I have a jon boat/trailer and would like to extend the tongue of it.  I have purchased a 2.75" pipe that butts up to the end of the existing pipe.  I do not have any smaller diameter pipe that I can use as a sleeve to weld to, to make a stronger weld.

 

Is there anything wrong with welding two pipes end to end?  If so, what options do I have?  I could spend a long time looking for a "sleeve" to fit perfectly but, uh, its spring.  The fish are calling my name!!!!  BUT, at the moment, the existing trailer is toooo short, it needs extended

 

advice?

I have a jon boat/trailer and would like to extend the tongue of it.  I have purchased a 2.75" pipe that butts up to the end of the existing pipe.  I do not have any smaller diameter pipe that I can use as a sleeve to weld to, to make a stronger weld.

 

Is there anything wrong with welding two pipes end to end?  If so, what options do I have?  I could spend a long time looking for a "sleeve" to fit perfectly but, uh, its spring.  The fish are calling my name!!!!  BUT, at the moment, the existing trailer is toooo short, it needs extended

 

advice?

im not a mechanic or metal worker but common sense tells me that your weakest point is going to be right at that weld. Especially with the weight of the boat on it. I would add a larger diameter pipe to slide over the weld and join the two pieces.

A sleeve is a must here!

 

Jeff

my only problem is finding one that fits snug.  let's say i find one bigger than the pipe.  how much bigger than the existing pipe should it be?  I don't want to have a lot of gap, right? how much should the sleeve extend into each pipe?

Done properly the welded butt joint will be fine. Doing it right is the key. There are many who think they can weld; far less who really know what they are doing. Have it done by a pro and go fishing!

that's what i was thinking!!!!

 

It's a jon boat, I can't imagine the trailer would ahve that much added stress on it, just because I extended the tongue......I wouldn't think.  I know there is a lot more that I don't know that causes a weld to go bad, but i was thinking this would be an easy task at first..........

 

now im second guessing myself

Back in a former life, I welded pipe for a living. The butt weld will not be the weakest link-if done right. If there's any question about it being done right a sleeve may be a better choice.

I would buy one piece of pipe long enough to do the job. Pipe is cheap an accident will not be.

A butt weld that is appropriately welded would probably be fine.  Key here is appropriately. If you can't find pipe to do a sleeve over then see if u can find some U-channel or angle iron.  I would strongly caution against doing this yourself if you are a novice. 

 

Just a word of advice from a safety manager in a weld shop with 400 employees.  Welding in shop class is different then the quality of weld needed in this situation.  As I don't know your skill level with a welder, I am not trying to say you are not capable, just cautioning.

i am NOT doing the welding.  I don't know a thing about it.  I was going to have a friend do it............I will be calling around to get a "pro" to do it, hopefully its not super expensive.

 

when you mention u-channel or angle iron.....i have access to that.  is that to act as a splint inside the pipes?  how would that be attached?

I would use the u channel or angle iron as a splint on the outside

Once I had a trailer that I was going to do that to.  A knowledgable welder told me that if I touched that trailer while it was still under warranty, it would void the warranty, was I sure I wanted to do that?  By the time the trailer was out of warranty, I had learned the nuances of backing up and  maneuvering that particular shot tongue trailer, so I never did extend it.

 

It is sad to report that skills acquired learning to back one short tongue trailer don't really translate to skillfully backing up other short tongue trailers, especially using different vehicles.   There isn't any substitute for practice in this area.

Years ago my uncle backed our boat trailer into a tree and bent the tubing. He had it repaired and they added a piece back in where the bend was then put a collar on it as you can see in the picture. This trailer is almost 60 years old now and still going strong. I refurbed it a couple of years ago and it still runs true and doesn't wear tires.

 

 

Left side of repair...

Right side of repair...