Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

[maproy99]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

I had a similar issue, My boat leaves about a foot to spare in front and back when in the garage. My solution has been to angle the boat when i back it in (I use my mower) then turn the upper unit over to one side and drop it down. I also park so the front of hitch is about 1 inch inside the garage door. (Very easy to step over if needed) After doing all this I feel like I have 3 feet to walk behind the boat. Another plus is I can fit my jetski in on the other side I angled away from and mower goes on other side. Its not about modifications, it is about making the most of what you have. And if you want to know all what I have on one side of my garage (with the boat) I can tell you, but it will be a LONG list.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

I added a 36" piece after cutting the tongue back 14" for an overall tongue length of 22" gain. The trailer pulls better and backing up is better with the longer tongue. FULTON makes a weld on and bolt on styles. These are the same ones (weld on) that are available on new trailers. On my trailer after this modification the tongue when folded is shorter then the winch stand. The safety chains need to attach to the ridgid part of the tongue and wiil need loops on the folding part to support the chain so it doesn't drag on the ground. The wiring goes through the tongue. A good welding shop can do this with no problems.

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Thats what I did, except I didn't cut any off, just added the hinge and extended 34".

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Sell you trailer and buy one made with a folding tongue.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

If you need more room behind the boat ........View attachment 116106
sorry I couldnt resist. I have actually seen this done before.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Not the finished product.... but this is the direction i went with. Still need to burn a few more welds and of course paint and stripe to match. Tie down engineering product ($59) feels nice an stout. Should do the job nicely. Thanks for all the input.
View attachment 116108

 

[roscoe]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

attachment does not work.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

attachment does not work.

Sorry... try this one.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

excellent work! ..... I know you wanted to shorten it more but This is much better than cutting it back further..... Are you going to look into shortening the rear any or is this short enough now?

 

[90stingray]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

excellent ..... I know you wanted to shorten it more but This is much better than cutting it back further..... Are you going to look into shortening the rear any or is this short enough now?

This is as short as she's gonna get. Fits a lot better in the garage... room to walk behind, with it straight in the one side of the garage. I am happy. As I type, the paint is drying. I just wish i could find a closer match. But what ya gonna do with a 10 year old red paint job? Good enough for me! I will post a pic of the final product later on

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

If you can't match it to your liking, try masking ahead of and behind the modification and painting the hinged area black.... sometimes that looks pretty good

Otherwise, if you want a perfect match, tow it to an automotive paint store.... they can scan it and mix up the exact same color.... often they can even put it in an aerosol can for you too

 

[roscoe]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Looks good.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Nice job man! That looks stout!

 

[mwmike270]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

looks good, id go for contrasting and mask it off and make it look like it was supposed to be that way. other way, skip the paint supply store and go for a body shop that has its own mixing machine. i have one, and i have been a body shop for over 10 years , its not hard to match the color exactly . the paint supply stores in Illinois can not put it in a rattle can any more, its illegal.

have it sprayed to match or make it contrast and do it yourself .. ether way it looks good.

Who did the welding ??

 

[90stingray]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

I did all the welding. Just a Lincoln 175 Mig. I'm 30 so I probably have been welding for 15 years.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Here's a better idea with a little paint added.

 

[woodytwo]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Excellent piece of work 90stingray. I think that the colour is a good match. From your 2 pictures, I assume that you can hinge it on either side. Could you use a pin on both sides in order to make the tounge removeable?? Or would there be too much slack with the pins while towing. I'm asking because I want to have a removeable tounge on my trailer. ( By doing so, I'm hoping to frustrate would be thieves into going elsewhere.)
Woodytwo

 

[62 ROYAL SCOTT]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

hell-o and i stand retracked :facepalm: YOU DID A GREAT JOB ON THE TRAILER,I just thought that you might be inexp. and mess-up your trailer Now if i do mine i know who to call on.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Excellent piece of work 90stingray. I think that the colour is a good match. From your 2 pictures, I assume that you can hinge it on either side. Could you use a pin on both sides in order to make the tounge removeable?? Or would there be too much slack with the pins while towing. I'm asking because I want to have a removeable tounge on my trailer. ( By doing so, I'm hoping to frustrate would be thieves into going elsewhere.)
Woodytwo

Thanks for the thumbs up. Everything i do, i try to make look factory installed... or better. I hate cobbled together messes, with anything. I would think you could use two pins... the bolt isn't too tight, as it wouldn't swing. So... i wouldn't hesitate using two pins, if i needed to. Here's a link to the hinge kit if you need it... http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=17073A&eq=&Tp=

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

Great job looks very professional!!

 

[gus-gus]

Re: Anyone ever try this to add a folding tongue???

My initial thought was "why not?" Why not build a tongue which would move out of the way? But I first thought of the same system as the truck uses. A receiver hitch. It would be super easy to retrofit a receiver hitch and stinger to allow removal of the front end. But kudos on your awesome design and substantial welding skills.