trailer help

[prop check]

Does anybody know if a competitive trailer can have the tongue rewelded safely or if the whole trailer should be scrapped?
My buddy has a 21 foot Eliminator and his snapped coming home from the Lake. My dad also had his snap in the same place on his 24 foot Howard. Both trailers are Competitive and snapped at the same spot.

[DansBlown73Nordic]

Where did it snap off? I have one of those trailers....:eek:

[gramps]

Instead of just welding the break I would put a piece of steel in that runs at least a foot longer on each side of the break to reinforce the area.

[SuperWrench0166]

cut the old tube out and weld in new tube thats thicker

[Cheap Thrills]

heres how I have repaired a few trailer toungs .
if it's like 2.5 "x 0.25" square tube you can take a piece of 2.0" OD. square tubind and insert it into the 2.5 " tubing a foot or so into the trailer end then weld a bead to that part.
Then slide the remaining 2,5" (hitch end )
over the 2.0"OD. and weld it . one things for sure , if it ever breaks again I serously doubt it's going to break at the repair.
Hope that helps.
good luck with it .
C.T. :wink:

[prop check]

Thank you, for the input from all it sounds like these mishaps are nothing new so I will direct my buddy to a local welder to repair his trailer.

[Evo22]

hey call the guys up at INTERTECH CUSTOM TRAILERS (661)286-9997 ask for brian or alan they are in valencia and can fix it or build ya a new one

[LUVNLIFE]

Hey Evo is that shop in the Santa Clarita area? I need a few parts and possibly a removable tongue. For the boat trailer that is.:D

[Dr. Eagle]

Originally posted by SuperWrench0166
cut the old tube out and weld in new tube thats thicker
Gotta agree with this one... don't do any mickey mouse patches on that kind of a break. Weld in a new thicker walled tube and problem goes away!

[ahhell]

got pix of the break??? I got a competative trailer and would REALLY LIKE TO KNOW!!!! time to inspect, or reinforce???

[Dr. Eagle]

Is the break just forward of where the A frame comes together?

[prop check]

Both breaks are in front of the trailer jack, but to the rear of the brake actuators. the two trailers are totally different but snapped in the same area. my dads was six inch square tube triple axle and my friends is four inch square tandem axle. The breaks came from the bottom up.

[Nubbs]

Originally posted by Dr. Eagle
Gotta agree with this one... don't do any mickey mouse patches on that kind of a break. Weld in a new thicker walled tube and problem goes away!
I'm gonna disagree with ya'll on this one.:D A thick wall tube welded to a thin wall tube will not be any stronger than the thin wall tube. In fact, the joint will be a weak spot due to the heat affected zone. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. However, if you take Cheap Thrills recommendation of inserting a smaller tube inside the original tube, the joint will be stronger. Why don't you call Competitive and see if they'll help you out. They're in Bellflower. Good luck. I'd like to see some pics if you have any.
Nubbs

[Dr. Eagle]

Originally posted by Nubbs
I'm gonna disagree with ya'll on this one.:D A thick wall tube welded to a thin wall tube will not be any stronger than the thin wall tube. In fact, the joint will be a weak spot due to the heat affected zone. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. However, if you take Cheap Thrills recommendation of inserting a smaller tube inside the original tube, the joint will be stronger. Why don't you call Competitive and see if they'll help you out. They're in Bellflower. Good luck. I'd like to see some pics if you have any.
Nubbs
Good point nubbs, but I am gonna go out on a limb and bet the problem is at least in part from corrosion inside the tube weakening the structure. There is no good reason for that tube to fold in a "like new' condition. If it were me, I'd replace the Whole tube not just patch it with a sleeve slipped inside... Just MHO...

[HCS]

I got your guys tube hangin.
Replace it. That's the only way it will stand erect!

[Dr. Eagle]

Originally posted by HARDCORE-SKI
I got your guys tube hangin.
Replace it. That's the only way it will stand erect!
Sort of VIAGRA for a trailer...