Tongue questions, (legal) lengthening

[dglenn1960]

Haven't seen this asked...

I need to lengthen my tongue (by about 2 feet) and find the easiest way is to replace the whole thing (with 6ft 2.5x2.5 square tubing), but the trailer (HF) serial# plate is riveted to the tongue. So, my intention is to just drill it out and attach it to the new tongue (or possible the frame). Does anyone foresee issues (legal, registration, title) with this (in IL)?

thx
~dave

[len19070]

Talk to your DMV first. Call a few times.

That will get you a definate I don't know, Maybe, you'll go to jail, I see no problem, call back Monday answer.

Then do what ever you want. Your title/registration is for the trailer, not that one piece of steel.

My opinion based on a lot of years dealing with these yahoos.

Happy Trails

Len

[angib]

I need to lengthen my tongue (by about 2 feet) and find the easiest way is to replace the whole thing (with 6ft 2.5x2.5 square tubing), but the trailer (HF) serial# plate is riveted to the tongue.

Seems to me they must be expecting you to do that, seeing as they only rivetted the serial plate on.............

Andrew

[rainjer]

Here is wha I did.

I "had" to replace my tongue because it was "twisted".
I just drilled it out and removed it.
When i replace the tongue, I "couldn't" find one the same length so I "had" to put one on 18" longer & made out of 2.5x2.5 square tube.

I decided I didn't like in on the tongue so I riveted it on the front cross member.

the question is, once it is painted, how would they know you changed the tongue? Just try to make it look like it came from the factory that way.

Heck my tag say my trailer has 4.8 X 8" wheels. I have 4.8 X 12" on it.

[Arne]

I have a h/f trailer with an aluminum plate on one side of the v tongue. I drilled the rivets out and pulled the plate off. I'll stick it on the new tongue when I get around to it.

I plan on roughing up the paint on that area, the putting a caulk under it.. I'll put a full coverage piece of wood over it and clamp it in place. After 24 hours, I'll take the wood (and wax paper) off, drill and pop rivet the plate using the holes in the plate as a guide......

Oh, the reason for doing this is I did not use the original v tongue. After widening the trailer, I went with a one piece, straight, tongue, so the piece with the vin number on it became scrap... I actually almost threw it away till someone mentioned the vin number being on it here on the board.. and I went and looked, and there it was. I never even noticed it during all the construction.

[Arne]

Well, when I hit 'stop' after submit cause it is taking forever, it still puts the post out here... I'll learn.

[Arne]

repeat post

[apratt]

I don't have a h//f trailer to check to see how the vin plate is rivit on. On cars they use special rivits, so it is illegal to move the vin plates. Just my .02 cents.

[Arne]

I suspose you are right.... but, that won't stop me. It is the same trailer so I'm not going to be real concerned about it.

Actually, I have no choice. I need the vin plate on it, and that is as they say, "the bottom line".

[JunkMan]

In 25+ years of pulling trailers, I have never had anyone check the serial number plate. I would just drill the rivits, and re-rivit the plate on the new tounge. Trailer tongues get bent and all replaced of the time.

[Chuck Craven]

dglenn1960
Just screw the plat back about where it was and hammer over the heads of the screws to make them look like rivets. As long as the plate and the paper work match you should not have any problems. If they ask tell them the truth you had to replace the tongue! I am sure they have seen that before if not they probably wont even know the difference. When you register it, you will be lucky if they even look at it. All they want is the money.
You need to move to Wisconsin, we don’t have to register any single axel trailer under 3000 lbs. The state does not want to mess with the paper work and expense of small trailers. But if you want to register you can so they can collect state sails tax and give you a title. The state patrol will fine you if the trailer is not to DOT requirements. The fine is a lot more than to register. So that is your incentive to do it right.

Chuck

[Arne]

Any plate on a tube will have to be pop riveted on. There is no way to get behind the rivet to mash it.... I suspose it could be done if near the end, and a mandrel was stuck in, but I doubt they would bother. The h/f is easy cause it's a u channel....

[Miriam C.]

Only your DMV knows for sure and they might not know

In MO if you alter the trailer you have two choices,
register it as a home made trailer (what I'm doing) or take all your stuff with you to get it inspected.

Miriam

[asianflava]

Any plate on a tube will have to be pop riveted on. There is no way to get behind the rivet to mash it......

Oddly enough, the term is "buck"

You buck rivets. Just thought I'd share that info.

[Arne]

Well, then, all I can say is "buck it"....../g/