How Much Does a Scamp Trailer Cost? (Buy, Rent & Own)

Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a Scamp trailer, the cost will likely play an important role.

So, how much does a Scamp trailer cost to buy and rent? And what’s the true cost of ownership if you decide to buy?

Let’s break down the average cost to buy a new and used scamp trailer, how much a trailer rental typically costs, plus cover the main (and hidden) costs of RV ownership.

How Much Does a Scamp Trailer Cost?

A Scamp trailer typically costs between $15,000 and $30,000 depending on the model and options you choose. On average, the 13′ model costs around $15,000, the 16′ model costs around $20,000, and the 19′ model costs around $23,000 and up.

Interestingly, Scamp trailers tend to hold their value extremely well. There are currently three used Scamp listings on RVTrader.com, all of which are $18,000 plus.

Plus, there’s the option to rent, which might save you a lot in up-front buying costs and the cost of ownership if you only plan on using the Scamp once or twice a year.

Tip: If you’re intent on buying a Scamp trailer, don’t skip the cost of ownership section below, as it will help paint a more accurate picture of how much that camper will cost for as long as you own it.

Let’s take a closer look now at how much used and new Scamp trailers cost and how they compare to other types of RVs.

We’ll start with new Scamp trailers.

What Is the Price of a New Scamp Trailer?

On average, a new Scamp trailer will cost between $15,000 and $30,000. As mentioned above, the final price highly depends on the options you choose, the model (or, in the case of Scamps, the length), whether you choose to have it delivered, etc.

So, how does a new Scamp trailer compare to the other types of RVs?

Related: How Much Does an RV Cost?

Average RV Cost by Type

Important: The figures in this table represent averages. You’ll find some models well outside these average prices. But, for your typical RV, you can expect it to fall within the ranges above.

Now, let’s look at how much a used Scamp trailer costs.

How Much Does a Used Scamp Trailer Cost?

On average, you can find used scamp trailers between $9,000 and $20,000. Scamp trailers hold their value well, so you typically have to find a model at least 15 years old to be on the lower end of that price range.

Let’s compare the price of a used Scamp trailer versus the other types of RVs.

Average Used RV Cost by Type

As you can see, the price of a used Scamp trailer falls in line with other trailers of similar size.

Tip: If you’re interested in purchasing a used RV, first identify the type of RV that fits your needs and search for used models near you to get a good idea of how much you’ll likely spend. Once you’ve found a few models in your budget, check out our guide on what to look for when buying a used RV.

How Much Does a Scamp Trailer Cost to Rent?

Renting a Scamp trailer is a viable option whether you want to test out the RV lifestyle before buying or want all the thrills of camping in a trailer without the maintenance and annual insurance costs.

So, how much does Scamp trailer rental cost on average?

It costs on average $80 – $125 per night to rent a Scamp trailer. Remember, the price will vary depending on the amenities, size, time of year, length of rental, location, etc.

Here’s how the rental cost of a Scamp compares with other types of campers.

Tip: Check out our guide titled How Much Does It Cost to Rent an RV for a complete breakdown of the costs plus tips to get the most out of your rental!

To get a true cost of the entire camper rental vacation, you’ll need to factor in:

• Rental insurance: This may be included in the rental cost if you use a reputable RV rental company like Outdoorsy. But, for extra damage or trip insurance, you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
• Prep fee: Many camper owners will charge a prep fee to “ready” the trailer for your trip.
• Delivery fee: In many cases, you can optionally have the trailer delivered to you for a fee.
• Price-per-mile: Some rental companies or RV owners charge per mile you travel on top of the daily rental fee.
• Fuel expense: You will need to pay for the gas in your tow vehicle used during the trip. Depending on the cost per gallon of gas and the miles traveled, this expense can add up! Luckily, Scamps don’t require a large, gas-guzzling tow vehicle, as the standard Scamp 13′ trailer only weighs between 1200-1500 lbs.
• Campground fees: Campgrounds can range from $15 to over $100 per night, depending on their location and amenities. If you’re looking to save money, you can always dry camp, as well, which is typically free (you’ll just have zero amenities). 

