Damage to Trailer Tongue

[MH87]

Hey all.

I have a New TT. Got a Curt anti-sway. When backing it in, I accidentally turned too sharp with this one, and the hitch portion hit the trailer tongue. Any recommendations? Not serious? Need repair? Need replacement? I was thinking maybe it could just be cut/welded back closed?

Just wondering how bad of a Monday I’m looking at if I need to take it in to the shop. Thanks!

[tractors1]

Doesn't look structurally injured, so should be ok to tow and have a welder check it. You need to learn to backup very slowly, though.

[Dan Meyer]

I would take this to a welder to have it repaired.

--Dan Meyer

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by MH87

Hey all.

I have a New TT. Got a Curt anti-sway. When backing it in, I accidentally turned too sharp with this one, and the hitch portion hit the trailer tongue. Any recommendations? Not serious? Need repair? Need replacement? I was thinking maybe it could just be cut/welded back closed?

Just wondering how bad of a Monday I’m looking at if I need to take it in to the shop. Thanks!

Take it to a shop and let them make sure it is ok to tow and have it repaired. Not worth the chance of a wreck.

[Jon in AZ]

Agree with Charlie. The structural attachment of the coupler to the frame rails does not appear to be compromised, so you can tow it safely.

Do inspect the safety chain attachment, which looks like it might have sustained some damage. While you've got a welder working, consider moving the chain attachment to the sides. A single point attachment on the bottom is not best practice, though it is very common (including my Scamp). Here's a great article on the best ways to attach safety chains: https://mechanicalelements.com/how-t...safety-chains/

The rest is a matter of cleaning it up and preventing rust from getting a foothold. I'd take it to a small welding shop or one that specializes in utility trailers, not an RV shop.

On a scale of 1 to 10, this is maybe a 2 in terms of bad Mondays. Just enough pain that you'll not soon forget. Best wishes!

[Roger Kimble]

You need to take it and have it fixed, number one, so no one else can see it number 2 so it's fixed, a welder will have it fixed like new so you will not have a problem with it.

[Roger Kimble]

The reason the chains are crossed is for safety, say it would come off the ball, then with the chains crossed the tung will drop onto the crossed Cain's and not drop into the roadway, saving the trailer.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Roger Kimble

The reason the chains are crossed is for safety, say it would come off the ball, then with the chains crossed the tung will drop onto the crossed Cain's and not drop into the roadway, saving the trailer.

That is why side attachment is better. My Scamp came with the single center attachment, and crossing them did not create that cradle.

The cradle will only work if the chains are just barely long enough to allow free movement in turns. Most people tow with the chains set too long.

[Roger Kimble]

Yes that is 👍 right, I don't know why'd they would do that, should be on the sides. I pulled doubles for 20 years, big Cain's.

[travler]

Hi, If you are going to have it welded, what we had done is extending the tongue 18 in. This make backing up much easier and reduces the "jackknife" tendency of ver short trailers. Just something to think about.