A Scamp camper for sale can look like a straightforward choice if the shell is tidy and the asking price fits your budget. The better test is whether the particular trailer is sound, correctly equipped and suitable for your tow vehicle and camping plans. Check the model and layout, inspect the shell and running gear, confirm the trailer’s actual weight, and operate every system that is fitted. A low price can be misleading if the unit needs structural work, has incomplete paperwork or requires towing equipment your vehicle cannot safely carry. Use the same checks on every listing so you can compare like with like.
Scamp has offered different trailer sizes and layouts, and equipment can vary by model year and by the original order. Listings may use broad descriptions such as “small Scamp” or “fully equipped” without making clear what is actually included. Ask for the model, year, serial or vehicle identification details, and a list of installed options. If the seller has original documents or a build record, use them to confirm the configuration rather than relying on a listing description.
The 13- and 16-foot models are conventional tow-behind trailers, while the Scamp 19 is a fifth-wheel design. That difference affects both the tow vehicle and hitch setup. Check the exact unit and its hitch arrangement before arranging an inspection; a vehicle suitable for a ball-coupled trailer may not be suitable for a fifth wheel.
Then compare the layout with how you camp. Confirm how the sleeping areas convert, how many people the arrangement can comfortably accommodate, and whether the kitchen, storage and washroom facilities you want are present. A layout that works for occasional weekend trips may feel restrictive on a longer tour, especially if you need indoor cooking or room to store wet gear.
An asking price only becomes useful when you know what condition, equipment and paperwork sit behind it. The table below turns common listing claims into checks you can make or request before negotiating.
| Listing detail | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| “Excellent condition” | Inspect the shell, floor, frame, windows, door and signs of water entry; arrange an independent inspection if unsure. | Cosmetic appearance can conceal repairs or deterioration. |
| “Lightweight” | Ask for the trailer’s measured weight and the relevant weight ratings. | Actual travel weight affects towing, payload and legal limits. |
| “Everything works” | Operate each fitted electrical, water, gas and heating or cooking appliance. | A replacement or repair may add to the purchase cost. |
| “Ready to tow” | Check the hitch, tyres, brakes, lights, bearings and service history. | A roadworthy-looking trailer may still need work before a trip. |
| “No issues” | Review ownership documents, repair records and any known modifications. | Clear records help establish what you are buying and what has been changed. |
Compare trailers with similar model years, layouts, equipment and condition. A unit with a higher asking price may include useful, working equipment or documented maintenance; a cheaper one may need immediate attention. Neither conclusion follows from the price alone, so list likely repairs and missing items before deciding what you are prepared to pay.
Scamp trailers are known for their fibreglass construction, but a fibreglass body is not maintenance-free or immune to damage. Walk around the outside in good light and look for cracks, impact damage, poorly finished repairs, loose trim and gaps around windows, the door, roof fittings and other openings. Marks or repairs should be assessed in context; if you cannot tell whether a crack is cosmetic or more serious, ask a qualified RV technician or fibreglass repairer to inspect it.
Inside, check the floor for soft, spongy or uneven areas, particularly around the entry, windows, plumbing fittings and any place where water could have reached it. Look and smell for signs of dampness, but do not treat a fresh interior or a lack of visible staining as proof that the trailer is dry. Ask about past leaks and repairs, and find out whether the seller can show invoices or describe when the work was completed.
Inspect the chassis and underbody for visible corrosion, damage, bends, poor repairs or loose components. Check the coupler or fifth-wheel hitch, safety chains where fitted, stabilisers, lights and wiring. Tyres need more than a glance at the tread: ask their age and history, and inspect for cracking, uneven wear or damage. Have brakes, wheel bearings and suspension checked if their condition or service record is uncertain.
If the seller will not allow a thorough inspection or cannot explain significant repairs, treat that as a reason to pause rather than as a small inconvenience. An independent pre-purchase inspection is particularly useful when you are buying from a distance or are unfamiliar with fibreglass trailer repairs.
Do not judge towing compatibility by trailer length or by a seller’s statement that “most SUVs can tow it.” The right match depends on the specific Scamp, its loaded weight, the hitch load and the limits of your vehicle and towing equipment. Ask for the trailer’s ratings and a recent weight measurement. If no reliable measurement exists, plan to have it weighed before using it for a trip.
Compare the measured, travel-ready trailer weight with the vehicle manufacturer’s towing limit. Also check the tow vehicle’s payload, axle limits, hitch rating and any applicable combination-weight limit. Passengers, luggage, accessories and the hitch itself use payload; the trailer’s hitch or pin load must be accounted for as well. A vehicle can appear to have adequate towing capacity on paper while exceeding another important limit once loaded.
