Just learning

[cometkelly]

Hi, I am just starting to shop for an older fiberglass RV. I've been looking for a vintage camper for a few months but just kind of stumbled on the fiberglass ones recently. There is a Scamp at a dealer a few hours from me that interests me. But I feel kind of intimidated. I don't want to go look at it, fall in love and get it and then find out it has issues. I've read about the main issues to check and one is the axle. Do you have to crawl under the camper to check that and what would I even be looking for? Rust?

Thanks for any advice or knowledge you can share with me. I'm not in a hurry to buy a camper but hope to get one in the next year or so.

[Jon in AZ]

Welcome to the forum, Kelly!

The best way to check the axle is to jack it up in the frame just behind the axle and watch whether the axle arms drop down as the trailer rises. Alternatively, have an adult jump inside and watch for movement of the axle arms. You're trying to find out whether the rubber inside the axle tube is hardened, indicating a worn out axle.

Do a google search on "rubber torsion axle" to better understand how they work.

Floor rot is the biggest thing I'd inspect for. Look carefully inside all the cabinets and benches where there is no finish flooring. Feel for soft spots where you walk and look underneath as well.

As to the rest, you can download a buyer's checklist on this site. It's in the "More" tab at the top right of the page in the "Document Center." It's always a good idea to take a second set of eyes who is not emotional involved in the purchase.

Best wishes!

[Roy in TO]

Originally Posted by cometkelly

I've read about the main issues to check and one is the axle. Do you have to crawl under the camper to check that and what would I even be looking for? Rust?

I never thought of looking that way. If the axle was as rusty or more rusty than the frame then it would be original. If the axle has been replaced it should look newer.

A few years back I posted what to look for in this thread:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...arm-37248.html

You never mentioned how old the Scamp is you are going to look at. That might indicate if the axle should even be a concern. I'd go look at the trailer just so you can actually see one in person and see what a dealer thinks the pricing is worth. (Window shopping of course)

[cometkelly]

Thank you, Roy in TO. That's very helpful information.

The Scamp that I'm interested in is a 1977 model. If it doesn't sell before I get a chance to check it out, I plan to look at it in a few weeks. You've given me some good guidelines to review so maybe I don't look like such a "newbie" when I go look at it.