YYCRod
Member
Thanks. Got them off no problem.
Smittybilt Scout Trailer Reviews?
- Thread starter Tkhawk
- Start date
Thanks. Got them off no problem.
ebrabaek
Adventurer
Rear swing arm bumper for the spare
This is one hot commodity. We went to the overland Expo in Flagstaff, AZ this spring, for a RTT and possible a trailer. Tents varied from just over 1K to 4K, and trailers started at 6K and quickly jumped to the wrong side of 10k, with many in the mid 30's. First we settled on the tent, Tepui Kuggenam XL ruggerdized. Then a few months passed and we came across this little trailer that we did not see at the Expo. We liked the idea of the compartmentalized approach that Smitty did, and pulled the trigger. When it came in there were a few items worth noticing. The tounge had banged a few items above it. Rather than ask for replacements from Smitty, I approached them asking if they could perhaps cut me a deal on their XRC swing tire carrier, as I felt that I could bang into shape, and paint the be items in question. I sent this link to them:
http://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/81.htm
A week later, two big boxes showed up at my door step:
Part Numbers : 76654, and 76856-02.
The reason I mention this, is that I was taken by the few negative reports regarding smitty, in the beginning of the thread, but decided to still give it a go and try this trailer, as it offers so much value for the price you pay. Smitty has shown me that not just do they offer an off the scale value for price, but that they are fantastic supporting their product. In my email, I disclosed what I was going to do, and not only did they send one, but two boxes, covering the application from 1987-2013. To me that shows a company with their customers interest at hand.
Onward. When you fab up stuff, you have to spend a lot of time thinking of what ya gonna do. Anyone done this knows that. My fab skills are high, but in the world of Carbon Fiber. I do, however own a couple of welders, and use them about once a year. I am not particular good at it, but lethal with a grinder. The idea, to me, of gaining access to all that storage where the spare tire sat, was simply too hard to resist. I wanted to create a bolt on system, that I could remove, in case I did not like the end results. I also was aware of the tounge weight was rather large, albeit never measuring it, I had an idea, as the front was ehhh... next to impossible to lift. I do, however understand center of gravity, being a pilot, and estimated that the tounge weight was in the 250-300 pound range. That is off course just an estimate, and perhaps someone that have weight it can chime in. I did not do an exacto math calculation with the soon to be shifted weight aft, but estimated that it would be ok, and this thing would not fall on its tail by relocating the spare. The above items of discussion, related to the decision to make this bolt on.
This is one hot commodity. We went to the overland Expo in Flagstaff, AZ this spring, for a RTT and possible a trailer. Tents varied from just over 1K to 4K, and trailers started at 6K and quickly jumped to the wrong side of 10k, with many in the mid 30's. First we settled on the tent, Tepui Kuggenam XL ruggerdized. Then a few months passed and we came across this little trailer that we did not see at the Expo. We liked the idea of the compartmentalized approach that Smitty did, and pulled the trigger. When it came in there were a few items worth noticing. The tounge had banged a few items above it. Rather than ask for replacements from Smitty, I approached them asking if they could perhaps cut me a deal on their XRC swing tire carrier, as I felt that I could bang into shape, and paint the be items in question. I sent this link to them:
http://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/81.htm
A week later, two big boxes showed up at my door step:
Part Numbers : 76654, and 76856-02.
The reason I mention this, is that I was taken by the few negative reports regarding smitty, in the beginning of the thread, but decided to still give it a go and try this trailer, as it offers so much value for the price you pay. Smitty has shown me that not just do they offer an off the scale value for price, but that they are fantastic supporting their product. In my email, I disclosed what I was going to do, and not only did they send one, but two boxes, covering the application from 1987-2013. To me that shows a company with their customers interest at hand.
Onward. When you fab up stuff, you have to spend a lot of time thinking of what ya gonna do. Anyone done this knows that. My fab skills are high, but in the world of Carbon Fiber. I do, however own a couple of welders, and use them about once a year. I am not particular good at it, but lethal with a grinder. The idea, to me, of gaining access to all that storage where the spare tire sat, was simply too hard to resist. I wanted to create a bolt on system, that I could remove, in case I did not like the end results. I also was aware of the tounge weight was rather large, albeit never measuring it, I had an idea, as the front was ehhh... next to impossible to lift. I do, however understand center of gravity, being a pilot, and estimated that the tounge weight was in the 250-300 pound range. That is off course just an estimate, and perhaps someone that have weight it can chime in. I did not do an exacto math calculation with the soon to be shifted weight aft, but estimated that it would be ok, and this thing would not fall on its tail by relocating the spare. The above items of discussion, related to the decision to make this bolt on.
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ebrabaek
Adventurer
Perhaps this built was not meant to be published as the site states that I can only upload pictures of 512MB. That have not been an issue in the posts above, or perhaps there is a monthly limit. Bummer.
