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 trailer/toungue extension		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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dwadle
1st Mate

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29 Posts
Initially Posted - 02/01/2006 :  10:52:25  Show Profile
When launching a 250k, is a toungue extension, helpful or needed? I know it depends on the ramp and tide, but overall, is it worth the expense and hassle of hooking it up etc..?

I have been trying to find a trailer for my boat, so that I can get it out of the water quickly if a Hurricaine approaches.

Thanks for any advice I can get.

dmw
david m. wadle
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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts
Response Posted - 02/01/2006 :  23:07:45  Show Profile
I'd say if it is a wing keel, the extension (or a rope launch) is vital. Without it, you can't get the trailer deep enough into the water. On my home ramp, I had to back my Durango until the rear bumper (and exhaust) was in the water to get the boat to float off, and that was WITH the extension.

I plan to add the third wheel/spare tire and use rope to launch and recover my boat in the future (see tech tips for more on this). The boat ramps where I live are a fairly shallow slope. If you have a very steep ramp, or your tow vehicle has a lot of ground clearance, the extension would probably be fine. But with no extension and no rope, no way...
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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts
Response Posted - 02/02/2006 :  04:30:12  Show Profile
I use a strap nearly every time it pull the boat. Just be carefull


NOT To Back the trailer PAST THE END OF THE RAMP!!!!!!!!

It is easy to do and does not make any friends at the boat ramp.

Tom.
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 02/02/2006 :  08:13:28  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
Once you figure out the tow rope method of launch and recovery it's easy. But beware! don't rely on the trailer tongue jack wheel to carry the load! We did, bent two of them (the 2nd is a 1,500 lb jack)

So that 5th wheel mod is a must in my opinion.

Our last launch recovery (everytrip) was with our new F150 and that managed just using the extension. However, we left the tongue extended all weekend attached to the truck. When we recovered the boat, we could not budge the extension back to the travel position, it seemed the extension tube had bent just enough. So we put chocks on the trailer wheels and used the truck to push the tongue back.
On return to the house, I checked the extension again, still would not move. But after a few days it was back to it's old self and moved without hassle. So I'm guessing the bend was minor and the weight of the tounge hanging out the back of the extension connectors was enough to remove the bend.
Next time we'll stow the extension before parking the trailer at the marina.

We spoke with the trailer manufacturers (prior to the bend incident) about a longer extension. I meassured it. The current tube is 11' long giving only a 33" extension (sounds nuts, but that's the way it is.) The longest tube that would fit the trailer is 15' and that would give almost 7' of extension.

Yep, the math sounds off. The reason for the disparity is that the existing tube front is set back a good way from the tip of the road tongue, the front of the longer tube would end up being only 2" aft of the road tongue.

But after the bent tongue incident I scrapped that idea as it would be much easier to bend the longer tube.

I'm curious to know what extension other trailer designs provide.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.