Is my trailer tongue bent

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Oh good grief.... no don't use the crappy el cheapo zinc electroplated stuff from the box stores but nobody here to fore SAID zinc ELECTROPLATED

HOT DIP GALVANIZING is a process where after proper prep parts are immersed in a (when I was a supervisor in a galvanizing plant, 983 deg) vat of ZINC thus coating the parts with ZINC..... The parts can also be tumbled in a drum that looks similar to a clothes dryer with pellets of zinc but I was never involved in that half of the plant so I don't know any more than that.


In practice zinc plating is also a fine process but since it is very easy to get a super thin coating that looks great and zinc isn't cheap, companies often cheap out it is common to have sub par stuff sold in box stores.

sooo to more specifically answer the original question of galvanized or zinc... get ZINC GALVANIZED... they will be dull grey in color. Shiny is not your friend.

Can anyone that likely knows allot more about the type of steel suitable for a trailer tongue tell me if the following item and thickness would be suitable to replace the 2x2x96 square tube I now have. I believe on their eBay site it lists it as hot rolled steel whatever that is, has welded seams and either on their main site where the link is or on their eBay site it said everyday steel. I asked for specs but really I know nothing about the quality or types of steel suitable for something like this. Probably over-thinking this I imagine. It is 1/8' wall thickness and mine appears to be 3/32" thick. Not sure how much weight the difference would add to an 8' length.
steel square tubing 2x 2x 1/8x 96 - $22.00 : Shapiro Supply, Alloy steel, Steel, Aluminum, Stainless, Aluminum Diamond Plate, Metal Suppliers

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

. Probably over-thinking this I imagine. It is 1/8' wall thickness and mine appears to be 3/32" thick. Not sure how much weight the difference would add to an 8' length.

Ayuh,..... Probably,.... The tube you linked will work just fine,...

The added weight from 1/32" difference won't be noticeable, at All,...

 

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Wow! That answer was quick. Thanks for checking for me. It was the cheapest price I could find so far Even with shipping about $50. Of course I will have to have the hole drilled for the 1/2" bolt and either holes for the coupler or have it welded. Hopefully I can find an affordable shop around here to do that as I don't have a drill press etc.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Ayuh,.... A cordless drill oughta handle the hole drillin' ya need,....

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

I recently changed the tongue on a small utility trailer. I used a step drill bit from Harbor Freight, it worked great.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

I used a step bit for the same thing on heavier steel... worked great

 

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

I used a step bit for the same thing on heavier steel... worked great

Thanks to all for the step drill bit idea. Will check them out. Want to look at one of their torque wrenches too.

One last question hopefully on this tongue material issue. The Shapiro steel supply said their tube steel I previously posted the link to was A-36 steel. Common everyday steel I guess. Seeing some of the metal coatings expertise on here I am wondering if anyone knows if this is acceptable grade of steel for tongue material.

I know length, weight load, wall thickness factor in but in general does anyone know if this is an acceptable or typical grade of square tube steel for a trailer tongue. I believe the description said hot rolled if that helps any in this. Their price was cheap in comparison so that is part of the reason for concern and further questions

 

[limitout]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Oh good grief.... no don't use the crappy el cheapo zinc electroplated stuff from the box stores but nobody here to fore SAID zinc ELECTROPLATED

HOT DIP GALVANIZING is a process where after proper prep parts are immersed in a (when I was a supervisor in a galvanizing plant, 983 deg) vat of ZINC thus coating the parts with ZINC..... The parts can also be tumbled in a drum that looks similar to a clothes dryer with pellets of zinc but I was never involved in that half of the plant so I don't know any more than that.


In practice zinc plating is also a fine process but since it is very easy to get a super thin coating that looks great and zinc isn't cheap, companies often cheap out it is common to have sub par stuff sold in box stores.

sooo to more specifically answer the original question of galvanized or zinc... get ZINC GALVANIZED... they will be dull grey in color. Shiny is not your friend.

thank you, im glad you now agree with my statement below that you previously thought was incorrect

replace any u-bolts with galvanized because they will last longer and resist rusting.

IIRC the only "special" bolts on your trailer are the receiver bolts, the spring plate bolts and the leaf spring eye bolt should be a high strength grade because of the stresses on them, everything else just uses standard grade bolts

zink is fine if you never go in salt water but if you go in brackish or salt water then I recommend you only use galvanized bolts

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

It'll be fine

ANY grade of steel would be fine

 

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

It'll be fine

ANY grade of steel would be fine

Thanks for the info. I just have one other source I'm checking out at the present to see if I can get it locally. If not I will go ahead and get that one from the Shapiro link.

With regards to using a step bit, it would appear with drilling the steel tube you would have to mark and drill both sides. My only concern there is my accuracy in getting the two holes to line up precisely.