Ahhhhhhh..... For some strange reason when I upload from the SD card it is being down res'ed, as compared to the hard drive... Learn something everyday. Herewego.
First, I wanted to take advantage of the current 2 inch hitch on Smitty. I did project that the torque was going to be tremendous. So I bought a 2 id. hitch, and a foot ling 2 inch of, and with my special welding skill fused them together...
(ps) you can actually buy this piece as a whole.
Then onward to the bumper itself. I settled on a 3x3x5/16 thickness, and cut that to size. Used a metal hole saw to cut the hole on the right side for the pivot. I took the pivot along to the metal store, and pillaged a small pipe ( 2x0.120 inch) that the pivot fit into snugly. Cut and welded that into the 3x3 bumper to help distribute the load and torque. The insert was welded in place on the top and through the side.
That was then marked on the receiver, and welded in place on it.
Ahhhhhhh..... For some strange reason when I upload from the SD card it is being down res'ed, as compared to the hard drive... Learn something everyday. Herewego.
First, I wanted to take advantage of the current 2 inch hitch on Smitty. I did project that the torque was going to be tremendous. So I bought a 2 id. hitch, and a foot ling 2 inch of, and with my special welding skill fused them together...
(ps) you can actually buy this piece as a whole.Then onward to the bumper itself. I settled on a 3x3x5/16 thickness, and cut that to size. Used a metal hole saw to cut the hole on the right side for the pivot. I took the pivot along to the metal store, and pillaged a small pipe ( 2x0.120 inch) that the pivot fit into snugly. Cut and welded that into the 3x3 bumper to help distribute the load and torque. The insert was welded in place on the top and through the side.
That was then marked on the receiver, and welded in place on it.
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ebrabaek
Adventurer
Originally I wanted to build the whole thing from parts on the crate, but the metal was simply too thin walled to do the job. I did make it a point to use as much as I could though...
Using pieces of the 2x2 from the crate and 1/8" flat iron bar, I made the two brackets to attach the new bumper to the existing right and left frame. I did realize that this would null the area needed for the aft jacks, but I never liked that interface that much anyway, and decided to cross that bridge at a later stage.
Using the hardware from the crate.
I then sat the pivot down in the bumper and the tire carrier in place to begin focus on that interface. Ohhhh what fun this was going to be, but it was beginning to look cool....
Using pieces of the 2x2 from the crate and 1/8" flat iron bar, I made the two brackets to attach the new bumper to the existing right and left frame. I did realize that this would null the area needed for the aft jacks, but I never liked that interface that much anyway, and decided to cross that bridge at a later stage.
Using the hardware from the crate.
I then sat the pivot down in the bumper and the tire carrier in place to begin focus on that interface. Ohhhh what fun this was going to be, but it was beginning to look cool....
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ebrabaek
Adventurer
You can see that the with of the carrier has to be substantial as to allow for the opening of the rear door, and the carrier was not wide enough. Flat iron bar to the rescue. Welded up a 4 3/4 inch extension that was then welded in place on the swing. That would then yield a total distance between the center pivot and center of the latch of 55 inches.
The pivot was then welded in place on the bumper, and everything received a coat of primer and matter black. The pivot was wider than the bumper and was trimmed to fit.
The latch bracket was then raised to fit. I used some cut pieces of flat iron bar.
Holes were drilled on the brackets and the bumper was bolted on, using the crate hardware.....
The pivot was then welded in place on the bumper, and everything received a coat of primer and matter black. The pivot was wider than the bumper and was trimmed to fit.
The latch bracket was then raised to fit. I used some cut pieces of flat iron bar.
Holes were drilled on the brackets and the bumper was bolted on, using the crate hardware.....
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Silverback07
Adventurer
Excellent work!
ebrabaek
Adventurer
Swing arm installed and carefully ehhhhhhhh..... swung. It lined up perfect... Pheeeeeew.
Then came the first cross road, and I should have known this, but had overlooked it. The tire carrier that came with the kit, did not match the hole patterns of the rims. On top of that it did not match the swing arm either. It did match the swing arm for the narrower earlier jeep, but not the swing arm for the wider jeep. Hmmmmmm. No problem folks. Step back, we are trained professionals... Ha ( quote from A bug's life)
I decided to again turn attention to the crate. My crate came in with the 3 wheels on a separate pallet. But in the crate was the wheel carriers that was once used to bolt them on the crate. I thought as well as fab up a whole new set I could use that piece. Drawback was that the bolts would not fit the wheel lugs and thus not lockable. Well..... nor was it while the wheel was up front as the only thing securing it was two strap.
That risk was acceptable to me.
Then measured how deep it had to be for the tire to touch and rest on the carrier, and welded a 3x3 piece left over from the bumper.
Back plate was constructed from 1/8 inch steel....
As with anything you don't do for a while, your not very good, but then you catch up. Please direct the attention to the weld... he he. Less grinding needed. Ha.
