With the frame reworked the Scamp was ready for renovation. This project is a complete makeover. Mine was the typical layout originally. The rear dinette table dropped down into a bed. The front couch back raised into an upper bunk. The seat bottom becoming the lower bunk.
There was a closet on the curb side. On the road side the base cabinet had a sink and stove on top, a refrigerator and storage underneath, plus more storage in overhead cabinets. The was additional storage under the front and rear benches.
My motivations for remodeling were several. For one person the bed was okay. But it's only 44" wide and the back corners are curved. That reduced space and comfort for another. The cushions were comfortable enough for sleeping but the seating ergonomics were poor. Partly because the cushions were thin and soft. But also because the seat was deep and the backs were vertical resulting in poor support.
The reclined couch was better posture but the same cushion quality was still lacking. Also lacking was the closet. It wasn't deep enough for adult hangers. The hanger bar was turned so clothing was sequential not random access.
The kitchen was very limited. There was no counter space for food preparation. The previous owner made a cover for the stove burners. But when you're cooking that doesn't help. And the low mounted refrigerator required bending over or squatting down. Usability was low.
Lots of room for improvement. These sketches give some idea of the before and after floor plans. The frame rebuild was designed specifically to accommodate this layout.
The bold new layout requires moving all the appliances. That meant fiberglassing over a bunch of holes on the road side. Old window, fridge vent and door, power inlet, sink drain. While doing major surgery I decided to also move the road side window. Fortunately, the removed interior cabinets provided donor material for the patch work.
When I rebuilt the frame I placed the new axle and bigger wheels as far back as I dared. The curb side was fine. But the road side wheel well was too tight. There was barely 1/2" of clearance.
Rather than move the whole thing I stretched it rearward.
The frame was lifted to accommodate 15" wheels. As a result the wheels had wasted headroom. Dexter recommends 3" for bump clearance. On the curb side I don't care. It's all wasted space under the new fridge location anyway. But on the road side 6" floor step + 11" wheel well + 5" cushions = 22" couch.
Lowering it just 2-1/2" will make sitting there more comfortable. Plus I want small cabinets overhead. I'd prefer to not crack my noggin on those. Those inches are valuable.
Alas, the shell is gutted. At this point there is no plumbing for water or propane. The only electrical remaining are the exterior lights and the AC power panel.
I've been patching the ensolite headliner with latex caulk. Outside bodywork can be completed later. As long as the rain stays outside. With inside fiberglassing over the filled holes done I can proceed with cabinetry.
That's where the real fun begins. Scamps are curved. The shell doesn't have any plumb walls or square corners. Cabinet making will be an exercise in fit as go. Good thing I enjoy challenging projects.
"I'm as happy as a tornado in a trailer park."
--Tow Mater
