I am modifying a recently purchased used 2013 HF 1200/1450 folding trailer. It will be for dump runs and hauling firewood locally a few times a year. Despite knowing that many use this trailer unmodified for hauling TD''s and misc items, personally I am uncomfortable with the oem tongue attachment arrangement. This trailer appears to be lightly used yet the front x member was bowed and one of the rear tongue attachment points is twisted. With that being said, Im in the process of adding a 2x2x1/8 tongue and extending it to ~54" from the first x member. And, retracting the oem A Frame tongue to 24" measured from the first x member. The 2x2 tongue will be removable by sliding it though the oem tongue coupler plate and removing hitch pins at the couple, and 1st and 2nd x members. The A Frame tongue will be fixed and no longer hinged.
I chose the A Frame measurements so that the trailer can still be folded with the fixed tongue and clear the garage 8 ft ceiling. This design is similar to the NT Folding Trailer.
Both the 1st and 2nd x members will be reinforced with 1 1/2" x 1/8" fat bar. Also, it would be nice to leave the 2x2 extend to the 3rd x member but it would then be 8ft total length making it heavier and longer and more difficult to r and r and store. The price of steel locally went up 30% just a few weeks ago and cutting it up, not utilizing it, seems like a waste of money and material. However, making the trailer more difficult to r and r is counter productive to easy storage. Would you leave it 8 ft?
It seems that the Composite Tongue measurements may not adhere to the Tongue Specs that are often used on this site. However, it certainly seems that it would be a lot stronger then both the HF and NT trailer oem designs.
I am curious about others thoughts on the strength of this mod. And, is it acceptable to use 3/8" hitch pins? One, possibly two, at the A Frame 2x2 coupler, and 1 at each of the x members. If 3/8 is not sufficient, are 1/2" hitch pin holes too large for a 2x2x1/8" tubing? All 3 hitch pin holes would be horizontal to the 2x2. I "think" that is better then vertical holes in a 2x2?
Lastly, the wheel bearings were serviced and HF was kind enough to send the recall LED light upgrade for free.