Quote:
Originally Posted by jrollf
Thought about this... I worry about the added stress to the trailer tongue as it was not designed for the added moment arm.
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i do agree that most manufacturer's use to light of trailer frames! i believe its to shave weight and cost. i also agree that some cannot handle any additional loads. in some cases a wdh alone can fold one.
i posted this as i would like to hear all thoughts on the subject.
now, having said that, i can imagine this design 2 ways. i can see this adding more tw as it does stretch over all length 2' 7.5" to 4' depending on long/standard/short box. to me ( just my opinion based on other applications) i see the lower arm attachment point as a stiffener. the last point of connection is where the load will be applied. in other words, if you have a 4' long tongue, between the ball and the first weld is the bending moment. if the welds fail for what ever reason ( frame wiggle, bad welds, to thin of metal used, over all poor design) it will fold at the weakest point. if the weld fails then that torn section becomes the weakest point.
with the lower arm connecting that far back , to me it would move that bow/bend location. now if the tongue is too weak to begin with, then even a wdh will break it....again imo. if i were to add this i would def plate the sides of my 2x6" tongue with some hot 50 .125" steel plate. i would only do 1 side, overlapping the first welded section of the tongue. from the hitch back, that first weld. 5.5" tall plate should strengthen that tongue. i do believ mine is heavy enough wall and wouldn't need to but i would need to verify that for sure.
no matter what frame failure, lci will say its the manufacturers fault and the manufacturer will say its lci's fault.
just a thought and i would like to read everyones thoughts.