How will you park it?

[richg99]

I just cut 4 inches off my trailer. Perhaps, if his boat is still too long, he can trim a bit more off of the trailer and move the hinge back.

[buton]

Just wondering here...I assume that the 95" width issue is, most likely, fairly low..I.e.trailer/boat/waist high???? I also assume that the metal door track is set back from the wooden frame (most are). My track is 1 1\2 inches set back on each side.

So, your problem is only the wooden framing of the door.

IF...that is so, I'd imagine that a handy carpenter could cut the door frame back a few inches. He could then hinge the cut-away piece to swing out of the way just while you put the boat in the "smaller" side normally.

I am not sure that I have explained this theory well enough.

richg99

after the Door metal frame there are on 2x4 on each side.. a good carpenter could be able to make something to clear at least 1 inch on each side... thats a good observation.

[richg99]

Thanks, buton?. Hope it helps.

richg99

[fish31]

the RT 188 is longer than my old 188vs ranger glass boat. what i notice was swing away tongue is different. i had to take cabinet out back wall .and use a dolly

[TritonTRXV8]

I just cut 4 inches off my trailer. Perhaps, if his boat is still too long, he can trim a bit more off of the trailer and move the hinge back.

What boat do you have? Any pics of this modification?

[berudd]

I'd guess the listed length is with motor straight. You can gain several niches by turning the wheel all the way to the lock.

[richg99]

Re cutting the tounge ....I didn't take any pictures since it was so simple of a project.

I removed the front ball coupler, trimmed 4 inches, re-drilled four holes and put the hitch coupler back on. No material changes to the trailer, other than now it is a bit shorter.

When I go to store her for winter, I'll remove the hitch ball coupler.. Which will gain me another five or six inches.

She is stored outside all summer, so length isn't a problem then.

Otherwise, I would have had to add a hinge.
. richg99

[TritonTRXV8]

Gotcha. That would be easy enough. Unfortunatley that wont work here since that demension is with the tongue folded. Would be a much tougher job modifying this setup I would think.

[buton]

Gotcha. That would be easy enough. Unfortunatley that wont work here since that demension is with the tongue folded. Would be a much tougher job modifying this setup I would think.

Agree !! plus i am not a good handy man....

i just need something that works and never breaks as my honda civic....

[richg99]

The only possible gain, by cutting the tongue, would be if the boat-side hinge could be moved back a couple of inches. A trailer dealer could do it in a short time.

richg99

[Tommy O.]

I have a Harbor Freight trailer dolly and it works just fine for me.

[TritonTRXV8]

The only possible gain, by cutting the tongue, would be if the boat-side hinge could be moved back a couple of inches. A trailer dealer could do it in a short time.

richg99

I bet the warranty dept wouldnt care much for it tho. I for one would figure out something different first and Im not shy of modifications. Messing with the frame work of the trailer is a whole different can of worms.

[richg99]

I am sure you are correct re the warranty. My trailer was 18 years old.

[TritonTRXV8]

The mod you made where you shortened the tongue itself on the coupler end I would do to even a new boat if it was deemed necessary tho. Thats not as involved as cutting and welding the tongue and properly bracing it etc etc.

[Tommy O.]

All a person has to do to shorten the tongue is cut it off and have a new coupler welded on and then paint it black. I wouldn't do it to a new trailer but it is an easy process.

[TritonTRXV8]

All a person has to do to shorten the tongue is cut it off and have a new coupler welded on and then paint it black. I wouldn't do it to a new trailer but it is an easy process.

Thats correct but in the Rangers case the break away is too far forward. Modifying that would be far more difficult.

[Ranger RT]

he should have got a RT 178

[Grizzly]

I was told by a dealer that this boat will fit through a 94" (my garage) opening. I have not measured the boat or the opening they are talking about yet. If it does fit I would expect it to be too tight to do on a regular basis.

[Grizzly]

he should have got a RT 178

Doesn't help with the width. I am struggling with this right now trying to find a boat that will fit through a 94" opening.

[fishon396]

The trailer is to wide for your garage. I have a 178 and the width of my garage is 93 inches and if I recall the trailer is 96 inches wide. I hope you find a way to get it in the garage then there would be some hope for me.