10' Scotty tow vehicle

[onetrue]

Hey there folks, I have the option of getting a 10' Scotty trailer from someone I work with for $300 in good condition. (13' total length)

I have never seriously considered owning a trailer because I figured it would be a pain in the butt to deal with but this one is so cheap I am thinking about it.

Anyway I am wondering if I could tow this with just about any vehicle given that it is only 800lbs (he has removed some of the original stuff from inside like the stove,etc, but still kept it and will include in the deal). I read elsewhere that it may be more like 1000lbs in its original configuration.

My current vehicle is a dodge caravan 1995, so generally speaking would it be no problem tow with the van even if I end up with more weight once I get everything for traveling in there? 

Appreciate any insight  and advice on what would be a tow vehicle that can pull it without struggle.

Thanks peace

 

[rvpopeye]

Back in the late 60s my mom had a 12' Scotty that was towed with a Saab sedan.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Per this site, IF your 1995 Dodge Caravan came with the factory heavy duty tow package, it can handle a trailer up to 3100 lbs.

If it didn't have the factory package, it is rated for a trailer up to 2000 lbs.

http://trailers.com/tow-capacity/1995_Dodge_Caravan_1436.html


If it doesn't have a trailer hitch, you will need a hitch and a lighting package.  An aftermarket automatic transmission cooler is always a good idea when towing.  If the Scotty has electric brakes - it's light enough that it may not - then you will need a trailer brake controller as well.  Here's one place where you can get an idea how much all that stuff will cost to buy.

https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle/1995/Dodge/Caravan

Understand that even if you add all that, you're still limited to 2000 lbs.  Factory tow packages frequently include such things as bigger alternators,  bigger brakes, and a bigger radiator.

 

[Queen]

Very cool, love those old campers.

Not sure if you've looked around at some of the resources available yet, but here's a couple I've looked at in the past when I was having delusions of restoring an old one for glamping.

http://www.nationalserroscotty.org/

http://smalltrailerenthusiast.com/

 

[bullfrog]

I would weigh it on the way home after looking for rust and water damage. Those things are collectable now and can bring big bucks but only because it costs so much to get them fixed up well enough to use. Some where I saw a article about people trying to flip old campers unsuccessfully.

 

[rvpopeye]

I know a guy in Kentucky that does exactly that with his wife on interior design.
Quite successful too.
Although , they are running out of local stock !

 

[onetrue]

Thanks for the replies/info so far...I have some time to decide because this is a trailer that I saw only once about a year ago when I was at this guy's house. At the time I  was not looking for anything like this so I did not pay very close attention, but at the time he was finishing doing repair work for water damage,etc that he has since finished ( he has had the Scotty for at least 20yrs I think). I just saw him again the other day and randomly asked about the Scotty and he said he is ready to get rid of it. Now that his kid is out of the house and he and his wife are in their mid 60's he doesn't think he will use it again so offered to sell it to me cheap; but he has not even put it on craigslist or anything.
I think I will have to go over and look at it again ! As I said earlier he did keep all of the appliances,etc that he removed so it may even be something I could put back together and resell later if i end up not using it myself.