Trailer coupler

[clee4020]

Is there a need in welding the under side of the coupler. The original one was and it took a lot of work to get it off. I would not want to go thru that again.

 

[yomax4]

I have never welded the bottom but you can drill a hole on each tongue tube ( about where the red tape is ) and just go deep enough to make it most of the way through the coupler.. Then burn a hot weld in each hole until full of weld. Just gives you piece of mind. Or drill through and add bolts.

 

[Shield Arc]

I would! I would put about 2-inches on each side, as close to the front / truck end as you can. It's a leverage thing.

 

[clee4020]

I put a few tacks on the under side and I think I'll drill a hole on each side and use bolts. I might use the bolts to attach the safety chains back on. Here is what it looked like when I started.

 

[Shield Arc]

I just had to go through the same thing a few months ago with a friends galvanized boat trailer. The tongue was a single 2" x 3" x .095 wall thickness rectangular tube. 8-feet before it came to any bracing. The trailer came off the ball, and buckled the rectangular tube, and coupler. I inserted into the rectangular tube 10-feet of 2" x 2" solid square stock, and plug welded it to the tube, along with a new section of tube, and a new coupler.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I've put up a couple videos on this subject. Typically, If you are welding, the bottom should be welded because that is where the weight is concentrated, and no other way to hold it on very well if no bolts are being used. The weight is concentrated and transferred to the bottom.
Everlast Trailer Project Build Part 3: Adding the hitch. - YouTube
How To Make a Plug Weld With a MIG Welder (When Replacing a Trailer Hitch Coupler) - YouTube

 

[Shield Arc]

Mark in the first video, it's obvious you don't know what you're doing when welding the coupler on! Because you did it the same way I did my buddy's trailer coupler, except I didn't weld all the way on the bottom.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Well the seam is there, and once you have the top side welded, why not weld it solid?

 

[chopped]

Great Video...thanks

 

[Shield Arc]

Well the seam is there, and once you have the top side welded, why not weld it solid?

A trailer with any kind of tongue weight I would have done just like you did. My buddy's trailer carries a 12-feet long aluminum boat, with a 40-HP Yamaha outboard on the back:shocked:, before I put the square stock inside the rectangular tube I'll bet there wasn't 40-pounds of tongue weight. I figured the plug welds were more than enough, but felt better with some weld on the bottom.

 

[Papasmirf]

I've changed probably 16 trailer couplers and I've welded all of them top and bottom. If you do not weld the bottom and large backward and upward force will tear the coupler up and maybe even off.

 

[clee4020]

This one is 6x14 single axle trailer. This is the first light duty trailer that was welded top and bottom.

 

[Papasmirf]

I have a 18', 16', 10' and all three are all welded. I've purchased all from the same company at Asher, Ok. These guys make a fine trailer. They also make some a little "cheaper" but all the couplers are welded. Not tacks, bolts. Welded.
Happy New Year to each of you.

 

[Arc weld]

I think the A frame couplers are designed to be welded across the back on the top and under the rolled lip on each side. The rolled lip makes for good penetration and strength. It's easiest to weld by flipping the trailer or tongue over.

 

[Papasmirf]

I agree with Arc Weld. Again, if you only weld across the top, you essentially make a "hinge" of that weld. It will only take a force slightly greater than the tinsel strength of the welding rod you use to break the weld and the coupler will hinge up and now an emergency situation.
Happy New Year to all!

 

[clee4020]

If you look at the first pic, I welded across the top then down sides and under the rolled up lip on the sides. I also put a few tacks under red sticker.

 

[yomax4]

Most boat trailers are simply bolted on. I like to add some weld for insurance. It sucks to get under there and weld the underside but it's all about not having to do it again.

 

[Arc weld]

Or losing your boat.

 

[chad22]

When I welded the trailer coupler to my towable backhoe I welded both the top and bottom of it.

I'm sure just welding it at the top on the back of it and at the top and side holes would of held it. But I wanted to make sure the coupler wouldn't come undone.

Chad

 

[clee4020]

Update...When I bought the trailer from a buddy it had a slight bend in the tongue from where he jackknifed the trailer while backing it up (you can see that in the orginal pic) That always bugged me so while had the coupler off I straightened the A-Frame. Then I welded across the top then down sides and under the rolled up lip on the sides, I welded underneath where I could. I meant to weld the safety chains on but remembered after I painted so I bolted them on. While I had the trailer in the shop I did a few mods. I built a tongue box out and added a sidewind bulldog jack. I never like the original jack because it would drag when I cross ditches. Also added jack mounts to each side of the trailer behind the axle when I have a flat.