My daughters $ 145,000 Thor Tallero 20 J (J is for Junk) had the same drawer problem after 4 months, she put some pots and pans and a cutting board in the bottom drawer, thankfully Dad provider her a industrial strength roll of black duct tape until she could get back home. Got the drawer out and was amazed at how cheap the drawer was. The bottom 1/8 Luan was stapled into the side frames and not an ounce of Elmers or any other kind of glue. And when I said stapled, I mean it looks like they used an office stapler. Now I have removed all three drawers and used my boat building skills, brass screws and epoxy to make sure they will never come apart again. #2 When I got out of the Navey in 66' I bought a Volkswagen Bus, I had a dim light showing on the dash that you could only see at night, replaced what I thought was a bad battery, when that went dead after a few weeks, I replaced the generator ( no alternators yet) but the problem persisted. Turns out they mounted the voltage regulator on the rear wheel well, the bolts that held it on protruded into the well where all the salt from our roads rusted them so there was no good ground for the regulator thus the dim light on the dashboard. I think you posting your problems and experiences really helps other followers to understand and repair things in a timely fashion without having to go to a RV repair place. After 37 years of sailing I learned how to fix many things. There are no harware stores 75 miles offshore! Cap'n Rick Port of Lewes, Delaware

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

the amazing thing is...its not just the "inexpensive" RVs that have these issues. good old duct tape saves the day again 🥳 gotta have some ingenuity to own an RV...and especially a boat!!

Lots of work. You certainly have gotten a lot of use out of the Scamp. Keep smiling! You have a trailer to work on! And... you've got Land!😄🏞️

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

yes! we have taken this Scamp on many wonderful trips...sadly she may be close to retirement 🙈

@ursinidaho

8 ай бұрын

That's too bad. I sure wish they built things to last in this world.

With a new axle you will have a Scamp that will last for decades to come. As you know a brand new Scamp is at least $25k+. A used scamp with a rusted frame is a better investment than buying new in scamp in my opinion. Looking forward to see your updates.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

ooh yes- we have some updates...and unfortunately its not looking good 🙈 video coming soon

Retro Reno in Jacksonville fl is a great resource for scamp & all fiberglass trailers.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

yes!! I just spoke with them the other day...we hope to get the Scamp over to them, I think they are our only hope to save her!

@annjohnson4776

8 ай бұрын

They do good work. They have been doing repairs for us that we aren’t able to do ourselves for the last two years.

The rust is no surprise on an 11yr old trailer. Parking over dirt (as opposed to pavement) will greatly accelerate the rust process…same trouble with a car underside. I would replace that axel; however, it’s attached to the very rusty frame. Maybe you should have a talk with someone at Scamp about this. I’m sure they’ve been through this a thousand times.

@lancerevell5979

8 ай бұрын

Watching these Tiny Trailer channels, I've seen two different owners have serious frame breakages. Both got emergency roadside welding to repair for immediate travel. One owner finally had the manufacturer (not Scamp) swap in a brand new stronger frame.

@reubenj.cogburn8546

8 ай бұрын

​@@lancerevell5979this is where they are headed, they just don't know it yet

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

we are waiting for Scamp's reply regarding options with the trailer & we are also talking to a Scamp reno expert about options...so fingers crossed we can make something happen! I think my disappointment really stems from the comparison to my last RV...a 1977 Holiday Rambler that had an interior reno & one axel replacement...but was rolling like a champ! I guess they don't make them like that anymore- it's a shame.

Well, if anybody can bend over backwards to get the repairs done it's you.🙂

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

oh, I really hope so! we are trying to explore all options...hopefully have an update soon 😊

That draw needs to be rebuilt out of plywood base with a wood frame. You can use pine..rout a dado to slide draw bottom in. A carpenter can do it in 20mins

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

I am looking forward to the day when we are situated on our own property & have tools & a space to do projects like that...one day 😊

The nice thing about scamps is that they are lightweight, and really cute. The worst thing about scamps is that they're built to sell, and durability was about the last thing they had in mind. So, I'm just going to throw this out there, and please don't think I'm being cruel. These units were meant for a fun weekend occasionally. It has already passed its design blueprint for age. That kind of corrosion almost looks like electrolysis, there are ways to help remedy that, but I'm afraid there may be more structural issues to contend with. Once things get that bad, it's a rare occurrence that one part or two parts are going to fix things. From 10000 feet up, she looks like a money pit from here. But that's the Bean Counter talking. If you really love it, it doesn't matter if it's good money after bad. I guess that's why Airstream gets 75 grand for their version of a Scamp.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

