Raycaster Posted July 25, 2018 Report Posted July 25, 2018 Got back from Lake St. Clair and launching from Jeanettes Creek finally pushed me to think of improving my boat trailer as I'm tired of getting wet and struggling in low water launches. I have a pontoon boat and built my retrofitted tandem trailer for the boat with great success (or so it seemed). Basically I need a "CLIFF" boat launch for smooth launches as the boat sits high on the trailer. I could adjust the bunk brackets down maybe 2" but I think the simple solution is a 6' extension just used for launches, not travel. My idea was a simple 6' 2" square tube with 6" doubled up for ball height and the peg holes drilled in the other end for the truck receiver. THIS IS NOT A TRAVEL HITCH, JUST USED FOR LAUNCHES. I have read that it will put a lot stress on hitches but mines pretty solid. Probably a hassle on and off but way better then having the truck 3/4 into each lake! Under $100 for metal at Princess Auto I think, will have to look around.
DanD Posted July 25, 2018 Report Posted July 25, 2018 Like you said there will be a lot of stress on the extension bar at the trucks receiver. I'm thinking if you were to put a joint in the bar; which will allow the bar to move up and down. That should take care of the possible bending of the bar at the receiver end. Dan.
Raycaster Posted July 25, 2018 Author Report Posted July 25, 2018 Like the way you think DanD, I will give that some thought.
DanD Posted July 25, 2018 Report Posted July 25, 2018 Here's another thought. Not sure if my crappy diagram will make any sense? But I think this design would likely hook up a lot easier and relieve some of the stress on the bar?
Terry Posted July 25, 2018 Report Posted July 25, 2018 Are you driving it onto the trailer you may need to beef it up more. But if you are whinching it on I think it should be ok
misfish Posted July 25, 2018 Report Posted July 25, 2018 (edited) Why not make a retractable sleeve over your existing trailer tongue? Your only talking 6" Those heavy duty locking pins will hold for towing as well. No dif then a swing hitch. Edited July 25, 2018 by misfish
Fisherman Posted July 25, 2018 Report Posted July 25, 2018 1 hour ago, misfish said: Why not make a retractable sleeve over your existing trailer tongue? Your only talking 6" Those heavy duty locking pins will hold for towing as well. No dif then a swing hitch. Nooo, he said 6 feet.
misfish Posted July 25, 2018 Report Posted July 25, 2018 1 minute ago, Fisherman said: Nooo, he said 6 feet. Me bad My idea was a simple 6' 2" square tube with 6" doubled up for ball height and the peg holes drilled in the other end for the truck receiver.
Hack_Fisherman Posted July 26, 2018 Report Posted July 26, 2018 Suggest a heavy wall tube. Stronger to use 2.5” tube with 2” stub into your receiver. How much tongue weight?
Fisherman Posted July 26, 2018 Report Posted July 26, 2018 But, he want's a quick detach item so he can still tow with the original setup. DanD's setup will work, very quick and simple.
wdodgetruck Posted July 26, 2018 Report Posted July 26, 2018 You can buy your steel a lot cheaper at a local steel supplier than princess auto.
Raycaster Posted July 26, 2018 Author Report Posted July 26, 2018 How about this? I can leave my hitch on this way and have 2 swivel points. Those ball clamps hold pretty tight right? No chance if disengaging if locked?
DanD Posted July 26, 2018 Report Posted July 26, 2018 With two pivot points, it will be very difficult to back that rig up. Not impossible; but everything you've learned about backing up a trailer will be backwards. Dan 2
Terry Posted July 26, 2018 Report Posted July 26, 2018 You will never back it down with 2 pivot points 1 2
Fisherman Posted July 26, 2018 Report Posted July 26, 2018 2 hours ago, Raycaster said: How about this? I can leave my hitch on this way and have 2 swivel points. Those ball clamps hold pretty tight right? No chance if disengaging if locked? Nope, the rear attachment would likely drop to the ground, has to have the rear point stay up, you need that pin connection DadD originally posted.
Hack_Fisherman Posted July 27, 2018 Report Posted July 27, 2018 10 hours ago, Terry said: You will never back it down with 2 pivot points Like pushing a rope 1 2
Fisherman Posted July 29, 2018 Report Posted July 29, 2018 On 7/26/2018 at 8:26 PM, Hack_Fisherman said: Like pushing a rope Only if it's frozen and pointing down. 1
John Bacon Posted July 29, 2018 Report Posted July 29, 2018 (edited) On 7/25/2018 at 11:15 AM, DanD said: Like you said there will be a lot of stress on the extension bar at the trucks receiver. I'm thinking if you were to put a joint in the bar; which will allow the bar to move up and down. That should take care of the possible bending of the bar at the receiver end. Dan. Wouldn't that cause the trailer tongue to sit on the ground? I think that he needs a rigid bar to hold the tongue off the ground. If he added a pivot then I think he would also need to add a wheel to suppor the tongue. The trailer jack may work, but their wheels are usually pretty small. Edited July 29, 2018 by John Bacon
wkrp Posted July 31, 2018 Report Posted July 31, 2018 Try Metal Supermarket. A lot cheaper than the Princess
Hack_Fisherman Posted July 31, 2018 Report Posted July 31, 2018 1 hour ago, wkrp said: Try Metal Supermarket. A lot cheaper than the Princess Most welding shops will sell off cuts for cash. Even better deal ?
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