Extending the trailer tongue

Ask questions about Harbor Freight trailers, or questions about building your own...

Extending the trailer tongue

Postby Joe4Camping » Fri Mar 02, 2018 8:13 am

I have a NT 5x8 trailer, and I'd like to extend the tongue to maneuver around sharp curves. My driveway has a hairpin turn that makes getting down to the street tricky. I'll be bolting on a 2x2 extension. Would 28 inches from front of existing trailer to hitch ball be "too long"? I believe that will give me the best turning radius, but I don't want to stress the extension tube by making it over-long.

Thanks!
Joe4Camping
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 63
Images: 88
Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:24 pm

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby tony.latham » Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:48 am

Joe4Camping wrote:I have a NT 5x8 trailer, and I'd like to extend the tongue to maneuver around sharp curves. My driveway has a hairpin turn that makes getting down to the street tricky. I'll be bolting on a 2x2 extension. Would 28 inches from front of existing trailer to hitch ball be "too long"? I believe that will give me the best turning radius, but I don't want to stress the extension tube by making it over-long.

Thanks!


Won't that increase your turning radius? Or is that what you're wanting?

Tony
User avatar
tony.latham
Gold Donating Member
 
Posts: 6880
Images: 17
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:03 pm
Location: Middle of Idaho on the edge of nowhere

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby Joe4Camping » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:23 am

I'm operating under the assumption that a longer tongue allows a tighter turning radius. Otherwise, my rear bumper will smack the triangular portion of the existing trailer (not to mention the tongue box).
Joe4Camping
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 63
Images: 88
Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:24 pm
Top

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby working on it » Fri Mar 02, 2018 11:03 am

If you need a longer tongue, or extension to your tngue, you might want to verify if it is strong enough for your trailer weight/size. I am attaching three files that helped me, two of which can calculate. They are gifts from the now missing angib, the British engineer that used to help struggling builders.
Tongue strength unified simple.pdf
(334.24 KiB) Downloaded 374 times
Tongue strength unified RevB Excel 97-03.xls
(146.5 KiB) Downloaded 93 times
Tongue strength unified RevB.xlsx
(94.98 KiB) Downloaded 97 times
2013 HHRv "squareback/squaredrop", rugged, 4x8 TTT, 2225 lbs
  • *3500 lb Dexter EZ-Lube braked axle, 3000 lb.springs, active-progressive bumpstop suspension
  • *27 x 8.5-14LT AT tires (x 3) *Weight Distribution system for single-beam tongue
  • *100% LED's & GFCI outlets, 3x fans, AM/FM/CD/Aux. *A/C & heat, Optima AGM, inverter & charger(s)
  • *extended-run, on-board, 2500w generator *Coleman dual-fuel stove & lantern, Ikea grill, vintage skillet
  • *zinc/stainless front & side racks *98"L x 6" diameter rod & reel carrier tube on roof
173193172890148599
User avatar
working on it
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2171
Images: 457
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:05 pm
Location: DFW Texas
Top

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby Socal Tom » Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:29 pm

Joe4Camping wrote:I have a NT 5x8 trailer, and I'd like to extend the tongue to maneuver around sharp curves. My driveway has a hairpin turn that makes getting down to the street tricky. I'll be bolting on a 2x2 extension. Would 28 inches from front of existing trailer to hitch ball be "too long"? I believe that will give me the best turning radius, but I don't want to stress the extension tube by making it over-long.

Thanks!


You might want to look at getting one of these
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-hit ... 69882.html

My driveway is pretty flat, so I put a wheel on my tongue jack and then just push it in by hand. Its a pain to try and turn these little trailers, they jack knife so easily
Socal Tom
Donating Member
 
Posts: 1347
Images: 12
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:21 am
Location: San Diego Ca
Top

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby Joe4Camping » Fri Mar 02, 2018 1:26 pm

workingonit : wow, those spreadsheets are fantastic, that will really save my bacon!

SocalTom: that's a great idea. Just use the extension tube to get down the driveway (which I bet is going to be the most hazardous part of the trip!!)
Joe4Camping
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 63
Images: 88
Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:24 pm
Top

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby Socal Tom » Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:16 pm

Joe4Camping wrote:workingonit : wow, those spreadsheets are fantastic, that will really save my bacon!

SocalTom: that's a great idea. Just use the extension tube to get down the driveway (which I bet is going to be the most hazardous part of the trip!!)


It won't change the turning radius, but it will give a bit more clearance.
Socal Tom
Donating Member
 
Posts: 1347
Images: 12
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:21 am
Location: San Diego Ca
Top

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby hankaye » Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:13 pm

Joe4Camping, Howdy;

10 years of over the road driving and pulling different lengths of trailers gave me this impression.

Shorter trailer (from hitch point to trailer axle), will cut quicker when backing and will more closely
follow the tire path of the pulling vehicle. Like trying to back a lawn trailer behind a lawn mower.
Or if you still have your American Flyer Red wagon try it with the handle folded up take the front
wheels off first.

Longer trailer (from hitch point to trailer axle), will cuts slower when backing and the tire path will
"Cheat" (cut inside), of the pulling vehicles tire path more. Put a longer arm on the lawn trailer on the
trailer in the above example. Using your liddle red wagon try it with the handle deployed as it is supposed
to be. Remove wheels here also, gotta keep things sorta equal.

Don't take my word for it, go wet a section of parking lot and drive through it and check the trier prints.
Do it with a longer space between the hitch point and trailer axle and you will be able to see what I am
talking about.

hank
Striving for a less complicated life since 1949 ...
Every day I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've stayed alive.
hankaye
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2567
Images: 1
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:35 pm
Location: S.W. New Mexico
Top

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby Dale M. » Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:55 am

hankaye wrote:Joe4Camping, Howdy;

10 years of over the road driving and pulling different lengths of trailers gave me this impression.

Shorter trailer (from hitch point to trailer axle), will cut quicker when backing and will more closely
follow the tire path of the pulling vehicle. Like trying to back a lawn trailer behind a lawn mower.
Or if you still have your American Flyer Red wagon try it with the handle folded up take the front
wheels off first.

Longer trailer (from hitch point to trailer axle), will cuts slower when backing and the tire path will
"Cheat" (cut inside), of the pulling vehicles tire path more. Put a longer arm on the lawn trailer on the
trailer in the above example. Using your liddle red wagon try it with the handle deployed as it is supposed
to be. Remove wheels here also, gotta keep things sorta equal.

Don't take my word for it, go wet a section of parking lot and drive through it and check the trier prints.
Do it with a longer space between the hitch point and trailer axle and you will be able to see what I am
talking about.

hank


Yes..... lawn tractor will jackknife is less the 5 feet and a heart beat...

Dale
Lives his life vicariously through his own self.

Any statement made by me are strictly my own opinion.
You are free to ignore anything I say if you do not agree.

Image
User avatar
Dale M.
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2693
Images: 18
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:50 pm
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite National Park
Top

Re: Extending the trailer tongue

Postby Joe4Camping » Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:51 am

I have decided on an overall tongue length of 56" (36" of the original A-frame, plus a 20" tongue extension). That should have plenty of clearance for a very good turning radius.

Thanks all for the advice.
Joe4Camping
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 63
Images: 88
Joined: Thu Nov 09, 2017 6:24 pm
Top


Return to Trailer and Chassis Secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests