Smittybilt Scout Trailer Reviews?

[greyfox14304]

Probably a good idea for everyone to get under their trailer and check all angles on the trailing arms for any failures. Finally got back under there today to do more maintenance and while greasing the fittings I noticed that there were cracks on all of the square tubing. These pictures are on the driver side which was not the side that broke.

After finding this, I don't even know what my plan is. Options are that I could reinforce the cracks with welding at a shop, cut the square tubing off and re-weld stronger thicker metal tubing as a replacement, or call the "mothership" and ask for a replacement. I'm worried that a replacement from smittybilt might result in the same problem again later.

We asked for help around a gas station when the problem was discovered in Colorado. Found a retired welder that had a shop 4 blocks away that was willing to help. Gave him a couple hundred for his help. They do have mobile repair trucks that you can call that are able to weld on the side of the road. They are expensive as you can imagine.

Going to contact Smittybilt tomorrow when they open to discuss with them. I'm not too hopeful with this conversation but we will see.

Can't stress this enough. You guys don't want this to happen to you so get under there and check for stress fractures on all corners if you can just to make sure. The only thing I can say is the trail I took it on for 2 hours was a very rocky and rough ride.

 

[fd6axc4]

Probably a good idea for everyone to get under their trailer and check all angles on the trailing arms for any failures. Finally got back under there today to do more maintenance and while greasing the fittings I noticed that there were cracks on all of the square tubing. These pictures are on the driver side which was not the side that broke.

After finding this, I don't even know what my plan is. Options are that I could reinforce the cracks with welding at a shop, cut the square tubing off and re-weld stronger thicker metal tubing as a replacement, or call the "mothership" and ask for a replacement. I'm worried that a replacement from smittybilt might result in the same problem again later.

We asked for help around a gas station when the problem was discovered in Colorado. Found a retired welder that had a shop 4 blocks away that was willing to help. Gave him a couple hundred for his help. They do have mobile repair trucks that you can call that are able to weld on the side of the road. They are expensive as you can imagine.

Going to contact Smittybilt tomorrow when they open to discuss with them. I'm not too hopeful with this conversation but we will see.

Can't stress this enough. You guys don't want this to happen to you so get under there and check for stress fractures on all corners if you can just to make sure. The only thing I can say is the trail I took it on for 2 hours was a very rocky and rough ride.

Thank you for keeping us informed.

I don't have a great suggestion, and I do think the mothership has left our galaxy. Me personally, I would probably try to find a local fabricator and see what they could do.

I have thought about replacing the whole control arm and axle stuff with a Timbren axle-less suspension system. It would probably be easier to get parts for it....but I do wonder about what additional damage may occur from putting in a bunch of holes and bolts through the frame. My trailer is still fairly new and haven't noticed any issues. But the whole control arm and axle area is something on my mind because when it fails, it's going to be hard to get parts.

 

[Silverback07]

Wow! Good information. I would have not thought that the trailing arms would fail like that. I will have to get under there and inspect mine.

 

[fd6axc4]

Wow! Good information. I would have not thought that the trailing arms would fail like that. I will have to get under there and inspect mine.

I never thought so either. But I guess a lot of the weight of the trailer is on those little square tubes.

 

[mep1811]

Has anyone figured out how to improve the dust seal on the doors? I adjusted the door latches and I still get lots of dust (I live in the desert southwest). I’ve been thinking about trying lever type latches to really crank the door down on the seals.

When I had my trailer, I just added extra bulb seals.

 

[greyfox14304]

Just an update. I did get into contact with smittybilt on Monday. They said they have not ever seen this problem before. I sent them the pictures. They replied the next day asking for a shipping address, phone number, and serial number of the trailer. Fingers crossed.

 

[Route Unknown]

Just an update. I did get into contact with smittybilt on Monday. They said they have not ever seen this problem before. I sent them the pictures. They replied the next day asking for a shipping address, phone number, and serial number of the trailer. Fingers crossed.

I had this happen to my trailer, sent smittybilt pictures and they sent me a whole new trailing arm under warranty. So they should’ve seen this before. Good reminder to check them again.

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[emtmark]

Anybody upgraded the rear door hinge? What did you use how’s it working out?


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[fd6axc4]

Just an update. I did get into contact with smittybilt on Monday. They said they have not ever seen this problem before. I sent them the pictures. They replied the next day asking for a shipping address, phone number, and serial number of the trailer. Fingers crossed.

It's nice to know that even after the post 4wp and what looks like them stop selling the trailer, they are still available to possibly order parts from. I'm hoping that they start selling it again in the future. It's a fantastic little trailer at that price point. Whenever I go out with it, people always ask and can't believe the price.

 

[greyfox14304]

I did receive both trailing arms about 2 weeks ago. Haven't had a chance to put them on yet but my plans are to modify one of the sets I have (probably the broken ones). I'm hoping to reinforce that part of the arm so it never happens again. Probably looking at taking it to a welding shop and having thicker walled tubing installed. For future reference to all, they only sent me the trailing arms. No bushings or hardware jsyk.

 

[fd6axc4]

I did receive both trailing arms about 2 weeks ago. Haven't had a chance to put them on yet but my plans are to modify one of the sets I have (probably the broken ones). I'm hoping to reinforce that part of the arm so it never happens again. Probably looking at taking it to a welding shop and having thicker walled tubing installed. For future reference to all, they only sent me the trailing arms. No bushings or hardware jsyk.

Nice!!

I'm presuming there has not been a redesign or anything on the area that failed?

Also, just wondering, do you have the version of the trailer without the reinforcements under the tongue area, or do you have the one with the beefed up one. I *think* they changed the design around 2019.

 

[greyfox14304]

Nice!!

I'm presuming there has not been a redesign or anything on the area that failed?

Also, just wondering, do you have the version of the trailer without the reinforcements under the tongue area, or do you have the one with the beefed up one. I *think* they changed the design around 2019.

I don't see anything different in the area that was compromised. Same size tubing and gauge steel are used.

I honestly don't know the difference in the upgraded version of the tongue and I don't know what I'm looking for. Does anyone have a picture of the reinforced one or non reinforced so I can check?

 

[fd6axc4]

I don't see anything different in the area that was compromised. Same size tubing and gauge steel are used.

I honestly don't know the difference in the upgraded version of the tongue and I don't know what I'm looking for. Does anyone have a picture of the reinforced one or non reinforced so I can check?

If you look under it, is there a square tube that runs between those control arms to the area around where the hitch is? If so, you have the reinforced/new version of the trailer.

The older version didn't have a tube that runs from the hitch to between the control arms. There were a few trailers that snapped in half around where the spare tire sits. Smitty came out with some reinforcing plates to retrofit older trailers.

Unfortunately, my google foo isn't great tonight and couldn't find a good example.