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Author Topic:   Trade Swing-tongue Trailer For Fixed-tongue

jaymoussy posted 06-16-2015 05:13 PM ET (US)
I know [it] is my second outing, but backing the trailer on ramp is very difficult for me. And today's ramp access road had a quirky small twsit to it. This Karavan trailer of mine has a the common Fulton swing-tongue, and I do not think I will ever use it as intended. Would it make sense to trade it for a longer trailer with a fixed-tongue, for easier trailer maneuvering? Or, keep trailer as-is but add an extender before taking position to ramp?
contender posted 06-16-2015 05:26 PM ET (US)
If you plan on changing out the Fulton tongue you can do it two ways. One--the way I would do it--replace the tongue with a single piece of galvanized box-beam longer, to your specifications. Two--you remove the hitch part of the Fulton swing-away and have an piece fabricated to fit inside the current box beam. It would have [to] fit inside about a foot. Drill two 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch bolts through both boxes. You then cut the tongue to length. Doing it this way you could always go back to your Fulton swing-away if needed.
jimh posted 06-16-2015 07:31 PM ET (US)
Before you turn your trailer into some sort of Frankenstein-trailer, perhaps spend more time practicing backing up with the trailer.
Qtrmeg posted 06-17-2015 07:47 AM ET (US)
Longer trailers are easier to back up than shorter ones but I doubt adding a little length will make much of a difference.
There is a "trick" that will help backing up a trailer. Hold your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, when you want the trailer to move left move your hand left. Go slow and don't make radical movements.
Jefecinco posted 06-17-2015 09:46 AM ET (US)
Why trade your folding tongue trailer? It will make no improvement in your backing ability.
I hope you are leaving the tongue locked in place while towing/backing. The feature is only to shorten the tongue for storage.
If you want a longer reach for your trailer hitch extenders are available for small money. I bought one from Harbor Freight for around $20 a few years ago. I use it for shallow ramps to avoid the need to back my truck into the water. It's very useful but changes the geometry enough to require a little changing in backing strategy.
Keep practicing trailer maneuvering at an empty parking lot on Sundays.
Butch
contender posted 06-17-2015 05:12 PM ET (US)
Removing the front 1/2 of the fulton and replacing it with an insert does not turn the trailer into a frankenstien look. However, Jefecinco makes a good point extend the trailer hitch, easier fix...
cleep1700 posted 06-17-2015 05:37 PM ET (US)
Backing a trailer was a little intimidating for me in the beginning, and I would expect that everybody passes through that passage when learning. Practicing on ramps with low traffic during the week has helped. That said, my trailer has a Fulton folding tongue and I haven't had a problem with it when launching and retrieving. Is there something that I am missing?
Craig in windy Kansas just back from two weeks in Colorado fishing from my 15'
tedious posted 06-18-2015 09:07 AM ET (US)
Jay, you'll get the hang of it. Go to a school or store parking lot and practice when it's empty - you'll soon get the hang of it.
Everyone goes through this - some are better than others, but there are always times when you're going to have to stop, pull forward again to straighten out, and start over.
I don't know if you have, or have a buddy with, a garden tractor and cart, but those are REALLY hard to back as the wheelbases are so short. Practice with those until you can back all around the yard, and then the trailer will seem easy.
Tim

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Author	Topic: Trade Swing-tongue Trailer For Fixed-tongue
jaymoussy	posted 06-16-2015 05:13 PM ET (US) I know [it] is my second outing, but backing the trailer on ramp is very difficult for me. And today's ramp access road had a quirky small twsit to it. This Karavan trailer of mine has a the common Fulton swing-tongue, and I do not think I will ever use it as intended. Would it make sense to trade it for a longer trailer with a fixed-tongue, for easier trailer maneuvering? Or, keep trailer as-is but add an extender before taking position to ramp?
contender	posted 06-16-2015 05:26 PM ET (US) If you plan on changing out the Fulton tongue you can do it two ways. One--the way I would do it--replace the tongue with a single piece of galvanized box-beam longer, to your specifications. Two--you remove the hitch part of the Fulton swing-away and have an piece fabricated to fit inside the current box beam. It would have [to] fit inside about a foot. Drill two 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch bolts through both boxes. You then cut the tongue to length. Doing it this way you could always go back to your Fulton swing-away if needed.
jimh	posted 06-16-2015 07:31 PM ET (US) Before you turn your trailer into some sort of Frankenstein-trailer, perhaps spend more time practicing backing up with the trailer.
Qtrmeg	posted 06-17-2015 07:47 AM ET (US) Longer trailers are easier to back up than shorter ones but I doubt adding a little length will make much of a difference. There is a "trick" that will help backing up a trailer. Hold your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, when you want the trailer to move left move your hand left. Go slow and don't make radical movements.
Jefecinco	posted 06-17-2015 09:46 AM ET (US) Why trade your folding tongue trailer? It will make no improvement in your backing ability. I hope you are leaving the tongue locked in place while towing/backing. The feature is only to shorten the tongue for storage. If you want a longer reach for your trailer hitch extenders are available for small money. I bought one from Harbor Freight for around $20 a few years ago. I use it for shallow ramps to avoid the need to back my truck into the water. It's very useful but changes the geometry enough to require a little changing in backing strategy. Keep practicing trailer maneuvering at an empty parking lot on Sundays. Butch
contender	posted 06-17-2015 05:12 PM ET (US) Removing the front 1/2 of the fulton and replacing it with an insert does not turn the trailer into a frankenstien look. However, Jefecinco makes a good point extend the trailer hitch, easier fix...
cleep1700	posted 06-17-2015 05:37 PM ET (US) Backing a trailer was a little intimidating for me in the beginning, and I would expect that everybody passes through that passage when learning. Practicing on ramps with low traffic during the week has helped. That said, my trailer has a Fulton folding tongue and I haven't had a problem with it when launching and retrieving. Is there something that I am missing? Craig in windy Kansas just back from two weeks in Colorado fishing from my 15'
tedious	posted 06-18-2015 09:07 AM ET (US) Jay, you'll get the hang of it. Go to a school or store parking lot and practice when it's empty - you'll soon get the hang of it. Everyone goes through this - some are better than others, but there are always times when you're going to have to stop, pull forward again to straighten out, and start over. I don't know if you have, or have a buddy with, a garden tractor and cart, but those are REALLY hard to back as the wheelbases are so short. Practice with those until you can back all around the yard, and then the trailer will seem easy. Tim