Folding trailer tounge?

[79Hawaiian]

Anyone ever convert to a folding tounge on the trailer? I am looking to buy as slightly smaller boat that will fit in the garage but I think I will still need to trim some space off the front. Does it compormise the structure?
I would like to hear any horror stories if anyone have some to share. I looks scary to me.

[frenchy]

I was looking to do the swing-away tongue, but I ended up going to a welding shop that works on trailers and big rigs to have a slide out instead. They cut the tongue and moved the winch stand all for less than 100 bucks.

[HM]

79Hawaiian:
Anyone ever convert to a folding tounge on the trailer? I am looking to buy as slightly smaller boat that will fit in the garage but I think I will still need to trim some space off the front. Does it compormise the structure?
I would like to hear any horror stories if anyone have some to share. I looks scary to me.Extreme Trailers does a conversion to most trailers, but it is a bit more than $100. They actually started a separate company called Pivot Hitch. Trail Rite also does conversions to the swing away type, but also more than $100. The structure is actually better with both of their systems as they weld a 1/2 plate on top and bottom of the front triangle of the trailer.
On my last trailer, I bought a plain receiver and 2 inch solid stock and had a welder put it together, for under $100 bucks. It was o.k., but a bit of a bastard.

[wsm9808]

I had mine converted to a slide in tounge as well. Works very well . Cost 215$ which included a new hitch assembly and paint. I like being able to take the tounge off at night when we travel, dont have to worry about somebody snatching it from the motel parking lot.

[HM]

My own conversion was to a slide-in type, which I did not point out. I thought mine was a bit of a bastard, but some people saw it and thought it was totally trick. All relative. Mine worked well without any problems, but I only had an 18' flattie and not much weight.
I have a new swing-away tongue (actually a totally new trailer) from TrailRite and it is SWEET! The swing away works great, and I can put a locking receiver pin in the swingaway plate while the tongue is swung for added security. Now that I have a swing-away type of tongue, I would be hard pressed to go to anything else.
Extreme Trailer/Pivot Hitch advertises a $299 conversion kit on their web site at Pivot Hitch (http://www.pivithitch.com/page2.html)
http://www.pivithitch.com/beforeafter.jpg http://www.pivithitch.com/anim.gif http://www.pivithitch.com/why.jpg
TrailRite will do it too, but you have to call them. They are in Santa Ana, CA.

[gnarley]

I did my own & cost about $50.00 in materials! It took a little work but was well worth the effort. I tried to find someone to do it but they were way to expensive do to the liability factor or even a kit to buy, but couldn't find one anywhere. I did the folding tongue instead of the slider, as I did not want to plumb in a hydraulic coupler or disconnect it every time I had it off or on & risk air in the brake line. The brake line has the existing rubber hose at the pivot and has been trouble free all season so far :D
If you need info on how I did mine shoot me an email

[HavasuDreamin']

That is a great web site Holy Moly. I saved the site to my favorites and will probably by the pivot hitch sometime this winter and perform the retro fit. It looks extremely simple, especially for me since I do not have any breaks on my trailer. Right On! :D :cool:

[JetBoatRich]

I have a removeable hitch, nice to get the xtra room in the garage. The brake and lights have a quick connect, the drag is keeing an eye in the brake resivoir to make sure it doesn't go dry.

[79Hawaiian]

Great info! Thanks!