how to reinforce a trailer tongue

15. September 2020 @ 14:19

This can only be achieved if all of the combined weight doesn’t exceed the manufactures recommended combined axle capacity. I'd honestly just run it. Well done. If your axle(s) is well set back from the center of the trailer you can get away with having a shorter tongue length (from the front of the chassis to the coupler). How can I stiffen it?It’s not uncommon to repurpose a trailer, or to find a reason for a trailer frame that needs new life. Oh well. Another place of intersection is where the tongue mounts into the frame. However, the generator doesn’t fit under any of the compartments on the travel trailer, and I tow with an SUV instead of a truck so there isn’t anywhere to store the generator. Based on what you say, sounds like you are correct in making changes. Test it by jumping up and down on a corner of the trailer, and see if ONE corner moves a lot more than the others.

If you’re light and flat, they do OK, but don’t ever approach the loading limits.I have a 20 ft rv trailer. Some good background reading is the article on Typically, the most flexible portion of the trailer frame is at bolted connections. This image shows a gusset installation on a beveled corner. All frames will flex a little, and that’s OK, but it should not be a lot.Note that round tube crossmembers are not as easy to connect to — like to bolt the bed material down. I had to go to 5 different stores, one store that did have it was blocked by their system from selling it to me. What about other projects from your site that may pique my interest?Do you need to weigh something really heavy but don’t have access to an industrial scale? This is a Large, Heavy Duty Frame with a Very High Stiffness Requirement. Bracing of the tongue adds vertical stiffness to the tongue section and should be used on trailers where the tongue length exceeds 1.5m or where the tongue section has been built using undersize material, particularly on square section steel (SHS) or similar tongues.The principle behind the brace is in effect similar to the truss arrangement of house roof supports and bridges - only upside down. Do or skip the steps as make sense for the function you want:A Tap and Die set is a near must for a DIY fab shop.

However, as noted above, welding is not the only way.Bolt-on gussets add both strength and stiffness, so if you don’t want to weld, add some bolt-on strengthening members. extending the frame about 7 feet.You possibly could extend the front of the trailer for a SXS BUT my only concern would be total tongue weight in comparison to what the nanugacture Intended. Maybe reinforce it if it makes you feel better. The information and stock is not quite flowing just yet but if people call around and give them the part number to check they can be had. The piece of angle iron that the tongue terminates perpendicularly on. You may consider moving the axkes forward a touch to make up for the extra tongue weight or possible even moving your fresh water tank to the rear of the trailer and keep some In it to help offset the added tongue weight. Tongue weight is simply the downward force that the trailer coupler places on the hitch ball and has to be between ten and fifteen percent of the gross trailer weight. They fill a light duty niche in the market with an inexpensive, functional product. I had a buddy weld in a 1/2 inch piece of square tubing 8 years ago, and it has been fine since. But I’d they don’t issue you a original owners cert as the counter your in for a pain apparently dealing with the Chinese manufacturerHad to call several stores…but finally found one in the Chicago market. See above for some simple bolting gusset ideas.

Adding support at key cross beams will strengthen and reinforce a trailer frame significantly. How can I strengthen a trailer frame? They’re great on trailer frames and just as necessary in avoiding Usually they are cut with 45° ends and welded in, but make the angle fit the need.It’s easy to make a bracket like this as a bolt-on by adding bolt tabs on each end, but bolting does negate some of the twist stiffening.If you have a choice and want a lot of bang for the buck to strengthen a trailer frame, weld in some like this.The beams of the frame also help with stiffness.

Squares of similar size give nearly the same torsional stiffening effect.Finally, continuous sides (especially when welded) will strengthen a trailer frame.It may be obvious, but the biggest stiffening effect for a trailer frame comes when it is welded rather than bolted — especially when reinforced with a few gussets. The type of coupler you choose for your trailer can affect the overall strength of the trailer tongue and chassis. Point loading like a tractor wheels is a much different use case than evenly distributed loading.

I had to reinforce 2 parts. You are right there. That is one aspect of how a trailer is stiff when jumping up and down on on corner.

You don’t have to reinforce every one, but definitely the ones that carry extra pressures or stresses. Gussets & Angle Braces to Strengthen A Trailer …

Don’t forget the hitch parts, and tongue jack.

How can I weigh heavy things — like my trailer frame — without a specialty scale? I have a great trailer, but it feels a bit flexy, maybe even rickety . What type, and do I need 110 or 220 volt?