Trailer coupler?

[Paul_]

I put a new coupler on my trailer. It doesn’t fit flush on the tongue. There’s a ~1/4” gap.

It’s a 16’ boat, so there’s not a lot of tongue weight. But I don’t like the idea of the through bolts carrying the weight. But maybe the weight is dispersed through the sides of the tongue when the bolts are tightened and it will be fine?
Any thoughts?

 

[Stoneflywelding]

I put a new coupler on my trailer. It doesn’t fit flush on the tongue. There’s a ~1/4” gap.
View attachment 80830
It’s a 16’ boat, so there’s not a lot of tongue weight. But I don’t like the idea of the through bolts carrying the weight. But maybe the weight is dispersed through the sides of the tongue when the bolts are tightened and it will be fine?
Any thoughts?

Shim it and I would say it would be just fine.

 

[_WW_]

^ yep^
And those through bolts are going to carry the weight no matter what.

 

[O' Clarkii Stomias]

I put a new coupler on my trailer. It doesn’t fit flush on the tongue. There’s a ~1/4” gap.
View attachment 80830
It’s a 16’ boat, so there’s not a lot of tongue weight. But I don’t like the idea of the through bolts carrying the weight. But maybe the weight is dispersed through the sides of the tongue when the bolts are tightened and it will be fine?
Any thoughts?

Get rid of the bolts and weld it!

 

[O' Clarkii Stomias]