Folding Tongue

[Sirovc2]

I know this may seem like a stupid question, but... I can't for the life of me figure out how my folding tongue works! It's a 2007 Karavan trailer and has a black type thing where it should swivel. I loosen it thinking that's all I need to do, but it still won't work. Any help is appreciated.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Folding Tongue

A picture is worth 1000 words.

 

[Sirovc2]

Re: Folding Tongue

Good idea! See pics attached. Thanks.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Folding Tongue

I have a similar Karavan trailer. You need to completely unscrew the black knob "thing" (I call it the same thing ), and pull that bolt out. Once you pull the bolt out you should be able to fold the tongue back. Let us know if it works out.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Folding Tongue

And when you open the tongue for towing, be sure to screw the knob back on good'n tight. They have a way of working loose with vibration.

I guess trailers from different manufacturers use different methods. Our Shoreland'r uses a pin that slides and locks into a hole on the side of the bolt.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Folding Tongue

I wish my Mother in Law had a folding tongue sometimes !!!

 

[Sirovc2]

Re: Folding Tongue

Well I just cannot screw off the bootom piece. I can get it almost off, but the threads on the bolt are bent/stripped and are preventing it from screwing off. I've tried a few different things from plain old elbow grease to using my pipe wrench (didn;t fit so well). Any other thoughts??

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Folding Tongue

Well I just cannot screw off the bootom piece. I can get it almost off, but the threads on the bolt are bent/stripped and are preventing it from screwing off. I've tried a few different things from plain old elbow grease to using my pipe wrench (didn;t fit so well). Any other thoughts??

Punt??? Kidding. I recently had an issue with my trailer and I wound up taking it in to a trailer sales/repair place and they were very helpful. Maybe that's an option for you? Otherwise I suppose you could cut it off and replace it.

 

[superpop]

Re: Folding Tongue

I would cut those bolts off and drill out the hole to accept a 3/4 pin with a hole at the bottom of the pin for a cotter pin to go into, I have that on my trailer and it is very slick, you just pop out the cotter pin, lift the pin out of the hole and you can then fold the tongue.

 

[Manatee]

Re: Folding Tongue

I would cut those bolts off and drill out the hole to accept a 3/4 pin with a hole at the bottom of the pin for a cotter pin to go into, I have that on my trailer and it is very slick, you just pop out the cotter pin, lift the pin out of the hole and you can then fold the tongue.

+1. That will work so much better! Be sure to spray the holes you widen by drilling with some cold galvanizing compound.

Looks like a perfect job for a sawzall

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Folding Tongue

I would cut those bolts off and drill out the hole to accept a 3/4 pin with a hole at the bottom of the pin for a cotter pin to go into, I have that on my trailer and it is very slick, you just pop out the cotter pin, lift the pin out of the hole and you can then fold the tongue.

I like it.

When we first got our boat I was glad we had the fold-away tongue, thinking we'd use it all the time. But I never fold it away. The boat/trailer fits in our third garage stall just fine, and the kids actually find it easier to navigate around the trailer tongue if it's straight out, instead of bent back (ours doesn't bend all way back against itself; 180 degrees). I personally felt better about having that threaded bolt. Ours also has a cotter pin in the bottom of the bolt, but the threads and the "nut" provide a little extra security. But I doubt it's needed, I think the cotter pin would be fine.

 

[wyro]

Re: Folding Tongue

mine was the same - just wrap the end with a T-shirt, use two hands and it should come off.

You may need a rubber mallet to work out the bolt.