Clam-shell type camper trailers

I keep looking at and wondering about those two-piece camper trailers, like the Scamp or Casita and such. Any of you guys have experience with these types of trailers?

It seems to me they should be far better structurally than the stick and board types. Less likely to leak, less flexing and structural failure, no rotting. Seems like their should be a lot less maintenance on them as well.

While I can get all excited over a huge expandable trailer, the notion of having something little and light makes a lot more sense to me. I could tow one of these easily with an F-150, or even a strongish minivan or car.

The interior layout of a number of these little clam shell type campers seems more thought out and efficient. They just seem bright and friendly inside, and surprisingly easy to move around in.

So am I totally off base or missing something?

fujioko has a build-thread for his Scamp trailer. I've seen it. It's small. As long as it's just for you and the wife, it'd probably be ok. Add the kid and things might be tight. There is no bathroom, so you'll be restricted to sites with public facilities. Essentially, it's more like a solid tent you tow than an RV.

For some folks that's fine, but IMHO half the point (or more) of going through the hassle of hauling the thing around is to be more self-contained and satisfying the "Three S's: Sleep, Shower & Sh1t". Especially as I get older and being able to sleep through the night without having to get up is becoming a rarity.

My father in law had one kind of these trailers (I think it was a Burro) and the dam thing started leaking after only a few years.

As Ian indicated, I have a 1972 Boler (same as Scamp.)

The original floor plan houses four people with no restroom. I think realistically it keeps two adults and two kids out of the rain but its not very comfortable.

I modified my camper to accommodate only two people and it seems OK. The beauty of this type of camper is it can be hauled by a smallish car.

According the to internet, the '72 Boler was the only year they used all plywood floors. All other years the floor was fiberglass reinforced plywood. Anyway, The floor on my '72 was completely rotted under the windows. I ended up completely replacing the floors.

I reckon I should start posting updates again.

Boler/Scamp thread

When I was a kid, we traveled the country every berkeleying summer in a trailer about the size of one of those. Sleeps 4, stove, icebox, sink, no bathroom, usually towed by a Chrysler 440. I have a lot of bad memories from that experience. But, it was more comfortable sleeping in the rain than a tent and cooking was easier.

My uncle has had a Casita for years. He loves it. His tow vehicle is an older highlander with a transmission cooler that hit 200k mostly towing this 1 ton setup. It is really well thought out and functional-for two. Bed, dual electric, toilet in the shower, maybe gas on the fridge, definitely

Well after this thread I started googling for info. I could really get into the Scamp 19' fifth wheel.

For the last 5 years we have hunted out of a scamp in the mountains. My buddy bought it from uhaul I think. No Idea how old it is, but it beats the hell out of a tent in the mountains in October, and its light. Keep in mind there are 5 of us so not the most comfortable situation still better then a tent.

I drive by the Casita factory on my way to rallycross, so if you need me to stop by and take a factory your or something, just let me know.

Appreciate the offer of a factory tour.

Personally, I wouldn't consider a camper without a toilet and shower. Or ac and heat for that matter. I know some come without, but a lot do include them.

If you can find one, a HiLo was always a favorite of my Grandpa (He was the avid RVer in the family. He ended up with Airstreams and aluminum Avions)

In reply to foxtrapper:

I noticed on the Scamp website, their 16' trailer has some bathroom options as well as roof-mounted A/C. A big plus is they are light - you could probably tow one with the wife's Volvo. They do lack a built-in generator, but that could be handled by one of the quiet Honda units.

It takes little to heat one of these trailers. We use an old Pelonis ceramic disk heater for our popup. The current pop up has AC and it will heat too. If we ever get another camper, it will definitely have a shower and potty.

I have a friend that has a Casita and last I talked to him he really liked it. You can still buy these new-- I pass the factory whenever I drive between Dallas and Houston.