Buying a new house and would love to keep my boat in the garage but it’s 20’ and my trailer/boat is just over 22’. I was going to add a folding trailer tongue but my trailer is aluminum and all the Fulton kits say “steel trailer only.” I guess the pin holes have a tendency to round out. I’m open to making it removable if that’s the only way to work it.
Have any of you faced the same issue with an aluminum trailer? Any recommended aluminum fab/welders in the North strand area?
Thanks for any advice.
I’ve installed a few on steel trailers, but never on an alum. one. As much as I’d like to say I could fab something up, I would feel much better installing something that was specifically designed for that purpose. Sorry.
I did a search and this is what I found:
"Why Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit NOT Recommended for Aluminum Trailer Frames
Question:
why does the fulton fold away coupler not work on an Aluminum trailer?
asked by: James C
Expert Reply:
I spoke with my contact in the Tech Services department at Fulton, who explained that Aluminum trailer frames have a greater wall thickness than a steel frame. The bolts that attach the hinge to the trailer frame have a large diameter shoulder which acts like a rivet, holding the parts together very tightly. Since an aluminum trailer frame has a greater wall thickness, the shoulder won’t have contact all the way through the metal, resulting in a looser fit.
This is why they don’t recommend using the hinge kit on aluminum trailer frames."</font id=“red”>
It seems to me that if one could get a bolt with a longer shoulder to allow for the thicker wall of the alum. tube, it could be done. Having said that, it would probably be best to contact Fulton to see if they have a solution.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
E Z Loader lists them for sale as a part, the information is not very descriptive though it has “al” in front of the part number which usually means aluminum.Maybe call them ?
Is the tongue of the trailer not steel? I thought most aluminum boat trailers still used a galvanized steel tongue. That would be where the swing tongue would mount.
Can do like a friend of mine, he moved the back wall. Another idea, (can’t find the **** pic), but the guy cut his garage door. Made the piece under the tongue hinged so it would move when the door opener was activated. Guy did a heck of job on it, and beat the hell out of his HOA over it. And no that isn’t a double win that is like a triple or better.
Geeze, y’all are making this a whole lot more difficult than it has to be. Just cut two feet out of the center of the boat being careful of the graphics and pinstripe then 5200 it back together. Maybe wash and wax after the 5200 cures. Bingo, your boat now fits in the garage.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
Why wouldn’t a telescopic tongue work? If your tongue is 4x4 tube, remove it and replace it with a 5x5 tube. Slide the original tube in and out when needed or not needed. When the boat is sitting in the garage, just remove the entire tongue, winch and all. Kinda the same principle as a receiver hitch.
Is the tongue of the trailer not steel? I thought most aluminum boat trailers still used a galvanized steel tongue. That would be where the swing tongue would mount.
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^^^this…I have an AL trailer with galvanized tongue piece bolted into the trailer…swing kit on tongue piece = 16’ CC Sea Fox fitting in my 19’-1" garage with 1" to spare…
I assumed the tongue was aluminum because it looks the same as the rest of the trailer. I guess I’ll have to do a grinder check for sparks. Moving in today so will have to hold on this project a few days. Doesn’t look like there is an easy answer.
-No need to get out the grinder. Just take your pocket knife, a nail, or something hard & semi-sharp, and scratch it. Aluminum is a lot softer than steel, so you should be able to tell right away.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
