Hard to believe it's already been nearly four years since I bought this Scamp. Over that time I've had many thoughts and ideas regarding how I wanted to fix it up. Last week I took action. The first step was jacking up the shell and pulling out the frame.
Last summer I replaced the axle. The old axle was welded in such a way that made it difficult to remove. Not without doing more trauma to the frame than I wanted anyway. I was working underneath. And it was very hot. To get that job done I just hacked off the torsion arms of the old axle. Then added a little over lift for clearance. Not purdy. But it worked.
I was keen to remove the dead weight of the old axle. With that interference problem eliminated I removed the excess spacers. While in the disassembly mode, I unbolted everything else attached to the frame. Then cut any steel that wasn't essential to the new build plan. The end result of that demolition was a rather literal exploded view.
Next I straightened the frame. It was sagging front to rear. Sorta banana like. Fortunately, my buddy Ed offered me a great place to work. Plus a pile of cement blocks and a tractor with bucket to utilize. Between hydraulic muscle, two heavy vehicles, and a little applied physics, it sprung straight. More steel was strategically welded to lock the corrected shape. Also beef it up and incorporate some new features and design elements.
Previously the shell mainly rested on the front and rear. That explains how the frame bent the way it did. Now cantilever braces support the shell perimeter in a more distributed way. (That's how Airstream does it.)
With the frame off it was easier to attached crank down leveler jacks in the rear corners. I was very pleased with how well different elements came together. I dare say the redesign is rather elegant.
It took many hours to scrub it all down to bare metal. Several more for a good paint job. But it was so worth it. Seeing the frame look like new was very satisfying. It gives me confidence that a 40+ year old camper has a long life ahead. Meanwhile, time to roll it back under the shell.
Getting the shell and frame to line up right was a challenge. I ended up cinching a strap all the way around the shell. Then with a cable winch closed the 1/2 inch extra doorway bottom gap that contributed to door misalignment. Then bolt it down to lock that shape. As hoped the door fits a lot better now with a straight platform and corrected shell.
With the over lift kit removed it sits 2 inches closer to the ground. Finally I could reverse the ball mount for drop instead of rise. Things are falling into place.
That pretty much completes the foundation work. The next chapter is to remodel the interior. It's a lot of work. But I'm really looking forward to it. Next month.
