Cutting a trailer tongue

[MNice]

I have a longer trailer for my boat than required. Is there any reason I couldn't shorten it up by cutting the tongue down.

Thanks

[Dave1]

Long tongue length is nice to have for turning when backing up.

Make sure the trailer is not going to hit the back of your vehicle in when in a tight turn.

Other than that I don't know of any reason not to do it.

[musky hunter]

Shortening the tongue will not weaken the trailer, provided the ball is relocated in an identical manner to the original. But the balance of the boat over the wheels may need to be adjusted so that tongue weight is correct. The shorter tongue is less of a lever arm, so be sure to adjust the bunks and rollers accordingly. Another consideration: going to a lighter boat is the trailer too heavey for the new boat and produce a very hard ride because the new boat can't work the springs enough. And the previous comments are accurate.

[ZapBranigan]

Sometimes it's easier to move the axel then to relocate the bunkers. Really you want the boat to ride off the back end at a certain length that shouldn't change so you have to move the axel back to balance the weight.