[Silicon Sam]

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1.5" is pretty small really. The Harbor Freight trailer has a 2.5" C channel tubing. I would use 2.5 if you could, it will fit the tongue much better, and you can find replacement tongues at Wal Mart if need be for 2.5 ones.

Yes, the longer the tongue, the better it will handle. Many people who built their own trailer attest to this. I extended mine almost 24" longer than stock.

But I still see pics of trailer with extra short tongues, but to each their own. But mine handles like a charm with about 35 pounds of weight on the hitch.

 

[Silicon Sam]

imported post

Yes, it is, and I call it a C channel since it is not completely enclosed on the bottom part of the channel.

Mine measures 0.15" thick, but that includes the powdercoat paint they use.

 

[Silicon Sam]

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51" from front rail to tip of tongue. Here's a pic taken from the start of it's 4K maiden voyage.

 

[Silicon Sam]

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I built the cooler rack and made it attach to the trailer with a clamp arrangement. That way I could either take it off and build another one if I got a different cooler, or even slide the cooler forward or back as needed. For weight all I did was add ice to the cooler, or drain water as needed.

 

[Silicon Sam]

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What causes the trailer to sway is lack of tongue weight. Solve that and it goes away....

 

[Silicon Sam]

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From http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/ram/towsafe.htm

There are several causes of sway. For the tow vehicle...

1) Wheelbase is too short
2) Rear overhang is too long
3) Rear suspension is too soft
4) Rear-end weight is too much
5) Rear cornering stiffness is too low

For the trailer...

1) Tongue weight is too little OR too much
2) Center of gravity is too high
3) Tongue length is too short
4) Trailer frame is too flexible
5) Trailer suspension is too soft

 

[Silicon Sam]

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Triker Mike wrote:

I have found that if I keep my tongue weight @ close to 10% of total weight (bathroom scales) it works for me . I pull a kwik kamp with a 1500

Yup, common wisdom says 10-15% of weight on the tongue. I use a fish scale, so I can take it with me when I travel..

 

[Silicon Sam]

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I waited until Harbor Freight had the 12" trailer kit on sale ($159 I think...), bought it, and stored it until I was ready to build it. Was a few days before my long trip, so I kinda threw it together, making changes as I went along.