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Have you ever seen a small egg-shaped trailer with the red letters “Scamp” painted on the side driving on the interstate? Even more surprising than the unique design is the fact that a sedan is pulling it. You’ve just observed a Scamp camper!
Let’s look closer at these lightweight campers notorious for being easy to tow. Maybe it’s just the type of camper you’ve been searching for.
What Is a Scamp Camper?
Scamp campers have been around since the early 1970s. They feature a fiberglass shell but are lightweight and easy to maneuver. Scamp campers are safer compared to tents because they’re not canvas and provide added protection from wildlife. But their small design is ideal for campers who still want to travel to more primitive locations.
Benefits
Scamp campers are extremely popular and hold their value very well. For starters, you can tow a Scamp camper with the vehicle you currently own. You don’t need to buy an expensive dually with a diesel engine. They’re also highly fuel-efficient because of their aerodynamic design.
The size and design make towing a Scamp camper much easier than pulling another kind of travel trailer. However, Scamp also produces two fifth wheel options – the standard and the deluxe. For these units, you’ll need a truck with a fifth-wheel hitch to tow them.
Because of their size, setting up a Scamp camper is easy. Just pull into your campsite, unhitch, and enjoy your adventure. Because there aren’t the bells and whistles of other types of units, there’s also less chance of parts not working. For example, having no slides means having no slide issues.
Scamp campers are also durable and well-built. Some campers built in the 1970s are still on the road today. They retain their resale value because of their quality. If you have a Scamp camper, it might just outlast you!
Disadvantages
A benefit of owning a Scamp camper is that you can travel to tight spaces and tow it with a small SUV. But the disadvantage of its size is the limited space. While you don’t have to set up any slides, a Scamp camper may not be the best solution for a family. It will be challenging to enjoy a weekend of camping in such a small space.
Keep In Mind: If you plan on camping with your family, look into the best family RVs with enough space for the whole crew.
Depending on your camping needs, competitors may offer better options. Compared to its closest competitor Casita, Scamp campers provide the essential features, whereas Casita offers more upgraded options. Deluxe Casita models have roomier bathrooms and more storage space.
Also, pulling a Scamp uphill with a 4-cylinder engine is doable, but your fuel efficiency decreases quickly. It can also feel like your vehicle is working hard to do the job, and it might be slow-going. If you want to travel in mountainous areas, you might consider a larger engine. If you’re just driving down the interstates in Florida, then towing a Scamp with a smaller engine will be fine.
Finally, the cost of delivering a Scamp camper varies based on your location. If you can’t get to Minnesota to pick up your new trailer, it could be costly to have it delivered to you.
Are Scamp Campers Any Good?
Because Scamp campers last almost a lifetime, you can rest assured that you’re buying a quality crafted trailer. All Scamp campers are built to order. So you custom outfit your unit to meet your tastes and needs. You can upgrade to hardwood interiors in oak or birch. You can also add air conditioning, awnings, a furnace, and more to make camping even more enjoyable.
The most appealing aspect of a Scamp camper is its weight. At only 1200-1500 lbs with a hitch weight of 100-150 lbs, the 13ft units don’t require you to spend more buying a heavy-duty truck. The 16ft units are only 1750-2000 pounds with 185-220 lbs hitch weight.
It’s also a much easier camper to pull, so you don’t need to go to RV driving school, worry about long-tail swings, or plan routes any differently than you would driving a car.
How Much Does a Scamp Camper Cost?
This varies from floor plan to floor plan and size to size. Currently, Scamp offers these options: 13ft, 16ft, and 19ft standard and deluxe trailers. Because the manufacturer builds these units to order, pricing varies based on the owner’s specifications.
The average base price for a new 13ft Scamp camper is around $15,000-$16,000. A 16ft Scamp camper is approximately $20,000-$21,000, and the 19ft fifth wheel units are about $23,000. Again, these prices vary somewhat based on your particular floor plan and specifications.
Scamp Camper Floor Plans
There are five 13ft floor plan options, nine 16ft floor plan options, and three 19ft floor plan options. The 13ft units all have a table and bunk with storage underneath in the rear, and the center features a sink, stove-top, and closet. The main difference among these floor plans is the front space. You can choose to have a bathroom and extra closet, another table, another bunk area with storage, or a sofa/bunk bed with storage.
The ends of the trailers don’t vary much in the five 16-ft standard options. All five floor plans feature the table and bunk with storage in the rear. You have two options for the front layout: a bathroom and extra closet or a sofa/bunk bed with storage. The middle space of the trailers varies, but all units come with a stovetop, a sink, a fridge, and upper cabinets. You could choose from an additional closet, extra seating, or a small shower and toilet.
The four deluxe 16ft floor plans offer a few different options. You can get the toilet/shower either near the kitchen or in the front. You can add an additional dining area or a sofa/bunk bed with storage. All of the kitchens include a sink, stovetop, and fridge.
The one standard 19ft floor plan features a loft queen-size bed in the front end cap. The two deluxe 19ft floor plans feature additional storage in that space. All three floor plans have a toilet/shower, fridge, stovetop, and sink. The rear layout is also the same including the table and bunk with storage below and cabinets overhead. The standard option includes a sofa/bunk bed with storage but a smaller kitchen space.
Pro Tip: You can’t go back once you decide on a floor plan, so make sure you’ve thought about these 5 big considerations when choosing an RV floor plan →
Is a Scamp Camper Worth It?
Scamp campers make an excellent economical choice with the skyrocketing fuel prices because of their aerodynamic design and lightweight towability. Scamp owners generally love their trailers, and similar to Airstream, Scamp has a cult following. Therefore, they tend to hold their value well.
Because it’s a smaller manufacturer, you’ll receive quality customer service. Plus, they have their own parts store online, so you can shop, order, and ship specific items you need to replace. And it doesn’t matter if you live in New York or Florida or California–they’ll load up your Scamp camper at the factory in Minnesota and personally deliver it to you upon completion if you can’t pick it up yourself.
So, is a Scamp worth it? Well, if you don’t need a large space for camping, it could be a good fit. It’s durable, convenient, and economical.
If you’re looking for an iconic trailer to hit the road with (and can’t afford a $100,000 Airstream), the quality-made, customizable Scamp campers fit the bill. Now, you just have to settle on a floor plan.
Which model best suits your travel needs?
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