Scamp 13 Axle Modification

[Dennis G.]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and also the owner of my "new" (for me) 2015 Scamp 13'. I previously owned an Aliner but recently lost it to the storm in Western NC. The good side of that is I was now able to buy my Scamp.

My quetion has to do with options, if any, for raising the trailer to improve ground clearance. I do not believe the wheel wells will allow for replacing the 13" wheels with 14" ones as there seems to be too great of a chance for larger tires to damage the wheel wells and crack the fiberglass. I was wondering if there is anyone that has added some kind of spacer between the trailer frame and the axle and, if this is possible, what did you do and how has it worked out for you. When I purchased this Scamp it already had a broken gray water tank and the water pump for the shower had been damaged due to the low ground clearance.

Any advise and guiding wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Dennis

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Dennis G.

I do not believe the wheel wells will allow for replacing the 13" wheels with 14" ones as there seems to be too great of a chance for larger tires to damage the wheel wells and crack the fiberglass. I was wondering if there is anyone that has added some kind of spacer between the trailer frame and the axle and, if this is possible, what did you do and how has it worked out for you. Any advise and guiding wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Dennis

I put 14" wheels on my 2017 sixteen foot and started with trimming some fiberglass. The wheel openings were not the same. I made a pattern using the larger opening and then cut the smaller to match. The tire was still close (as in the picture) so I then added a 3.5" lift kit from E-trailer. (I assumed that you have a bolt on axle.) Also, some here have relocated that pump to a better location.

[Dennis G.]

Kennith,

Thanks for the reply and the recommendations. I will look into the lift kit first and then may move to the larger wheels if that alone does not solve my concern.

By the way, nice rims on the 14 " tires.

Dennis

[Jon in AZ]

The 13’ is different than the 16’ because the door restricts the wheel arch on the curb side. That is the tightest clearance, and no trimming is possible. Larger wheels snd tires are only possible in conjunction with an axle lift.

[Dennis G.]

Jon,

Thanks for the additional information. I am going to take the camper to a trailer shop that I trust and see what they can do for me. I am certain that the information provided here will be helpful to them and me in making a decision,

Dennis

[Jack Walter]

I made some spacers to fit between the axle and frame of my Eriba Puck when the stock tire size became unavailable. I used 2" x 3" rectangular 1/4" wall steel tubing and longer bolts - it was an easy fix.

[bertherr]

I asked the owner of Scamp a number of years ago how to go about lifting my Scamp above the axle to be able to fit 14" tires. Here is what he sent to me:
Instructions to raise a Scamp 16 ft or 19 ft trailer.

1. Remove axle. Axles are welded on so they must be cut off. A narrow cutting wheel works best. Mark where axle bracket sits on frame so it may be reinstalled in correct place.
2. Weld the two 3x1 ½ tubes to the frame. One on each side. They will each be 48” long. Center of the tube should be on center of axle.
3. Weld the 45 ¼ tube between the two side supports. This should go directly above where the axle will set.
4. If required weld the 1 ½ x 1 ½ x 16” long centered also above the axle center.
5. Re-weld on the axle making sure axle is in correct place.
6. Re-connect the brakes on the axle.

Good Luck, Bert

[Josh Robinson]

What I did for slightly more ground clearance and a level boler when towing with a stock height 4Runner was I had a Trillium dealer install a new Flexiride axle in the trailing configuration with the axle position optimized for a 45 degree down angle. The axle mount has about a 1" I beam spacer between the frame and axle which provides a bit of body lift. It works perfectly for our setup. Doing much more of a lift than this requires significant frame and suspension modifications.

[John LF]

I went for the the two inch lift when I replaced the old axle on my 13' Scamp. This gave me more ground clearance, the trailer tracks better, and 14" tires and rims are easier to replace with more choices.
I kind of liked the low rider look, but the last time I needed to replace the 13 inchers my tire guy could only find one supplier for 13" tires and those needed replacing after only two years. I only use my trailer 7 or 8 times a year and almost all to places less than 4 hours away from home. Tires were inflated at the proper air pressure.

[Frank NC]

Another thought is to retain the low trailer height with provides better handling and reduced sway. To protect the bottom you could fabricate skid plates. I'm figuring out one for that pump which I may also move as well.

[Dennis G.]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and recommendations. I opted to have my trailer folks install a 3" Dexter lift kit. It installed with no problem and, so far, it appears to be a good decision. The extra ground clearance is notable but not so much that I have any trouble getting into the trailer. Now I move on to all those little changes I want to do (none of which are needed) to make it my own. If all goes well, I get to take it on a break-in trip for a few quiet nights in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Dennis

[Campster David]

I like the fact I can keep my fiberglass camper in the garage ( just me, many don't want to). I did an axle update which lifted mine but I was careful to still be able to clear the garage opening. I don't have any extra air conditioner height on mine. Just a thought for others who store inside.