Trailer Issues

DunRite

New member
I bought this enclosed V nose Trailer (14ftX6) that came with a 23" tongue- way too short

I was having difficult time with any turn that was remotely sharp especially backing up- causing dents

So I took it to a welding shop where they cut off teh old coupler, welded a 6ft length of steel, added a new adjustable coupler and replaced the jack too.

Came out great-hers the before and afters- the afters show where the jack is now is where the original tongue had ended- I gained about 18 inches

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I'm having the same problem with my new trailer. My problem is I don't have the time to take it to the welding shop. I'll just have to be careful with it for now is all.
 
I'm having the same problem with my new trailer. My problem is I don't have the time to take it to the welding shop. I'll just have to be careful with it for now is all.

Vince- This was alot more of a job than i thought

Cutting the coupler off- Taking all of the s*** out of my trailer to remove the plywood then welding on a 6ft piec of steel underneath

welding a new adjustable coupler on, installing a new jack, new plug, new emergency brake line and new chains- then put everything back together

he had it for 2 days- put a lot of time in
 
This would be a good example of buying a trailer "off the shelf" so to speak. There is a formula for the length of a drawbar which is you measure from centre of the front wheel hub to the centre of the rear hub on the towing vehicle. The drawbar length of the trailer should then equal this length from the centre of the coupling to the centre of the front axle hub. (longer is better of course) By using this formula the pivot point (tow hitch/ball) is then middle of the pivot action and what happens at the front of the tow vehicle is transposed to the towed vehicle at a 1 to 1 ratio. Trailer manufacturers don't really give a rats A$$ how well it backs for the customer after it leaves their yard. If you can't back it it's your problem. If you are going to buy a trailer at least know that critical measurement from the tow vehicle that way you will know if it is going to be a pain to back. I used to be the jigging and tool maker for a towbar manufacturer.
 
I actually think it would be cheaper to buy a hitch extender from etrailer.com They have everything you need on that site for about $400.

That was an option i considered

However, you lose almost 1/2 of your towing weight capacity with an 18" extender

For an open trailer or light weight trailer - yes probably a good option

not a good option for a heavy duty enclosed trailer especially of you carry any water at all

Driving this thing today with the "new" support underneath not only increased my turning radius but definitely stabilized the "ride" too
 
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