ATV trailer tongue swivel

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Hi, this is my first post on Welding Web.I have found that I tip over ATV trailers, too often.  They tip easily because they're very light and maneuverable, also due to terrain.  Sometimes just a rock in the apex of the turn is enough to tip it over. ATV trailers need to be light otherwise their weight cuts into the payload.  For my usage, they need a swivel in the tongue to protect from twisting it.I've started using a 1 inch bolt and nut as you'll see in the pic.  The clevis arms are 1/4" x 1" flat bar.  The nut is welded to 1.5 x 1.5 x .065 sq tube.  I'm slowly integrating this simple safety into all my ATV & snowmobile trailers.  You have to keep the threads greased, if it stays outdoors.  There is a 1/4" a hole on the bottom to drain water.Hope this helps your projects!This particular project is a pair of trailers to carry snowboarders back up the hill (towed by snowmobile).  It's made of 1.5 x 1.5 x .065 sq tube.Last edited by J_Akuhead; 11-21-2014 at 01:50 AM.
Reply:Sweet!Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Could use anti-seize on threads - how about another pictureof the left end of that hitch - pull back a little ( wider view )ThanksThe main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:J, pretty clever!  Best regards, Bob
Reply:On the snowboard trailers, I see the snowboards hook to the legs, but do the riders the ride on the trailer?Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:I did something similar with the wagon for my mower.However I welded a bolt to the tongue.  Bolt head to the trailer side.Then a piece of pipe to the coupler side of the tongue.This slides over the bolt and leaves just a bit of space before the threads of the bolt start, allowing me to fully tighten the nut without affecting the swivel motion of the tongue.I thought I had a picture, I will try to get one today so you can understand it better.
Reply:Originally Posted by RenagadeCould use anti-seize on threads - how about another pictureof the left end of that hitch - pull back a little ( wider view )Thanks
Reply:Pretty cool idea. You also drill a hole on the nut and put a zerk fitting on there.
Reply:Zerk fitting may be a little messy for for snow toys but yep that's an easy solution for reliability. A coupling nut could be used if a guy wanted more thread engagement for tongue weight.I've been using a tapered needle greaser lately for greasing stuff, you drill a small hole (3/32") and don't have to thread it or pound in a zerk, just press the tapered 'needle' greaser into the hole and it seals up, pumps pressure.
Reply:Great idea! I'm gonna use it thank you. I launched a fat guy out of a trailer going about 2mph recently. To bad there was a steep hill on the other side of the logging road. All I saw was a giant snowball with arms and legs sticking out of it roll about 60yds  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Like the guy rolling story.however it ends up their are a lot of ways to make the same thing.Looks like your setup works great.  At least I think so.
Reply:J, does the long, ridged, tongue on the snowboarder trolley give you a towing problem with changes in elevation? Think of the trolley on flat ground and the snowmobile heading up a hill, or topping a crest in a hill with the trailer headed up and the snowmobile heading down.Could you use a hitch with a double swivel like a u-joint yoke to allow side to side on the snowmobile end & up and down motion on the trolley end?May not be an issue.
Reply:Jim there's lots of slop in the clevis hitch pin.3/8" pin and the trailer hitch hole is 1/2".Have used it on uneven, rutted trails, it worked fine, went over some drifts as you described.Last edited by J_Akuhead; 11-25-2014 at 09:07 PM.
Reply:Adapting another trailer to the 'new' swivel.  This is a lawnmower tractor / ATV cart, "17 cu ft Agri-FAB steel dump trailer".  Cart is same exact model as this internet pic:Here's the hitch arrangement when new.  It has a lot of 'give' for when the trailer tips over & it has happened many times.  It looks like this hitch is designed to be flimsy so you have a real hard time overloading the ATV hitch.  I thought it looked flimsy right from the start but knew if any trouble I can do betteer.  It lasted 4 years and was working as well as ever, but decided to switch all my trailers over to the swivel.Cut the end off, welded a 1" nut on, and a 1" x 1/8" flatbar brace below.With the Clevis hitch screwed in a little.Would be fairly easy to make an adapter to fit a 2" ball too.Last edited by J_Akuhead; 12-12-2014 at 12:22 AM.