Reducing trailer tongue length?

[thyNemesis]

I just purchased my first boat!

I measured the point from the bow to the ball hitch and it's about 6 feet long! I would like to reduce this some. The problem I see is the swivel jack would hit the side rails of the trailer if I was to move it back as far as I could and the wheel would hit the truck bumper.

So my question is, How would I go about reducing the length on the tongue and still use a trailer jack?

I would like to move the jack to just in front of the side rails and cut back the tongue to just enough space to reattach the ball hitch.
The ball hitch to the side rails is 3 feet long.

Picture is attached.

 

[saumon]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

The real question is why?

A longer trailer tongue is usually desirable, as it make backing up easier and also reduce tongue weight. If the only problem is storage (doesn't fit in the garage), simply add a hinge like this one. A long tongue also make the lauch/retrieve easier and you won't bump your tailgate/rear hatch on the winch post.

If you still want to shorten it, simply bolt the jack to the side rail.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

Move the jack next to the side rails and rotate the jack forward to tow. If the top of the jack doesn't clear the side rail, move it forward until it does. It looks like you have the room for the jack wheels before it interferes with the coupler.

 

[airshot]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

Move the trailer jack to the side rail, it will work there as well as the main tongue. Many trailer jacks are mounted on the side rails without a problem. But again, why shorten the tongue? Short tongue trailers are far more difficult to back up.

Airshot

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

If you reduce the length of the tongue it is going to increase your tongue weight. You now have to shorten the brake lines because they will be to long. Why do you want to shorten the tongue? just because of the jack? You said if you move the stand back the jack and or wheels will hit. You will still have the same dilemma even when you shorten the tongue. nothing changes other then the tongue is shorter. If anything, you need to lengthen the tongue to achieve what you want.This way it doesn't hit the bumper.Get yourself something like this


You can get it from this site.
Fulton Fixed Mount Trailer Jacks

or

Trailer Parts Superstore - Shopping Index
FULTON 2,500 lb. Capacity Fixed Mount Jack w/Drop Leg #HD2500-0101

 

[thyNemesis]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

If you reduce the length of the tongue it is going to increase your tongue weight. You now have to shorten the brake lines because they will be to long. Why do you want to shorten the tongue? just because of the jack? You said if you move the stand back the jack and or wheels will hit. You will still have the same dilemma even when you shorten the tongue. nothing changes other then the tongue is shorter. If anything, you need to lengthen the tongue to achieve what you want.This way it doesn't hit the bumper.Get yourself something like this


You can get it from this site.
Fulton Fixed Mount Trailer Jacks

or

Trailer Parts Superstore - Shopping Index
FULTON 2,500 lb. Capacity Fixed Mount Jack w/Drop Leg #HD2500-0101

My reasoning for wanting to shorten the tongue somewhat is that the trailer is quite long, at least six feet from the bow to the ball hitch alone! The boat is a 19 foot center console, weighs dry at around 1200lb (don't know if this includes engine, doubt it). The trailer is single axle, no brakes on the trailer. I just wanted to ease the cornering and parking requirements.

Was looking to shorten it by about 2 feet or so. I don't think that much would make it all the more difficult to back up or change the tongue weight dramactically.

what say you?

Thanks for the reply...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

My reasoning for wanting to shorten the tongue somewhat is that the trailer is quite long, at least six feet from the bow to the ball hitch alone! The boat is a 19 foot center console, weighs dry at around 1200lb (don't know if this includes engine, doubt it). The trailer is single axle, no brakes on the trailer. I just wanted to ease the cornering and parking requirements.

Was looking to shorten it by about 2 feet or so. I don't think that much would make it all the more difficult to back up or change the tongue weight dramactically.

what say you?

Thanks for the reply...

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Shorter wagons suck,... I've lengthened All of mine,....

They tow better, ride nicer, 'n back up, Way easier.... Longer the better....

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

Was looking to shorten it by about 2 feet or so. I don't think that much would make it all the more difficult to back up or change the tongue weight dramactically.

what say you?

Thanks for the reply...

So how much will the tongue weight increase if you shorten your tongue? Sneak the bathroom scale out of the house. Move your jack to about where the coupler would be if you shortened by two feet. Probably two feet behind the coupler ball. Lower the jack onto the scale and see what the weight is. Might as well get a chunk of 2X4 and put it under the coupler to the scale and see what you have now.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

""I just purchased my first boat!""

Welcome aboard.








Longer is better.

Can't for the life of me understand why you think it needs to be shortened.
That extra 2' comes in handy if you encounter a shallow launch ramp, or low water conditions.

Want to see how much it will change the tongue weight?
Stand in front and pick it up by the coupler.
Then move back and try picking it up by grabbing the side frame rails.


But why cut the tongue.
Why not move the jack to the side frame rail.
Then remove the bolts holding the tongue in place, loosen the winch stand bolts, and slide the tongue in - under the boat.
Drill new holes in the tongue and bolt her up.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

you really can't easily mount the jack on the side rail (EDIT: on that particular trailer)... you COULD get a top wind non swing jack and mount on the tongue inside the frame rails tho... and then slide the tongue back till the coupler was almost touching the frame rails and as mentioned above redrill BUT the better option would be to find a 20' trailer to put ur boat on and sell that 25'er for a good chunk of change as it may bring nearly double what a smaller one will cost ya.

While short trailers suck, I can certainly agree that (EDIT: if it causes you difficulty) there is no need to be dragging a 25' trailer around for a 19' boat

My 20' CC currently sits on a 21' ezloader roller... I have recently acquired a 25' ezloader roller tandem trailer... I am going to swap the tongue's between them and the 20 will be 19' and the other will then be 26'... I am going to put my boat on the bigger trailer and sell the little one BUT my reasoning is because the bigger trailer will be more versatile for whatever I might want to use it for in the future

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

What is your tongue weight. Most peoplle would love your set up. if you have a pick up. So can open the tailgate.
I think you are messing with sucsess...02

 

[ggray]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

Whether you shorten the tongue or not, you probably can adjust tongue weight by shifting axle either forward or back. Then tongue weight wouldn't dictate what you do.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

How would I go about reducing the length on the tongue..........

One word answer: Don't. For all of the reasons already posted. Lots of trailer boaters would love to have your set up!

 

[sky7]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

My first setup was very similar to yours. Prior to iboats wisdom, I grabbed my worm drive with a metal blade on it, did away with 2 feet of tongue, and bolted on a new coupler. Much shorter and neater looking package. That sucker swayed like crazy on the freeway. Pucker level sway.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

My first setup was very similar to yours. Prior to iboats wisdom, I grabbed my worm drive with a metal blade on it, did away with 2 feet of tongue, and bolted on a new coupler. Much shorter and neater looking package. That sucker swayed like crazy on the freeway. Pucker level sway.

All you did was increase tongue weight by whacking off 2 ft. off the tongue. But it worked for you.

 

[thyNemesis]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

Well, it looks like the consensous is to leave it alone...

Ok, I will listen! I will see how it rides, corners, backups, launches and recovers my boat this season and take it from there.

I thank everyone for the important input that helped me in my decision making process.

 

[sky7]

Re: Reducing trailer tongue length?

All you did was increase tongue weight by whacking off 2 ft. off the tongue. But it worked for you.

Actually it didn't work for me, I just failed to word it effectively. My trailer didn't sway at stock tongue length and only began the crazy sway after I shortened it. I was trying to tell the op to leave it alone. Oh well. It sounds like he made up his mind.. Moot now. No more tired posting for me.