tongue extension HF 40"x48"

[StandUpGuy]

Hi all. I'm back for more punishment in the home built trailer world. I am interested in doing something with a small harbor freight 40"x48" trailer. I think I would like to extend the tongue by about 16". What is the best way to do this and does this present any sort of problems?

Thanks a lot for your imput,
StandUpGuy

[StandUpGuy]

I searched but I could not find any specifics of how others may have extended the tongue on the small Harbor Freight trailer. Does anybody have any insight or links to an example of this?

[angib]

Just remember if you are extending a tongue that you are increasing the leverage of the coupler and so you have to strengthen the WHOLE of the tongue, and not just add some length to the front of it.

The easiest way is probably to throw away the existing tongue and completely replace it with a stronger and longer one. A bigger depth/width tube is always better than one that is made from just thicker steel - even if thicker steel does seem more manly!

[bobhenry]

Hi all. I'm back for more punishment in the home built trailer world. I am interested in doing something with a small harbor freight 40"x48" trailer. I think I would like to extend the tongue by about 16". What is the best way to do this and does this present any sort of problems?

Thanks a lot for your imput,
StandUpGuy

I purchased 9' of 2x2 x 3/16 I removed the joke of a tongue and tossed it. I drilled each crossmember from front to back and installed a grade 5 bolts at each location. The entire process took less than an hour with a good sharp drill bit.

If you use a saddle clamp at the rear you can shim down the 2x2 tube for a rear reciever class two size [1/14 x 1 1/4] for a bike rack or other accessories. And yes you want at minimum 16 - 18 inches additional length I think mine was just over 2'. It now tows well and you are then able to back the trailer with minimal skill. It is an evil little thing to tow and back up with the stock tongue.

[StandUpGuy]

Just remember if you are extending a tongue that you are increasing the leverage of the coupler and so you have to strengthen the WHOLE of the tongue, and not just add some length to the front of it.

The easiest way is probably to throw away the existing tongue and completely replace it with a stronger and longer one. A bigger depth/width tube is always better than one that is made from just thicker steel - even if thicker steel does seem more manly!

Excellent. This is what I will do then. Thank you.

[StandUpGuy]

Hi all. I'm back for more punishment in the home built trailer world. I am interested in doing something with a small harbor freight 40"x48" trailer. I think I would like to extend the tongue by about 16". What is the best way to do this and does this present any sort of problems?

Thanks a lot for your imput,
StandUpGuy

I purchased 9' of 2x2 x 3/16 I removed the joke of a tongue and tossed it. I drilled each crossmember from front to back and installed a grade 5 bolts at each location. The entire process took less than an hour with a good sharp drill bit.

If you use a saddle clamp at the rear you can shim down the 2x2 tube for a rear reciever class two size [1/14 x 1 1/4] for a bike rack or other accessories. And yes you want at minimum 16 - 18 inches additional length I think mine was just over 2'. It now tows well and you are then able to back the trailer with minimal skill. It is an evil little thing to tow and back up with the stock tongue.

I wish to make my trailer able to stand on end in the garage. This means I will be able to add 16" of length and still clear the ceiling. I had plenty of difficulty backing up my 4x8 trailer and can only imagine the minute adjustments the small HF trailer would require. Thank you very much for your response! I appreciate it.

[StandUpGuy]

Hi all. I'm back for more punishment in the home built trailer world. I am interested in doing something with a small harbor freight 40"x48" trailer. I think I would like to extend the tongue by about 16". What is the best way to do this and does this present any sort of problems?

Thanks a lot for your imput,
StandUpGuy

I purchased 9' of 2x2 x 3/16 I removed the joke of a tongue and tossed it. I drilled each crossmember from front to back and installed a grade 5 bolts at each location. The entire process took less than an hour with a good sharp drill bit.

If you use a saddle clamp at the rear you can shim down the 2x2 tube for a rear reciever class two size [1/14 x 1 1/4] for a bike rack or other accessories. And yes you want at minimum 16 - 18 inches additional length I think mine was just over 2'. It now tows well and you are then able to back the trailer with minimal skill. It is an evil little thing to tow and back up with the stock tongue.

I purchase the HF 40x48 trailer. I was wondering if I was adding some 2 feet to the tongue length would this mean I should move the wheels forward a bit too?

[StandUpGuy]

I took an image from another website where the individual had extended the tongue of the little HF trailer and then reversed the bed front to back to put the wheels forward of the original position. Here is an image of how they had done it. I am wondering if the wheels are too far forward done this way.