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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

trailer tongue exstentions- please add

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/23/2006 : 21:18:31

Wow! Trailer extensions are very common. So much so that there are a million variations. Here is the one on my current 25. It sits off center while rolling then is placed in the big square tube at the front when you are ready to launch.

Here is a double length one on my new trailer, it has it's own dolly wheels to support the tongue. (see the shafts sans wheels?) It uses the hitch rather than a connecting tube like the first one.

Here is one on a trailrite that rides under the trailer and simply pulls out.

This is the one from an early trailrite that travels in its sleeve and slides forward. Note most are not directly inline with the centerline of the trailer.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2006 : 22:53:45

I have the extension on the C250WK stock trailer. But the concept of one that was long enough to require wheels was new to me. Still is, I would like to hear more how they are used. I would think an extension that long would be really heavy, I don't enjoy lifting the one I have...

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2006 : 23:11:01

I've got the extension like the bottom picture - the trailrite.
I've had nothing but grief getting mine to slide in and out of its sleeve.
I've soaked it in WD40 then scraped it clean, then greased it up with white grease...all with poor results.I've spent hours swinging a heavy sledge hammer getting the tongue extension in and out.
I've launched my C25 SK both with the tongue extended and without it - its certainly preferable with the tongue extended.

The problem is flex. While fully extended it must have flexed and consequently has a slight bend to it. Any suggestions on how to fix this would be appreciated. I've thought of installing a launch wheel so I don't have to use it. I've considered removing the sleeve and having some suitably sized u-bolts installed.
Any suggestions?

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2006 : 23:43:29

Hey! That's my boat!

Well, before it was mine.

Turk

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Here is one on a trailrite that rides under the trailer and simply pulls out.

Edited by - Turk on 02/23/2006 23:46:36

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 01:20:59

I've got the same set up as Turk, only mine was added by me to the trailer I bought with the boat. I don't have to heave the thing into place it just slides back and forth. Getting the pin in and the hitch attached is more of an issue but only when I am doing it myself. A friend did warn me about turning the trailer the tongue extended so I try and only pull the loaded trailer in a straight line before I slide it back into place.

Mike, I don't know if it is possible to bend the tube back straight. You might be less frustrated replacing the tube. Also the problem with grease is dirt and dust stick to it and then it makes it even harder to slide the tube the next time. Try the spray silicon or track lube. I use it on my sail slugs and all my blocks. You may have to reapply each time you want to slide but it just takes a few seconds and leaves no mess behind.

On my home page I have a few photos of my trailer' extension and the boat being launched but they don't add to Frank's great collection here.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 05:40:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tmhansen
Mike, I don't know if it is possible to bend the tube back straight. You might be less frustrated replacing the tube. Also the problem with grease is dirt and dust stick to it and then it makes it even harder to slide the tube the next time. Try the spray silicon or track lube. I use it on my sail slugs and all my blocks. You may have to reapply each time you want to slide but it just takes a few seconds and leaves no mess behind.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I would think twice about using any kind of grease. Spray Silicon might be a better choice. I use something that I use on my Catapillar 416 backhoe with an Extend-a-hoe". It is a spray can of graphite paint. It comes out dark grey and dries completely to the touch. It does not come off easily and forms a coating that stops all wear. Used on the extend-a-hoe (the part that slides out of the boom) which has no bearings. It does not scrape off like regular paint will. Get it from your local Catapillar dealer for about $7 I think.

Bent tube? I could use my backhoe to straighten it!

Edited by - Turk on 02/24/2006 05:43:01

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 09:22:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I would think twice about using any kind of grease... with an "Extend-a-hoe".<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You can't make stuff like that up.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 02/24/2006 09:28:23

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 09:46:12

Come to think of it, the word 'hoe' did come up while I was swinging that sledge hammer.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 10:14:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I would think twice about using any kind of grease... with an "Extend-a-hoe".<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You can't make stuff like that up.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ah - - and I love her dearly!

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 11:52:26

I have an Ideal trailer that has the extension on the centerline and part of the hitch/brake actuator. I had trouble with binding initially as well, but discovered that if you raise the trailor with your trailor jack until the flex is removed it slides fairly easily by hand or, you can block the wheels and back it in with your truck. End of problem.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 11:54:46

In the early 90s I started a final grade business. I bought a Ford 1920 with front loader, box blade, and oversized landscapping rear wheels. It was on an amazing trailer that had hydraulic rams that lowered the aft third of the trailer as a ramp. I had it about three weeks, had one job done and the entire rig was stolen; everything except my K-30 truck, (anyone know what that is?). I decided I was not meant to be in the dirt biz. I sure enjoyed it though, there is a lot of satifaction in doing that sort of thing right.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 02/27/2006 06:40:31

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 12:27:25

Here's a shot of my trailer extension.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 13:33:21

Tom, can you provide a photo of your launch wheel...or whatever it is that you use with that flexible extension?

Thank you

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 16:26:09

Here's a link to my launch wheel setup.

[url="http://webpages.charter.net/potterhouse/my%20web/page12.html"]Launch Wheel[/url]

Edited by - Tom Potter on 02/24/2006 17:48:18

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 17:38:04

Here is the link to my "beyond simple" approach. It was worked perfectly for a dozen trips on the ramp. I was worried about the wheel bouncing on something going down the road, but have had zero issues.

http://www.geocities.com/atgep/trailermods.html

Tom.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 17:44:34

Tom, I'm always looking for a ways to improve my set up, I like the simplicity of yours. How far is your tire off the ground when the trailer is level.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 17:44:48

you must use the "reply to topic" instead of the "quick reply" The look at format mode, where it says "basic" click and hold on the Drop down menu and pick "prompt" then when you click on the URL button to insert a URL you will get two dialog boxes in succession, the first dialog box is what you want us to see, the second dialog box is the real URL.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 17:49:11

Thanks Frank... u da man!

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2006 : 21:38:10

It it about 2 inches below the skid on the tounge. It means the trailer will roll easily then it is not hooked up. That is good and bad. Either way, I will never go without a rolling wheel.

Tom.

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