Telescopic trailer tongue.

[striker]

I would like to store my trailer indoors this winter. Ideally on its end, tongue up. I have a problem with height though, it would be too tall..

The existing tongue is 2" box 1/8" wall.

I'm just playing around with a few ideas of telescoping or hinging the tongue...now if I use my existing drawbar, could I get some larger box section that would take existing tongue reasonably well and not rattle about too much? I realise that a couple of through bolts or pins will be needed.

Any ideas, thoughts or recommendations very much appreciated....

Paul

 

[normspanners]

To get a good fit, I have used two pieces of angle welded for 3" to the cut off box section draw bar, weld it on opposite corners you can grind the toes off the angle till they are a perfect fit together, then fillet them, that will then fit onto the stub of the piece left on the trailer.

PS. do not have a gap between the toes of the angle if you do the angle will pull together as you weld closing the gap.

 

[striker]

Thanks norm. so would you use bigger angle than 2". Say 3" cut down to suit?

Would prefer it to actually slide inside another tube though for ease of use.

Paul.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Scout around for some thicker wall square tube that will fit / or made to fit inside the existing tongue.A decent length plug welded into the removable section and a couple of good quality through bolts to reattach, Almost undetectable when fitted,You don't say what size,weight or type of trailer it is, but judging by the 2" box X 1/8" it can't be hauling too much.

 

[striker]

No Gordon it doesn't pull much. 6'6" x 4' 750kg unbraked trailer....just for tip runs and picking up bits and pieces.Thats not a bad idea though. I think I have some 5mm plate I could fab into box section.

Just been googling and noticed some folding a frame trailers....that would be easy enough too.

Paul

 

[captain-destructo]

why not just convert the existing one to bolt on?
so you can take it off when you need to store it

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Maybe this will give you an idea -
http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Coupler-sf-Fold~Away_Couplers.aspx

Paul H

 

[striker]

Thanks Paul. I have seen those on USA ebay... can't seem to find any in UK though..
Must admit I do fancy the folding method especially if it can be operated tool free.
I might try to copy those in heavy plate.

Paul.

 

[normspanners]

Would prefer it to actually slide inside another tube though for ease of use.

But that is what you are making a square box using the two pieces of angle to form it, by welding the 'Toes' of the angle together, by welding to your original cut off draw bar that decides the inside dimensions, so that it ends up a neat fit on the other piece of stub that is left on the trailer.
One 12mm through bolt would be enough to hold it together.

 

[striker]

Yes I see what you mean norm. I was thinking more of it telescoping out so it stores inside..but I think for ease of construction then welding angle to form a box could be the way to go..I think I am only looking at around 16" to clear ceiling when its in end.