Smittybilt Scout Trailer Reviews?

[mep1811]

I mounted the Harbor Freight tongue box on the fender. I decided against pulling the support rib off and mounting the box with the rib inside . That rib is structural so I left it alone.

So the box is mounted to the fender and supported to the box with brackets from the tie down hooks to the box. Solid as a rock.

 

[mep1811]

I had the spare tire moved underneath the trailer. I still have 13 inches of clearance. Frees up a huge area.

I used a tire winch from a Tahoe.

 

[mep1811]

I had the rear door reinforced so it does not sag and get bent by accident. The door is much stronger but really needs a redesign on the door hinge mounts .

 

[mep1811]

Lastly I had the rear receiver reinforced to accommodate a Wilco swing out tire carrier.

 

[misubisu]

That rib is structural so I left it alone.

That rib is not structural.
And if it was, removing it and mounting a tool bow in it's place, the toolbox would provide just as much structural stability... and even more so, if you move the rib to the inside (as many have done).
That gap behind the box is going to fill up with dust that will turn in to mud when it gets wet. You will want to clean it out regularly. Plus, all sorts of things are going to fall in to that gap.

 

[misubisu]

I had the spare tire moved underneath the trailer. I still have 13 inches of clearance. Frees up a huge area.

I removed my spare wheel and moved it to the back... not necessarily to free up that space, but to reduce the tongue weight.
What I now mount in that space, weighs around half the weight of the spare wheel. Even less if you take the weight of the wheel mount that was in there in to account.
Discussion on this list implies that most move the wheel to reduce tongue weight.
As you have re-mounted the wheel on the tongue section, when you fill up that free space with weight, your tongue weight is going to increase even more. What do you intend to use the space for?

 

[ebrabaek]

I mounted the Harbor Freight tongue box on the fender. I decided against pulling the support rib off and mounting the box with the rib inside . That rib is structural so I left it alone.

So the box is mounted to the fender and supported to the box with brackets from the tie down hooks to the box. Solid as a rock. View attachment 525967View attachment 525968View attachment 525969

As long as you are reversing it inside..... it is offering the same strength as compared to being outside.
Plus you are adding rigidity is the shape of a tool box.

 

[mep1811]

I removed my spare wheel and moved it to the back... not necessarily to free up that space, but to reduce the tongue weight.
What I now mount in that space, weighs around half the weight of the spare wheel. Even less if you take the weight of the wheel mount that was in there in to account.
Discussion on this list implies that most move the wheel to reduce tongue weight.
As you have re-mounted the wheel on the tongue section, when you fill up that free space with weight, your tongue weight is going to increase even more. What do you intend to use the space for?

I might still might move the tire to the back and put my Porsche spare under there. Now I have storage for some lightweight items.

 

[Catalanbull]

That rib is not structural.

So it can be removed without moving it to the inside?

 

[mep1811]

That rib is not structural.
And if it was, removing it and mounting a tool bow in it's place, the toolbox would provide just as much structural stability... and even more so, if you move the rib to the inside (as many have done).
That gap behind the box is going to fill up with dust that will turn in to mud when it gets wet. You will want to clean it out regularly. Plus, all sorts of things are going to fall in to that gap.

The rib is there for a reason. My fabricator , whos knows a bit about structural strength agreed. A moot point at this juncture. Like any part of an off road trailer, it will get dirty. Kinda hard to avoid.

 

[Catalanbull]

I've reached out to Campa USA to see if they sell the kitchen cabinet as a standalone. Not sure if they're still in business. I'm trying to find a box Patriot Camper style to put on the fenders. The HF one is great, but I want one that the lid opens down and the latches are on the outside so that the bottom is all flat, without the latching mechanism inside and I can use the lid as counterspace.

food-store | campausa

www.campausa.com

That kind of box seems like non-existen in the US...

 

[emtmark]

Plot twist number three! No lug nuts and no break away module with the trailer . I used the nuts on the shipping plate to get the tires and wheels which were found and or arrived in San Jose on so I could roll it and jammed out to a junk yard for some nuts.

Also found an xterra out there so I will return!!

Trailer is roadworthy and now I need to plate it! What’s needed in California? I’m heading to DMV and I want to get it right the first shot. This has been a fight the whole way

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Catalanbull]

Plot twist number three! No lug nuts and no break away module with the trailer . I used the nuts on the shipping plate to get the tires and wheels which were found and or arrived in San Jose on so I could roll it and jammed out to a junk yard for some nuts.

Also found an xterra out there so I will return!!

Trailer is roadworthy and now I need to plate it! What’s needed in California? I’m heading to DMV and I want to get it right the first shot. This has been a fight the whole way

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Looks great! At a DMV in California I had a hiccup because my Scout came without the VIN. So Smittybilt sent me a new number and sticker so second time at the DMV was a breeze. They didn't even check if the lights were working.

I see the bar where you attach the leveler jack at the back seems pretty loose. It seems like there's an angle compared to the rear door. Mines are pretty snugged.

 

[emtmark]

Looks great! At a DMV in California I had a hiccup because my Scout came without the VIN. So Smittybilt sent me a new number and sticker so second time at the DMV was a breeze. They didn't even check if the lights were working.

I see the bar where you attach the leveler jack at the back seems pretty loose. It seems like there's an angle compared to the rear door. Mines are pretty snugged.

I may or may not bent it :/ also may or may not have failed to put the pins in. It uses two pins per side right? Not no pins.... then it sort of rolled forwards and twisted a little. That was not concerning as the warm pile that appeared suddenly betwixt my buttcheeks was a more pressing concern. I’m assuming of course the presence of me partially under the trailer during said shift of weight was coincidence and not the cause of the warm mass.

Good times


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[misubisu]

So it can be removed without moving it to the inside?

Well the feedback indicates that they are structural (to some degree). If it was critically structural it would have been attached to the frame, or had some warning about removing it. Look at all the warnings attached to the trailer when you get it (in relating to max weights to be applied to the various tie towns etc.). The only purpose that I can see, is that it would stop the side panels from wobbling in and out (as they are so large), or provide strength from side impacts, which a solidly mounted toolbox will provide as well. The ribs may as well be mounted on the inside, to be sure, to be sure... at least the toolbox then sits flush, looks a lot better and won't fill up with crap. Plus, I don't see that mounting the toolbox to the fender is in any way a good solution (depending on how much weight is going to be in them) The fender mounts are designed to carry the weight of the fenders.

One thing that I love about this forum, is that it generates good discussions!