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11-16-2014, 03:12 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: Jiggs
Trailer: Currently Shopping
Arizona
Posts: 15
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5th wheel scamp to a bumper hitch
I am considering buying a 1985 5th wheel scamp but it can't be towed using the gooseneck with my pick-up. Truck is too high. I am looking to convert to a bumper hitch but do not know anything about it. Any sugggestions? Can I buy a conversion kit? Or will it have to be custom built?
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11-16-2014, 03:22 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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Hummm. Now. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. No, there isn't a conversation kit available. You'd have to build it. There's a reason Scamp doesn't offer the 5th wheel as a "bumper" pull. If they did, they'd open up their customer base. But since they don't.. don't you suppose there's a very good reason?
You CAN raise the trailer however. How much more clearance do you need to pull the 5th wheel safely?
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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11-16-2014, 03:35 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: '04 Scamp 19D, TV:Tacoma 3.5L 4door, SB
Colorado
Posts: 1,845
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Here is one way to do it, of course it is not sanctioned by anybody responsible:
Fiberglass RV - suzuki11's Album: Imported to south korea - Picture
There is another way, I cannot put my finger on it, but it is here on this forum. Even this way you lose the advantage of fifth wheel towing - stability.
But as Donna says, you should be able to raise it enough.
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11-16-2014, 03:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: '04 Scamp 19D, TV:Tacoma 3.5L 4door, SB
Colorado
Posts: 1,845
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11-16-2014, 03:50 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: '04 Scamp 19D, TV:Tacoma 3.5L 4door, SB
Colorado
Posts: 1,845
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11-16-2014, 04:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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If nothing else you will have huge tongue weight. And, as the well known wisdom of Donna D sez, Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
Before adventuring into this idea I would have a talk with my insurance agent about coverage with an experimental towing arrangement.
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11-16-2014, 04:03 PM
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#7
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Moderator
Trailer: U-Haul 1985
Posts: 3,436
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It seems that if it was safely possible to make an adapter, Scamp would have done it by now...... and be raking in the extra money.
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11-17-2014, 05:28 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Name: Jiggs
Trailer: Currently Shopping
Arizona
Posts: 15
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How high can an 85 scamp be raised?
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11-17-2014, 10:31 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Patrick
Trailer: Shopping for new RV
North Carolina
Posts: 702
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I have two possible easy and safe solutions...1.) sell the 5th wheel and buy a conventional trailer. 2.) Buy a suitable pickup truck that is rated for the task at hand.
If you continue on your current quest I would expect to see your setup on the 6 o'clock news covering the accident you cause.
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11-17-2014, 10:34 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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You need to park your truck in front of the 5r to check the clearance. The 5r hitch is preaty high to begin with.
Look for a Putnman Firehawk II hitch as it has a ball connection that is heighth adjustable. They are not made anymore but you may B able to find a used one.
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11-17-2014, 12:16 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita Spirit Deluxe 2003 16 ft
Posts: 1,899
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My mind immediately went to "What kind of truck is too high for the Scamp 5th wheel?"
Do you have some sort of aftermarket tires on it? Do you compete in those car crushing events at the fair grounds?
I'd need one of those second story escape ladders to throw out the door to enter and exit.
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11-17-2014, 12:55 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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Truck bed sides on a lot of newer trucks, like the Toyota Tundra, are to high for a standard SCAMP 5th wheel mount. I'm sure other have the same issues.....
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11-17-2014, 03:37 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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Ridgelines have high sides and Fords tend to somewhat high.
If he has one like Steve pictured above then why not Jack The 5R to match the truck. Honda
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11-17-2014, 04:06 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 721
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There's always this solution
Joe
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11-17-2014, 05:56 PM
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#15
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Moderator
Name: RogerDat
Trailer: 2010 Scamp 16
Michigan
Posts: 3,744
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darwin Maring
Ridgelines have high sides and Fords tend to somewhat high.
If he has one like Steve pictured above then why not Jack The 5R to match the truck. Honda
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From what I have heard it is not the truck is too high but the sides are, even if you lowered the truck the bed sides would be in the way. Pretty sure it can be made to work if you only travel in a straight or nearly straight line. You just strap that hitch down with some spacer blocks. Add some chains so it can't slide off the back and away she goes.
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11-18-2014, 07:57 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: '04 Scamp 19D, TV:Tacoma 3.5L 4door, SB
Colorado
Posts: 1,845
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The new style of Scamp 19 hitch is a Reese bracket and rails. It has several inches of height adjustment to accommodate the depth of different beds. It is at the lowest setting in my Tacoma. Its bed is only 15 inches deep.
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11-18-2014, 08:16 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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An additional thought: While there is a slight difference in hitches between the one you are looking at and current production, you might try asking SCAMP what solutions they have for connecting your make, year and model pick-up to a new SCAMP 19'er.
I have heard that they have a lift kit of some sort.
BTW: Post what your vehicle is, someone here may have already found a solution.
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11-24-2014, 07:13 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Jared
Trailer: 1984 19' scamp
Kansas
Posts: 1,610
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Several things.
1. The current axle is likely shot.
2. It likely has 13" tires.
3. A lift is available from scamp, although it requires cutting and welding, that will be necessary anyway, if your axle needs to be replaced.
I towed mine home with an adapter the PO had built. It braced back to the bumper with chains. The titan had zero issues pulling it that way.
I couldn't bring myself to leave it that way. It was so low, it put a small dent in the tailgate when I turned sharp while pulling it home.
I put a new axle, 3" lift, 225/75/15 tires on it, and made it a real fifth wheel.
It was well worth the effort, IMHO.
Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV
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