Forum Discussion

Youngpicasso's avatar
Youngpicasso
Explorer
Sep 26, 2016

Skamper 1999 repair questions

Hello, I would welcome any input or advice about how to repair our 1999 scamper pop-up trailer. I've done some nice modifications to the inside, paint , new flooring and new upholstery but, when we try to close it; it's very difficult for the two beds that slide in, to fully close enough to latch the closed pop-up trailer. This past time we went out camping we never did successfully latch it. We had to drive home with two latches not hinged. I was very concerned it would fly open on the freeway down the mountain home. To make matters worse we had a flat tire on it. It was the second flat tire in a year. The other tire the one that wasn't flat, was also very very hot. Any idea why that would be or why our pop-up trailer is having such a hard time when we go to close it up? Is this something that anybody can suggest a fix for ? Thanks!
Folding Trailers
  • dcb17b's avatar
    dcb17b
    Explorer II
    Sep 29, 2016
    Is the upholstery thicker than the old stuff? If you can't push the beds in all the way try some dry or silicone lube on the slides. Make sure they are clean and there is no debris in the channel. There should(might) be some adjustment to the tie down latches. The one I had many years ago you could lengthen the latch by turning it(like a turnbuckle). I certainly would be very wary of towing it not having the top latched,they do fly off going down the road.
  • PUCampin's avatar
    PUCampin
    Explorer
    Sep 27, 2016
    What size wheels / tires are on your pop-up? Since you had them replaced a year ago make sure they are a high enough load range to support your trailer. On pop ups with 12" rim or smaller tires it is very easy accidently install to light a tire.
  • manualman's avatar
    manualman
    Explorer II
    Sep 27, 2016
    An invertor is a device that takes DC battery voltage as a power source and creates AC line voltage for conventional outlets. Few to no RVs ever came with one, though lots of folks add them as convenience modifications.

    You may be referring to the converter that does the opposite: converts AC line voltage into 12V DC. All RVs come with one of those and they do go bad sometimes. Check the fuse box for bad fuses before giving up. Replacements can be had for reasonable money on Ebay or Amazon. WFCO seems to be the most economical replacement. A popup won't need more than a 30 amp unit.
  • Youngpicasso's avatar
    Youngpicasso
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    Thanks, we had the tires replaced less than a year. I'll check the things that have been mentioned for both problems. Shaving the wood by the latch and check on the brakes and bearings. Another problem is with the inventor. It doesn't work at all. Is this a common problem with older folding trailer models, like mine and do others have success getting this part replaced without it costing a fortune?
  • manualman's avatar
    manualman
    Explorer II
    Sep 26, 2016
    On the tires, trailer tires are not much like car tires. Some crucial differences:
    1. You air trailer tires up to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall. Lower pressure will rapidly heat them up like you experienced.
    2. Trailer tires rarely wear out their treads because they don't get driven as much as car tires. Instead, they tend to dry rot in the sidewalls and fail there instead (blowout). Wasteful as it seems, it's best to replace them every 7 years maximum, regardless of how much tread is left.
    3. Poorly adjusted trailer brakes or bearings can also heat up a hub and contribute to tire overheating. This is far less likely the cause than the other two though!
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2016
    Nice work on the inside I bet. Try taking the matresses out, and the upholstery to see if it clooses then. If not, then are the two surfaces in line with each other? Could you shim one side of the latch?

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