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Old July 10th 16, 05:23 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
JS
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Default Al-Ko Trailer Tongue failure

On Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 8:43:34 AM UTC-7, wrote:
Interesting analysis jj, mine failed on a new tongue hitch, I lost the vertical bolt and part of the hitch plate but it was because the tail end of the trailer drags occasionally when entering or departing deep curbs at entrances. Putting the entire weight of the trailer on the younger at the ball and the back skids of the trailer. The best way I see to reduce this chance is whenever possible go across the depressions at at relatively low angle of 45 degrees or less if possible so only one wheel of motorhome and or trailer goes in the depression at a time. Traffic can make this a chore at times but it works.


Some people react to the tail dragging by using a drop coupler on the tow vehicle. This puts the tongue of the trailer in a lower and more vulnerable position, the condition JJ warns of.
The trailer should be level. You should be able to rig the glider with the trailer hooked to the vehicle.

Spindelberger sells lift kits in a couple of heights. They are pretty inexpensive, and easily installed between the body of the trailer and the axle.
Here's a photo of one on an ASH26E trailer which had 13" wheels. The 26 trailer is long and this one was too low.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/37wtbsd4cs...20Kit.jpg?dl=0

Spindelberger would normally have parts galvanized, but made my part to order and needed to put together a larger batch. As I wanted it right away, it ended up painted.
Jim