Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

[Huron Angler]

Has anyone done this? I have my heart set on a 1979 16' Starcraft Supersport, and with the trailer the guy says it is 21'-22' in length including the trailer tongue.

My garage is about 21' to the door:mad

Now I'm hoping the guy didn't measure it properly and there may have been a bend in the tape or something but that is a longshot

Hence my predicament and questions about allowing the tongue to swing back towards the boat to buy me a few feet of clearance. Since I live in Michigan and snow is on the way I'd prefer to be able to shut my garage door all the way LOL My landlord doesn't want boats in the driveway(we don't always get what we want though).

I've only seen these available on new boats in the last few years, but I'm sure this has been done as a modification somewhere out there.

I have no pictures of the trailer yet, will be taking a look at it next weekend and should be able to post some at that time.

Any comments, suggestions, or insight are appreciated

 

[steddy]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

There are kits available aftermarket from many different sources and manufacturers. I'm going to be doing the same thing to my own trailer in a few weeks. It's pretty straightforward, really. Just cut the tongue with a sawzall or hacksaw, and bolt the hitch on per the instructions. Piece of cake!!! You can easily gain (or lose) a foot or two from the front. There isn't much point in cutting the tongue any farther than the bow of the boat.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Steddy I'm glad to hear that, it sounds easier than I originally thought.

I did find this on iboats as well for under $100

 

[steddy]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Yeah, that looks like the critter. Looks like just a quick snip with the saw, couple of bolts, and you're on your way.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

After you cut and before you install, I would recommend treating the bare metal with something appropriate to your trailer type (painted or galvanized).

I was in same boat as you (no pun intended) a few weeks ago, but I lucked out and after moving the boat up on the trailer about 6 inches, I had enough clearance. It needed to be moved anyway b/c tongue weight was way too light and bunks did not reach under transom.

Good luck...if you do go the bracket route let us know how it goes...

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Mike just for a Laugh I just went out and measured my Jupiter which should be pretty close Hull wise to the Super Sport your looking at . The length is 19' from the Transom to the tip of the trailer ( without the motor hanging off the back ) . That might be another optionm for you to stick her in the garage for the winter just pull the outboard .



Rick

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Mike, there was a nice thread in the trailer section about this device a month or so ago...... a member did a nice install. I'd find it for you but I'm not sure what to search for.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

If it's close, take the coupler off of the trailer!?!?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Thanks for the advice fellas

Rick, I did consider removing the Mercury as an option but depending on what kind of shape the boat is in I might not be in for a complete resto right away...and may want to leave the throttle and steering hooked up.

What am I talking about, I will have all winter to put her back together right LOL(I just got a kerosene heater for the garage).

Justice, I hadn't thought of that but you raise a good point, mixing metals will cause issues potentially. Also will look into sliding the bow stop forward to buy me a few inches if at all possible for an easy fix.

Scipper I hope it is as simple as removing the coupler, that would be a bonus.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

If you need to add the swing away option to the tounge, take it to a machine shop and they can fabricate teh swing away setup very easily and use like/same metals as your trailer already has so as to no thave any issues...

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Hello...Heres a 1971 16ft starcraft supersport on a Spartan trailer where I put a swing a way tongue on....worked out great

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

That is exactly what I need to to with my 16'(assuming I do buy the boat).

I like the setup you've got on that trailer. The fact that it's a spartan trailer is cool too(I'm an MSU grad).

Thanks for the pictures

 

[scipper77]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

As far as dissimilar metals is concerned. My steel trailer has a galvanized tongue coupler from the factory. I don't see the issue for freshwater use. Maybe I'm just being shortsighted.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

that swing away coupler may be just what i need...

I bought a great trailer, but a tree had fallen on the bow of the boat on it. and the tongue tube that came out the front was bent.( ez loader with torsion axle)

it is about a 6 foot 3x3 galvanized tube.

I really need about a 9 footer to fit my boat on this trailer.

the problem is the place that i can buy the 3x3 galvanized tubes from only ships 8' of less via UPS anything over 8 foot goes truck

the tube is only about $45 for an 8 footer and about $50 for a 9 footer...the shipping for the 8 footer via UPS is about $25 the shipping for the 9 footer is $233 because it has to go truck! yikes

it would be cheaper to buy two pieces both under 8 ' maybe an 8 footer and a 2 footer and then buy this swing away coupler..

the fly in the oinment is the trailer has surge brakes with a solid tube brake line....hmmmm

anyone think i can run flexible brake lines to a block then run solid from there?

bob

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

With my 1971 16ft Starcraft Supersport with Spartan trailer....I have a
1971 Johnson 60hp 3cyl 2 stroke outboard with a SE SPORT 300 Hydrofoil
bolted to the lower unit...Total length from the tip of the coupler to the
back edge of the hydrofoil.. 21ft 1 inch.
With the swing a way tongue folded to the side... 19ft 4 inch.
If I did not have the hydrofoil on..take off 5 1/2 inches / now 18ft 11 inches
The brand of swing a way tongue I am using is a Fulton...they make kits
for 4x3 tubing and 3x3 tubing ...the kits claim they save 20 to 21 inches

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

With my 1971 16ft Starcraft Supersport with Spartan trailer....I have a
1971 Johnson 60hp 3cyl 2 stroke outboard with a SE SPORT 300 Hydrofoil
bolted to the lower unit...Total length from the tip of the coupler to the
back edge of the hydrofoil.. 21ft 1 inch.
With the swing a way tongue folded to the side... 19ft 4 inch.
If I did not have the hydrofoil on..take off 5 1/2 inches / now 18ft 11 inches
The brand of swing a way tongue I am using is a Fulton...they make kits
for 4x3 tubing and 3x3 tubing ...the kits claim they save 20 to 21 inches

THat's a nice rig you've got there...the '71 SS and '71 Johnson make a great pair

If I can get it down to 19.5ft I'll be a happy camper since I would be able to work on the SS all winter...and we do have a long winter as you know

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

.......The brand of swing a way tongue I am using is a Fulton...they make kits
for 4x3 tubing and 3x3 tubing ...the kits claim they save 20 to 21 inches

the link posted on this thread from Iboats shows a swing away hinge that is good for up to 34"!!!

i guess anything longer and it has enough leverage to damage the hinge.

I wonder if those hinges have a tongue limit....must have...

bob

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Yep...the winters seem long...work on your boat all winter....getting a project boat??? ...Love to see the progress on your boat this winter
...don't forget the pics...all us Starcraft nuts will hound you for the pics...
we can't get enough

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Hello Bob Johnson....I installed the swing a way tongue kit made by Fulton
back in 2006....I got it as a kit..included everything from the hinge forward..
the hing, tubing, coupler and safety chain...I tried finding the instructions
for the kit...the instructions had weight limits and thinkness requirements
for the tongue but I misplaced the paperwork...also the bolts were on
the same sides of the tubing as the hinge pins...it limited how far the
tongue could swing...165 degrees???the bolt heads would hit each other and stop the swing before it reached 180 degrees...165 degrees
worked fine for me....Looking at the picture of the Fulton swing a way
hinge above/earlier in this thread it looks like they may have redesigned the
hinge...it looks like they relocated where the bolts are in relation to the
hinge pins....

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: Converting a trailer to a swing-out tongue?

Thanks for the advice fellas

Justice, I hadn't thought of that but you raise a good point, mixing metals will cause issues potentially. Also will look into sliding the bow stop forward to buy me a few inches if at all possible for an easy fix.

I was thinking of something to protect the bare metal of the cut...not so much about the different metals...I don't know if that will cause issues...maybe a chemical engineer could comment on that. Good luck!