Winter Storage dilemma, boat won't fit in my garage..

[skeetzx225]

I have a large 3 car garage, but taking a look with my measuring tape, the damn boat won't fit in there unless I park my SUV outside (Not a good idea in Minnesota winter) ZX225 on the trailor is 26"6' (It didn't come with a swing away tongue)

Anyone else have this problem and find an easy solution? Why doesn't skeeter make the swing away tongue standard?

In the past I've used a boat storage facility, but would like to store it in my garage so I don't have to take all the batteries out and can take it out asap in the spring..

Kind of a pointless thread, but just curious if anyone else has the same issue and found a solution?

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I have heard of some that have taken the trailer to a metal machine shop and have them change the tongue to a swing away tongue. I'm sure if you ask around you can find a machinist that will perform the work. Many ag communities have great machinist that repair farm equipment and probably could easily add swing away tongue to your current trailer. I'm sure we could get you some images of the factory style swing away.

[skeetzx225]

Thanks Doug, although my trailer tongue is a V shape with bracing behind the tongue area, I don't think it can be made into a swing away?



Modified by skeetzx225 at 2:39 PM 9/5/2007

[Bass Junkie]

There are a couple of companies they make a kit to turn your standard tongue to a swing away. I think one of them is Pivot Hitch. It will require some cutting and welding of course. There are a few guys around here that have done it and I remeber seeing some pics over on the trailer forum I think. The end product looked very good. If it were mine I would buy the kit and take it to a good metal shop to have it installed. Then you can sand, prime and paint it all to match. Sounds like your only other choice would be to rent a storage facility but you would save $$ in the long run by just putting the after market swing away tongue on plus you would have the peace of mind of having it sitting in your own garage.

[skeetzx225]

Thanks, how much length is saved with the swingaway tongue? 3 feet? is that standard for all skeeter trailers?

[Bass Junkie]

I did a search and found it. It is called a Pivit Hitch and there website it http://www.pivithitch.com

I don't know how much space my swing away saves but I'll go measure it and get back with you in a few minutes.

[Bass Junkie]

I measured mine with the factory swing away tongue and it is 32" from the front of the tongue to the pivot joint.

[fishin couillon]

What he means is that the "V" at the front of the trailer, there is no room to put the adapter on. Not saying it cant be done but it will defeat the purpose cause it will just make the trailer longer plus the pivot point would still be at the original place where the coupler is at. It looks like you may have to rent a storage shed or move way down south and you don't have to worry about storing the boat, just fish all year . I believe this is what his looks like.

[skeetzx225]

yep, that's the trailer I have.....

[THE SKEETER MAN]

I have seen it done before. Did not look that great. But it worked. It just wasn't painted right.

[Bass Junkie]

The pivit hitch will not help you one bit on that trailer....sorry. Maybe it's time to modify the garage.

[Bug Bunny]

How close is it to fitting? Can you lower the motor or turn it to get it to go? I mean it may be a little trouble but you are doing it for the winter so shouldn't be that big a deal.

[macinckirk]

here is another 1 of skeeter Great changes Man if I was you I would think about just finding a diff Trailer

There is not awhole lot you can do unless you cut a hole in the garage and add on

[Bass Junkie]

The only other thing I could think of that you could do is to find a used ZX225 sitting on a dealers lot somewhere that has the swing away tongue and try to work out a trade for your trailer.

[Skeeter185]

Why don't you put the boat in the garage and buy a cover for the SUV. I know this would be a hassle up there with the snow you probably get, but it would be a solution. There are some very good auto covers on the market.

[skeetzx225]

Thanks for the ideas

[drchip]

I bought my Skeeter used this past winter. It's an SX 180, but same issue -- couldn't fit it in my garage. The dealer had the trailer modified for me for $300 I think -- not to swing away, but instead made the hitch side slide in like a receiver hitch. They modified where the side beams came in -- moved it back maybe 6" -- to get just the right size for me. So far, so good. Let me know, if you need I can try to send you a photo...

[Neilslure]

I was thinking new/trade trailer. Other option would be making space for the motor at the back of the garage by cutting a hole or adding on. Have you tried angling it and parking your truck or if the other vehicle is smaller it may fit. Maybe a carport?

[ltcbutch]

My father in law did the same thing with his javelin as drchip mentioned above.

He had the ball coupler portion become a slide in into the trailer. Just pull two pins and slide the coupler portion out and he is able shut the garage door.