Folding Trailer Tongue Modification
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=48825
Printed Date: March-05-2025 at 10:25pm
Topic: Folding Trailer Tongue Modification
Posted By: kman
Subject: Folding Trailer Tongue Modification
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 12:21pm
Tired of fighting rust. I'm going to have my '76 trailer powder coated so it will outlast me. I'd like to modify the tongue with a folding system. Does anyone see any issue with this set up? I'm no engineer. Will eight 1/2" bolts hold the plates and have enough "sheer" strength to avoid a catastrophic failure? The match plates would be 18" wide at the point I'm showing them.   ------------- Kirk 1976 Southwind 20 Eagle Mountain Lake Fort Worth |
Replies:
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 12:48pm
I had this installed when I re furb'd this trailer, Been running this set up for a few years with zero issues.  
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Posted By: Donald80SN
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 1:23pm
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I would want too use Grade 8 bolts. Tractor Supply has them. Powder Coating is great, but with most paint applications the prep makes the difference. Powder Coating on a surface that is not properly prepped is not better than any paint applied to a non properly prepped surface. Ask a lot of questions concerning prep to the folks powder coating your trailer. These tube trailers, closed tube, seem to rust from the inside out. There are coatings ( Ziebart rust proofing) that you can apply inside the tubes. Basically, applying oil like substance into the steel tube. ------------- 1980 Ski Nautique SOLD Back to Cypress Gardens 2002 Sport Nautique, GT-40, FCT2, Cover Sports, Tower Bimini, Inc., Wet Sounds Audio System, Star Gazer Wake Edition S. 1968 Ski Nautique, Project. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 2:37pm
I'd rather see you use a hinge pin set up on each side of the "match plates" similar to this picture.  It will be more ridged than bolts flat plates together that can flex. The added benefit is no tools. Just pull the pin(s). ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
kman wrote:Posted By: kman
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 2:46pm
8122pbrainard but where would I put that? I don't have a single tube coming off the front. ------------- Kirk 1976 Southwind 20 Eagle Mountain Lake Fort Worth |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 3:37pm
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Kirk, You missed the idea.
"similar" is the key. You would still need the "match plates" to connect the "A" fame but then instead of the bolts, you would have the hinges and pins on each other edge - no bolts in the middle. Also if you use clevis quick connect pins on each side, besides being able to swing the tongue, quick complete removal is also an option. Do your brakes work? If so, you'll need to add a quick connect and flex line to the hydraulic. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 5:00pm
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Don’t need a brake line disconnect, just flex down the side that you hinge on. You have a white trailer, good luck hiding rust with any paint system. |
Posted By: Fabcon
Date Posted: June-09-2020 at 9:41pm
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I was looking to do the same thing with my trailer. I just couldn’t bring my self to cut a original trailer ------------- 1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort 1984 Barefoot Nautique (Parting Out) |
Posted By: fanofccfan
Date Posted: June-11-2020 at 9:41am
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I did exactly what you are wanting to do. I only used three or four bolts. 1/2" diameter. Been pulled about 1000 miles so far without issue. More bolts might be better. ------------- 2004 196 LE Ski 1969 Marauder 19 1978 Ski |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: June-12-2020 at 8:51pm
This... faster and less parts to worry about losing every time you take it out of the garage |