Folding trailer thing

[nitsuj]

I know there's a gizmo you can install on the trailer tongue to allow it to fold. The one's I've seen are for 3"x3" and 3"x4" trailer tongues. My trailer is made from 3"x5" rectangular tube. Do they make the hinge to install on trailers of that dimension?

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Folding trailer thing

contact the the MFG of your trailer for help.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: Folding trailer thing

While I appreciate the advice, that going to be difficult. My trailer was made by Johnson in 1967. They're not answering the phone anymore.

 

[jprice]

Re: Folding trailer thing

Unfortunately, the one made by Fulton appears to only be made in the 3x3 and 3x4 sizes.
http://www.fultonperformance.com/Couplers/pdfs/Ceq-Couplers-pgs06-18-08.pdf

I haven't found any other manufacturers of this gadget either.
Maybe you could weld a 3x4 section in there to allow for the hinge? Probably a lot of work, but could make a 'fun' winter project.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Folding trailer thing

Here is how Shorelander Trailers does theirs. Any machine or welding/fabrication shop in your area can do this and it shouldn't cost a fortune.

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Folding trailer thing

You could also make it a removable tongue. Works just like a hitch.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Folding trailer thing

Take your trailer and the picture posted above to a fabrication shop and they should be able to do this in about an hour. My guess would be about $100-125 modification. They should be able to give you a price before they start...

Is your trailer painted or galvanized. Might make a different in price to match it up and protect it from corrosion...

 

[68C15]

Re: Folding trailer thing

While I appreciate the advice, that going to be difficult. My trailer was made by Johnson in 1967. They're not answering the phone anymore.

I'll be damned!! I am not the only one who has one. be sure and post pics of what you come up with as I am highly interested in the same mod.

 

[CheeseCutter]

Re: Folding trailer thing

I've been looking around for 3 x 5 as well. I have a Shorelad'r and they do sell kits which replace the entire modular tongue. However, I have seen Fulton make a bolt-on product for 3x5. See this: http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=HDPB350101&eq=&Tp=

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Folding trailer thing

here too, free shipping also
http://www.etrailer.com/p-FHDPB3501...it-for-3-x-5-Tongue---Bolt-On---9000-lbs.html

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Folding trailer thing

here too, free shipping also
http://www.etrailer.com/p-FHDPB3501...it-for-3-x-5-Tongue---Bolt-On---9000-lbs.html

etrailer is a great site...with great prices!!

Free ship on orders over $50....can't beat it!

 

[Casco Bay Outrage]

Re: Folding trailer thing

I have never understood the swing away tongue hinges. They only provide a ~2 ft reduction.

For the $90, I would take your trailer to a shop and have them do what you want.

On my last boat's trailer, I spent ~$25 on hardware and transformed the tongue so it could be easily removed/installed. Saved 6' of length.

 

[lombard]

Re: Folding trailer thing

I have never understood the swing away tongue hinges. They only provide a ~2 ft reduction.

To fit my boat in my garage I only need to reduce trailer length by ~12". And with surge brakes, it's kinda hard to remove the coupler...

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Folding trailer thing

The Fulton swing-away tongue kits offered allow up to four feet of the tongue to be swung away.
Not merely two feet.

 

[Signal 20]

Re: Folding trailer thing

I have never understood the swing away tongue hinges. They only provide a ~2 ft reduction.

For the $90, I would take your trailer to a shop and have them do what you want.

On my last boat's trailer, I spent ~$25 on hardware and transformed the tongue so it could be easily removed/installed. Saved 6' of length.

Mine only gives me another 2.5 feet of clearance, however that 2.5ft is the difference between the garage door staying up or being able to close it all the way

 

[Stachi]

Re: Folding trailer thing

Red Green it....cut a hole in the door...sheesh....

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Folding trailer thing

Red Green it....cut a hole in the door...sheesh....

You laugh, I have a buddy that thought about doing that, then he cut a hole in the back of the garage to let the motor stick out. He later built a lean too around the cutout. The great part is that he can open the back door on the lean to, slip in a barrel and run his motor in the garage and not make a mess.

He gained about 31" that way.

I have seen cutouts in garage doors, even one that was done to clear a welded on trailer hitch on a guys work truck full tools. A guy I used to work with had a garage with swinging doors with a flap over cut out holes to clear both the anchor pulpit and the trailer tongue. He eventually built a small overhang above each hole and built a box around the protruding boat parts. It looked like he had two big bird houses on his garage doors.