10-2016, 03:56 PM

Scamp will supposedly (according to our Scamp salesman, Wayne Pitlick) build a Scamp16 Deluxe Layout A with the front bunk beds instead of the front dinette. That would give you a full size (54" wide) bed in the back (instead of the 44" bed that comes in the molded Scamp16 Layout 4), the side bathroom, and the front sofa/bunk-beds.

The medium sized (140") CLAM screen room/tent, with 6 privacy panels, can essentially become a tent that is standing in less than a minute (not counting staking it down, etc.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qHSO18qK18

Good luck! :-)

Ray

Wayne Collins · 10-10-2016, 04:06 PM

Now there's an idea! Let the kids sleep in the camper and the folks go to a hotel.

Perhaps the ParkLiner with bunk option over the side dinette.

The 13 ft Scamps, I think, with bunks have no toilet, just a port-potty.

Mike_L · 10-10-2016, 04:36 PM

I've been back country camping (40 - 60 days/year) for 40 plus years now. No tents and no aluminium! There are some really light FG units available these days that are very easy to tow. I have an '05 Trail Cruiser, 26 feet long, just over 3000 lb. Low profile roof makes it easier to tow. Front island bed, two rear bunks, table can convert into a bed, fridge and freezer, 4 piece bath, considerable room inside. Easy on propane, solar panels after market. These units are available for under 10K.

Donna D. · 10-10-2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_L

I've been back country camping (40 - 60 days/year) for 40 plus years now. No tents and no aluminium! There are some really light FG units available these days that are very easy to tow. I have an '05 Trail Cruiser, 26 feet long, just over 3000 lb. Low profile roof makes it easier to tow. Front island bed, two rear bunks, table can convert into a bed, fridge and freezer, 4 piece bath, considerable room inside. Easy on propane, solar panels after market. These units are available for under 10K.

Yes, but members here are all-molded-towable owners and wannabees. There's plenty of "stickies" that have toilets. I think the OP is looking for something 13' or less in an all-molded-towable.

Mike_L · 10-10-2016, 11:46 PM

Thanks Donna, when I saw fiberglass I didn't realize that meant "only" molded so I joined your group. I'm not a fan of "stickies" either. The last one I had got totaled in a hail storm. My current FG unit has been through two hail storms and all I lost was the roof vent covers. I've owned FG before, better quality and the banter on your forum is good too. Cheers

emij · 10-11-2016, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott H

You can reduce price and weight considerably by going with a 13' with a porta-potti stashed under the front bunks. You sacrifice privacy and overall roominess. I just got a Thetford Porta-potti and can't believe I waited this long, it's really convenient.
I for one can't imagine trying to stuff a family of four into a 13'er but, if your towing capacity and wallet dictate it then... Our kids are now 7 and 11, they've been booted to a tent, and love the adventure of it. I love having them out of the camper, for lots of reasons.

But it's so cozy with all four of us tucked inside our little 13 foot Scamp!!

We have a 15 yo (115 lbs, bottom bunk) and 13 year old (65 lbs, top bunk) and they sleep on the bunks still. I've tried to kick them out to a little tent, but they like their bunks and we all love our Scamp! I'm looking into making bunk curtains for a bit more privacy, but so far we've all been happy with the size of our Scamp and just using the facilities at the campground!

melissab · 10-11-2016, 08:43 AM

I agree Emily! I camp with 3 "kids" ages 14, 19 and 20 in our 13 ft Scamp. The 14 and 19 yr olds are only 5 ft tall lightweight girls but the 20 yr old is 6ft and 150lbs. We spend all our time outside including cooking but when weather is too bad we all 4 sit at the Scamp table playing cards or watching a movie on the laptop. I have the Deluxe model so have the bigger bed in the back and theoretically I can sleep 3 in it and 2 more in the bunks lol. For bad weather I set the portapotti up in the doorway with a curtain hung from a spring loaded rod otherwise we use the campground facilities. I think a 13 with 2 little ones and a porta potti is definitely doable and even recommended with your lower tow capacity. When my youngest sleeps in the bottom bunk she likes to hang a blanket from the upper bunk and make her own little private fort still. She can watch a movie on the portable DVD player without the light bothering the rest of us trying to sleep while she winds down and falls asleep.

Good Luck in your search,

Melissa

Quote:

Originally Posted by emij

But it's so cozy with all four of us tucked inside our little 13 foot Scamp!!

We have a 15 yo (115 lbs, bottom bunk) and 13 year old (65 lbs, top bunk) and they sleep on the bunks still. I've tried to kick them out to a little tent, but they like their bunks and we all love our Scamp! I'm looking into making bunk curtains for a bit more privacy, but so far we've all been happy with the size of our Scamp and just using the facilities at the campground!