Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

[90stingray]

My trailer is not setup very well to add a typical folding tongue. Even tho my setup fits in the garage, its super tight and something needs done. So at a minimum i am going to have to cut the tongue and add a A frame style coupler that would save me about 10". My thoughts if i have to modify the trailer... might as well do it how it should have been done in the first place and to cut out the center tongue and smaller crossmember... then bend the outer rails in so they come to the center sooner. I would like to put a weld in folding unit in the tongue just fwd of the winch post... i would be able to break over about 32" of tongue. This would make life in the garage much more livable, as i would be able to walk behind the boat to access other things of the garage. Just wanted to know you all's thoughts. I have tried to contact a trailer building/repairing facility and they have yet to get back with me.
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[62 ROYAL SCOTT]

Hey , 90stingray - Are you sure want to do that? What about towing &turning?

[smokeonthewater]

sounds like a bad move to me..... how much overhang do you have in the rear? can you move the boat forward on the trailer? then put a longer folding tongue on the front....

[roscoe]

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Sorry, don't like your plan either.

How about you cut it back a bit, and add one of these hinged extensions ?

['78 Crusader]

If possible, make a cut out area on the back wall of your garage that your boats engine can back into. I modified my garage as I found a void between the walls deep enough to do the same thing. Of course I framed and, insulated and finished out the area too so it looks like it's original to the house.

[90stingray]

Well I knew this was going to happen.... my thoughts didn't get thru in text. And now i'm getting the beat-down. As it sits there is no room for a folding tongue. The tongue would be the same length as the original but the outer rails would be further back so I would have more tongue to break over. Is this making any more sense? Maybe I should make a sketch of my idea...

[Frank Acampora]

Well, I think I understand what you want to do and it sounds like a God-awful amount of work and very expensive unless you do it yourself. It sounds like you will almost be rebuilding the trailer.

Unless you have correct equipment, bending the side rails will not be easy either but if you have the time and will, almost anything is do-able.

You will still need the small crossmember to correctly support the tongue and attach it to the trailer body.

[smokeonthewater]

Your plan is straight forward and easy to understand and nobody is beating you down..... you asked a question and you got the answer..... As frank said anything is possible but generally those with that kind of fabrication ability don't need to ask.... I think you stand a very real chance of ruining your trailer... Just adding a longer tongue (single tube) in the front is risky enough and changes the forces on the trailer frame substantially, but reworking the shape of the frame is a bigger project than I think you know..... I DO have the tools and ability to do that project and there is no way I'd mess with it.... It would be easier, cheaper, and better to solve the problem another way.....

Back to my original suggestion.... it would be far easier to shorten the trailer in the rear and add the longer folding tongue in the front than to shorten the front and add it.

[sublauxation]

It looks like you can easily move that winch stand forward at least a foot, probably more. You may have to move the spare but it shouldn't be hard to find another place for it. Then, as smoke said, move the boat up and take some lenght from the back of the trailer.

You could then put on a folding tongue or buy a longer tow bar for your receiver hitch.

[Volphin]

I wish a folding tongue or something would allow me to keep the boat in my garage in town. It's just too long! I have to use the lake house garage. But all the tools are at the other house! grrrr.

V

[bruceb58]

By cutting/rewelding the outer channels and having them come in further rearward on the trailer is a bad idea. Bending is out of the question as you wouldn't be able to do that at this point already on the trailer.

['78 Crusader]

It looks like you can easily move that winch stand forward at least a foot, probably more. You may have to move the spare but it shouldn't be hard to find another place for it. Then, as smoke said, move the boat up and take some lenght from the back of the trailer.

You could then put on a folding tongue or buy a longer tow bar for your receiver hitch.

Heck ya, that appears to be a great idea!! Are you able to move your axles forward or are the mounts welded to the trailer? I'm thinking an increase in tongue weight and increaced forward Center of Gravity (CG) here.....

[bruceb58]

As long as the sterndrive doesn't hit the trailer. Personally, I wouldn't do it.

