Swing-Away Tongue

[Leslie & Nick]

Hi everyone -We just purchased a 2002 2619 TM. Everything seemed to work fine during our first 500 mile trip. One question I had was regarding the swing-away tongue. We were able to fit the trailer into the garage but it's a tight fit. I could certainly use the extrta two feet that could be gained by swinging the tongue to one side. How exactly is this done? Unless I missed it, I could not find any information in the owner's manual. Looking at the setup tells me I would first need to first get the weight off of the caster wheel, using the leveling jacks. Is this the right procedure? Thanks for any advice.

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by Leslie & Nick

Hi everyone -We just purchased a 2002 2619 TM. Everything seemed to work fine during our first 500 mile trip. One question I had was regarding the swing-away tongue. We were able to fit the trailer into the garage but it's a tight fit. I could certainly use the extrta two feet that could be gained by swinging the tongue to one side. How exactly is this done? Unless I missed it, I could not find any information in the owner's manual. Looking at the setup tells me I would first need to first get the weight off of the caster wheel, using the leveling jacks. Is this the right procedure? Thanks for any advice.

You are correct...the tongue should never be swung until the trailer's weight is removed by using the front leveling jacks. My procedure is to lower each front leveling jack until firm contact is made with the ground and then turn the jackscrew about another half turn. Then...and only then...do I slightly retract the tongue jack and pull the pin that holds the swiing tongue in place.

The exact reverse of the procedure is used when "unswinging" the tongue...I put the tongue back in place, insert the retaining pin, extend the tongue jack enough to take weight off the trailer's front leveling jacks, and finally retract the leveling jacks.

NOTE: It's fairly important that the amount of weight on each front leveling jack...or height above ground (on a fairly level surface within a quarter inch or so)....be roughtly equal to avoid putting a substantial twisting force (aka "racking") on the trailer's frame. A substantial amount of twisting force (e.g. if one leveling jack much less extended than the other), when applied over a long period (weeks, months) could eventually put a permanent twist into the trailer's frame. A very slight twisting force (it's nearly impossible to precisely equalize the lift on the leveling jacks) over a long period doesn't seem to be a problem...I store my trailer for months at a time during the winter with the front end supported on only the leveling jacks and have seen no signs of frame deformation...and I don't do anything more than an quick "eyeball" check of the relative jack heights.

[YWORRYDOG]

I hate to disagree with Ray, but when we were at the factory they showed us how to use the swing tongue. Just level the TM pull the pin in the curbside, and swing it around! The frame is made so strong that it can be supported on just the one side, they said. I, however have a jack stand on the curbside, and then lower the tongue jack to keep the weight even on both sides. I do not mess with the front stabilizers.