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Guys - I stated I would post a pic of the issue I am having with the tongue of my boat trailer. I cannot exceed 22' for the trailer in order to get it in the garage. So I need to install a swing away hitch. The arrows point to 22' point on the trailer. Further the the swing away requires a 4x3 tube - the winch in sitting on a 2x3. My welder is not liking this setup at all.

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Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

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Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Dave,
I know you already know that there isn't any after market bolt on for your situation. So here is what I'm throwing out for you to talk to your welder about. Remove the factory cross member and install a new one further back. Then cut the tongue 3 or 4 inches behind your needed lenght. Install a smaller piece of steel tube in the trailer tubing, extending out the 3 or 4 inches and then you could bolt the tongue on or even use a heavy pins. Edit Here. I think pins would be fine. Think about it, the steel would be double there.

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A secret to a good marriage is to have a quick mind and a slow mouth!!!

Are you suggesting a type of slide out hitch rather than swing away?

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Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
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Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Correct. Think of your receiver on your truck. Smaller tubing installed in the trailer. It would have to be bolted because you couldn't weld it. Then the tongue would slide over it and pin on both sides.

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A secret to a good marriage is to have a quick mind and a slow mouth!!!

Possible. I will give the shop the suggestion. They are still waiting on me.

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Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Stop. The trailer that you have now has the hydraulic brake system setup which does complicate the issue a bit for swinging away. You will need a big loop in the brake line too. But you have lots of things on your trailer versus many breakways with the single beams. Go back to the original trailer maker and talk to them for sure.

There is a great sailboat trailer guy thats in Conn. with branches across the east coast too that I have used for deep draft hulls that has the tongue sliding inside another tube with pins so that when you get to the boat ramp you can extend the tongue and launch it without sinking the truck.
Scan and maybe call these folks.
http://www.triadtrailers.com/

Dave,
I just wanted to make sure you were clear on what I'm suggesting. I'm not talking about going back with a sleeve in the middle. I'm talking about using the tongue as it is and having the smaller tubings fit snug in both of the trailer's side tubing.
And as Oyster pointed out you would have to do something with the feed going back to the brakes. I'm guessing it is an electric feed, so you would need an extension or maybe even a disconnect?

Just thought of something. You could attach the sleeves to the tongue and pins towards the back. That way the sleeves are removed with the tongue and you wouldn't need to cut further back.

_________________
A secret to a good marriage is to have a quick mind and a slow mouth!!!

It is a hydraulic brake system. We have looked at the mechanism. It sits inside the tongue behind the ball clamp. Pressure on the clamp activates the brakes.

We noted the hosing issue that Mike spoke of. There happens to be sufficient slack in the hydraulic lines to allow a swing away. You can see part of the slack on the pic.

We went back and double checked measurements. The actual mark is at Point B on the pic not Point A. This makes things a lot easier.

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Dave,
I have another one for you. I looked at a couple of swing away tongues online. They are simple, hinge and locking pin. So how about cutting your tongue off right in front of the cross member and install two hinges on top of the tubing and some kind of locking devices on the bottom of each tube. That way the tongue would pivot up and out of the way.

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A secret to a good marriage is to have a quick mind and a slow mouth!!!

Chip - He is going to replace the entire beam the winch is sitting on with a 3x4 and reset the cross brace . The weld on version of this hinge is going to be mounted in front of the brace. The opening will allow us to run the hydraulic hose thru. The extra few inches made the difference.

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Glad you have it worked out. Don't forget to post a picture when it's done.

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A secret to a good marriage is to have a quick mind and a slow mouth!!!

Now that you have that worked out,you could always cut a dog door style flap in the door and let the tongue stick out!!!

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Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

What!!!! and allow and access point for the nuts to get in

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Great minds think alike.

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Bill

I told my wife we needed a three-car garage for my projects...she told me to ask her for permission next time before I buy a house.
http://www.unitybuild.net

Or I can build another house around the boat.!!!!

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.