How To Make Boat Trailer Tongue Shorter To Fit In A Garage

Question:

Good day! I had to cut the neck of my boat trailer off so it would fit into my garage. I am exploring options how to fix my trailer to now get the boat out of the garage. I cut off approximately 12inch of trailer neck. I see two options. 1. Buy a Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit 3x4. This will reconnect my trailer to the channel and coupler side I cut off. It will also allow to fold-away and allow the boat to continue to fit in the garage. 2. Buy a Brophy Trailer Ball Mount BM20. Buy a Curt Straight Tongue Trailer Coupler. I can attach the coupler directly to the boat trailer. The extra length of the ball mount will make up for the portion I cut off my trailer. I have a dual axle trailer pulling a 20, 3,500lb inboard outboard. Which option would be the most durable, reliable? Thank you.

asked by: Brad

Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help!

Personally I would go with the Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit for 3" x 4" Tongue - Bolt On - Up to 7,000 lbs # FHDPB340301 since you are only adding 12" of pivot length. At that length you will still have the full weight rating of the coupler so it will be plenty strong for your trailer, but will also allow you to make the trailer as short as possible to fit in your garage or any other tight places.

While using the Brophy Ball Mount # BM20 and installing a standard coupler like the Curt QuickPin No-Latch Trailer Coupler for 2" Ball - 3" Channel - 3,500 lbs # C54UR you mentioned would work, it would add more length to the front of the trailer.

I included a video of the # FHDPB340301 for you to take a look at.