Tongue length (no Gene Simmons content)

[shoeman]

Ok, so next question before I order steel:
5x8 trailer, generic Benroy. How long does the tongue need to be? This may be in a tutorial I know, but I've had zero free time to peruse that lately.
I'm not so concerned with the overall length of the tubing, just the length from the front wall to the ball.

Geoff

[Dale M.]

My practice when building trailer is to make tongue length several inches more than the distance from "ball" on trailer hitch to outer most portion of tow vehicle, so if you jackknife trailer when backing, tow vehicle body does not contact trailer body...

Dale

[Alphacarina]

That's my measuring technique too - As short as possible with the trailer missing the tow vehicle when jackknifed all the way to one side

Don

[jdarkoregon]

I measure the same as Dale and Don, but I prefer long tongues, they make a trailer easier to back up,

John

[madjack]

...the same technique as above will give you a "minimum" distance....however, on the new build, I am going with a 5'long tongue to facilitate a front box(integral to the tear body), a PetCool andda propane bottle............
madjack

[doug hodder]

I've also found that it is nice to add some length if you want to load the tow vehicle when the trailer is attached. If you have a pickup...it might be an idea to add for a dropped tailgate. At least allow some space for whatever you might want to do as far as loading or unloading depending on what you are towing with, just so you aren't crowded. Just an idea. Doug

[shoeman]

All good advice. Thanks to everybody. Now I think I have the basics I need to order steel and make sparks.

[shoeman]

I started my build yesterday! Scratch built frame is almost done. I used 2x2x.125 and a 3x3x.125 tongue. I've never welded before, but a friend who has gave me a quick tutorial and away I went. Flux core MIG is easy enough for beginners. It aint the prettiest welding you'll see but it works. It's the grinding and clean up that take the most time.


I ordered my steel 60" across but later realized I needed to deduct 1.5" for wall thickness. I ran back to the steel shop and asked for that amount taken off and when the yard monkey came back with it it was cut to 57.75"
But I figure that will not be an issue in the end. the bed will be 58.5" as required and I can add a filler strip of wood between the bottom of the wall and the frame if need be.

As per your advice on my original question, the tongue will be 5' long. Axle and wheels are next on the list.
This is gonna be fun!!