Extend Tongue Forward or Bunks Back?

[Lost But Happy]

Hello All

I have a quandry...My boat is 14' long and my trailer is 14' long as well. As it currently sits, the transom hangs off the back about 2'.

What is best practice in this situation?

1) Extend the tongue 2' (bolt on) and move the bow mount forward
or
2) Leave the tongue and bow mount alone and just extend the bunks rearward?
or
3) Dump the trailer and get a new one :lol:

I am currently tearing apart the trailer and painting various items and I will be purchasing new tires/wheels, bunks etc and figured I would get this sorted first before I go and procure said wheels and bunks.

Thank you kindly! :mrgreen:

A couple of pics for reference

 

[MrGiggles]

Extend the tongue, the weight will be distributed better on the axle. Most of the weight on the boat is in the stern, the bow is light. The axle needs to be pretty far back to keep at least 10% of the total weight on the tongue.

It'll also make launching easier for you, won't have to back in as far or dunk your tow vehicle, and longer trailers are easier to back.

 

[Lost But Happy]

Extend the tongue, the weight will be distributed better on the axle. Most of the weight on the boat is in the stern, the bow is light. The axle needs to be pretty far back to keep at least 10% of the total weight on the tongue.

It'll also make launching easier for you, won't have to back in as far or dunk your tow vehicle, and longer trailers are easier to back.

Makes sense. Thank you!

I will shop for a tongue extension and post results here.

 

[Lost But Happy]

This appears like it will work...

https://www.easternmarine.com/galvanized-trailer-tubing-pu3808

Thing is, It looks like it needs to be welded. Unfortunately, I do not have access to a welder or anyone who would I trust to weld it. #-o

 

[eeshaw]

Take it to a local welding shop, they'll fix you up.

 

[Lost But Happy]

Take it to a local welding shop, they'll fix you up.

Ill check around and see if there are any reputable ones.

No chance of just bolting the 2 pieces together?

 

[eeshaw]

I wouldn't chance trying to bolt one to the other unless it was specifically designed for the application. The last thing you want to do is lose your boat while it's being towed.

 

[Lost But Happy]

I wouldn't chance trying to bolt one to the other unless it was specifically designed for the application. The last thing you want to do is lose your boat while it's being towed.

True. I did find a mobile welder guy near me. Going to give him a jingle and see what he will charge. Butt welds are a no-no, correct? Should have him do a 45* slice on each to weld them together?

One more question...I can get a 2' extension or a 4' extension. The 2' would shift everything forward exactly as much as what the transom is hanging off of the back. Would a 4' extension be too long and ungainly?

Thanks! :mrgreen:

 

[JL8Jeff]

You could get one of those bolt on swing away tongue hinges, they are designed to handle it. I put one on my old spring boat trailer. Just be prepared to do lots of drilling and having multiple bits and sizes available. You need to drill 16 holes to bolt it together.

https://www.amazon.com/Fulton-HDPB350101-Fold-Away-Bolt-Trailer/dp/B002IVALW6?th=1

 

[Lost But Happy]

You could get one of those bolt on swing away tongue hinges, they are designed to handle it. I put one on my old spring boat trailer. Just be prepared to do lots of drilling and having multiple bits and sizes available. You need to drill 16 holes to bolt it together.

https://www.amazon.com/Fulton-HDPB350101-Fold-Away-Bolt-Trailer/dp/B002IVALW6?th=1

Interesting. I do have lots of tools and bits and am not afraid to use them. lol

Im going to ponder it. Thank you!

 

[FuzzyGrub]

You could get one of those bolt on swing away tongue hinges, they are designed to handle it. I put one on my old spring boat trailer. Just be prepared to do lots of drilling and having multiple bits and sizes available. You need to drill 16 holes to bolt it together.

https://www.amazon.com/Fulton-HDPB350101-Fold-Away-Bolt-Trailer/dp/B002IVALW6?th=1

Not having the welding capability myself, I would seriously consider this option, especilly with such a lite boat.

I have also seen trailers that have a slide in tube and is pinned like the tow hitch is to the receiver.

 

[Lost But Happy]

You could get one of those bolt on swing away tongue hinges, they are designed to handle it. I put one on my old spring boat trailer. Just be prepared to do lots of drilling and having multiple bits and sizes available. You need to drill 16 holes to bolt it together.

https://www.amazon.com/Fulton-HDPB350101-Fold-Away-Bolt-Trailer/dp/B002IVALW6?th=1

Not having the welding capability myself, I would seriously consider this option, especially with such a lite boat.

I have also seen trailers that have a slide in tube and is pinned like the tow hitch is to the receiver.

That is what I figgered. The boat itself can't weigh more than a couple of hundred pounds. Shoot, I pulled it off of the trailer by myself! lol

The slide tube is what I had in my mind to use, though I haven't found one yet. Would you happen to have a link? Thank you!

 

[FuzzyGrub]

The slide tube is what I had in my mind to use, though I haven't found one yet. Would you happen to have a link? Thank you!

I've seen them on production trailers and have not seen any retrofit type kits. As long as you can find tubing that will just slide over or in, should be good. If you don't need the flexibility for storage, just use two 1/2" diameter bolts. You probably would need a new coupler to fit the new tube, for this approach, though.

 

[Lost But Happy]

The slide tube is what I had in my mind to use, though I haven't found one yet. Would you happen to have a link? Thank you!

I've seen them on production trailers and have not seen any retrofit type kits. As long as you can find tubing that will just slide over or in, should be good. If you don't need the flexibility for storage, just use two 1/2" diameter bolts. You probably would need a new coupler to fit the new tube, for this approach, though.

Ah. No wonder I haven't found one. lol

The extension I posted previously would work for this as i would just slide it over the end of the trailer and drill holes where the current hitch holes are, but I am not understanding the coupler part. Do you mean the hitch?

 

[JL8Jeff]

What size is your current trailer tongue?

 

[Lost But Happy]

What size is your current trailer tongue?

3" x 3"

Edit: 3x3, but it is somewhat tapered (more like somebody else crushed all around) so it actually measures out to be 2.75 x 2.75 and about 2-3" back from the front edge if that makes sense

 

[JL8Jeff]

What size is your current trailer tongue?

3" x 3"

Have you looked around for a longer tongue? Maybe check your local craigslist or facebook marketplace.

https://ameratrailparts.com/products/3-x-3-x-3-16-galvanized-steel-trailer-tongue-available-in-60-72

 

[Lost But Happy]

What size is your current trailer tongue?

3" x 3"

Have you looked around for a longer tongue? Maybe check your local craigslist or facebook marketplace.

https://ameratrailparts.com/products/3-x-3-x-3-16-galvanized-steel-trailer-tongue-available-in-60-72

Thank you. I have poked around for a new tongue, but I would need a 12' long piece to accomplish my goal. I found a 10', but that is the same length as the one I have now.

 

[JL8Jeff]

Where are you located?

This place sells 3x3x1/8" thick tubing in up to 12' length. Shipping might be crazy but I didn't check.

https://www.metalsdepot.com/steel-products/galvanized-steel-products/galvanized-square-tube

 

[FuzzyGrub]

The coupler/hitch is sized to the width of the tongue tubing. Going larger or smaller to slide over or inside of existing would require a different one.