Swing Away Trailer Tongue

[Spinner]

Can an existing trailer be modified to utilize a swing away trailer tongue? If so, how many feet would I be saving? Any idea of the cost?

[Hawgeye]

I suppose it depends on the trailer. I am picking up my new boat tomorrow and it has a shorelandr' trailer. It is a 2400# roller for my Lund. The dealer told me that for $190 I could put the swing away on by myself if I am at all mechanically inclined, which I am. Just a few bolts and nuts. He also said that he would do it for the same price before I pick it up. I want to check to see if it fits in the garage and if it doesn't, I want to make sure the 2-3' savings will allow it to fit.

[Jesse-WI]

Most trailers can be modified in one way or another. These days alot of them have kits to do this.

In my case, I took it to a trailer specialty shop. They made the necessary cuts, installed a hinge, and made adjustments to the brake line.

[Look-A-Like]

Hawgeye I just picked up the same trailer tonight and payed $125 for the swing away trailer. Saves 2' or the boat would of been spending the night in the driveway without it.

[Brad]

I have a 19' Sylvan and to get it in the garage I needed to take some of the tongue length off. I bought a shorelandr' swing tongue ($140)and slipped it in place of the std. part. I needed to go in an extra 2" to get the pivot just a couple inches ahead of the bow. Now I can close the garage door even with the 150 merc straight on the back. Last year I added trailer brakes. I got the brakes from a trailer supply and the 18" flexible hose from the auto parts. Used the right clips and retainers and I don't have to fool with the quick connect I see on some trailers. My boat is towed every weekend and the fluid drips and water concerned me.

[drtaz]

i have a 4' swingaway tongue on my shorelander trailer which was ordered with an extra long tongue for this purpose. my welder friend custom made the hinge and lengthened the brake lines and wiring. to gain the extra length, my hinge is behind the winch mount which creates the interesting problem mentioned below in 4.

hints///
1. be sure to add a 2nd jack behind the hinge to allow you to roll the boat and trailer when you have disconnected and swung the tongue away.
2. be sure to have a welder make you a strong jack stand which i place behind the jack after i locate the trailer where i want it. i then lower the jack so the weight is riding on the jack stand. i can then get into the boat without all of the forward weight resting on the jack alone.
3. i also added some plastic sleeves over the exposed wiring to keep it from accidently getting pinched when the hinge is opened and shut.
4. another problem is that you must (a) release the tension on the winch before you swing the tongue away and (b) remember to re-tighten the winch when you swing it back to go. i also retighten it again after i get to the end of the driveway since it doesn't re-tighten all the way.

good fishing (and boating). dale

[cisco]

Remove prop -- Trim motor so lower unit is high -- back straight in to garage -- motor skeg will open clean hole in garage -- lower unit will follow skeg thru hole -- unhook trailer and close garage door. Simple and easy. No welding, no nuts and bolts.

[Hawgeye]

Hey Look-a-like, Where did you get that from? I would rather pay $125 than $190! For that price, I could afford to have them ship it to me...