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Old 06-14-2015, 04:09 PM   #1
Rivet Master
 
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1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View , Texas
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A Frame frame extension/rebuild

It has been nearly ten years, time flys, since I saw a thread on this. Now it is my turn to work in this arena and I need some up to date, reliable, advice and info. Attached photos are of the original A frame and hitch. At 31 inches it is to short for me to make reasonable turns without dinging the front corners of the Airstream. Also no room for a weight distribution hitch to be attached. So, lets hear the procedure and words of wisdom. Experience goes a long way.
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Old 06-14-2015, 07:50 PM   #2
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1968 20' Globetrotter
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A clean tongue

I can offer dimensions of a similarly sized trailer that trails well.


Dimensions...
1968 Globe Trotter is 20' 11” long. Dry, weighs <3000 pounds, 400# Tongue Weight. The A-Frame is 36” From body to the ball and 32” wide at body-face of trailer cabin.


WD/Sway...
With five years of use, I've been very pleased with the Reese mini 350 WD System. It's a sensible, harmonious contraption. Mine is adjusted to tip 280# onto the front TV wheels, and 140# to the Trailer wheels. That's about 5% beyond its spec. It is quick and clean to set-up. Weighs 35 pounds including Bars, Shank & Head. The brake-shoe composition friction pads atop the A-Frame provide good anti-sway, and operate silently.


With regards to Lightweight trailers, what is pictured is very satisfactory in terms of easy hitching, anti-sway, weight distribution, minimal added tongue weight, quiet operation, excellent ground clearance, backs up and turns sharply without consequence. It has a relatively clean appearance.


I switched to a single 40# propane bottle. It's base is mounted flush to the depth of the A-Frame, rather than on top. It is situated closer to the body to reduce TW. It does not interfere with WD, and reduces tongue clutter.


I don't know what level of historical protocol you require, or If you're thinking of updating to a newer Marvel coupler, or rebuilding what you have, or a total changing of the A-Frame to trailer frame, or extending the coupler 6”?? If your coupler is good or rebuildable, maybe check out a few hitch systems for something compatible and preserve the original if that matters.


Anyway, those are the 1968 A-Frame dimensions for reference...


I'm guessing that you'll be towing at times, with a period correct TV.
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Old 06-14-2015, 09:03 PM   #3
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1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
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Nice work there

Nice! I need to know the effects of extending the a frame length about eight inches. And then, how to do it correctly.
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