Scamp Trailers has been in business for 50 years and produces several pull-behind campers from 13 to 19 feet in length. This 1987 edition looks almost like new, suggesting it has been gently used in the past 35 years. Located in Polk City, Florida, this trailer is road ready and light enough to be pulled by almost any car or truck. It’s available here on eBay where the Buy It Now price has been set at $11,500.
The founder of Scamp Trailers, Duane Eveland, had prior experience remodeling damaged mobile homes. That led him to build trailers for Boler, a Canadian company looking to get into the U.S. market. Boler’s efforts were short-lived and provided the framework for Duane to go into the camper business himself, along with other family members. At first, they only built 13’ trailers, building 500 in 1975 and growing every year after that, though they would experience one catastrophe after another (condemned building, fire damage, etc.). Today, the business seems to be flourishing from its home in Backus, Minnesota. For more on the Scamp story, click here.
Nothing appears to be amiss with the seller’s 1987 13’ Scamp. Before the current owner, it’s said to have been kept indoors which is not something a lot of campers get to experience. We’re guessing the trailer can sleep up to four people, but it’s going to be cozy as you’ll have to take down the kitchen table and turn it into a bed. From what we can tell, this camper is road-ready and you could take it out as soon as you get the title transferred and new registration put into place.
All (well, many) of the comforts of home seem to be packed inside this compact camper Air conditioning and heat, a sink, stove and a refrigerator are all part of the mix. Everything is said to be nice and tight (i.e. no leaks which often creep into trailers like this). When you make your first outing, you’ll already have the appropriate accessories, like leveling jacks, propane tank, battery, television, and a bunch of odds and ends. Who’s ready to head to the state park nearest you?
Well, since the LEAST expensive Airstream this size, the “Bambi” costing almost $60 GRAND, makes this a freakin’ bargain. A neighbor has a Casita, a bit bigger, same type, and pulls it with a Toyota Highlander with ease. While this is about the cheapest way of getting into camping, without restoring a “canned ham”, again, it’s out of reach for many that would want this. People with money don’t pull 13 foot egg campers, it’s families on a budget, and sorry, $11g’s for a creature comfort is out of reach. Just think, $35 grand for an old Dodge pickup and $11 grand here, anyone else see something wrong?
Either a Toyota Highlander or a Mazda CX-5. Anything lightweight enough that a lightweight car-based SUV could tow it if so equipped to do so.
Yep. The Casita is an upgrade from this. Can be had with a full bath, A/C, awning ect for this or slightly more used.
Well bare 13 Ft is only 15 K this isn’t a really a bargain. What seems scary is the AC mounting. Not factory and the grill mounted to the outside. So the wind and rain must go into some hollow box, na best to keep it in a garage.
If it’s a standard window unit like the one we put in our VW camper it’s got a drain just inside the outside vents that drains the evaporator water out. Should take care of any rain water splashed up into the vents. Agree that the price is a bit stiff.
Shrimp Scamp-i
Ok it’s in Florida and $11,500 seams high for what this is but if you’re up for a road trip you can probably flip it for a profit if you live in Washington, Oregon or California so drag it back enjoying your vacation then sell it for $18-20k in one of those states
Naw, its 10k or less in OR. New ones are 15k. This seems really bizarre.
After the company was destroyed in January 2006, they built new molds that are better, less leaks, better quality, and taller inside.
SO, buy a newer one!
Oh, this would be great for tailgating or other relatively short accommodation needs. I wouldn’t want to camp in it, though it’s better than an ungainly motorhome that you have to drag a car behind.
Take care of it and if you do four night weekends like we do, you could save a lot on hotel and restaurant costs…
Plus you’d have big spaces to apply your team logo…
Howard’s right. There is something wrong. The “craziness” of all this is mostly due to a lot of loose money, even illegal money. Lots of it. But now it’s just “starting” to crumble and as the economy continues to slow so will the amount that people bid on cars and trailers as such as this one. The market will go down as people start to run out of money. Period. No cash no deal. Unfortunately, the market could drop to the point where “ Nobody” will even be bidding let alone buying. Lets hope that it doesn’t fully collapse because I really love Barn Finds and all these great people and the stories you all have to tell. Best of luck to everyone. Great article too.
If you decide to buy one of these, realize that you will be making repairs.
There are different You Tube reviews and they all have the same basic issues.
Leaky water tanks(big problem), weak cabinet door hardware, etc.
Washboard roads are the shakedown test, and most fail.
If compared to camping in a tent this would be the step up but 11k makes it a hard pass
The Canadian Boler camper and this the US version were conceived from an alternative use of a Septic Tank. Brilliant!
The Boler did not have its name done so boldly as the Scamp and appears quite nondescript. I used to see Bolers pulled behind ’30-39 Fords and once a Pierce Arrow.
Different.
I showed my wife. The way I said it (not intentionally), she thought it was a used septic tank. Oh, I said, it’s /new/. That didn’t make it any better.
Maybe if they were making septic tanks from trailers, then it would be IN.
the 2 co.s mentioned R great as they went w/the glass = a real improvment over the non-glass (alu, others). Insulation & water proofing run superior in these.
Unfortunatly right now they seek a prieum as most want 1 (mention advantages AND sz – pull behind smaller vehicles, easy to transport (read back up for non-experienced).