Removable tongue?

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OK, I got your inputs on the axle for my vendor trailer.  Now I have a crazy idea I want your input on.Some of the areas I will need to set up in only provide a 10' x 10' spot.  I was thinking about a removable tongue on the trailer.  Here are my thoughts:1. 2" 1/4 thick square tongue2. Welded-on (underneath frame) receiver at the front (gussets as well) with another one at the cross member closest to the axle.3. The tongue would have a hitch pin through it at the first receiver.  I would put a rod through brackets on the outside of the frame and through the second receiver and tongue.  The rod would be secured using hitch pins on the outside of the brackets.The front of the trailer would be set on adjustable jack stands before the tongue is removed at the event.I plan on oversizing the capacities of the axle and stuff, but the overall towing weight of the trailer itself should be reasonable (I'm thinking 2000 pounds or less).What are your thoughts on this?  Totally crazy or doable?Suggestions are welcome!
Reply:Not unreasonable. You see this often with towed mixers..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:There have been times in the past that I wished my tongue was removable.  Might have kept me out of trouble from time to time.Like DSW, I don't think it's crazy at all and I really don't think the thru rod is necessary seeing as the receiver on the tow vehicle typically has only one pin holding the ball assembly to the hitch.  I'd might still go with the second "receiver" at/near the axle crossmember but would likely forgo the rod/pin at that location.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Another idea for you, would be to make the tongue retractable. When you pull the pins on it, just push it in under the trailer instead of pulling it out and having to store it somewhere during the event. When your ready to go, just pull it out, insert the pins and hitch it up. Where it goes through the rear receiver, you could weld on a 2.5"x 2.5" plate so the tongue could not be pulled out the front, but still use the hitch pins for transport.
Reply:Double pins might work, but you'd play hell trying to make the holes so that they both take the strain evenly.  One would have some slop in it.Wouldn't need the second pin anyhow.  One pin is enough.  The second receiver, further back, is just for stability and alignment anyways.  Spreads the vertical load, and spreads the side loads.When you really look at how flimsy most couplers are, it's sort of a moot point to further reinforce the stuff behind it (up to a reasonable point).  Take a real good look at all of the fasteners on your pickup truck suspension, the drawbar, and most other critical parts.  If you believed the WeldingWeb standard, the whole thing would fall apart going down the road"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Many boat trailers are built with a hinged tongue so they can fit in garages.
Reply:That could work... I did that on a small sailboat trailer- only difference was it was retracted to tow, and let out for a longer reach on launch...
Reply:OK, thanks for the input.  I have a path ahead that I think will work. I agree about trying to line the holes up on that second receiver.  It was really just for spreading the vertical load on the tongue (my thought anyway) kind of like FarmerSamm mentioned.Thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartMany boat trailers are built with a hinged tongue so they can fit in garages.
Reply:Heres pics of the boat trailer folding commercial hitch I was talking about.  My last post was from a iPhone and I couldn't figure out how to add pics. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by Firemanmike69Girlfriend's boat trailer has this, very handy
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartMany boat trailers are built with a hinged tongue so they can fit in garages.
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerI put one of those on a boat trailer for a guy just a few weeks back. Fulton brand, pretty slick.
Reply:Originally Posted by blackbartHeres pics of the boat trailer folding commercial hitch I was talking about.  My last post was from a iPhone and I couldn't figure out how to add pics.
Reply:My 2 place snowmobile trailer has 1 half inch bolt holding the tongue with a simple trip latch to hold the bed down. Its the same thought process as a single hitch pin as the OP describes.
Reply:Originally Posted by DrilldoSlick idea but should be further back. Seems like a lot of trouble to shorten the trailer what 18"?
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Yeah but more than enough if the garage is 16" too short.