Oh yes- the world of RVing is a big ol' money pit! especially after the 10-year mark! if money was no thang we would grab an airstream or an oliver...but at this point we are strongly considering a return to tent camping 🙈 🏕️ We wanted a small camper & we needed something light so Scamp seemed a natural fit & all the research I did seemed to show that if you take care of your Scamp it will last 20+ years. I forgot to factor in that those were the Scamps built in another decade...It just doesn't seem like anything lasts as long anymore. We just found out our 6 year old dishwasher is unable to be fixed & ready for the junk yard...compared to the last one that made it 15 years This strange throw away culture is rather frustrating! But we are not ready to give up yet...we are talking to Scamp & a retro camper company to see if there are any viable options ...and if not...its back to a tent! 🌲

Has the undercarriage been looked at so to provide an estimate to repair? The way the drawer is made guarantees it will fall apart. We've ordered a new Scamp and glad to hear it issues start popping up near the ten year mark. That is when I'll be looking to sell it. I always parked the camper we had on top of a tarp so to reduce ground moisture doing more damage.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

6 ай бұрын

we had several mechanics look at it & its not looking good 🙈 I am posting an update video tonight. Buying new and selling before 10 years seems to be the best course of action for stress free RVing. Parking over a tarp sounds like an easy way to keep some moisture away.

@danarobotmaker3396

6 ай бұрын

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin doesn't sound like good news. Well, I'll watch and learn.

The bottom of the drawer looks like Masonite, which is trash. If you get it wet it's going to fail. Replace drawer bottoms with thin nautical plywood.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

why they think its a good idea to use these materials in an RV I will never understand 🙈 I will keep that in mind for a future project, thanks!

Yes, I had that happen to me before a trip, my trailer lights weren't working. There is a fuse and a breaker that can blow under the hood that controls trailer lights if the wiring gets grounded to metal on the trailer. That frame needs looked at because a few I know on youtube who has a scamp has had their frame brake. Slim potato head had his whole frame replaced by the factory and is still having trouble with it. I believe at the time it cost him 2k. A tech can fix you up... if he can get parts. GL!

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

We checked so many things, and never thought about the fuse under the hood...even when we took it to the mechanic it took him a while to find it! We saw Slim's episode when his frame cracked...very scary! Scamp has a reinforcement plate at that exact spot...so thats good...but our problem is under the trailer & unfortunately its not looking good for ol' Doris at this point 🙈

Yikes,.....wife and I have owned around 30 Scamps over the years, and that frame does not look good. We have restored 2-3 that have been used solely as Ice/Fish-houses for many years, and those frames looked better than that. The one saving grace, the average life span of a Scamp Axle is 10-15 years, you got your monies worth (we have replaced many, Dexter Axles). Really not that big of a job, I would guess in the $700-$1.2K range all-in, in today's market. The problem, is there enough strong metal to Weld on that new Axle. Looking at your photos, it is going to be close. Might get one more Axle out of that frame, but not much more. In the future, absolutely stay away from any frame coating or rubberized sealant. Only use an oil based coating, like "Fluid Film". You guys use the heck out of your camper, and happy to see it. They are just not designed for this type of use however, weeks on end, etc.. They are built for 6-7 weekend trips a season, unfortunately not much more. If the frame looks to far gone to bring back, and you love the camper, just slap a custom Aluminum Frame under that Scamp (these are small, any mid-level trailer outfit can weld a aluminum frame together for a 13'). Yes, it will cost a bit, but will get it all back and more when re-selling. Goof fix on the drawer by the way, well done!

