Advice on Bent In Trailer Tongue

[scottwoodward]

I recently acquired a 1985 SportCraft Challenger, Mercury 650 motor and trailer. I have not taken a hammer to test the entire tubing of the trailer, but visually the trailer is solid and generally free from rust minus some small spots of surface rust. Overall, it seems to be in pretty good shape. The tongue, however, is a different story. See attached photos.

The bottom portion of about the first 3-4 inches got caved in somehow, either intentionally or from some stressing event (although I can't imagine what). I put on a new coupler and it's on there solidly, but I'm concerned about the integrity of that portion of the tongue with that bottom portion bent in as it is.

Looking for advice -- something to worry about? Would some sort of sleeve over it solve the problem?

 

[JimS123]

If you decide to drive that in my neighborhood please let me know ahead of time so I can stay off the highway.

The part needs to be replaced.

 

[Grub54891]

Ok. It looks to be just the first 6-8". If the damage don't go any further, you can cut it back past the damage and bolt your coupler back on if it won't make the tounge to short. I had one that I had to replace the entire tounge on, thirty years ago and she is still in use today,

 

[scottwoodward]

Thanks Guys. I can't believe the previous owner used the trailer in this condition. I also learned that only rust was holding on the bolts to the coupler. There were no nuts on the bolts. Scary situation. If I can get a safe tongue weight by cutting it back, then that would be the way to go. It's not going anywhere until it's safe to transport.