Trailer tongue question

[Bill Monroe]

My trailer tongue is very long and will stick out from the boat barn I just buiilt for the new 21' Arima.

Is there a place that will install a hinged tongue on a galvanized trailer?

[fishon_nehalem]

Originally Posted by Bill Monroe

My trailer tongue is very long and will stick out from the boat barn I just buiilt for the new 21' Arima.

Is there a place that will install a hinged tongue on a galvanized trailer?

Bill,
I did one myself, it is very easy. I bought the kit from Boaters World, used a sawsall with a metal cutting blade. Other than the sawsall you will need a drill and a bit about 1/2" and a few wrenches. Just make sure your wires are tucked back far enough in the tounge so you don't snag them with the drill bit.

Mine was installed opn a galvanized trailer for a 16' boat trailer, but I see no problem with installing on any trailer.

If you were closer to me I would do it for you.

Regards

[Dave B]

Bill,
The ones you buy and install are usually weight rated. Make sure before you buy to get one that can handle the weight of your boat.
Dave B

[Road Rage]

Also, there's a minimum gauge requirment for the wall-thickness of the the tongue "tube." I wanted to install a swing on my Trophy's Escort trailer, but this cheapy trailer has thin-wall construction. I was told the bolts could rip out.

Also, with a swing, it's a good idea to use longer saftey chains that go all the way to the trailer frame behind the swing. This way, if the swing does fail safety chains should help control the loose trailer. I've seen the long chains bolted in two places; at the coupler, and behind the swing.

[hawgsnhogs]

Bill, remember to calculate the tongue weight into the equation. It can vary depending on how you are loaded, and if there is any water in the bow below the deck. We had a swing arm on the FD boat at work and it failed. It is now welded. I like the idea of longer chains attached in front of , and behind the swing point. Send a pm my way...let me know how things are going.

[Bill Monroe]

Just took another look...Duhhhhh!
My tongue is only sticking out of the new boat shed by the length of the hitch and it's a long enough tongue I can probably just move the hitch back without jeopardizing any structural integrity or getting it too close to the pickup tailgate.

So, are there any ifishers who have a machine shop or company that could do the hitch work? I don't mind doing it myself, but there are a lot of wires, etc...

[Grain of Salt]

Bill-
if you have enough tongue length on the trailer you could move the coupler back. This may affect your tongue weight a bit and tailgate clearance to the winch post but I have done it on several trailers and it's pretty easy.

I have a metal cutting bandsaw to make the cut if you need...then drill and bolt.

edit:
That might have been what you meant....just got the hitch and coupler terms messed up

[Bill Monroe]

The winch post has about a foot and a half of unused extension above the winch, so I assume I can cut that down, right?

[HugeDuckFan]

Potter Webster in Portland. They have done a number of significant trailer modifications for me (boat and flatbed). Talk to Rich Calgano in their service department, and he's an avid fisherman too. Good work, fair pricing. Over by Jubitz on Vancouver Way.

[Tinman]

Bill, make sure the bow of the boat will still be a reasonable distance from the back of your tow rig. You want enough room to be able to step over the tongue at the hitch. Otherwise you have to walk all the way around the stern to get to the other side.

[PIR8 Hook]

I had that problem too....solved it by notching the garage door

[Road Rage]

Originally Posted by Tinman

Bill, make sure the bow of the boat will still be a reasonable distance from the back of your tow rig. You want enough room to be able to step over the tongue at the hitch. Otherwise you have to walk all the way around the stern to get to the other side.

One solution to this is to use a longer draw bar, putting the ball farther back from the truck...

[Bill Monroe]

Thanks all...I think I'm pretty well set.

[sanceman]

So it sounds like you can cut down the tong. I have the same issue with a king trailer. The distance between the coupler and the winch post is 48". I'm thinking of cutting it down by 2' and using a swing-away (Fulton) to take it right in front of the post.