correcting bent trailer tongue

[2manyrocks]

I just bought a light 5x8 trailer realizing that the tongue needs repair. The trailer tows straight as an arrow even though someone put too much weight in the front and bent the main tongue channel. It's a 2x3x1/8 U channel, and someone evidently tried to fix it by chopping off part of it, and welding a 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 square tube into the channel without addressing the obvious bend in the channel itself.

I laid a piece of 2x4 on top of the floor so you can see the extent to which there's a bend. I'm also going to have to get the rails pushed back up or cut them out and reweld them, too.

Before tearing into this, I'd appreciate some input.

I'm thinking the whole tongue/channel/angles (bent too) need to be replaced. Probably go back with 2x3 11 gauge tube if I can find it.

I was sort of thinking about cutting out the entire channel with a metal blade in an old circular saw and/or a cutting disk in my angle grinder. I don't have a torch. I am hoping the circular saw will have enough depth of cut to get most of it out.

How much extra aggravation would it be to try to weld the new tongue back in from underneath instead of flipping the trailer on its top and laying the new piece in that way? It's a relatively light trailer, but I'd just as soon not have to remove the tires and try to flip it over if I can avoid it. If it needs to be flipped over, I'd probably have to do it with an engine hoist as that's what I have to work with.

 

[Shield Arc]

You realize they don't turn those battle ships over to weld on them.

If you really think about it, over head is no different than flat. It's just a mental block by some.

 

[Omar08]

I do agree on your point.

 

[rrrkkk]

Looks like you need a bottle jack and a log chain, to me.

 

[2manyrocks]

So I would connect one end of the chain to the front of the tongue and the other end to the back and then use the bottle jack under the bend to straighten this?

 

[whiskywizard]

to weld the new tongue back in from underneath instead of flipping the trailer on its top and laying the new piece in that way? It's a relatively light trailer, but I'd just as soon not have to remove the tires and try to flip it over if I can avoid it. If it needs to be flipped over, I'd probably have to do it with an engine hoist as that's what I have to work with.

If you decide to avoid the overhead weld, and do want to flip the trailer, don't try to roll it sideways. Instead, block the rear of the frame up and lift the tongue up high. You can easily get to a point where your welds are vertical instead of overhead.

 

[rrrkkk]

So I would connect one end of the chain to the front of the tongue and the other end to the back and then use the bottle jack under the bend to straighten this?

Yes i think you said it is a channel iron tongue, you may need a support or filler inside the channel. I have fixed many this way.

 

[tcreeley]

I think you said it pulled straight. Why not just leave it?

 

[deereman75]

Have you considered bashing it into shape with a big sledge hammer.:laughing:

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

You realize they don't turn those battle ships over to weld on them.

If you really think about it, over head is no different than flat. It's just a mental block by some.

Until the slag rolls down your back and into your buttcrack.:laughing: