Best Way to affix a single trailer tongue?

[mattiker]

Hello all, I have a question regarding best practice for attaching a trailer tongue. I have a 4x8 trailer frame and need to attach a tongue to it. I have a ~7 ft long piece of 2x3 steel that I plan on using it for it. My question is if I would need to weld the tongue directly to the frame itself, or if I could use 2in ID Channel and bolts to attach it. Here's a rough diagram of what I'm talking about. Is there a standard way that this is done? I'm feeling a bit stupid.

[mattiker]

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[QueticoBill]

Pictures suggest diagonals as well. Correct? I believe they are important.

Mine is all bolted and right now using it as a utility trailer with heavier loads than a teardrop will be. I think most would say welding is stronger, I am just convinced the bolts are more than strong enough.

[mattiker]

Pictures suggest diagonals as well. Correct? I believe they are important.

Mine is all bolted and right now using it as a utility trailer with heavier loads than a teardrop will be. I think most would say welding is stronger, I am just convinced the bolts are more than strong enough.

It did originally, but they were too mangled to be saved. After looking it over I might end up welding for simplicity's sake.

[John61CT]

Unless always microlight loads driven slowly

put in diagonal bracing to form an A-frame

[saltydawg]

The purpose of the A frame is two fold, one more vertical strength the other is to stop a side ways force from folding the tongue sideways in a jack knife situation.

[dmdc411]

I would make the tongue using diagonals. But run the diagonals back "under" the frame to at least the second cross section. The guy who did mine ran them to the front leaf spring mounts, tieing them together. This method makes it real strong.

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