I cut off the hitch from the tongue of my trailer last night to start the process of lengthening the distance between my tow vehicle and the new anchor roller/bow pulpit that I'm installing. I thought I'd weld onto the stub by sliding the next size square tube over it, but after removing the hitch and dressing up the ragged edges I noticed that the 3 in square tubing from MacGregor extends back 3 feet without anything blocking it internally. Looks like a 6 foot piece of 2 1/2 in thickwall square tubing would slide right in there, and allow me to have an adjustable tongue length with various bolt holes drilled through the side. Anyone else try this yet? (By the way, Wallys World has new hitches for me to weld on, about $12) It's a good time to install double chains as well. John S
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Trailor tongue extension
Thanks for doing the exploratory surgery for me. I don't see the need for various holes though. I only need the two extremes.
Thanks for doing the exploratory surgery for me. I don't see the need for various holes though. I only need the two extremes.
tounge weight?
You may want to move the axle back, if not already done. on macgregor-boats.com theres a post of a hindged extension, and I have seen the nexted extension before. I'm guessing the really long extension is for shallow ramps and low water situations. -even still, moving the center of gravity back will hurt the tounge weight, and that can cause the trailer 'walking' most Mac's suffer from too little tounge weight.. -fwiw on the stock mac trailer (1988 26d) I have had the front crossbar hit the ramp on a low angle ramp. so, while your welding, you may want to add a skid, or steel roller, (like seen on back bumpers of RV's) pls post photos when done! Goodluck!
You may want to move the axle back, if not already done. on macgregor-boats.com theres a post of a hindged extension, and I have seen the nexted extension before. I'm guessing the really long extension is for shallow ramps and low water situations. -even still, moving the center of gravity back will hurt the tounge weight, and that can cause the trailer 'walking' most Mac's suffer from too little tounge weight.. -fwiw on the stock mac trailer (1988 26d) I have had the front crossbar hit the ramp on a low angle ramp. so, while your welding, you may want to add a skid, or steel roller, (like seen on back bumpers of RV's) pls post photos when done! Goodluck!
Trailer Mod
I have already moved the axle back 12 inches, wish I'd moved it more. One reason to move the trailer back is to minimize driving over some of the very slick marine growth that some areas are famous for having on boat ramps(like Florida). But the pipe rack on my tow truck and the bow pulpit I am installing would clash in a tight turn, so I need a few more feet. Today I went looking for a 6 foot piece of 2&1/2 inch square tubing in 1/4 inch wall thickness. Over the last year, steel prices have really gone up, so I am shopping around (1st place wants $65 for the 6 foot thickwall tubing). After installing the new extended toungue, I am going to attach steps on the tongue so I can walk back without getting wet and unhook the winch strap. I'll also fab up and attach a few rungs of a ladder to allow over-the-bow boarding. Back the trailer down the ramp, get out and let my S/O get behind the wheel, walk back on the tongue steps, release the winch strap, go over the bow, fire up the aux and pull her off the bunks, and my wife drives off with the trailer. A skid is a great idea, there was one on the piece I cut off, I'll make another. By the way, this trailer was made before the requirement for double chains crossed over became a requirement. Chain is cheap and I'll do that upgrade, too.
I have already moved the axle back 12 inches, wish I'd moved it more. One reason to move the trailer back is to minimize driving over some of the very slick marine growth that some areas are famous for having on boat ramps(like Florida). But the pipe rack on my tow truck and the bow pulpit I am installing would clash in a tight turn, so I need a few more feet. Today I went looking for a 6 foot piece of 2&1/2 inch square tubing in 1/4 inch wall thickness. Over the last year, steel prices have really gone up, so I am shopping around (1st place wants $65 for the 6 foot thickwall tubing). After installing the new extended toungue, I am going to attach steps on the tongue so I can walk back without getting wet and unhook the winch strap. I'll also fab up and attach a few rungs of a ladder to allow over-the-bow boarding. Back the trailer down the ramp, get out and let my S/O get behind the wheel, walk back on the tongue steps, release the winch strap, go over the bow, fire up the aux and pull her off the bunks, and my wife drives off with the trailer. A skid is a great idea, there was one on the piece I cut off, I'll make another. By the way, this trailer was made before the requirement for double chains crossed over became a requirement. Chain is cheap and I'll do that upgrade, too.
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