Fulton HDPB330101 Fold-Away Bolt-On Hinge Kit for 3" x 3" Trailer Beam - 5,000 lb. Weight Capacity

On the 3x4 galvanized tongue of an otherwise aluminum boat trailer, I installed this with the help of a friend. About 35" from the hitch coupler, we placed the hinge. The installation was tedious but not difficult. br>Once assembled, I was disappointed by the lack of playability. The coupler's holes are bigger than the 5/8" bolt and hinge pin that come with it. Furthermore, there are minor gaps on each side where the two halves line up, which exacerbates the problem. I can lift the tongue end nearly an inch with the trailer locked together. Granted, the play is magnified by the 35" setback, but this seems excessive. You can tighten the nut to relieve some of the tension, but this stiffens the pivot and places torque on the hinge parts where it shouldn't be, because this is a cast item. I wouldn't mind wrenching it down if the top and middle of the hinge were made to fit tightly together with no gaps. That was not the case. br>It appears to be normal after doing some research on this (very common) issue. Since then, I've experimented with a 140mm long x 16mm grade 10 board. Bolt number nine is zero. width: 6299" vs. width: 0. 6250" of the supplied 5/8"), which helps a little but leaves it feeling a little loose. For short trips to the local lake, I'll keep the 16mm bolt in place and use the pin to lock it, but when we travel and take the boat, I'll install a second 16mm bolt and nut (rather than using the swing-away hinge). away), moderately tighten both, which feels much more solid and contributes to my mental peace. br>Overall, it accomplishes the task for which it was purchased. My rig weighs around 3,000 pounds, so I'm confident that I'm well within safe limits. However, I believe that this product could have been made with much tighter tolerances and would have been a much better product.

Magnolia Shea

| Aug 02, 2021

This fold-away bracket appears to be well-made and sturdy. br>I received my package quickly, even a few days ahead of schedule. br>Installing the bracket is simple if you take your time and cut/drill everything correctly the first time. br>Because I didn't have enough slack in my trailer wiring to make the bend, I had to splice in about 5 inches of wiring at the joint. If this is a boat trailer, I recommend soldering the wires and then covering them with silicone culk. To protect against friction, add loom tubing at the end. br>I keep my trailer jack close to the hookup. If you don't support the main trailer before swinging the hinged tongue backward, this product will not support your boat or loaded trailer in storage mode; your jack must be mounted behind the bracket. I prefer to have my jack forward of the hinge bracket, so I built a trailer stand on which I can lower the trailer frame and then swing the tongue out of the way while the trailer is empty. (I hope that made sense. )br>I believe this product is a winner, and I have benefited from the extra garage space it has provided.

Lexie Archer

| Oct 09, 2021

The video makes it appear as though this is a five-minute project. The project could be finished in a day if you have patience and perseverance. Watch the YouTube video while following the directions. Have a good set of metal drill bits on hand to enlarge the hole from a pilot size to a screw size, as this is the most difficult part of the job. No matter where you keep your boat trailer, this is the best thing you can do for it. This should have been done a long time ago!.

Amelia Kelly

| Sep 28, 2021

If there is one flaw with this assembly, it is that I wish it extended a little further onto each section of tongue. I understand that they want to keep the footprint small, but on applications where the load is near the maximum, a little more length would be beneficial. br>br>The hardware that comes with the package is a bit of a mishmash. They do come with a punch, which is a nice bonus that works well, as well as a torx bit (T-drive). I believe she is 55 years old. Its junk. Due to tooth fatigue, I was on the verge of not being able to finish the job. The bolts are obviously handcrafted, which is never a good thing. They're about a quarter-inch too short for my taste, and the fact that they're torx bit heads makes them even worse. I would have preferred hex or hex flange bolts instead of torx, as the torx heads became a little fatigued during installation. They come with flange nuts rather than locknuts or flange locknuts, which means you'll have to re-tighten them on a regular basis. this needs to be torqued However, the torx bit that came with the kit will be worn out by the end of the job, and the bolt heads will be worn out as well. To be safe, I'm estimating that I'll need to replace all of this hardware within a year. The hinge bolt and pin are of good quality, so I don't anticipate any issues. br>br>From start to finish, this will take at least two hours. You'll need a set of great drill bits and a couple of good sawzall blades, and you'll probably spend 3 hours on it. Everything else they mention is also true. It's possible that you'll have to re-enter your information. Depending on your trailer, you may need to use wire. If you're using battery-powered tools, make sure you have a few extra batteries charged and ready to use. br>br>The finished product is pleasing to the eye, and I am pleased with it. With a few inches to spare, I was able to get my trailer into the garage. Time will tell if this holds up, but I have no reason to believe it won't, and my trailer will be kept in the garage, so corrosion won't be an issue. In addition, with a 350-pound Gheenoe on board, my trailer weighs only 400 pounds. The tongue weighs around 75 pounds. I chose a pivot point of 33 inches, which according to the chart can support a tongue weight of 380 pounds. br>br>I'd buy it again, but I'd look into getting different mounting hardware. This would most likely add $30 to the total cost, but I believe I would be happier in the long run. The poor mount hardware and low-quality torx bit earn a one-star rating.

Alison Guerrero

| Feb 03, 2021

My package was misplaced in Minnesota, but I have no other issues. Because the trailer's weight distribution was incorrect, I used the swing arm to adjust the length of my trailer tongue to move my drift boat forward and increase the tongue weight. The installation was simple, and I finished it in a couple of hours, including the wiring. I spent a lot of money on some high-quality metal-drilling drill bits, but they were well worth it. The trailer rides smoothly, with no additional movement or noise from the swing arm, and I can still open the rear hatch on my Subaru with the trailer attached. It's a well-made product that I'd recommend to anyone.

Vivian Rivera

| Nov 29, 2021