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Articles  >  Solutions!

What are the cool little things you’ve done to solve a niggly problem in a creative, DIY kind of way?  These articles show the spirit of “in the moment problem solving”, in a category for Solutions! to help in the shop.  While it’s nice to read, we’re also asking you to help.  Please share your “on the spot” creative solutions.  Just take some photos, then send your story.  We’ll post them, and of course, give you the credit.  Read below for ideas – some from us, and some from your fellow readers.  –  See all the Mechanic’s Posts here.

Structural Trailer Beams

Things To Know For Dovetail & Gooseneck Frames When you need to connect structural trailer beams – a major beam – like a trailer main beam, strength is really important.  Two good examples are

U-Bolts Feature

Where can we find good U-Bolts in just the right size?  I have done a bunch of things to fabricate them over the years because I just could not find a good source.  Well, that just changed.  I have a new favorite source to get nearly any size U-Bolt, and

SAE v. RV Standard Trailer Wire Colors

Starting at the main wiring connector, trailer wire colors help us trace the conductors to all the proper electrical connections.  The colors are specified by the various wiring standards such as the SAE ( Traditional ) standards, or the newer RV Standard for trailer wiring.

Fun Trailer Ideas

As you might guess, I’m always poking around and looking at trailers.  People can be really creative, so I’m always looking for fun trailer ideas.  Things that people do or ways they do it are often inspiring.  We can learn a lot from all the smart people around.

Ouch, Cracked Frame

This is a Customer Story about a crack in a trailer frame.  Finding these can be really scary, but finding them at this stage is a whole lot better than finding them after a catastrophic failure.

Trailer Security

How many trailers are stolen each year?  That’s a question worth pondering, because if you put a lot of sweat and love into building a great trailer . . . . if it disappears, it’s heartbreaking.  We don’t like to think about such things, but it puts trailer security

Chain Anchor on Tongue

Free Plans for an adjustably permanent Trailer Safety Chain Anchor system.  It is easy to build, easy to install, absolutely solid, yet it allows chain length adjustments fairly easy.  The goal is making the trailer safety chains very secure, while also

Attach Chains Free Plans

We often joke about safety – Yup, Safety 3rd.  While it is fun to joke, there are a few things we do get quite serious about.  How to attach chains for trailer safety is one.  Today we are looking at connecting chains on the trailer tongue, so the chain is the right length.

Link Lock Safety Chain System

A couple years ago in an article about trailer safety chains, I mentioned the “Link Lock” system.   It looked pretty interesting, and I like creativity, especially when it solves real problems.  So, I tried to connect with the company to learn more.

Adjustable Hitch Options

Over the past few years the Adjustable Hitch for a trailer and/or Adjustable Ball Mount for a tow vehicle have become quite popular.  They are great for adapting to a wide variety of tow vehicle heights and trailer tongue heights.  But, which should you use?  Does it make a difference?