Ramlin Trailer Swing Tongue Mod

Fellas,
On the older style Ramlin trailers, the tongue can be removed apparently to shorten the trailer, but it does not appear to be a left or right swing "easy thing to do" kind of thing. Has anyone modified that design with a simpler hinged setup that would make the removeable tongue easier to move and thus the trailer easier to shorten?

I.e. How easy would it be for an experienced welding shop to take that old Ramlin trailer design and modify it so that the trailer tongue can quickly and easily swing to the right or left and do so without tools?

Steve,
Here's a bolt on DIY

Thank you.

Pete, the kits are exactly what I had in mind and a bolt on might be a way to go.

Tim, yes. I'm speaking of the 93-02 swing ups.   

I have a 23' deep garage limitation with an 8' high garage door.

I'm interested in a 2000ish and up CC. The way I see it, I'll need to find a rig with a folding tongue and a removable platform to fit the garage depth (even if I purchased a Ski) The ability to modify a trailer to swing easily opens up the possibility to early 2000s boats.

Next question. How easily can a platform be removed and reinstalled? My setup would require that I remove platform, fold trailer tongue and fold tower (if equipped) for every outing.

FYI, my choice in boats (if they'd fit) would be a
Sport/Air,
206
196

I don't believe a Sport/Air will fit or if it did, it'd be so tight, it might not be practical for regular use. The Ski would have limitations, but if it were a 2002 or newer, the trunk space would make it doable. The 206 is probably the best option for my family at this time.

Comments, considerations welcome.

Thanks, Tim.

With regards to the platform. When you say, "piece of cake" does that mean it's easily a one man removal/installation?

Family of women here so I get little to no assistance.

TRBenj wrote: A 2nd hand makes my solo a 10sec job

Swatkinz wrote: Thanks, Tim. With regards to the platform. When you say, "piece of cake" does that mean it's easily a one man removal/installation? Family of women here so I get little to no assistance.

I have your ramlin trailer with swing away toungue, removable platform that will require 2 people (my wife helps me and we are still married ). It comes with a gently used, well maintained 206 in just the colors you want.
Delivery can be arranged prior to Christmas.

Id bet length is between 20'6" and 21'. Width will require a 9' door... 98" or so?

Clarification. Garage door is 8'high. I'm guessing 16' wide.

Tim are you suggesting that with the swing tongue, overall length will not exceed actual boat length? I hope you are right.

My 95 Ski Nautique trailer with the tongue removed is about 6" longer than the actual boat but it is really close and sure helps fit in a garage.

All of this helps, tremendously.

Thanks folks.

206 with tower folded will definitely fit under an 8' high door, It's possible the 206 with a Ramlin and swing tongue "might" even fit your garage with the platform on.

Follow up comments and questions. Correction on the garage door. The door is 8'high and 18'wide. Inside garage dimension is a comfortable 23.5'Deep x 22'W. Having said that, any boat purchased will be sharing the space with a Toyota Sequoia. Yes, it will be tight, but currently the Sequoia and a Double Cab Tundra share the space so we are accustomed to the space being a little tight.

I'm going to have a challenge in that the garage is a side loader and the topography won't allow for me to easily back the boat into the garage. It may not even be possible without 15-20 pull up, back up, pull up back up cycles.

How easily can a boat similar to what I've described as ideal, be maneuvered (manhandled) with one of those non-powered trailer dolly things? I'm thinking I could get it close with the truck and with a relatively level drive surface, "push" it by hand where I need it to go. Thinking single axle trailer of course. Am I expecting too much out of me physically and a non-powered trailer dolly?

Steve,
I forgot to mention the bad with a dolly. DO NOT use one on ANY slope. Even with the small slope of a garage apron, the boat/trailer will get away from you. Ask me how I know!!

Gary and Pete are correct. Back in the day my dad had a front mount hitch on the front of the plow truck and it was very handy. I have many times considered adding one to the Fossett fleet but simply have not pulled the trigger and with the boat lift added this spring the need simply is not as high and the cost of the hitch is about the same as a new BF suit.