When thinking about DIY, we normally don’t envision big or expensive machinery to do the job. There are times, however, when it’s really nice to have. There are some really good reasons for Water Jet cutting (or laser cutting), instead of the normal DIY methods.
Adventures
Articles > Adventures
These are stories and thoughts including Do-it-Yourself adventures. Some success stories, some humorous, and some stories of disaster. We learn from them all. If you have a contribution, we’d love to hear it. Enjoy These Adventures! – See all the Mechanic’s Posts here.
Trailer Design – Meeting Your Goals
It looks easy. Trailer design is not like building a rocket, but it’s also not as easy as putting a few pieces of metal together. Good trailer design includes meeting goals and ending up with something that will tow well, and perform to your needs. We see sketches fairly often, perhaps on graph paper with … Read The Article
Independent Trailer Suspension – Are You Being Taken For A Ride?
I see a lot of comments on websites and hear references once in a while about the wonders of independent trailer suspension. What do you think? Does it deliver on the hype? Or is it a sales hoax? Let’s look at some video
Improve Fuel Economy When Towing
Gas prices are up. Diesel prices are even higher. Since I don’t see those prices changing soon, maybe I can DIY some things to help. Is there any way to improve fuel economy when I’m pulling my trailer?
Trailer Towing Tips
As we plan and eventually set out for the many adventures this year, let’s plan for a great trip. Here are some good towing tips to make it all go much smoother.
For RV’s or any other trailer, the tips are
Car Hauler Design – Trailer Research
Prior to starting new plans, we do research to understand the landscape, then look for opportunity to improve and make a better product. That is certainly the case with our upcoming Car Hauler & Equipment Transport Trailer design. New plans are coming soon.
The Concept of “Strong Enough”
I’m not sure how to categorize this Article. It’s an answer, but more than that. We get questions once in a while something like “My trailer is X long and I want to haul a Y. Is 3 inch angle iron strong enough?”
Can I Use An Axle-Less Suspension
Axle-Less trailers. Yes, that’s a thing, and we get a lot of questions about this unique suspension. Some people ask if it’s any good? Other’s ask if it will work with our trailers? Still others ask about using them for tandems? We even get questions about using it
Trailer Sway – Video Review & Discussion
Understanding Trailer Dynamics like Sway is a really important. If you look for it, there are many articles and some great YouTube videos discussing and demonstrating the many factors and issues.
Bent Tongue — Judging A Weak Trailer
When buying a trailer, how can we decide if it’s well built, or just cheap? How do you know if it’s strong or weak? While there are always tale-tale signs, we’ll use this example of a trailer with a bent tongue to illustrate.
Engineering: Calculate Beam Loading (Intro)
As a simplistic introduction to beam loading, this article discusses the complications in calculating stresses and deflection. While it’s pretty easy to calculate beam loading for simple theoretical cases, very few beams
Low Profile Trailer Suspension
Every once in a while something unique catches my eye. This time it’s a low profile trailer suspension that does much the same as torsion axles — but in a way to allow tandem axle load sharing. As I’ve looked at it more, there are some really interesting advantages
On The Road – Rattle Traps We Call Trailers
Are you ever scared by what you see in tow rolling along down the highway? I am often surprised at the contraptions that pass for legal. Join me. Let’s make a collection of photos here for a few good laughs — Scary trailers on the road.
9 Essential Tools For Your DIY Shop
We’ve been asked many times about “What are the most essential tools for your shop?” Well, that’s a hard question, because frustration and wailing are the result when the right tools are not available.
Which Welder To Buy?
“I’m looking to build one of your trailers, but I need to know which welder to buy?” or “What type of welder do I need – 110 or 220 volt?” and “What about other projects from your site that may pique my interest?”
A Tiny House Size Quandary
OK, so you want to Live Tiny. That’s awesome. What can you do without? What do you really want to have? And how about that claustrophobia?
Does Your Trailer Have Attitude?
When we think about airplanes flying, or boats sailing, it’s easy to imagine how they move. An airplane rolls some as it banks into a turn. A boat pitches up and down with the waves. So, how do these factors — Pitch, Yaw and Roll — apply to trailers
Starting Yet Another Project
This is what the beginning of a new DIY build looks like. Of course, there’s the planning stages, the design stages and finally the acquisition stages where all the raw materials begin to come in. With all of that behind us, this is the start of the build,
Old Time Tiny House Trailers
The Tiny House Craze is cool and feels New, but it’s actually one of those things that has come around — though with a twist. There is a lot to learn from the past if we take a few minutes
How To Make A Trailer Longer
Sometimes I wish my trailer was longer. Is there an easy way to make a trailer longer? Is that even possible? And, what are the limits