Posted 2017-06-01 10:12 AM (#169979) Subject: gooseneck - neck not adjustable
New User
Posts: 1
have an older gooseneck where the neck height is not adjustable. is it possible to switch it out/ cut it off and weld in a new adjustable neck?
its a 84' Trail-et
any of you handyman dudes done this before? advise. i am handy and can weld, and have helper.
Posted 2017-06-01 12:16 PM (#169980 - in reply to #169979) Subject: RE: gooseneck - neck not adjustable
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
renespony - 2017-06-01 1:12 PM have an older gooseneck where the neck height is not adjustable. is it possible to switch it out/ cut it off and weld in a new adjustable neck? its a 84' Trail-et any of you handyman dudes done this before? advise. i am handy and can weld, and have helper.
Depending on the inner diameter of your old tube...you might be able to just cut the bottom off and insert an adjustable innner tube...
Posted 2017-06-05 10:35 AM (#170000 - in reply to #169979) Subject: RE: gooseneck - neck not adjustable
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Take this as helpful advice rather than insult. Just asking the question says your skills are not up to the job. Adjusting the coupler may present other problems you're not aware of. I recommend you take Huntseat's advice
Posted 2017-06-06 12:04 PM (#170009 - in reply to #169979) Subject: RE: gooseneck - neck not adjustable
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
To answer your question, yes, I have done it. Would I recommend it to most? Only if you have experience in welding, have the correct tools, and can make sure you are not creating problems.
You have to be make sure of the following- --the cut is perfectly square to the tube. -your replacement coupler tube is long enough to make sure it extends into the trailer tube adequately. At least beyond the gusset welded down from the tongue channels. And needless to say, that it fits correctly inside the trailer tube. -your replacment coupler is not to long and bottoms out on the sheet metal covering the tube on the trailer when at the ideal adjustment. Make sure you have room for the coupler tube to bottom out on the trailer tube, not the sheet metal above the trailer tube. -weight ratings on coupler and size of ball are correct. -how are you going to design the adjustment lock? Some have welded on nuts with holes drilled thru the trailer tube to act as a set screw with jam nuts against the coupler tube. Some have that and pins thru both tubes. Drilling holes thru the tubes is tricking and can be dangerous. -most tubes welded on trailers have a seam that does not allow very close tollerances inside the trailer tube. Sometimes, this has to be ground down. Do you have tools available to reduce this seam to allow proper coupler clearance? So to quote the responses above, might be better to allow a welding shop to do it. But is not that difficult with the right tools and experience.
Posted 2017-06-08 9:53 AM (#170023 - in reply to #169979) Subject: RE: gooseneck - neck not adjustable
Regular
Posts: 74 Location: NW
I first ask why you want it to be adjustable? If you have a newer truck & this older trailer, so you are afraid of hitting the sides of the truck bed, keep in mind that besides being able to adjust that neck, you will HAVE to block the trailer in order to make it level. (not a big deal either, in my opinion, but a shop should do it too). Some people think just raising the gooseneck, will make the situation work & it's not all - you must have the trailer level.
gooseneck - neck not adjustable
