Armadillo Backpack

[shrimpscampi]

After years of admiring fiberglass trailers, I will finally become a proud owner! I’m getting a lightly used Armadillo Backpack. My current trailer is a Nucamp Tab 320S - which is great - but I’ve learned that I don’t want a bathroom and gray/black tanks. So the Armadillo is a better fit for me.

Sad to say, it does seem like the company just recently went out of business - their manufacturing facility is reportedly closed, phone disconnected and website build function is disabled. There are many people who put down sizable deposits and have nothing. I think their build time was taking 2+ years.

[Jon in AZ]

Congratulations!

That is very sad news about Armadillo. I greatly admired their designs and workmanship. The Backpack- with its extra front and rear windows- is my favorite. You did well to snag this trailer!

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the lack of manufacturer support. Most components and the fiberglass itself are generic and serviceable. Take care of your windows, because exact replacements can be hard and/or expensive to come by. Something as simple as a broken glass can be a headache.

Pictures, please!

Your username looked vaguely familiar, so I scanned through your old posts. It looks like you were ordering a Scamp 13-2, then a Scamp 16D, and now you mention a NuCamp. I'd be interested to hear more of your trailer journey... likes and dislikes, etc.

[shrimpscampi]

Yes, it’s been a long circuitous route! I originally ordered a 13 foot Scamp and changed the order to a 16 foot. Unfortunately my husband suffered a major health set back and I cancelled my order. I wound up buying a Tab from a local dealer. I really like NuCamp - they build a quality product and I’ve had zero issues with my trailer. It’s small, solid, and easy to tow. What I realized is that I prefer to use a luggable loo rather than the cassette toilet, I don’t like giving up so much space to a bathroom, I would prefer dedicated separate bed and dinette areas, and I don’t want to deal with tanks and winterizing. That’s just my preference. I’ve always loved the Armadillo and when they introduced the Backpack model, that was my dream trailer. But going through the wait time, import taxes and paperwork was too daunting. So I was thrilled when one came up for sale and I was able to work out an agreeable purchase price.

[shrimpscampi]

Here are some pictures of the Armadillo Backpack I’m getting. The only 2 options it didn’t have that were on my checklist are the pull out drawer under the trailer and AC (I live in NJ and it can get humid). I’m thrilled!!

[shrimpscampi]

Update on Armadillo - according to the Armadillo group on FB, it’s pretty certain that they have filed for bankruptcy. It’s estimated that they took deposits for 43 trailers (at $30,000 Canadian per) and full payment on approximately 10. There are a few in the production line which are part of the bankruptcy assets. Most of the 43 are not in production - wait times were around 24 to 27 months. A lot of people lost a lot of money. According to the posts on the FB page, there has been zero communication from the company.

[Jon in AZ]

Was there no inkling in the FB group things were amiss? It’s odd that there was never a hint on this site to my recollection. There usually is. If the reported numbers are correct, this may go down as one if the more expensive molded fiberglass failures to date.

I hope there will be an investigation, though that doesn’t often lead to prosecution. Criminal misconduct is a much higher bar than mismanagement and broken promises. And it won’t do anything for folks whose dreams have been crushed. Sad and infuriating.

[shrimpscampi]

There were posts about longer delays than usual and also requests for final payment before your trailer went into production / was fully complete. It seems bad as there is some sense that they were taking new orders, deposits and final payments after the point that they knew they were in serious trouble.

Someone posted the plant is totally closed and locked up and the phone is disconnected. On website, you are locked out from making any new trailers online. I believe at the end of Dec or early Jan. they did a complete inventory required in bankruptcy and never reopened. No one has heard from anyone at Armadillo.

It’s very upsetting for all the people that lost money. I’m happy I was able to find a lightly used Backpack from a great seller in CA. Have to get it transported to NJ but it’s worth it to me!