Adding length to trailer

[alderman]

Problem, I have a older 60's vintage trailer coil springs and shocks non adjustible axel. The boat is a 60's vintage 14' aluminum starcraft fishing boat. 1971 25Hp eninrude. The trailer is basicly made out of 3" channel, joined together about 3'6" from the coupler. In order to get the boat to float off I have to get the rear wheels of the towing vehicle in the water to far. Also the wench position will not allow the lift gate on the van to open. What I am considering is cutting the trailer frame behind the coupler and adding a peice of 3" square tubing 3' long and overlaping about 6" on each end, making the trailer 2' longer over all. Any comments or ideas why this won't work? Thanks

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Adding length to trailer

Strictly my opinion and no endorsement of your idea but if it was mine, considering the weight of your boat I would do it. I think the overlap is a good idea, for added strength I would cut out 2 "diamonds", and put them at the joints.<br />Check the tongue weight afterwords, and see what you got.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Adding length to trailer

Sounds good to me, but why not add 4' and make it a little easier to launch and load.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Adding length to trailer

Originally posted by alderman:<br /> overlaping about 6" on each end,

If its a good snug fit, 2 1/2" bolts in each end of the overlaps would work great no heavier than your load is.<br /><br />If you can weld it, that's even better.<br /><br />In your case, I'd do it in minute and never look back. On my smaller boats, I've extended the tongues like that on several to get the boat farther down and keep the tires dry, plus, its easier to walk between the boat & trailer that way. <br /><br />If you're worried about the strength of the 2 bolts- take a look at how so many trailer hitch couplers at attached from the factory with a pair of non-graded 3/8" bolts on boats several times that size & weight. If your joints are stronger than that, you'll be fine.

 

[alderman]

Re: Adding length to trailer

Thanks for the reassurance all, I could not think of any reason it would not work on this light rig. Just wanted to make sure I was not missing something. It will be a weld job and I had not thought of using the diamonds to increase the weld surface and make the joints stronger. The old trailer tows good and with the motor on the boat I would guess tongue weight at 60 to 80 lbs,well above the 10% that is considered good. Thanks again for all the help, someday some one will post a question maybe I can answer. Just hope it's about surveying or civil engineering.<br />Thanks again.