It’s a good idea to plan for these expenses ahead of time to have a better understanding of the total cost of the trip before securing your rental.

Cost of Scamp Trailer Ownership

When you buy a scamp trailer, unfortunately, the expenses don’t stop there. In fact, there’s something called the cost of RV ownership, which can add up to quite a bit.

So, what is the true cost of owning a Scamp trailer?

If you’ve owned a travel trailer before, then you probably have a pretty good idea of all the extra expenses that come with ownership. 

But, if you’re looking to buy your first travel trailer, here is a list of the potential costs of owning one that you’ll want to plan for.

Scamp Trailer Maintenance & Repairs

Like any vehicle, a Scamp requires regular maintenance. Some typical maintenance tasks can include:

• Tire replacement
• Battery testing and replacement
• Propane tank refill/replacement
• Filter cleaning/replacement
• Regular washing and waxing of the exterior
• Replace seals
• Sanitize the water tanks
• And so on 

Plus, don’t forget about repairs. If something breaks, and things will break, you have to pay to either get it fixed or for the part and fix it yourself.

For example, water heaters will eventually go out and need to be replaced, window screens tear, tail lights burn out, etc.

The nice thing about Scamps is they have a parts store right on their website and a lot of video tutorials online to help with maintenance.

So, is it expensive to maintain a Scamp trailer?

On average, RVers typically spend between $500 to $2000 per year on maintenance. But, if something major goes wrong, you can expect that number to jump. Warranties can help cover some costs, and getting a professional inspection performed on your RV prior to purchase can help protect you and your wallet.

RV Insurance

Similar to your home or auto, insurance to protect you and your RV is another recurring cost you’ll want to consider.

According to Progressive, the average annual RV insurance policy will cost $502 for a travel trailer in 2020. Liability-only policies started at $125 per year.

That said, the actual cost for an insurance policy will vary based on the type of trailer, location, features, driving experience, etc.

Fuel Costs

Fuel costs will vary significantly depending on your tow vehicle’s MPG, distance traveled, cost per gallon of gas, etc.

Tip: Use a fuel calculator to estimate fuel costs before the trip. And use apps like Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas near you.

If you have a fairly economical tow vehicle, fuel costs will be considerably less.

Hidden Costs of Owning a Scamp Trailer

Along with the above costs, there are what some would consider “hidden” costs to owning a camper trailer. Or costs that many tend to overlook (but can add up quickly).

• Park Fees: The cost to reserve a spot at an RV park can range from $15 to over $100 per night, depending on their location and amenities. You can help offset these costs by splitting your time at free boondocking locations.
• Storage Fees: You’ll need a place to store your RV when not used. Some have the luxury of being able to store their camper on their own property, but many do not. Expect to pay between $50 to $250 per month to store your RV.
• Registration Fees: Depending on where you live, you’ll likely have yearly registration fees. For example, in Iowa, a Class-A recreational vehicle that costs over $80,000 has a $400 per year registration fee.
• Memberships: While RV membership programs like Thousand Trails and Passport America are designed to save you money, they still cost to be a part of.
• Supplies: Similar to a home, you’ll need to stock your RV with supplies, including kitchen utensils, food, laundry and cleaning supplies, etc.
• Upgrades: Upgrade costs will certainly vary, but if you want a better wifi signal or a satellite dish, for example, these will incur additional costs.
• Depreciation: While not a direct cost, your Scamp will lose value, especially if you buy new. Luckily, Scamp trailers tend to hold their value extremely well! That said, the biggest depreciation hit is within the first few years. One way to avoid that initial major drop in value is to buy used. Your used RV will still depreciate over time, but it won’t be as drastic as the first few years.

Now that you understand the costs of buying and owning an RV, what’s next? Check out our guide on the pros and cons of owning an RV to find out if owning one is cost-effective and if it’s truly right for you!