Trailer tongue failur/replacement

[RickK]

Ryan how about just using cold roll and then covering inside and out with POR15? Galvy is expensive as you know and if the tongue is well coated with a paint like POR15 and able to drain it will last most likely longer then you will keep it.

If you bolt it together then you can dump the paint in the tube, roll it around and end over end to ensure complete coverage and not have to worry about burning the paint off putting it together..  My Yacht Club trailer has a 3x5 tongue that is through bolted in 2 places with 5/8" bolts.. No welds.

 

Ditto on the POR15.  Used that on the rusting frame of my F150, it killed the rust and coated the frame.  Was good to go for years after that until I sold it.  Think I still have some of it around here somewhere.

[Georgie]

Thanks guys,

Probably just gonna go with the galvanized tube from B&S to keep it consistent with my existing materials.  Heck, I can't even find any 3X4 cold roll anywhere locally that will sell less than a 24' length.  Got a buddy who'll weld the pivot bracket and coupler back on for the price of a bottle of Jack (hopefully weld first, Jack later   )  Can anyone think of any significant drawbacks to shortening a tongue by 1 ft?  The trailer currently rides nicely and is balanced well, but I like to keep the tightest turn radius possible and it'll also save me a few bucks in material and shipping costs if I shorten it.  I currenty have enough additional tube length that I can spare the 1ft and still reattach my post, spare wheel bracket, tongue jack, and coupler.  Would 1 ft. make a significant difference in tongue weight? performance? anything else I'm not thinking of?  

[seabob4]

Ryan, the only "issue" I would think would be a change in tongue weight, how much I don't know.  Obviously it would increase, and if I pried open the long dormant physics cells in my brain, we could figure it out...calculating the mass of an object as the normal force is moved further away from the COG...

[gran398]

Would recommend double-checking the tongue jack mounting position. It needs to be able to swing freely, also consider sharp turns without encroching on the ball/coupler. The one on the 22-2 barely fits in the up position... wish had a little more space....

[Capt. Bob]

Would recommend double-checking the tongue jack mounting position. It needs to be able to swing freely, also consider sharp turns without encroching on the ball/coupler. The one on the 22-2 barely fits in the up position... wish had a little more space....

2X

[seabob4]

That's true fellas.  Therefore I'd go with the drop-foot type jack.

[dburr]

Ryan I have never had a trailer tongue be to long, but had three where the damn thing is to short by just enough...  Nothing is ever #%€£&$ easy...

If you go a foot shorter the tongue weight will be heavier and you may possibly have to adjust the dolly or push the winch stand back.  What do you want to spend your time (only you know the value of that) doing?  

If I could get a tubing stretcher I would make my current tongue at least 9 inches longer..  That way I could shift the boat forward and not have 24 inches from the last trailer support to the transom edge.. The wobble wheel carriage provides support but when the bunk conversion happens the lumber will be quite stout..  A longer tongue would let me pull'er ahead...

 

The galvy tubing I would need to do that is over $500 less shipping .. Hence I adapt and overcome..

[Aswaff400]

a foot difference really wont make much of a difference in turning radius. i wish i had an extra foot on the tongue for my trailer as its used for both my 200 and 222, with the 222 i have the winch post as far forward as it can possibly go(which included moving the jack), the transom is still 6 inches aft of the bunks

[Georgie]

Gents -

Can't thank you enough.  Ordered the full 9' galvanized piece to replace my bad tongue today after I left work.  $135 shipped to my door.  Decided shortening a perfect riding trailer was foolish.  Great advice from a great bunch of guys.   Will post photos of the replacement...I PROMISE.

[slvrlng]

Updates? Pics? Did you get the tube from B&S?

Back to the shortening the tongue idea. This would make a shallow ramp difficult.

[Georgie]

Hey Lew,

Yup, went with B&S.  They had the galvanized 9' tongue to me in on Monday evening after placing the order thursday or friday!!     Have a few (embarrassing) pics of the old tube to post (gotta upload to photobucket first b/c my CAS gallery is no longer accessible - long story ) and had the new tongue and coupler welded to the old hinge bracket last night.  Started re-assembling the winch post, tongue jack, etc. but want to buy some new galvy hardware to replace some of the older rusted stuff while I'm at it.  Will finish the project tonight assuming no trouble re-snaking the wiring or drilling the steel.  I plan to take some more photos after it's all done, and then she'll be ready to roll in time for the weekend!  Gotta get wet, y'know!  :bounce:   Can't STAND being landlocked. :pirat:

[seabob4]

Slow and steady on the drilling, Ryan.  Sharp cobalt bits, lots of cutting oil.  Step drill, start small and increase DIA...

[Georgie]

Before (SCARY):





After:







Once everything is all re-mounted and wired I'll post a final pic.