HF trailer Tounge extention help

[kd5edj63]

I need to lengthen my HF trailer tounge by 8-12 inches. For this I would need a 2.25" outside dimention piece of square stock. I called my local steel yard and it not a stock item and I would have to buy 20 feet on special order. Has anyone found a way to do this. I found a hitch extention thing on line that looks like it might possibly work. It says "product height is 2.5"
I think that extra .25 inches might be because of the lip. Im a long way from the store to go and measure it.
I need to do this for 2 reasoms, tighter turning radius and so that my kayak will clear the trailer

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Why 2.25"?

Go with 2x2 square tube. Flip the harbor freight coupler mounting base plate and slide the square tube through the flipped base plate. Bolt the square tube to the bottom of the first two trailer cross-members, and run a bolt horizontally through the flipped base plate and square tube. Pick up a new coupler for a 2" tongue for less than $25. Solid as can be!

viewtopic.php?p=1020653#p1020653

[kd5edj63]

That looks like a possible solution. Only thing I dont like about it is it will raise the front of my trailer a little more during towing. I prefere it to be as level as possible

[absolutsnwbrdr]

What draw-bar (ball mount) are you using in your hitch? If you're using a straight draw bar (like this on), then you can flip it to create a drop (remount the ball). Or get a different draw bar that will suit your height. Most (maybe all) draw bars can be flipped to either be a rise or a drop.

[kd5edj63]

my ball is mounted dirrectly to my bumper. I have been sipping on a beer and staring at my trailer and I have come up with a few simple ideas that will be less work and keave the coupler at the same height. I found a 2" channel couple at a local hardware store for $20 and I can get 2 feet if 2x2 for $10

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Beer helps everything

[TPMcGinty]

I extended my tongue by using one of these. It was cheaper and easier than modifying my Trailer.

[bobhenry]

I DROPPED MINE 2" THIS WAY !








You might want to concider 14 to 18 inches as your extended length it tracks and backs up wonderful after that little change.

[kd5edj63]

I got mine done today. the kayak explains the need for the extention

[angib]

I got mine done today. the kayak explains the need for the extention

I hope you have factored in that the longer tongue has made the load on it higher but the tongue itself is no stronger where it matters, at the back.

This is no problem if you have a 1000 pound teardrop on a 1800 pound capacity trailer, but you d need to reduce the trailer capacity by maybe a quarter to a third to compensate for the extra tongue length.

[KCStudly]

Another way of saying what Angib said is that by stubbing the tongue extension off onto the 'A' frame members instead of extending the box tubing straight back to the second xmbr... or farther... (like most people do), you have increased the leverage on the existing members without adding any strength. Hence the need to derate.

[citylights]

I extended my tongue by using one of these. It was cheaper and easier than modifying my Trailer.

How long is that? Watch out for the added torque that puts on your hitch and frame! On a truck, maybe ok. On a tongue weight limited car, NOT good!