by daveesl77 » Sun Dec 11, 2016 9:09 am
While you can do the hitch extension, it is far better to extend the tongue by adding in a strong center member. The HF trailer tongues are kind of lightweight in their stock configuration.
I extended Conch Fritter's tongue by 18". Was pretty simple, as I just got a 2x2" 3/16" square tube that was long enough to go from the second cross member back on the trailer to the desired length (something like 7 feet long). Turn the standard tongue holder (the angled platform that the normal hitch attaches to) upside down and run the new tube through it. I'm a belt/suspenders guy, so the tube is both through-bolted and welded at all attachment points. This leaves the "A" frame and the tube, creating a very strong composite tongue. Oh, and on all through bolt areas, on the HF frame member sides, I added in 1/4" thick x 3" long x 1" wide aluminum pieces to displace the loading (think big, rectangular washers) inside the C channel. I think the entire thing cost me about $25 and that was for the tube.
The extension makes it a bunch easier to back up, as the distance between the trailer ball and the most forward area of the tongue box is greater than 1/2 the width of the van. It is easier to tow and a convenient place for my flip up lift wheel that doesn't get in the way of anything when traveling and I don't have to worry about it twisting the frame the way some have. Took maybe an hour to fully mount, but now the tongue loading is almost no concern.
Before I forget, you may have seen that some have had problems with the HF trailer on the attachment point between that weird flip-pin holder and the tongue. Simple fix is to once again through bolt the tongue through the attachment and the frame. No more worries about the cheap foreign welds failing.
dave