America's Scamp Continues the Boler Camper Legacy With the Seamless 19' Gooseneck

Folks, the name Scamp may mean very little to most of us, but for those alive during the 70's, this brand is sure to be familiar. That's because Scamp made a name for itself during the early 70s by shaking hands with Boler America to distribute and even manufacture the famed Canadian-born campers, and by 1976, they were responsible for 600 units, some of which seem to still be alive today.

But, back in 2006, the main factory at Eveland's Inc. caught fire, putting a massive pause on production. It took nearly one year to put things back together again, and after that, it would seem as though Scamp rose like a phoenix from the ashes because here we are, starting down the gun of the biggest machine they have, their 19' (19-footer).

As for why I chose to bring this thing to light at all, well, what can I say? I love a fiberglass travel trailer, and this one breaks the limits as to what they normally end up looking like. After all, it's not every day that we come face to face with a gooseneck camper with a Boler-like shell.

Now, you may have heard the term Boler countless times uttered on the WWW, but very few people know how these puppies came to be. It all started with Ray Olecko, a Canadian who's said to have been in the septic tank production business before throwing wheels on one and living out of it. Soon after, they became a hit, and everything just snowballed into a worldwide phenomenon.

But, all good things come to an end, and as Boler concluded its decades of business, parts of North America where they had planted production seeds remained untouched by the dying of the mother plant. One of those seeds is Scamp.

So, what does the 19' have to offer, and why should it be on your off-grid and off-road camping radar? Simply because these babies can end up lasting you decades, with proper love and care, of course. The same two halves, one upper and one lower, fuse in the middle to create a weather-tight enclosure that doesn't just perform but also looks damn good.

Overall, three layouts are available, but no matter which layout you choose, basic and optional features are the same throughout. Even the chassis and axle seem to be the same. After all, it makes sense to use the same base across an array of units, eliminating unnecessary production costs. Be sure to compare and contrast the images in the gallery to find your favorite.

One thing you need to consider if you ever think of getting yourself one of these is the fact that you'll need to modify your truck's bed. After all, this isn't one of those ball and chain units. If you don't know what you're doing with such a setup, be sure to seek out the knowledge of a professional. There's no shame in not knowing something, and the last thing you want is for your 19' to come undone.

Now, there are advantages to a gooseneck, and as we can clearly see, by moving the bedroom up and above the rest of the living space, the rest of the unit is free to accommodate the rest of what you'll need while out on the road. The 19' has it all: a dinette, a split galley, plenty of storage, and even a wet bath.

Within all those spaces, we'll be able to access features the likes of a two-burner stove, a fridge, running hot water throughout the unit, and store all our little knick-knacks overhead and below. No need to worry if you're traveling with the kids with this one or planning a long couple's trip; there are plenty of storage options. Be sure to look into upgrades if you like to use an oven for cooking or need to see what you're backing up into with a camera and even a generator.

The one thing I didn't like about the interior of these units is the level of wood used to create storage bays overhead and nearly every other fixture in the unit. While wood isn't my favorite material to use in a camper, owners shouldn't have to worry about any rot due to outside forces; it's a Boler and closed off from the outside world, but be sure to check those trims and seams every once in a while.

Yet, this isn't the end of the 19's story either. What I enjoyed about this model is the fact that the manufacturer takes the time to load it up with an electrical system designed to handle park and wild living. Wait, this is Scamp we're talking about, and all that makes sense; they've been listening to the needs and wants of current and future owners like you and me for ages. Grab some solar panels, and off you go. If you're planning on really dirty adventures, be sure to grab an outdoor shower option and keep things clean inside.

So, how much is one of these fiberglass homes going to run you? According to the manufacturer brochure, prices for 2024 units start at $35,445 (€31K at current exchange rates). That's a pretty good deal for a camper of this nature, and if you don't like the wood, give Scamp a call and see if that can be changed. If it can, hot damn!