Towing Scamp 5th Wheel

[Sally P.]

We have the opportunity to buy a nice used Scamp 5th Wheel. The owners are being extremely helpful, since it's a 7.5 hour trip to see and buy this unit. They are concerned our truck is too big (high). It's a Dodge Ram Diesel, 2500 series. It's two wheel drive. They mentioned the axles on the Scamp might be able to be raised to make it fit the truck. My question is, has anyone towed a Scamp 5er with a 2500 series truck. Will it be too high? Thanks for the help.

[mary and bob]

Not done it myself, but did meet a Scamp 5th wheel owner that was towing with a new Dodge Ram truck. He had actually traded trucks enroute to where we met him. Can't remember if it was the 1500 or the 2500. I think the trailer sat a little nose high. Not really a good answer, but all I know.

[Jon in AZ]

Measure the height from the ground to the bed rails of your truck. Then call Scamp. They will be able to tell you if your truck is compatible with the standard suspension or whether you will need the optional 3" raised suspension.

[Dennis mn]

From my recent experience in trading tow vehicles, I am pretty sure that you will have to raise the trailer. The bed rail height of my new tug, a four wheel drive Nissan Frontier is 49". With my fifth wheel level on the hitch, I have just shy of 5" clearance between the bed and the Scamp. From what I am told, that is a proper minimum clearance to handle potholes, curbs and a bit of mild off-roading. If I remember correctly, the folks a Scamp told me that the max bed height for my '99 was 48".

[Sally P.]

Thanks so much for the replies, I did call Scamp. They said I would need the raised axle. They told me it couldn't be added after market?? So we let the deal go…. I'm sad.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Sally P.

Thanks so much for the replies, I did call Scamp. They said I would need the raised axle. They told me it couldn't be added after market?? So we let the deal go…. I'm sad.

Any common weld shop can do the job handily.

[Dennis mn]

Originally Posted by floyd

Any common weld shop can do the job handily.

Floyd is correct, it's not that big of deal, remove axle, install lift blocks, then remount axle.

Since I already owned the Scamp, I shopped for a truck that was low enough to accommodate at the existing trailer height. The only two trucks that I found were the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. They are due to be replaced in the next year or two and I suspect they will also be raised as is the new Chevrolet Colorado. When that happens, I suspect that Scamp will have to deal with the issue on all of their new fivers.

[Paul O.]

The 3 inch raise is a $100 option from Scamp. When everybody asks for it, it will become standard.

[Dennis mn]

Originally Posted by Paul O.

The 3 inch raise is a $100 option from Scamp. When everybody asks for it, it will become standard.

I bought my Scamp used, so I don't know if the 3" block that exists between the frame and axle on my trailer is a lift, or if when lifted, there is 6" of block. If mine is already lifted, then three inches is not enough for todays full sized trucks!

[cmartin748]

Saw one in Alabama at Green Eggs and Ham rally with the setup you are talking about. It looked level but didn't check to see if he made any modifications. sorry.

[BoiseScamper]

I pull my 2010 5th wheel with a 2013 Chevy Siverado 4x4. Bed height is 54" We have no problems pulling it, but our Reese Hitch is adjustable. On the lowest setting it did hit the bed top once pulling into a gas station, but that was my fault for not being cautious. I adjusted it up one setting and it pulls great. My unit does have the 3" lift which I believe most 2010's do have. With that size truck, I do not even know it is behind us. Still manages 15 to 16 mpg. Don't pass this up!

[piperjim]

I have a 2002 5th wheel and pull it with a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 31" bed height. I did have to raise the camper, otherwise the hitch frame would beat up the top of the truck bed. My local welding shop raised the Scamp 4" and installed a new hitch (adjustable) on the Scamp, too.

Dodge (and I think other truck manufacturers) raised the bed height in their pickups around 2002, so I've been told.

We like the 4" raise on the Scamp, and the new hitch.

Don't be discouraged. It's only metal and a welding shop can take care of this problem for you.

[Eddie Longest]

Around 2010 Scamp started using bolt on axle brackets on the S-16&19. If it is a newer trailer you can order a bolt on lift kit from Orbital Machine Works in TX for the Dexter and Alko Axles. (About $100) I have seen recenty where Scamp is using Lippert axles and the mounting bolt patterns seem to be different. If you have a bolt on axle lifting the trailer can be a DIY project if you have the skills to do it.
Eddie

[Herman M Parker]

Sally P We have a 2007 Scamp 5er and a Dodge 1500 2003 model. We put a 3 inch riser on the axle and swapped out the 13in wheels for 15in wheels now rides level on the truck. Have put over 10000 miles on the trailer since the mod with no problems barley know it's back there.

[futurescamptramp]

Thanks for this discussion!

