New Scamp TT totalled after two potholes
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New Scamp TT totalled after two potholes
Hey all, I don't post in this area much as I do not tow that much myself. However my parents, after a couple of years of looking and considering options, ordered a Scamp TT last winter, and picked it up just in time for Christmas last year.
They had lots of fun with it for the first three months or so, and found that towing it behind their minivan worked very well. Had lots of good trips, probably 5000 miles or better.
Things took a turn quickly in May, while driving up from North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway in West Virginia. Dad missed two large potholes, quite deep, and they shook the van (hit only with the rear wheel on the van) but the Scamp took them both full-force on the driver's side. They immediatly pulled over as the tire instantly went flat (bent rim).
Upon looking at it closer, it was apparent there was suspension damage. With the new tire and wheel in place, the Scamp leaned to the driver's side noticeably. They actually continued to use the camper (to a lesser degree) since that time! After letting local repair shops look it over, it was first thought that the shock had not worked properly, so they prusued a warranty claim with Scamp for the frame and suspension damage - turned out they actually had tweaked the frame!
Scamp would not cover it under warranty, and stated the it was an insurance-covered situation instead. But they told my Dad..."we will make you a nice deal on a new one..."
Finally, after the trailer body shop declared it a "total", they receved a check and the salvage yad is picking it up today. Scamp travels and memories are done, at least for now. It's my observation that this unit had an inadequate frame under it. Part of what makes it easy to tow, but also make them pretty fragile.
Just had to vent a bit. Any "more durable" small TT's that one may suggest for my parents?
They had lots of fun with it for the first three months or so, and found that towing it behind their minivan worked very well. Had lots of good trips, probably 5000 miles or better.
Things took a turn quickly in May, while driving up from North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway in West Virginia. Dad missed two large potholes, quite deep, and they shook the van (hit only with the rear wheel on the van) but the Scamp took them both full-force on the driver's side. They immediatly pulled over as the tire instantly went flat (bent rim).
Upon looking at it closer, it was apparent there was suspension damage. With the new tire and wheel in place, the Scamp leaned to the driver's side noticeably. They actually continued to use the camper (to a lesser degree) since that time! After letting local repair shops look it over, it was first thought that the shock had not worked properly, so they prusued a warranty claim with Scamp for the frame and suspension damage - turned out they actually had tweaked the frame!
Scamp would not cover it under warranty, and stated the it was an insurance-covered situation instead. But they told my Dad..."we will make you a nice deal on a new one..."
Finally, after the trailer body shop declared it a "total", they receved a check and the salvage yad is picking it up today. Scamp travels and memories are done, at least for now. It's my observation that this unit had an inadequate frame under it. Part of what makes it easy to tow, but also make them pretty fragile.
Just had to vent a bit. Any "more durable" small TT's that one may suggest for my parents?
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Location: Grande Prairie, AB
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Any of the little fiberglass "eggs" are a decent unit. Mom has a Bigfoot(Canadian manufacturer) that pulls like a dream with her Dakota crew-cab. Boler is a rugged little unit too, and probably more common in your neighborhood.
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06-22-2006 09:21 AM