Replacing the tongue

[Spadinator]

Well.....the weight of the trailer caused the tongue to twist!!!



New tongue material.....$40.00 for 8 ft!!!

[Steve_Cox]

Well.....the weight of the trailer caused the tongue to twist!!!

New tongue material.....$40.00 for 8 ft!!!

The question everyone will want to ask is, what size was the tongue? Was it 11ga 2" X 2"? And what are you replacing it with? 1/4" 2" X 2"? Surely you wouldn't do the same thing over expecting different results.... that's something only I would do.

[Spadinator]

The tounge was originally 2 1/2 by 2 - 3/32 u channel..... the material I'm replacing it with is 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 X 3/16 box steel. The new stuff is actually tounge material from a local trailer repair shop.

[bg]

The tounge was originally 2 1/2 by 2 - 3/32 u channel..... the material I'm replacing it with is 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 X 3/16 box steel. The new stuff is actually tounge material from a local trailer repair shop.

Way overpriced... I can pickup a 20' piece for $56.00.

Should make a good trailer tongue, none the less.

[Spadinator]

The tounge was originally 2 1/2 by 2 - 3/32 u channel..... the material I'm replacing it with is 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 X 3/16 box steel. The new stuff is actually tounge material from a local trailer repair shop.

Way overpriced... I can pickup a 20' piece for $56.00.

Should make a good trailer tongue, none the less.

I thought the same thing but it was either buy a 20' for 56 bucks and another 30 bucks to cut it to manageable lenghts or 40 for one already cut. I wasn't sure what I would do with 12' of steel!!! They charged by the foot under 10 ft ($4.79 a foot) or $ 56 for the 20 ft uncut.

[Gage]

Well.....the weight of the trailer caused the tongue to twist!!!
<snip pic>
New tongue material.....$40.00 for 8 ft!!!

How does the weight of the trailer cause the tongue to twist? It must be the jack. The side mounted jack is not recommended for this type of installation because the jack is not on center line. Think about it.


Most likely part of the reason I don't have this problem is because I have a 'A' frame type tongue and my frame is not a store bought bolt together frame. Another reason the HF type frame is not recommended by a few of us. (Boy, I bet that will cause an uproar).
Have a good day.

[GregB]

Spad,

Wasatch Steel at 3500 S. in SLC has 2x2x1/4" scrap (5' long) for $.46/lb. I was cruising there looking for tongue material myself the other day.

GB

[mikeschn]

Well.....the weight of the trailer caused the tongue to twist!!!



New tongue material.....$40.00 for 8 ft!!!

This is a good question for the FAQ...

Mike...

[Spadinator]

Your absolutely right Gage.........When I bought this trailer 10 years ago from Fred Meyer Harbor Freight was not even heard of in our area. The jack that was meant for this trailer is no longer available. I wished it was an A frame tounge but oh well-


Hey Greg thanks for the info......I may have to check out that route.....

[fornesto]

Now is the time to consider if you need a longer tongue. I replaced my tongue with one 2' longer and have been very happy. It tows and turns a lot better.

[Spadinator]

That is exactly why I am going with an 8' piece. The original tounge is 5 1/2 ft in length. It will allow me to connect to a cross member further back on the trailer as well as extend the tounge!!

[Gage]

That is exactly why I am going with an 8' piece. The original tounge is 5 1/2 ft in length. It will allow me to connect to a cross member further back on the trailer as well as extend the tounge!!

It will still want to twist on you with the jack. Being how your going to redo your tongue, you might want to add a piece of angle to each side attached as far forward as you can and then to the existing 'A' frame as close to the cross member as you can. That should prevent any twist attempt cause by the jack when in use. Just a suggestion.

Have a good day.

[Spadinator]

The Angel Iron is already part of the trailer.......here is an explanation


The twist started after where the side braces met on the tongue.

[Gage]

<snip>
The twist started after where the side braces met on the tongue.

Strange, I would think it would be just forward of where the braces meet the tongue. How well are those side braces attached?

This is about what I was thinking.


Have a good day.

[Spadinator]

Yeah I know....the twist started between the angle iron and the diagonal braces. I thought of extendeing the cross braces like you drew but the originals were already bolted on and I guess it comes down to me being a little lazy!!!!