trailer tongue length

Smokerjet · 03-21-2010, 09:02 AM

i just bought a new alumaweld and it came on a rogue galvanized trailer my problem is that the tongue is very very short making it hard to back up and i cant open my truck tailgate with the boat hooked up.What is the best way to add say 12-18 inches of tongue length without adding a swing away ?

goatram · 03-21-2010, 09:12 AM

Google Hitch Extender
Watch the tongue weight.
I run a 30" with my Super Hitch to clear my Camper.
I have two receivers stacked and run the extender on the bottom and a extra bar on the top in the stock hitch

Smokerjet · 03-21-2010, 09:15 AM

im actually looking to increase the length of the trailer tongue

honker1 · 03-21-2010, 09:16 AM

You may want to check into this. I believe they come in differant lengths.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...box.jsp.form23

goatram · 03-21-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokerjet

im actually looking to increase the length of the trailer tongue

Without adding a swing away I would not trust welding on a extension to your original tongue. You could buy a new tongue and install it.

DirectDrive · 03-21-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokerjet

i just bought a new alumaweld and it came on a rogue galvanized trailer my problem is that the tongue is very very short making it hard to back up and i cant open my truck tailgate with the boat hooked up.What is the best way to add say 12-18 inches of tongue length without adding a swing away ?

If you can't even open the tailgate, I would wonder if they put it on the correct trailer ?

See what trailer models are available and what model you have.

If the next step up doesn't make sense for your boat, I would have a certified welder extend the tongue. He will know how to sleeve it and do it right.
But if this is a new outfit, seems like the dealer should at a minimum, set it up so you can at least drop your tailgate.

For reference, the winch tower on my Baker is 3'-0" to the end of the tongue.
It works, but I would call that a minimum dimension. I can kink it to 90 degrees but I like to avoid those situations.

SOL · 03-21-2010, 09:58 AM

Sounds like the trailer is too small (common dealer mistake) and the winch post is moved up to far on the trailer..

goatram · 03-21-2010, 10:33 AM

A certified welder will still have to weld on a Galvanized tongue and then have to regalvanize it.

A new tongue would be cheaper, easier, last longer and be the right way to fix the issue. A swing hinge would be cheaper still and the extension would be the cheapest of the bunch.

Sol might have something there. It would cost to upgrade the trailer. Dealer priced it out and you bought it. Does it have the weight capacity?

DirectDrive · 03-21-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatram

A certified welder will still have to weld on a Galvanized tongue and then have to regalvanize it.

Typically you would cold-galv a repair like this. And no, that's not as good as real galvanizing, but it's acceptable for many applications.

Quote:

A new tongue would be cheaper, easier, last longer and be the right way to fix the issue.

It depends on how the trailer is built, as to how practical a new tongue would be.

Quote:

A swing hinge would be cheaper still and the extension would be the cheapest of the bunch.

The OP said he doesn't want a swing away, but personally, I like that option. It would be a clever way to add tongue length.

Quote:

Sol might have something there. It would cost to upgrade the trailer. Dealer priced it out and you bought it. Does it have the weight capacity?

This was my thought in post #6 and it's what I would pursue first, esp if this is a brand new outfit.

Edit:
I wouldn't be too thrilled about an upcharge and would try to keep that door closed.
I just bought my dream boat and it's on my dealer to put a trailer under it where I can at least open my tailgate and of course, safely haul the boat.
Seems like it would be confined quarters just trying to operate the winch as it is.

freeflyinmane · 03-21-2010, 12:47 PM

I lengthened my galvanized tongue by using a section of SS tubing and welded it (sleeved) with SS rod so the original galvanizing was not toasted. Way better backing up, been using it for 4 years now with a 20' Alumaweld Blackhawk. Find a good fab shop and I imagine it would cost under 150 bucks.

Smokerjet · 03-21-2010, 01:47 PM

guess i should clarify a bit , i can open the tailgate when the boat is straight but it would hit the step that comes out from the winch stand if turned much

Jedcraft · 03-21-2010, 02:12 PM

That sounds more common. An extended receiver is the easiest & cheapest fix.

fishkisser · 03-21-2010, 08:47 PM

Take the step off the winch stand and sell it on craigs list ...
Problem solved ...

Smokerjet · 03-22-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkisser

Take the step off the winch stand and sell it on craigs list ...
Problem solved ...

its welded to the winch stand

DirectDrive · 03-22-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokerjet

its welded to the winch stand

SJ, can you post a pic showing your trailer's tongue, winch stand and wishbone area ?
Need a visual.

Hellibut · 03-22-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokerjet

i just bought a new alumaweld and it came on a rogue galvanized trailer my problem is that the tongue is very very short making it hard to back up and i cant open my truck tailgate with the boat hooked up.What is the best way to add say 12-18 inches of tongue length without adding a swing away ?

As already suggested a hitch extension. It's both cheap and simple. You can go up to I believe 18" without changing your hitch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokerjet

im actually looking to increase the length of the trailer tongue

Why!?
If the problem is as you say, the tailgate, this would solve it.

oregonrafter · 03-23-2010, 08:58 PM

I'm going to point you back in the direction of the swing-away. This is likely the most inexpensive option for you, and it will give you the best return on your investment if you ever decide to sell your boat. Besides, it's just really nice to swing that tongue out of the way when your boat is being stored.

I installed the swing-away on my boat trailer (to solve the exact same problem as you are having). It took about 4-5 hours to do it. I'm SO glad I did.

With the longer tongue, I don't have to back as far down the ramp - which is a plus that I really wasn't considering.

Califbill · 03-23-2010, 09:17 PM

See if the boat is moved up on the trailer. If the bunks stick out the back. If so move the boat and winch stand back and then move the axles back to get the correct tongue weight. If not, get the dealer to replace the trailer with a correct trailer.