I've got an almost new 2013 (10,000 mile) Nissan Frontier 4dr crew cab 2 wheel drive with 4.0 V6 and auto tranny and short bed and want to tug a Scamp 5er or other small 5th wheeler if possible.,,,doesn't have to be fiberglass, just small and lite.

I have a few questions about the configuration considering the short bed and appropriate hitch selection. I expect already I'll need to install an external tranny cooler, and I'm open to suggestions in that regard.

First, I'll tell you a little about me and my camper needs....I'm 62, fully retired and single. I will be traveling/camping alone, so the floor plan needs to be maximized for living area and prefer a full shower-not a cramped shower/toilet combo...I'll be mostly camping at locations with full hookups for weeks at a time thru good and bad weather.

I have not yet contacted Scamp to inquire if they will alter floor plans to suit my needs, but plan too if you here tell me my short bed rig will accommodate the Scamp hitch and retain the ability to execute fairly sharp turns.

I am a fully qualified welder and have every welding process and all metal fab equipment available.....I'm also a very experienced auto mechanic capable of making repairs and modifications to all systems including electrical.....BUT I'd like to be able to have my rig tow ready before I travel 1500 miles to factory to accept delivery of camper.

My tailgate height measures 49" with 5' long bed.

If anyone here has experience with my tow rig and the Scamp 5er combo, or perhaps another brand of small/light 5er, please advise...especially if you know of a manufacturer willing to customize their floor plans to suit my desires....I don't care about decor, just layout and appliances.

THANKS!

[Paul O.]

I tow with a 2013 Tacoma, pretty close to your Frontier. It should work well for you. The Tacoma has a SMC (sheet molding compound) bed. I mounted the hitch myself, you should find it easy to do yourself. I posted details of my installation a couple of years ago here. You should be able to find it.

[Dennis mn]

Originally Posted by futurescamptramp

Thanks for this discussion!

I've got an almost new 2013 (10,000 mile) Nissan Frontier 4dr crew cab 2 wheel drive with 4.0 V6 and auto tranny and short bed and want to tug a Scamp 5er or other small 5th wheeler if possible.,,,doesn't have to be fiberglass, just small and lite.

I have a few questions about the configuration considering the short bed and appropriate hitch selection. I expect already I'll need to install an external tranny cooler, and I'm open to suggestions in that regard.

First, I'll tell you a little about me and my camper needs....I'm 62, fully retired and single. I will be traveling/camping alone, so the floor plan needs to be maximized for living area and prefer a full shower-not a cramped shower/toilet combo...I'll be mostly camping at locations with full hookups for weeks at a time thru good and bad weather.

I have not yet contacted Scamp to inquire if they will alter floor plans to suit my needs, but plan too if you here tell me my short bed rig will accommodate the Scamp hitch and retain the ability to execute fairly sharp turns.

I am a fully qualified welder and have every welding process and all metal fab equipment available.....I'm also a very experienced auto mechanic capable of making repairs and modifications to all systems including electrical.....BUT I'd like to be able to have my rig tow ready before I travel 1500 miles to factory to accept delivery of camper.

My tailgate height measures 49" with 5' long bed.

If anyone here has experience with my tow rig and the Scamp 5er combo, or perhaps another brand of small/light 5er, please advise...especially if you know of a manufacturer willing to customize their floor plans to suit my desires....I don't care about decor, just layout and appliances.

THANKS!

I tow my Scamp with a 2014 Nissan Frontier, CC with five foot box. I located the hitch in the exact center of the bed, which is about two inches behind centerline of axle. My 2003 Toyota Tacoma, I mounted the hitch about 8" behind the axle. Both worked very well but it looks better behind the Nissan!

[Jon in AZ]

I can't think of any molded fiberglass trailers, other than the larger Bigfoots, with dry baths. I seriously doubt any manufacturers will accommodate that level of customization. Escape seems to be the most willing to make changes, but those I have seen didn't involve altering appliance and mechanical systems.

If a dry bath is non-negotiable, you may have to look beyond molded fiberglass or buy a Scamp and customize it to your needs. Seems possible to take out part of the front sofa on the 19S and build out a separate shower in the street side corner. I think the side compartment can be ordered as a toilet only.

The deluxe models do have a larger shower space than the standard version, but it's still a wet bath set-up. When you contact Scamp, you might inquire about a referral to look at a 19D to see if that could work for you.

[sokhapkin]

Originally Posted by Paul O.

The 3 inch raise is a $100 option from Scamp. When everybody asks for it, it will become standard.

And Scamp will introduce 3 inch drop option for $100

[vt lilly]

Hi Sally
I have a Scamp 19 with the three inch lift, the bed height on my 2006 Toyota Tundra
4 whdr is fifty one & one half inches. I have ample clearance with the 13 inch wheels but have ordered 15 inch wheels that will be installed next week. Presently with the 13s I'm one inch nose high but the 15s will cure that. Where there's a will there's a way.