Maintenance & Restoration

JeffJ · 02-16-2011, 07:00 PM

New owner of a 1987 gutted and abused scamp 16. I got a hot deal on it so couldn't resist. Some of you have already seen the pics of it on CL in WA. Here's a few more, yikes! I've been cleaning all mold, rust, goo off the interior. Walls and ceiling is covered in a white (maybe in 87) elephant skin looking rubber. Floor is almost removed, gonna replace with marine plywood/insulate/heated floor pad and floating wood floor. Got all the windows and the door removed. Drilled out most all of rivets and removed all the rusty hardware. Tomorrow gonna try and remove the shell from the frame so i can get the rusted out frame members replaced and a new axle with electric brakes (25 degrees up?) I've been gleaning all your posts on how to do this and that, Thanks! I'm not having much luck with the search. I type in what I'm looking for and get a ton of stuff not related to what i need, any pointers would be greatly accepted

Emily R. · 02-16-2011, 07:22 PM

Hi Jeff...Welcome!
When I'm searching for stuff on this site I find it easier to do a Google search and include FGRV with whatever I'm searching for....Works way better!
Good luck!
Emily

jackstrr · 02-16-2011, 11:25 PM

new here also. WOW, you have a lot more ambition than I do. One of the good points is you are saving a scamps life. thanks

Borden · 02-17-2011, 04:30 AM

Our boler has leaf springs, 3500 lb axle, electric brakes, we added monroe shock retro fit kit with rv shocks and required breakaway switch,.

Borden · 02-17-2011, 04:35 AM

Welcome many in club will try to help with any and all questions just ask.
If we do not know we will direct you to someone that has worked at the item in question. Respect what you are doing

in the end you will be a expert that we will ask for help.
Some newer units like the '1978 boler' have a 3/16" fiberglass subfloor

Borden · 02-17-2011, 04:39 AM

"Walls and ceiling is covered in a white (maybe in 87) elephant skin looking rubber" Our boler still has the original white insulating wall covering you call elephant skin. Some posts give good ideas on replacement. learning every day from reading others ideas.

Dave Bese · 02-17-2011, 01:10 PM

Hi Jeff; just up the road here (outside of Purdy). If you need any pointers or assistance on working fiberglass repairs, let me know, as I spent 36 years at Boeing and have resin in the bloodstream.

JeffJ · 02-17-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Bese

Hi Jeff; just up the road here (outside of Purdy). If you need any pointers or assistance on working fiberglass repairs, let me know, as I spent 36 years at Boeing and have resin in the bloodstream.

Great ! I see you're just up the road. I could definitely use some pointers working with fiberglass. Ie: I got a bunch holes to bondo. After I sand em down what do i use to prime and spot paint with? I'm still undecided if I should repaint the whole thing... I think I may be able to bring the gel coat back to life. I have looked in the forums, it's helpful but a bit confusing, so many ideas.

JeffJ · 02-17-2011, 03:20 PM

Progress! Got the trailer remove and the shell up on blocks

Dave Bese · 02-17-2011, 08:14 PM

Bondo? If it's just screw holes; it's OK, but if there is any cracking or breaks in the fiber; then that's another story

Mike in WA · 02-20-2011, 12:46 PM

Hey Jeff, looks like a fun project! Heidi and I are looking for something to do a full rebuild on too. Hopefully we can find one of those "hot deals" too

I will be gutting it right away too. Following your build will be fun for us! Hope all goes well!

-Mike
97 Roadtrek 170P "Taj Ma Trek"
http://WWW.VanTramps.Com

Donna D. · 02-20-2011, 03:16 PM

Jeff, I responded in this topic: 16' project scamp Bellingham wa $1000 . It was advertised as a 2001.... so you actually bought it and it's a 1987? Not that it makes any difference, but do you know WHY it was so structurally trashed? Windows and vents left open? Poor baby, good to see you're bringing it back to life

JeffJ · 02-20-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Jeff, I responded in this topic: 16' project scamp Bellingham wa $1000 . It was advertised as a 2001.... so you actually bought it and it's a 1987? Not that it makes any difference, but do you know WHY it was so structurally trashed? Windows and vents left open? Poor baby, good to see you're bringing it back to life

Not sure it's history. I was was toying with idea of building a teardrop because of its lightweight nature. I saw this one for sale and figured it would cost about the same for the parts and this way I get 4x the the room and its standing height versus a flop house on wheels. So even an ugly ol gutted scamp is a much better starting point that building a teardrop from scratch

JeffJ · 02-21-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffJ

Not sure it's history. I was was toying with idea of building a teardrop because of its lightweight nature. I saw this one for sale and figured it would cost about the same for the parts and this way I get 4x the the room and its standing height versus a flop house on wheels. So even an ugly ol gutted scamp is a much better starting point that building a teardrop from scratch

Whoohoo! Called Scamp today and ordered a new axle, ALL the hardware inside and out to put the scamp back together. Should be here by Saturday. I was concerned about shipping costs because of what was said in the forums. Shipping is very reasonable! Everything except the axle is coming via UPS

Matt in SV · 02-21-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emily R.

Hi Jeff...Welcome!
When I'm searching for stuff on this site I find it easier to do a Google search and include FGRV with whatever I'm searching for....Works way better!
Good luck!
Emily

Emily, The SEARCH pulldown above right has a site specific Google search for FGRV. It's close to the bottom.

Jeff, check out the Glass Clown site for tips on fiberglass repair. You probably don't want use Bondo to plug holes if you want a durable repair.

http://glassclownboats.com/default.aspx

Regards,

Matt

Alison Cape Breton · 02-21-2011, 04:46 PM

Welcome Jeff,

I just love the idea of the rebuild on your new / older scamp. I will be checking for new updates and photos of your progress. I am from Canada and I thought our weather was tough on trailers but I think you may have found a winner. I bet it will look great after you are done. Good Luck with the renovations.

Carol H · 02-27-2011, 10:59 AM

Jeff what the story behind this?
Looking at the gap at the bottom of the door it looks like the whole trailer may have been sitting in 4' of water - which would explain the total floor rootl. Caught in a flood zone?

JeffJ · 02-28-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carol H

Jeff what the story behind this?
Looking at the gap at the bottom of the door it looks like the whole trailer may have been sitting in 4' of water - which would explain the total floor rootl. Caught in a flood zone?

Dunno it's history. UPS is coming today! All new hardware in 3 boxes and the new axle is coming tomorrow. I'll post pics of all the goodies needed so far for a full redo of my 16' scamp. The Atwood heater came in last week. I chose it based on low voltage to operate an supposedly quiet fan.