[woodytwo]

One thing that I would be concerned about is the trailer wheel alignment if any frame adjustments are made (other than using the next set of bolt holes or a kit). Your tires will wear down fast if the alignment is screwed up. Having said that I would not be concerned about taking the trailer to an experienced trailer shop and cutting/rewelding the tongue/ trailer beams to accomplish your objective. I did this about 15 years ago and it worked out well.

[mwmike270]

i agree with the comment if you know how to do it you would not have asked, you can take it to a experianced trailer shop as the welding is not something you want to take a chance with. the design of the trailer is being changed so its important for all the above mods to be thought through and again an experienced trailer shop would be able to guid you through this.

one last thought, sell your trailer and buy one if you can that would fit and hold your boat correctly ....

[letmefish]

I added a 36" piece after cutting the tongue back 14" for an overall tongue length of 22" gain. The trailer pulls better and backing up is better with the longer tongue. FULTON makes a weld on and bolt on styles. These are the same ones (weld on) that are available on new trailers. On my trailer after this modification the tongue when folded is shorter then the winch stand. The safety chains need to attach to the ridgid part of the tongue and wiil need loops on the folding part to support the chain so it doesn't drag on the ground. The wiring goes through the tongue. A good welding shop can do this with no problems.

[mwmike270]

sounds like you found a good fix , can you post pictures ? it would be nice to see a before and after shot of how this is done.

[letmefish]

I have to clarify my previous post,the winch stand is mounted to the ridgid part of the frame. The winch itself extends beyond the hinge. I cut off the old hitch and about 2" of tongue and then welded the Fulton swingaway onto it. I then welded a 36" piece onto the swingaway and then bolted a new hitch on. The safety chains are bolted to the ridgid part and are run through supports. this is the only pic I have as I sold the boat about a month ago.The white rope is for the boat cover and has nothing to do with the hitch.Attachment 0

[letmefish]

I reread the comments and as for the cost,about $80 for the swingaway plus welding. I got my swingaway from Pacific Trailer. I do my own welding so my cost is not much. I pulled the boat for 3 years with no problems and the person I sold it to pulled it 200 miles to get it home. They called and said it pulled beautifully.

[gtochris]

I think it was Four Winns Factory trailers that use to have a removable tongue, you pulled out a pin and it just slid out. Is this an option? All you would really need is a sleeve type system similar to a draw bar and you might be able to get the maximum amount of clearence that way.

Way I see it, you could cut off right after the "Y" and then the new sleeve would slide in enough that the bolt/ pin that connects the pieces together would be near the winch.

[maproy99]

I had a similar issue, My boat leaves about a foot to spare in front and back when in the garage. My solution has been to angle the boat when i back it in (I use my mower) then turn the upper unit over to one side and drop it down. I also park so the front of hitch is about 1 inch inside the garage door. (Very easy to step over if needed) After doing all this I feel like I have 3 feet to walk behind the boat. Another plus is I can fit my jetski in on the other side I angled away from and mower goes on other side. Its not about modifications, it is about making the most of what you have. And if you want to know all what I have on one side of my garage (with the boat) I can tell you, but it will be a LONG list.

[roscoe]

I added a 36" piece after cutting the tongue back 14" for an overall tongue length of 22" gain. The trailer pulls better and backing up is better with the longer tongue. FULTON makes a weld on and bolt on styles. These are the same ones (weld on) that are available on new trailers. On my trailer after this modification the tongue when folded is shorter then the winch stand. The safety chains need to attach to the ridgid part of the tongue and wiil need loops on the folding part to support the chain so it doesn't drag on the ground. The wiring goes through the tongue. A good welding shop can do this with no problems.

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Thats what I did, except I didn't cut any off, just added the hinge and extended 34".




1 11.jpg

[SDSeville]

Sell you trailer and buy one made with a folding tongue.

[joewithaboat]

If you need more room behind the boat ........Attachment 116106
sorry I couldnt resist. I have actually seen this done before.

[90stingray]

Not the finished product.... but this is the direction i went with. Still need to burn a few more welds and of course paint and stripe to match. Tie down engineering product ($59) feels nice an stout. Should do the job nicely. Thanks for all the input.
Attachment 116108