Then came the first cross road, and I should have known this, but had overlooked it. The tire carrier that came with the kit, did not match the hole patterns of the rims. On top of that it did not match the swing arm either. It did match the swing arm for the narrower earlier jeep, but not the swing arm for the wider jeep. Hmmmmmm. No problem folks. Step back, we are trained professionals... Ha ( quote from A bug's life)
I decided to again turn attention to the crate. My crate came in with the 3 wheels on a separate pallet. But in the crate was the wheel carriers that was once used to bolt them on the crate. I thought as well as fab up a whole new set I could use that piece. Drawback was that the bolts would not fit the wheel lugs and thus not lockable. Well..... nor was it while the wheel was up front as the only thing securing it was two strap.
That risk was acceptable to me.
Then measured how deep it had to be for the tire to touch and rest on the carrier, and welded a 3x3 piece left over from the bumper.
Back plate was constructed from 1/8 inch steel....
As with anything you don't do for a while, your not very good, but then you catch up. Please direct the attention to the weld... he he. Less grinding needed. Ha.
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ebrabaek
Adventurer
Final piece of the puzzle was the matter of the two rear stabilizer jacks. I did never care much for the original design. In it's defense, it is simple and does the job, but there was quite a wobble and flew along with it. On the other side, there is really not much you can do, being limited of the stuff that has to swing out and observing a some what reasonable departure angle. I like simplicity, and simply took the original design a bit further. I fabbed up two "cups" from the 2x2 off the crate, and cut the angle off the stock jack hardware. Those were welded in place on the bumper. In truth, in my opinion, these are not needed. There is no chance the trailer will flip on its back.... Well.... in a 60 mph gale blowing from front to rear.... Then maybe. But what convinced me to break the nice angles on the other why clean bumper was ne ease for a wheel replace meant if you get a flat. So in they went.
I figured if the Fordi will clear it, the trailer will too... Ha ha...
Even room for the bike carrier..... Whooooheeeeeee...
I figured if the Fordi will clear it, the trailer will too... Ha ha...
Even room for the bike carrier..... Whooooheeeeeee...
ebrabaek
Adventurer
ebrabaek
Adventurer
In hindsight.
Would I have done anything different?? I don't think so. I think this is a mod that is worth to the trailer. It took me 2.5 days, but a real trained professional could off course doo it faster. My opinion is that this is such a valuable option to the trailer that would smitty charge $500 for this aftermarket accessory to the trailer, I would buy it. It would take the trailer from great to awesome, with the now added storage in the front. The generator, water heater, and tanks will soon reside up in the vast open galaxy.
I fully understand their approach to pricing vs. value, and simplicity, and you get a boat load of it in this trailer. It is perhaps not aluminum, but if it was, I would not be able to weld on it, and the cost would be out of my range, so I tip my hat to Smittybilt, for not just offering this great trailer, but for the support they have given me.
When or if you do this, you can obviously use any swing carrier, but keep in mind a minimum of 55 inches from pivot to latch. These are center measurements. The nice thing is that this can be done bolt on, and I am sure that if Smitty, had a look at it, they could make and offer an awesome looking rear bumper like their SRC or SRS system. The beauty of the trailer is that the design is ready for this, and I think it would be worth the $$ for me to buy it, were it available from them.
I will post updates as the project rolls along but with the 2017 season drawing to a close, I think we might be lucky if we do a shakedown trip to Moab in the next couple of weeks, as that is only 90 minutes west.
Fire away with any questions.
Cheers.
Would I have done anything different?? I don't think so. I think this is a mod that is worth to the trailer. It took me 2.5 days, but a real trained professional could off course doo it faster. My opinion is that this is such a valuable option to the trailer that would smitty charge $500 for this aftermarket accessory to the trailer, I would buy it. It would take the trailer from great to awesome, with the now added storage in the front. The generator, water heater, and tanks will soon reside up in the vast open galaxy.
I fully understand their approach to pricing vs. value, and simplicity, and you get a boat load of it in this trailer. It is perhaps not aluminum, but if it was, I would not be able to weld on it, and the cost would be out of my range, so I tip my hat to Smittybilt, for not just offering this great trailer, but for the support they have given me.
When or if you do this, you can obviously use any swing carrier, but keep in mind a minimum of 55 inches from pivot to latch. These are center measurements. The nice thing is that this can be done bolt on, and I am sure that if Smitty, had a look at it, they could make and offer an awesome looking rear bumper like their SRC or SRS system. The beauty of the trailer is that the design is ready for this, and I think it would be worth the $$ for me to buy it, were it available from them.
I will post updates as the project rolls along but with the 2017 season drawing to a close, I think we might be lucky if we do a shakedown trip to Moab in the next couple of weeks, as that is only 90 minutes west.
Fire away with any questions.
Cheers.
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ebrabaek
Adventurer
If Smittybilt offered a tire carrier I'd be all over it! The one you built looks fantastic.
Thanks Wynn. I as well would be all over it.