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

Hi Chris, thanks for this info! Nope...she is not looking good and we are super disappointed about it. We thought we were keeping up with maintenance and rust protection, but as the "rust prevention" paint started to flake off this year we realized there was a problem. Right now we are talking to Scamp & a fiberglass RV reno company about options for doing a trailer swap. At the very least we have learned a lot of what not to do & some of the preventative measures we will need to take in the future if we ever get another RV

I had a 2013 scamp 13 that lived outside and had very little rust in Chicago. However, I didn't ever take it out in the winter with salt. I now have a 2021 16 and have sprayed the frame with CRC heavy duty corrosion inhibitor for good measure as I do plan to take it out later in the season. Hopefully you can get the axle replaced, may need a bit of welding reinforcement. I would definitely look into a rust inhibitor spray to keep that rust in check.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

We never took it out in winter after they started road salting (we are not those campers 😂) but we did visit national seashores several times & I wonder if the salt air was a factor? We did a bit of rust protective paint 2 years ago...but sadly I think it was already too late at that point as that paint just flaked off to reveal the progression of the rust 🙈 Lessons learned- If we ever get another camper our maintenance schedule will be all about preventing trailer rust!

@DaveK84

8 ай бұрын

​@@LetNewAdventuresBegin it could also be where you park it. For rust you really want to use a rust converter and not a paint or an "undercoating" ruwt converter becomes one with the rust and shouldnt ever flake off. Sometimew rhe rubber undercoatings actually trqp in moisture and make rhings worse.

Hmm, I wonder how much Scamp would charge for installing a new frame? That rust issue looks way worse than superficial. We have a Casita trailer, I sealed around all particle board edges (cabinet and doors)with polyurethane as a preventative measure. About 5 years ago I compared the build quality of the Casita to the Scamp and bought the Casita. I think Scamp has improved over the last few years though.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

we are in the process of seeing if we can do a frame swap...at this point, I think its our only hope to save the Scamp. We didn't look at Casita because it is a bit heavier...but now it all makes sense! I just heard the new Scamps are built without any wood in the floor (its about time!)

@stuartstuart866

8 ай бұрын

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin I saw videos on the 2025? Scamps and they look absolutely gorgeous

Another item is your fantastic fan screen does come off easily for cleaning. We have done it twice in our 2021 but ours has turning clips i think yours has a little finger pull? Look it up!

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

oh yes- thats another one for the list 👍 needs a good scrub!

For your fridge, Our3 way fridge in our 2021 is working fine but kind of small so we bought a Bouge 58 qt Dual zone fridge for less than $450 It might be an option for you now then spending big bucks! With drawing current the same as a 150 watt light bulb when running we keep it in the car plugged into the cigarette lighter plug! Keeps ice cream frozen at 0 degrees! Great for our grandkids!

@reubenj.cogburn8546

8 ай бұрын

I agree, you can literally buy a small compressor refrigerator, a power station, and a solar panel setup, and still have it be less than a conventional three-way ammonia refrigerator. Plus you have a power station with a solar panel to boot!

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

I see more and more RVers switching their rig to electric- especially with the fridge...I think we might consider that IF we are able to save the camper...but that remains to be seen 😬

@danno3497

8 ай бұрын

@@LetNewAdventuresBeginAlthough Most people that switch to a only electric fridge also have solar installed to keep it running We switch our trailers 3 way to 12v and keep the door closed when traveling

@danno3497

8 ай бұрын

Yes and this particular fridge does have a optional built in battery and solar panel But I use my 1000w Jackery that has solar so it keeps it going no matter.....

Laura, a couple things My wife and I have a 2021 16 Scamp, We have already had the drawer problem, she says the drawer won't open! I saw the bottom was falling with the weight I ended up cutting and enlarging the bottom of the opening so it would accommodate a 1/4" oak panel as the original bottom was a piece of plastic,I predrilled and used twice as many screws lol

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

maybe its just me...but stuff like that should not break on a 2021...kinda shows that a new design is needed 🙈 But im glad to hear you were able to fix it & improve it in the process!

If you could get it TO Florida, Retro Renos in Jacksonville is awesome and has just become a Scamp seller as well as repairer. As to maintenance: I have a 2000 Scamp, the salt on our northeastern roads is brutal on metal undercarriages. On the other hand, we don't get the intense sunlight and heat of the western/southern states that damages the paint/fiberglass coating. In the southwest desert, rodents attack the wiring. Maintenance is a fact of life with our rvs....

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

YES...thank you Sarah! this is what I was looking for- I figured there had to be a Scamp specialty shop somewhere 😊 I am going to get in contact with them!

Sounds like expensive junk.

@LetNewAdventuresBegin

8 ай бұрын

you just perfectly summed up the RV industry in 4 words 😂😂