Surge Brakes and Tongue Extensions

[Tom Hoffman]

Thought I would chime in here even though late. I have been investigating tongue extensions after having to pay $80+ last fall to get my boat out of the water. The Mississippi was flooding and you couldn't get far enough down the ramp to get the boat to float on. We had to use a tractor the Marina has around just for pulling out the boats if the customer doesn't have a truck capable of pulling up the ramp or in this instance the truck will be under water when back far enough.

I have been investigating this site.

http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/

After reading it, it seemed to be cost prohibitive for me. I figured that I could fabricate one myself for a lot less. I just got it mounted and it is not quite finished things need to be tightened up and holes in the tongue need to be drilled for pins to act as permanent lock in place while towing, and pins to extend and fix in place so it won't move. I made it out of 1/4" steel plate and 3X3 X 5/16" square tube. A neighbor welded it and it has rollers top and bottom made from 1" pipe nipples on 3/4" bolts. It pulls out easily and should give me about 7-8' of extension and that should get my boat deep enough into the water.

Here are my pics.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/580071296EcaRuS

My total cost to date are less than $200 including welding and paint.

Tom...

 

[rejenk3]

Tom,
Thanks for the pictures. That's close to what I had in mind. I retire from AT&T next week and that's one of my first projects.

 

[JVB]

If you use a long (say 20 foot) tongue extension or strap to get your trailer into deep water how can the master cylinder not get submerged ? When I do that it seems like water replaces the hydraulic fluid rather quickly unless I keep the vent taped over while at the ramp. Boat trailers should have air brakes.

By the way "Salt Away" is supposed to help protect brake parts after dipping in salt water. http://www.saltawayproducts.com/