For a Scamp 19, confirm that the pickup, fifth-wheel hitch and bed arrangement are compatible. Check payload and pin-weight limits, hitch capacity and clearance between the trailer and the vehicle cab. For a conventional tow-behind model, verify the correct ball size and coupler rating, hitch capacity, braking arrangement and electrical connection. Do not assume a hitch already fitted to the vehicle is appropriate.
If you are buying in New Zealand, pay particular attention to the details of any imported unit. US specifications may use different units or terminology, and converting a weight figure does not establish that the trailer or tow vehicle meets local requirements. Before paying a deposit, confirm import, registration and road-use requirements with NZTA or a qualified vehicle certifier, and make sure you can obtain compatible parts and service support.
Equipment differs between Scamps, so make a list from the actual unit rather than assuming that a feature shown in another owner’s photos is included. Test each system in the mode you expect to use it, and ask the seller to explain any feature you have not operated before. If an appliance cannot be demonstrated, treat its condition as unconfirmed.
Check the interior and exterior lights, outlets, switches, battery setup and any fitted charger or converter. If the trailer has a solar system, ask what it powers and whether the panel, controller and battery can be demonstrated. Test mains-powered equipment with a suitable supply, and have damaged wiring or uncertain electrical work inspected by a qualified technician. A light coming on briefly does not prove the battery will support a full night of use.
If the trailer has a water tank, pump, sink, shower or toilet, test the components that are present. Run water through the taps, inspect visible pipes and fittings for leaks, and check the pump’s operation. Ask whether the tanks have been used recently and how the plumbing was maintained during storage. A dry trailer can hide a leak that appears only when the system is filled or pressurised.
Operate the fitted cooker, refrigerator, furnace or water heater only as the manufacturer intends, and check that the relevant fuel and electrical connections are present. Never rely on a visual inspection alone to establish that a gas system is safe. If there is an unusual smell, damaged hose, uncertain modification or appliance that will not light or run correctly, have a qualified gas or RV technician assess it before use.
Ask to see proof of ownership and confirm that the identifying details on the trailer match its documents. Find out whether there is finance owing, whether the seller is entitled to sell it, and whether any modifications have been made. In New Zealand, check what documentation and certification apply to an imported trailer before completing the purchase. Do not rely on a handwritten list of features as a substitute for the required ownership and compliance records.
Request service and repair records for the brakes, bearings, tyres, hitch, appliances and any water-damage or fibreglass work. A gap in the paperwork does not automatically mean the trailer is poor, but it makes an inspection and repair allowance more important. Clarify which accessories are included in the sale and which items shown in photographs belong to the seller.
Build a realistic cost estimate that includes immediate repairs, inspection fees, towing equipment, insurance, storage and routine upkeep. For an imported Scamp, also investigate freight, import-related charges, currency conversion and local parts availability. These amounts depend on the trailer and buyer, so obtain current quotes rather than assuming that the purchase price represents the full cost.
A Scamp may suit buyers who want a compact travel trailer and are comfortable checking a specific unit’s layout, equipment and towing requirements. The fibreglass body and compact format can be appealing, but they do not remove the need to inspect the chassis, systems and repair history. Choose one when its usable space and fitted facilities match your trips, and when your tow vehicle can handle the trailer with an appropriate safety margin.
Consider another trailer if the layout does not meet your needs, the tow vehicle cannot accommodate the loaded weight, or local support and compliance costs make an imported unit impractical. A larger or more extensively equipped trailer is not automatically a better choice; the useful comparison is the cost and capability of the whole setup for the way you intend to camp.
Ask for the model year, serial or vehicle identification details, and original documents or build information if available. Check the hitch design and layout in person, since broad listing labels may not identify the exact configuration. If records are incomplete, contact Scamp with the identifying information to ask whether the model can be confirmed.
No. The Scamp 19 is a fifth-wheel design, so it needs a compatible pickup and fifth-wheel hitch arrangement. Verify the specific trailer’s requirements, vehicle payload and hitch limits before purchase.
You can consider it, but do not make a towing decision from a model name or an unverified advertised figure. Obtain the trailer’s ratings and arrange a weighing in a representative, travel-ready condition. Compare the result with all applicable limits for your vehicle and hitch.
Look for soft flooring, staining, musty odours, swollen or damaged interior materials, and evidence of repairs around windows, roof fittings, the door or plumbing. None of these signs alone provides a complete diagnosis, and their absence does not guarantee that the trailer is dry. Have suspected damage assessed before agreeing to buy.
That depends on the individual trailer, its compliance status, your tow vehicle, and the availability of parts and repairs. Confirm the applicable import and road-use requirements with NZTA or a qualified vehicle certifier, and obtain cost estimates before committing. Do not assume that US specifications or equipment will transfer directly to local use.
For any Scamp camper for sale, make the decision on verified condition, actual weight, towing compatibility and working equipment—not the listing price alone. If the seller can support the claims with records and the trailer passes an independent inspection where needed, you can compare its real cost with other options and decide whether it fits your camping plans.
