Smittybilt Scout Trailer - Anything better for the price?

TerraCrawler

TerraCrawler

New member
I am REALLY wanting to pick up a trailer. If I could have any trailer, it would be a Turtleback Expedition.......but you know, we have to go through this rationalization phase, and that's what I am doing.

Requirements:
  • I want something I can put matched tires/rims on
  • won't bog me down on trails (has to be trail worthy)
  • can hold my Roof top tent and still allow access to trailer

I looked at the following:


Dinoot
Is attractive, but I don't want a project, I want to get out and stay out exploring as much as possible and so I would rather just buy something mostly built. There are companies that sell and customize Dinoots so it remains an option.

M416
Some people have done some amazing things with these trailers. I will keep my eye out for a sweet example.

CVT
Definitely serious about giving this one a hard look. The rack system is nice, the spare tire carrier is nice, lots of cool storage, gas shocks to hold the top up. Has Timbren suspension, not sure how I feel about that, I really don't know much about it, it does seem to be a premium. Full LED lighting. Lots of room to add a tongue box.

Schutt XV-3
This is probably the most well made out of the ones I have listed here. You could even pay more if you upgrade it substantially but it comes with some very cool stuff. Built in power distribution center standard. Receiver, D-rings, swing away tire carrier.

FSR Overlander
Timbren suspension, nice wheels and tires. They want $1699 however for their LabRak with towers rack system. It is a very nice rack system, but I can't see paying so much more for it. If they included that in the price it would be a serious contender.

AT Chaser
I love the classic M416 look. With AT's name on it, it has to be made well. An amazing amount of options are available. Trailing arm suspension, receivers, gas struts. Some of the options can be quite expensive, for example the swing away tire carrier is $1024, yet included in some other companies trailers. Electric brakes are also extra. I have no doubt its all well made, and fully optioned out it probably competes with the best of them at a similar price point.

Smittybilt
I like that the Smittybilt has a tongue box and slide outs, all standard. It has electric drum brakes standard. I also like that its offered supposedly as an even cheaper kit with no wheels and tires, so I can just put a set matched to my 4Runner. It comes with spare tire mount, receivers, and a telescoping rack system and independent trailing A-arms.


So out of these, I am attracted mostly to the CVT and Smittybilt. Are there other brands you think I should look into? I would love to "buy in" at the $6500 or so mark. I know I could sink a ton of money into any trailer, adding foxwing, propane, hot water, etc.

I really like the idea of getting the RTT onto a trailer. Would make setup much easier. Once camp is setup, i could leave it and venture off, without having to break down camp just to go make a store run etc. I really like that!
 
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I like the off road teardrop trailers for many of the same reasons but they are more expensive. If I was going to do the rtt, I would go with the smittybuilt, its a good all around package and you get a lot for your money.
 
mgreen6616 said:
Check out Ruger Trailers
Click to expand...

Thanks I have no heard of them. It looks like their basic 6 foot is $5995. Its in the same M416 style as the AT Chaser. The AT Chaser basic DIY kit (minus wheels/tires) is only $4300 and includes shocks (extra on the Ruger). Just looking at bare bones Ruger and bares bones AT Overland.

I am getting sucked more and more into the Schutt XV3. They have videos online, their build is in a whole different class than just about anything out there.
 
Isn't OT talking about like sports, Game of Thrones, what are you buying your kids for christmas, etc? I figured talking about Off Road Trailers was more of a general discussion topic.
 
Signal said:
Thanks I have no heard of them. It looks like their basic 6 foot is $5995. Its in the same M416 style as the AT Chaser. The AT Chaser basic DIY kit (minus wheels/tires) is only $4300 and includes shocks (extra on the Ruger). Just looking at bare bones Ruger and bares bones AT Overland.

I am getting sucked more and more into the Schutt XV3. They have videos online, their build is in a whole different class than just about anything out there.
Click to expand...

The Chaser kit for $4300 is just the rolling chassis and no box at all (no cargo box and no tounge box). This is apples and oranges to the $5995 Ruger. A basic AT Chaser is $7,700 I think for the same money as the Smitty you can find a much nicer trailer. For a few dollars more you can do way better (VMI (all aluminum), Jackwagon Basecamp etc.).
 
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mgreen6616 said:
The Chaser kit for $4300 is just the rolling chassis and no box at all (no cargo box and no tounge box). This is apples and oranges to the $5995 Ruger. A basic AT Chaser is $7,700 I think for the same money as the Smitty you can find a much nicer trailer. For a few dollars more you can do way better (VMI (all aluminum), Jackwagon Basecamp etc.).
Click to expand...

I agree there are some deals out there depending on what you want and how much you want to DIY. I definitely like to add my own wheels/tires so they match. Smittybilt doesn't offer a 6x5.5 hub configuration. I find myself being pulled toward Schutts XV3, but as with many things I do I will take some time to think it all over and rationalize. For now I have no problem continuing to camp on my RTT on my 4Runner. Although now that it was 3" lifted today, it does get a bit more challenging, may be time to add a step stool to the mix.
 
Signal said:
I agree there are some deals out there depending on what you want and how much you want to DIY. I definitely like to add my own wheels/tires so they match. Smittybilt doesn't offer a 6x5.5 hub configuration. I find myself being pulled toward Schutts XV3, but as with many things I do I will take some time to think it all over and rationalize. For now I have no problem continuing to camp on my RTT on my 4Runner. Although now that it was 3" lifted today, it does get a bit more challenging, may be time to add a step stool to the mix.
Click to expand...

That Schutt XV3 looks awesome. The huckbolt construction would be bombproof. I saw several trailers at Expo East last year and I would take any of them :)
 
Why the M101 trailer

Hello, i was hoping to start a thread detailing how I rebuilt my M101 but the forum won't let me start one so here it goes.

I have used the M101 when I was in the military, It was meany to be pulled by the Hummer and is capped at 3/4 ton and 15 MPH while off road. Deceiving.

In reality it has a dexter 6K axle, 6K leaf spring set and safety chains for 10K. The chasis is made of channel and tube steel. I have personally seen these with a 4k payload. If you get a M101 with a tub (like a pickup) it weighs roughly 2K.

Why this is good for a 5thgen? IMHO, the M101 can be put on a diet, drop two leaves, new axle and T4R hubs and can be much lighter. Mine is roughly 1,400 and with a 1K load is still far below the 5th gen tow limits. Additionally, it in only 1 inch wider than the the fifth gen, still easy to move and can easily handle topsoil, rock, a couch as well as 1k of overland gear.

Also IMHO, the M416 is not adequate. Very small and was made for a jeep to pull around. The seating position in the 5th gen makes it hard to see the side of the trailer for backing, also the shorter the tongue, the harder to back up.

Perhaps the thing (now I am really on a limb) that I see as frustrating is these trailers both M416 M100 and M101s were made for military use and did very well. However when people tow them at 30MPH off-road and bang the hell out of them, all welds will give over time. The JK community has really destroyed a lot of trailers because they don't respect these trailers. This is even true for the new schutt adventure and schutt's M1101. Great tough trailer BUT overlanding with heavy tongue weights and doing 50 mph on DNR roads was not what these are made for. I have seen military trailers loaded with ammo for emergent resupply and get damaged due to an emergency. For your needs an M101 would do great when refurbed and treated respectfully.

Best of luck.
 
At the price point most of these trailers are at I am surprised that you don’t see more mentions of the Taxa Wolly Bear. They come with battery power, rooftop tent, prewired for solar, etc for the same price or less.
 
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