1984 Skamper 072S

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hopefully there is enough reinforcement material around the opening that you don’t have to start from scratch.

The foam is the reinforcement. Some kind of structural foam.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well it's on...

Tried the spare tire carrier... it laughed.

Tried the heater, pilot light and the fan run but the thing won't take off. I suppose it needs a thermocouple. Oh well, probably won't need it this weekend anyway.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm happy you took the time to fix the Skamper up.

Bummer on the tire carrier. When there's a will... there's a way.

 

[Shran]

Semi related, (the "structural foam" comment) have you ever wondered what the walls of your camper look like with the covering stripped away? Well...they look like this.

1x2 square tube, very thin wall, C channel roof braces (missing a bunch that rusted off as we were taking it apart.) The spaces between the "studs" were filled with styrofoam, then the whole thing was covered with 1/4" plywood on the outside and paneling on the inside, and fiberglass siding glued to the outside over the plywood. I really understand now why I always heard that these were like driving a cooler down the highway!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I drove it to work today.

Holy crap the difference the rear sway bar made. It is almost normal to drive now.

Semi related, (the "structural foam" comment) have you ever wondered what the walls of your camper look like with the covering stripped away? Well...they look like this.

1x2 square tube, very thin wall, C channel roof braces (missing a bunch that rusted off as we were taking it apart.) The spaces between the "studs" were filled with styrofoam, then the whole thing was covered with 1/4" plywood on the outside and paneling on the inside, and fiberglass siding glued to the outside over the plywood. I really understand now why I always heard that these were like driving a cooler down the highway!

View attachment 66603

I think mine is wood frame, from what I have seen pics of like 1x2 stuff.

 

[don4331]

Semi related, (the "structural foam" comment) have you ever wondered what the walls of your camper look like with the covering stripped away? Well...they look like this.

Well, I sold my Adventurer 76r on weekend to some very nice people from British Columbia but:

The 76R's base (i.e. up to top of box) was only 1/2" plywood - no structural elements, no insulation. And I'm not sure the sides above the box were any better. Back wall was upgraded to structure/insulation.​

That's how they kept weight down/built in strength​

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well, I sold my Adventurer 76r on weekend to some very nice people from British Columbia but:

The 76R's base (i.e. up to top of box) was only 1/2" plywood - no structural elements, no insulation. And I'm not sure the sides above the box were any better. Back wall was upgraded to structure/insulation.​

That's how they kept weight down/built in strength​

The plywood was probably the structure. Mine just has a thin aluminum skin plus the foam.

 

[sgtsandman]

Bummer on the tire carrier. There is always something.... I'm sure you will get it adjusted and I'm sure it will require yet more fabrication work to get it done.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bummer on the tire carrier. There is always something.... I'm sure you will get it adjusted and I'm sure it will require yet more fabrication work to get it done.

I kind of have mixed feelings on it anyway.

If someone would close the tire carrier at night we would literally be trapped in the camper.

The camper door opens opposite of the carrier so I couldn't even try to mcguiver my way out short of the emergency hatch at the front and jump down on the hood... which I would rather not do.

 

[sgtsandman]

I kind of have mixed feelings on it anyway.

Is someone would close the tire carrier at night we would literally be trapped in the camper.

Sounds like a TRS Event opportunity waiting to happen!

 

[Uncle Gump]

Sounds like a TRS Event opportunity waiting to happen!

I worry about things like this. All I'm saying is I'm wetting the bed... cause I ain't busting out a window.

 

[sgtsandman]

You can make a setup so you can lock the hinge open or closed. I imagine it would just take a couple of pieces of thick metal welded to the arm and mount so you can put a padlock in it and keep it from swinging freely.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Or maybe bring my dog... he loves to voice his opinion about bumps in the night.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Or maybe bring my dog... he loves to voice his opinion about bumps in the night.

Just gotta throw a racoon in the topper first to distract the dog...

 

[sgtsandman]