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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Trailer tongue

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/13/2008 : 00:05:13

This is my trailer with the extendable launch tongue.
I am either going to modify this thing or I'm going to replace it with a launch wheel and strap.
So far, launch and retrieval with the tongue extended as far as shown in the picture has been sufficient.
The problem is; the tongue is bent. to get the tongue out this far, I need a sledge hammer and have to bang away for about ten mintues. Same procedure to get it back. If the tongue were not bent, and if the tongue were easy to slide in and out, I would like this system.

The second picture shows how the aft end is attached to the trailer. It is welded on as well as held in place with two U-bolts.

The forward end is similarily held in place, welded and U-bolted.

One of my thoughts was to remove the black outside sleeve and hold the tongue in place with U-bolts - or- to cut off the aft part of the sleeve - the aft part being most of the sleeve, a couple inches aft of the forward connection. This would effectively leave a sleeve of about 8"...but I wonder if this single point of connection would be strong enough for the purposes of launch and retrieval. I've also thought about cutting the middle part of the sleeve and keeping about six inches of the sleeve both forward and aft,where they are currently joined to the trailer.

My neighbour is a welder, and has graciously offered his professional services. (in exchange for beer and sailing)
Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 05:30:17

Although ours is totally different design, we have the same problem. If we use the extension, then it bends (slightly) and we have to use the truck to push it back into the stowed position. (We chock the trailer wheels). The same problem has occurred when extracting it (if there is little time between stowage and extension as the bend seems to 'straighten' within a few hours), in that case I use the tow strap to pull it out with the truck, again chocking the wheels.

The primary difference between our extension systems is that our outer tube is not continuous, but is two lengths about 12 inches long, one is under the front of the trailer main beam, and the other is about six feet back. So you can see most of the inner tube most of the time. The extension hange under the main beam, not on the side as yours.

I would sugggest cutting off the old outer tube, replacing with two pieces of fabricated tube that had greater clearance.

Paul

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 06/13/2008 05:30:57

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 06:20:13

The extension is too light. I have repaired a unit (Trailrite) by cutting away the top of the sleave except for the 6 inches at each end and adding a smaller tube inside the extension from the rear to just past the bend. It was still an effort to use and had to teach the owner to not brake hard when moving the trailer with the boat on it. It was the braking that would bend the extension and a steep ramp that would allow the trailer tongue to drag when going over the top. We have had trailers unhook when being pulled or pushed over the top of a ramp. It's a good idea to chain up the extension.

My EZ loader has a 3 x 4 extension which has not bent. I have not used the extension on our ramps as the slope allows me to use the rollers without getting the pickup tires wet. The strap and wheel seem to be the choice with use only at the edge of the water and not pulling all the way up the ramp. This does keep you on the ramp for more time than an extension tongue. You have to make choices. Good launching.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 08:18:30

Looks like your extension tubing is 3" x 3"... an inch too small in the vertical dimension.

PM me... I have a fresh set of photos of an easily constructed trailer extension.
I added some UHMW (industrial plastic) to the tubing guides and the extension slides smooth as butter.

One of the keys to a quick, hassle-free launch is to have your entire 'system' sorted out and working properly. The ramp is a stressful place and the less time you spend there, the better.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 09:12:25

Sweetcraft is right on the money. The EZ Loader uses 3 x 4 rectangular tubing, .175" wall, or 8.15 lb/ft. Here are photos of how it's mounted. They just used pipe pieces taller than the tubing and set the pipe pieces wider than the tubing. There is a pin in the top to keep it in or out all the way.

Front Bracket

Rear Bracket

Not very good pictures this time. If you would like more info let me know.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 11:20:33

Two words:

Strap Launch.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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1709 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 12:36:34

I have a 3" x 3" tube extension also. One my very first launch 19 years ago, I backed down the ramp with the jack wheel too low. It caught on the lip of the ramp and bent the tube enough to cause it to bind. My solution? Thinking that anything that would bend one way would bend the opposite way, I forced it out of the carrier tube, suspended it between two stumps and bounced on it until it straightened out enough to move freely in the carrier. It's not perfect but it's worked since then.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 15:30:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">If you would like more info let me know.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dan, if you've got a picture that shows your pin I'd like to see it. Not sure from your pics how the tongue slides - I'm calling the inside-extended part the tongue, the tongue slides inside of the sleeve. The sleeve on mine is definitely too small.

Randy, I like the idea of a lauch wheel, but really like the control that the extension gives me.
The only drawback is that mine does not move smoothly in the sleeve.

Bruce - I emailed you, I'd love to see your plans.

Thank you all.
I am going to rebuild this trailer, I'm adding brakes to the second axle, re-wiring, fix the launch controls, replace tires, paint, then I'm going to park it in a snowbank. Main thing is, I can't stand the decrepit look of this thing, especially when it has such a beautiful boat sitting on it.

Edited by - stampeder on 06/13/2008 15:34:34

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 15:32:43

I understand.

Where we launch I use 80' of strap. That would be one loooong piece of channel tongue.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 15:37:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Where we launch I use 80' of strap<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Wow!

I've only ever used my launch extension twice.
Maybe you need to pull up to the lake when you launch, are you launching from the bar across the street?

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 15:54:46

I don't know Mike, this pin is pretty high tech

It's a piece of all-thread with a nut welded on it.

I'm gonna change this.
I would use a solid piece of steel. the pin is about 6" long and it goes all the way through the tongue and into the lower bracket.

The tongue doesn't center up when extended, it sits a little off center.

This piece is heavy at the back so I have to lift up on the back and it slides right out.

After looking at these pictures, my trailer looks horrible also. I'll be getting after it when I get the boat done.
If you need anything else, let me know.
Dan

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 16:43:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Maybe you need to pull up to the lake when you launch, are you launching from the bar across the street? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

LOL! Our club ramp is long and gradual. Last time out I used 2 30' straps and a 20' strap. The truck wheels were at the water's edge.

5' or 80' it works the same.

You C25 guys really need to get those trailers cleaned up.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 06/13/2008 16:43:49

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 16:51:00

Thanx Dan...now I get it.

The whole thing slides through the U-bolts.
That was one of the ideas I had...for the tongue to be out there on it's own without the sleeve.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">You C25 guys really need to get those trailers cleaned up. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
My point exactly.
If I ever buy another trailer, its going to be galvanized.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2008 : 19:29:02

When we launched Recess Wednesday, we used a 50' steel cable, shackled to the trailer and the loop at the truck end secured inside the receiver by the pin that normally holds the ball gizmo in place. On the first attempt, we started too far down the ramp and the trailer stopped too soon, not enough momentum. Second attempt, we started the downward roll higher up the ramp and it went deep enough to float off. Oh, did I mention that we had negative tongue weight, even with 2 big rocks on the front of the trailer. The owner of the trailer rode down the ramp standing on the tongue and I was on board standing on the foredeck. Quite a day!

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