Smittybilt Scout Trailer Reviews?

[mspenc45]

I see we have some people from AZ here, planning on being at the expo I assume? Maybe we can meet up and talk trailers? I have a house in Kachina Village but that will be rented out to Sierra Expeditions guys So I'll be camping with some buddies around the area.

When is it this year? The think at Fort Tuthill correct? Might head up from Cochise county this year.

 

[mspenc45]

So I did some tongue wait experiments today, and I am glad I moved my tongue box back. I don't need a second trailer spare as I went with the same tires an wheels as My JKU. Tongue weight empty is 217lbs. Add a battery, small propane tank and a couple of Jerry cans and up to 266lbs. Given that most weight placed in the trailer is forward of the center of gravity, this will only get higher with loading. That being said, for every 40lbs carried behind the wheels the tongue lightens by 10lbs. With the JKU's max tongue weight of 350lbs, gotta pay attention to this.

 

[mspenc45]

Got my strip lights in, thanks to advice here!

 

[mspenc45]

Last but not least, that terrible rattling of the roof rack! Used felt pads with adhesive backing and a belt sander to give them a nice angled shape to allow the rack to be inserted easily.

Look down between the rack post and the trailer post socket. No more rattle!

 

[mspenc45]

Passed my AZ DMV inspection and received my VIN and miniature license plate today! They told me I must have mud flaps, according to the law, but trusted that I'd put them on before using her.

 

[mmrocek]

Passed my AZ DMV inspection and received my VIN and miniature license plate today! They told me I must have mud flaps, according to the law, but trusted that I'd put them on before using her.

Haha! I took mine to a near by 3rd party DMV place I always go to, no line but slightly more expensive. I had this little hispanic girl "look" over my trailer and said "yeah, looks good to me" took about 10 minutes from start to getting plates. Love the 3rd party DMV's...

 

[blare]

The trailer accessory lighting project begins! I’m waiting on my black 12 gauge wire still so I went ahead and started toying around with my leds from amazon.

I like the versatility of plug and play so I purchased some Delphi connectors and heat shrunk the exposed wire.

Conveniently the bolts that come with the lights are the same thread size as the awning bracket tensioning bolts. Unfortunately I could only do one side because it looks like the light will hit the tent when opened. I’m thinking about just buying some longer bolts ~55mm and putting them through the existing holes in the trailer roof rack brackets.

 

[mspenc45]

The trailer accessory lighting project begins! I’m waiting on my black 12 gauge wire still so I went ahead and started toying around with my leds from amazon.

I like the versatility of plug and play so I purchased some Delphi connectors and heat shrunk the exposed wire.

Conveniently the bolts that come with the lights are the same thread size as the awning bracket tensioning bolts. Unfortunately I could only do one side because it looks like the light will hit the tent when opened. I’m thinking about just buying some longer bolts ~55mm and putting them through the existing holes in the trailer roof rack brackets.

Same here, I like versatility! Bought some Delphi connectors when I did the lights on my JKU, have plenty left over. FYI, for wire, including the mil spec Tefzel jacketed aircraft wiring, check out Pegasus Auto Racing. I found these on Amazon, just bought one to check out the quality and they look great. Maybe on the inside of the doors to light the stove, etc when extracted https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075N5LTNT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also going for really simple in the electric supply area, like this concept of mounting right to the battery terminal and some of the nicest quality I've seen:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SE6Z2WI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Lastly, going with a relatively small gel cell, but I can add a second if I need more storage.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HC5B6JY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[blare]

Wires came in so I started the more nerve racking part of the project: drilling holes in the trailer.

After seeing mspenc45’s numbers for tongue weight I decided to pull the trigger on moving the tongue box. In addition to tongue weight reduction I liked the idea of just going straight from the tongue box to the main box for electrical.

For relocating the box I just used the existing holes from the spare tire rack. After that I drilled some pilot holes, used a hole saw, and installed some daystar firewall plugs. I like them because you can trim off more should you decide expand later on down the road.

L track is on the way for the roof to hold down the spare and any extra gear.

 

[john61ct]

I believe Walmart doesn't sell any good true deep cycling batts.

Deka GEL is decent, but Sonnenschein sets the standard.

That is, if you really feel you need GEL specifically for some reason.

 

[mspenc45]

According to Mighty Max, this is a true deep cycle. I just like the idea of gel cell for rough of roading, not necessarily needed, but for the few extra $$, I felt worth it. You are correct that many so called deep cycle batteries are actually not!

 

[mspenc45]

Wires came in so I started the more nerve racking part of the project: drilling holes in the trailer.

After seeing mspenc45’s numbers for tongue weight I decided to pull the trigger on moving the tongue box. In addition to tongue weight reduction I liked the idea of just going straight from the tongue box to the main box for electrical.

For relocating the box I just used the existing holes from the spare tire rack. After that I drilled some pilot holes, used a hole saw, and installed some daystar firewall plugs. I like them because you can trim off more should you decide expand later on down the road.

L track is on the way for the roof to hold down the spare and any extra gear.

Glad my little weighing adventure helped you! These things are so much fun to work on and customize to each of our desired application. I hope they prove to be tough enough out on the trail! I notice that when the trailer is lowered, from being jacked, even empty, the wheels increase their positive camber, meaning the swing arms are giving a little. There is quite a bit of moment on the swing arms, given the length of the axle protrusion. This all translates to torque on the control arm bushings.

 

[titantom]

Thanks guys for starting this thread and keeping it going. I've been kicking around the idea of an offraod trailer for a couple years now (I want some thing small and trail ready and the wife would prefer something more glamperish... go figure). I initially saw the Scout and thought it looked cool, but the Smittybilt name made me move on without much time spent on it. This thread has revived my interest in it.

I'll be pulling a CJ tub trailer through Death Valley for a week (a loaner) and I also checked out one of the Boarder Land trails up in Denver last weekend. That thing was really nice, but for $25k it should be! I'll also be going to Expo West where my goal will be to checkout other trailers. But I must say, the modding you guys are doing makes me want to do it to!






Erling, I'm really interested in what trails you end up doing pulling you Scout since I'm here in CO as well.

Do it. I did. Considering the cost of alternatives. i think i would have regretted getting anything else. Plus you can mod them with little worry. try modding out a 30k exp trailer LOL doesnt sit well.

 

[mmrocek]

Hey guys, I figure I share a good find... I found these lights at Harbor Freight for $3.99 on a sale (https://www.harborfreight.com/rotating-magnetic-led-worklight-63422.html)
So I bought a bunch and they work great. Magnetically attach to anywhere on the trailer and swivel to light any area. Easy to move out of the way and store if not needed.

 

[mspenc45]

Hey guys, I figure I share a good find... I found these lights at Harbor Freight for $3.99 on a sale (https://www.harborfreight.com/rotating-magnetic-led-worklight-63422.html)
So I bought a bunch and they work great. Magnetically attach to anywhere on the trailer and swivel to light any area. Easy to move out of the way and store if not needed.

View attachment 447355

Nice!

I'll be in Phoenix this weekend for Arizona Pilot's Association annual meeting, we should try to meet up. PM me if you like.