Safety Cable on Folding Tongue

[hacrwj]

I just installed the Fulton Folding tongue on my boat trailer (16.5' Lowe Aluminum fishing machine). They recommend attaching the safety cables behind the folding tongue which makes sense. However, I don't like the idea of running cables for along the Tongue for 29" and then to the vehicle. I am considering running safety cables through the inside of the trailer tongue. This way they are not exposed and should the trailer come loose I have a better chance that the cables will prevent the trailer coupler from digging into the road.

I can attache them behind the folding hinge and run them through the tongue and out under neath the coupler.

Is there any reason I should not run the cables along the inside of the tongue?

Also, I was planning to use 3/16 stainless cables. My boat weighs just under 900lbs with an Aluminum trailer so I should have a holding capacity that is 2X the boat & trailer weight.

Thanks for the advice

-Bob

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Safety Cable on Folding Tongue

I would think that a safety cable bolted just past both halves of the folding adapter to the original tongue tubing would be more than sufficient on. I don't see where your gaining anything if you run the cables full length. Of all the folding tongue trailers I've ever seen, I don't think I've ever seen one that had safety cables. If the cables run inside they will have to be long enough to allow the tongue to fold, if the folding coupler broke or came detached, they cables would only keep the boat attached to the tow vehicle but I doubt you would have much control and they would not likely be tight enough to stop the rear part of the tongue from digging into the ground, which I would bet money on the fact that such an impact at that point would shear most cable crimps or tear the cable attaching bolts free of the frame tubing.

For a cable to do any real good it would have to be pulled super tight, which in that case you would not be able to fold the tongue over. This is where I think a sliding tongue is superior to a folding tongue.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Safety Cable on Folding Tongue

I have been using the Fulton swing tongue for several years with my 16' Larson and I don't see anything wrong with your idea. The only problem you might have is the cables getting fouled up between the ball mount on your tow vehicle and coupler. Had this problem when towing my Ranger truck behind my motorhome. When turning, the cable would get caught under the coupler. I guess I was not the only one to have this problem as Camping World actually sold a product to prevent this from happening.

Not sure if you bought just the hinge portion or the complete kit. The complete kit that includes a section of tongue and the coupler has a square hanger under the coupler to thread the safety cables or chains through that seems to work just fine for me. This hanger is designed to support the tongue should it become disconnected from the ball. Your method might help more should the hinge point separate which is why the safety chains/cables are attached past this point. But you already knew that.

-- Jeff

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Safety Cable on Folding Tongue

The routing sounds OK, but only 3/16" cable? That sounds a little light considering the potential shock load if it ever comes off. I'd look at 3/8". Remember stainless is a little softer also.