Recent Frame/Tongue Mod.

DocRob804

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2015
Messages
164
Location
Maryland
I've seen a number of pictures of frames that bent at the tongue/I beam juncture. Some have stated to unload the weight distribution system prior to going into a construction area. This doesn't work!
You can't stop in the middle of a construction zone to adjust your hitch and my vehicle doesn't tow well without the weight distribution hitch engaged. How to fix the issue?
Replace the tongue, external braces, internal braces. Since my tongue wasn't bent at this point I elected to add reinforcement to the inside of the tongue. I've included some pictures but the procedure is straight forward if not simple.
1. Remove any bolts or screws going into the tongue, gas bottle rack, wiring supports, brake away switch.
2. Remove the end cap from the tongue. My front jacks had to be removed during the process.
3. Construct the proper size insert for the tongue members. I used a 1 1/2 square tube and a 1 1/2 by 3 tube. I then drove a 1/8 by 1 1/2 plate under them to get a tight fit. In theory a 1/4 plate should fit but with paint, rust, mill scale, etc. it won't fit. (I tried)
4. Weld the cap back on the end.
5. Drill and install the items you removed from the tongue at the start.
6. I added some additional weld beads to the tongue/ I beam junction.

While I was under the trailer I added supports between the spring hangers - like the lippert x factor. Also noted that I was about ready to loose my fresh water tank so I added some supports under the tank. 100_4469.jpg
 

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Interesting approach, thanks for the description and pictures. Let us know how it works out.
 

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