Seems when I have used a punch before to mark the spot either when it was hit it floated slightly off center putting the indent slightly off or the drill bit itself floated a little before starting to cut. I may need a new punch too I guess. Any suggestions on a guide or anything to insure the two holes on opposite sides will line up are appreciated.

I'll need to double check the dimension on the bolt itself to make sure I get the correct step bit. Of course unless I get the Harbor Freight set of bits that won't matter.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

When I did mine I put masking tape on the tube in the area where the holes will be. Then I had a friend help hold the new tongue in place and marked through the holes on the trailer onto the masking tape on the new tongue. The step bit didn't walk much at all.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

when I did mine, I put the old next to the new and spray painted through the holes...... didn't work incredibly well but got the job done

 

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

when I did mine, I put the old next to the new and spray painted through the holes...... didn't work incredibly well but got the job done

Thanks for the ideas on this. I may use a combination of both ideas. I have to order the step bit, torque wrench and tube now and will post when I get it done.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

when I did mine, I put the old next to the new and spray painted through the holes...... didn't work incredibly well but got the job done

Ayuh,.... I Measure it, set the point with a prick punch, drill a small pilot hole, then finish off the the right size bit,...
Then repeat for the other side,...

 

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Ayuh,.... I Measure it, set the point with a prick punch, drill a small pilot hole, then finish off the the right size bit,...
Then repeat for the other side,...

Thanks for the suggestion, I can look for a punch of that type as most of mine are old and i'm not sure about the points.

Also can anyone suggest what grinding whel I can use on my drill to grind off a weld on one of the welded on keel roller tongue brackets to get it off the old tongue. I need to save that one as it is not height adjustable and matches the other existing keel roller brackets.

I may replace one of them near where the tongue attaches to the forward frame crossmember with a panel type keel roller bracket that can be adjusted to match the height of the other existing brackets. When finished I will have a 4th keel roller bracket on the tongue closer to the boww of the boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

trying to cut with a drill is about like trying to train a cat.... you need an angle grinder....
ditch the welded on roller and pick up one or more new clamp on rollers... they ARE height adjustable to match your old ones

 

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

trying to cut with a drill is about like trying to train a cat.... you need an angle grinder....
ditch the welded on roller and pick up one or more new clamp on rollers... they ARE height adjustable to match your old ones

I have checked out the type bracket you showed in the picture already and the ones I checked out at the lowest two settings would not come that close to matching the height of the ones I have. The second setting even was way to high to match these. Having said that I also now have new rollers for the existing brackets and will check the measurments again to see how close the type you suggested come to matching the measurements on the existing brackets.

Okay so lets say I could borrow a grinder like you mentioned... What would the "grit" or grade of coarseness on the wheel be. Given the rivets are aluminum?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Rivets again?
Grinder is for cutting brackets... use a cut off wheel to cut and a flap disc to clean (smooth) afterwards
Rivets are removed with a drill bit

no offense but for the BASIC questions you need to learn to use google... not that asking questions is a bad thing but you can learn more in a few minutes of watching vids than weeks of working out details in text

example: go to http://www.google.com, type "how to cut steel with a grinder", hit enter, and then at the top of the screen click "videos"... start watching

same thing "how to remove pop rivets"

when you come across something not so basic or you can't find a good answer searching then post up of course and we'll help.

 

[seanymph85]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Rivets again?
Grinder is for cutting brackets... use a cut off wheel to cut and a flap disc to clean (smooth) afterwards
Rivets are removed with a drill bit

no offense but for the BASIC questions you need to learn to use google... not that asking questions is a bad thing but you can learn more in a few minutes of watching vids than weeks of working out details in text

example: go to Google, type "how to cut steel with a grinder", hit enter, and then at the top of the screen click "videos"... start watching

same thing "how to remove pop rivets"

when you come across something not so basic or you can't find a good answer searching then post up of course and we'll help.

Well I was posting about the trailer and removal of the bracket when replacing the tongue. So I figured that was an appropriate trailer related question. Problem is in my hast I accidently answered the last part about grinding to remove that bracket with a comment on the rivets.

Not sure why I did that but clearly it was an honest and unfortunate error. Yes I have used google to try to find videos on related topics before, even on tongue related issues. However they often were either a different setup and connection method for the tongue or otherwise did not relate to specific info I was trying to obtain. I won't bother again with further grinding related questions.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is my trailer tongue bent

Please don't take offense
Ask all the questions ya want
My POINT is that for the basic things that apply to everything ( like removing a pop rivet) you can learn more faster wathching a vid than asking.
It's not about whether you are bothering anyone it's about adding a skill set of efficiently finding information to your toolbox.