Swing-Away Tongue For Aluminum Trailer With Galvanized Steel Tongue

Updated 03/24/2025 | Published 09/24/2021

Question:

We have an aluminum boat trailer with a galvanized tongue. We want to put on a swing tongue but are not sure what kind to use: Zinc? Steel? die cast steel? galvanized? Can you please advise us? Thanks.

asked by: Charlee K

Expert Reply:

For your aluminum trailer with a galvanized steel tongue (swing-away tongues cannot be used on aluminum tongues), you'll need a die-cast steel tongue with a zinc finish from Fulton.

The correct fit is going to depend on the size of your trailer tongue, as well as the thickness of the material of your current tongue, which must have a thickness between 0.188" and 0.120". If your trailer tongue's material thickness meets that requirement you can choose from the following, based on your trailer's tongue size:

- 2" x 3" Trailer Tongue: Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit # FHDPB230101

- 3" x 3" Trailer Tongue: Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit # FHDPB330301

- 3" x 4" Trailer Tongue: Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit # FHDPB340301

- 3" x 5" Trailer Tongue: Fulton Fold-Away Coupler Hinge Kit # FHDPB350101

expert reply by: Kyle S

Tyrone

3/24/2025

Why aren’t swing tongues recommended for aluminum trailers with an aluminum tongue? And is there a specific thickness allowed for an aluminum tongue to qualified for a swing tongue?

Jerred H.

3/24/2025

@Tyrone It has to do with the strength of an aluminum tongue being reduced when you cut into it. All of our swing away tongues say not for use with aluminum trailer tongues so I do not know if there is a thickness that is allowed. Our largest one item # FHDPB350101 fits a 3" x 5" tongue and it says no aluminum trailers.