Removable/Swing-Away Tongue

[Shane826]

Hello-
I finally got my Andersen WDH set up, so now we are on to modifying the tongue. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how thick the plate is that goes across the A-frame (guessing 1/2-5/8") and how deep the C-channel is on top and bottom of the swing-away tongue... In other words, I need dimensions of the C-channel and the plate it butts up against.

Here's what I have in mind, post #12, except I have the horizontal tanks so my break won't be quite so far back... Second pic shows the C-channel I need dimensions for. Thanks to markandanne.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...welding&page=2

Thanks!

[Bill]

I cannot speak to the present configuration, except to say that your fabricators should be sure that the C-channel in Figure 3 is actually a C-channel, and not a pair of L-channels. For a while, TM used a pair of L-channels - not good, as it turns out.

I just measured the hitch on my TM, and both the backing plate and the L-channels are 1/4" thick. Several years ago I had my hitch rewelded to fix some cracks, but I don't think the welders changed the basic material.

Take a look at the two photos in post #15 here. Although this isn't my trailer, the pics show how my swing hitch was constructed with a pair of L-channels.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=16081

Bill

[Shane826]

Thanks Bill. Surprising that it's only 1/4". Ironically the pics you linked to in post #15 (2 clicks, does that make sense?) showing a true C-channel is the same pics I linked to above. I did read elsewhere that 2 L-channels didn't work out so well.

How "deep" is the C-channel? In other words, how deep are the horizontal sections on the top and bottom that extends over the rear frame?

[scrubjaysnest]

We had the "L" that made up our swing hitch.....failure waiting to happen. Took to a welding shop and got rid of the swing hitch. Part of the removal was a 1/4 in plate on the back side of the "L's".

Pics are here :http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...5&postcount=13

[Padgett]

If that was a running change, does anyone know why/when. Are you sure that it was factory ? (seems more like something that dealer lacking proper tooling might do).

My '06 has a C channel.

[Bill]

Shane -

I'm not sure that 1/4" is too thin. The problem (my opinion only) is that the use of a pair of L-channels concentrated the forces into the area where the two L-channels almost abut. I could be wrong about that, though - if you have a competent welder, get him to confirm.

On my TM, the overall dimension across the top of the L-channel is 2". I assume that the dimension of a proper C-channel would be the same, but again I don't really know.

Padgett -

I always assumed that my swing tongue was factory-fabbed, but I guess I don't know that for sure. My TM came from Custom RV, and they are certainly capable of fabricating one in their shop.

By the way, I'm having trouble getting oriented in your picture. If the swing hitch is closed, then the areas where the two L-channels meet can be seen only from the direction of the jackstem. If you look at it from the area of the propane tanks, then the seam is covered by the reinforcing plate across the front of the rear frame.

Bill

[Shane826]

Bill-
If 1/4" is what they have always used, I'm sure its plenty strong. I personally have no idea how strong 1/4" steel is...

On Padgett's photo I think that pic was taken from near the (guessing horizontal?) propane tanks looking forward. You can see the tongue jack in the background and the safety cables look to be biased away from the camera, which would be towards the front.

Speaking of safety cables, is that what all TMs use? I had never seen cables, only chains. I was considering upgrading to chains when we do the removable tongue... But if they all use cables, I may stick with that as they look much cleaner.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Shane826

On Padgett's photo I think that pic was taken from near the (guessing horizontal?) propane tanks looking forward.

I agree. And from that vanatge point, you can't see whether the hitch is made of a pair of L-channels or a single C-channel. All you can see if the single 1/4" plate that covers and binds the cut front edges of the frame members.

Speaking of safety cables, is that what all TMs use? I had never seen cables, only chains. I was considering upgrading to chains when we do the removable tongue... But if they all use cables, I may stick with that as they look much cleaner.

I believe that the deal is this. Somebofdy's rule or lawa say that the safety chains or cables must be attached to solid frame members, behind any cuts in the frame - in other words, behind the swing hitch. You can see this in Padgett's photo. The attachment point is actually quite a ways behind the hitch ball. If you used chains for the attachment, those long chains would tend to sag down and drag on the road. By contrast, the springy cables tend to pick themselves up off the road surface.

I perosnally hate the cables - but I have 'em.

Bill

[Kidkraz]

Bill, not sure if you can see on mine it's two L brackets welded together. You should be able to see the seem.

[Bill]

KidKraz -

Yes, I can see the seam just to the left of the clip that holds the breakaway cable. Since yours is a 2013 model, that answers the question of whether there was a factory change-out in the manufacturing process. I wonder what they did to stiffen the assembly?

Bill