Swing-a-way tongue

[blakjack23]

My new boat doesn't quite fit as expected and I need to do something so it is not taking up two garage spaces. I am thinking about buying this kit and putting it on.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200312036&R=200312036

Has any body ever done this? Anything I might need to know before doing it myself? Or for that matter, does anybody know anywhere that will put on a swing tongue? I called like 7 places already and nobody does it so I figured I'll be doing it myself. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Norsky]

I had the same problem, but I just cut off about 2 feet of the tongue and rebolted the hitch back on, leaving plenty room of course for the boat to turn side to side while on the road. It was a karavan trailer and the front of it seemed very long for some reason, I've done fine without the added length.

[blakjack23]

Thanks Norsky. Unfortunately my boat is 18'3" and I can't afford to actually take away any of the tongue length, because like you mentioned, I wouldn't have enough length to turn if it were any shorter. Thats why I figured I would try and put on this swing kit, I need the trailer to be the same length, I just need to be able to shorten it when not in use.

[Macgyver55]

I helped my neighbor put his on. It isn't too hard as long as you have the necessary tools, and a free afternoon. The toughest part is actually cutting the tongue itself. After that it's just drilling and bolting.

[blakjack23]

Mac, what did you use to cut the tongue? I don't have alot of stuff so I was just thinking about buying a hack saw. Other then that I should have the necessary drill bits and rachets.

[unclejake]

Hacksaw?!! You kidding? You got to have a neighber that has at least a saw-zal or something. Maybe a cutting torch even. If not...give you a good reason to go buy one...if it's in the budget.

Or maybe you could drill little holes all around the tongue...then use the hacksaw to cut through them...might help a little.

Good luck...that looks like it will work well once you get it installed.

[Macgyver55]

I have a Sawzall, we used that. A hack saw will take a while but hey, if thats what you have it'll work fine. Maybe a little slower but way cheaper. Just get a couple good blades and don't rush it. With a good blade it won't be that bad. Once you get it cut the rest is easy. You could rent a saw or something if time is a factor, but a little manual labor won't hurt. Just remember once you start there is no turning back. Allow enough time for a back up plan.

Us old guys used to have to do everything the hard way.

[marine_man]

The other thing you could do would be to talk to your dealer and have him order you a swing away tongue and install it yourself... which would replace the existing tongue... I thought that cabelas used to have them as well, but I didn't see it online...

marine_man

[lawdog]

I'm with Uncle Jake on this. A hack saw on a trailer tongue would probably be a good hour of sawing wouldn't it?

Have a grinder that you can use a cut off wheel with? That would work. A Sawzall would be MUCH beter than a hack saw.

[blakjack23]

Good news, I just found out a co-worker of mine has a sawzall that he is going to let me borrow. That should save some time.

Marine Man, I think you can only swap tongues on ShoreLandr's. My Tracker trailer is one piece, all welded.

Thanks for all the info and input everyone.

[TSCTSC]

I have also seen the Fulton Swing Tongue being sold at Mills Fleet Farm. You could go there and check out the specs and the price.