How To Stop Utility Trailer Bounce
If you pull an empty (or nearly empty) utility trailer, you probably know the feeling of utility trailer bounce. It’s that bumpy jolting extra bouncing you feel
Mechanics Tips
These are Mechanics Tips for Construction, Building, Planning and Fabricating DIY Projects – from The Mechanic. This is where you find insights on how to build many of the things shown in the plans, details for expediting construction and fabrication, and general items of interest for success when you do it yourself. If you have something to contribute, please let us know. Or, if you want to see tips on a certain topic, please let us know that too. This is the Do-It-Yourself portal, and these mechanics tips are for you. Let us know what you want! Enjoy! – See all the Mechanic’s Posts.
New – Smooth Action Tandem Torsion Axles
Over and over we recommend: “Don’t use torsion axles in tandem because they don’t load-share”. Well, What if we make them share? Here’s a new design that brings the benefits of a torsion axle to the tandem axle party
Building A Better Folding Trailer Tongue
Intrigued by the cool potential of storage space, increased security, and removal of a shin knocker to step over, this new folding trailer tongue adds greater utility to the trailer.
How To Setup A Trailer Frame Build
Just how do you setup for building a trailer frame? Seems simple enough, just layout the frame members and start welding, Right? Not Quite. Here are some tips for Success.
Convenient Trailer Tongue Hinge For Storage
Store your trailer in a smaller space? Consider adding a trailer tongue hinge like these. It’s helpful, for sure, but has some definite things to consider.
Video – Why Do Some Trailers Tow Stable?
The way a trailer tows makes a big difference in the ownership experience. So, Why do some trailers tow stable, while others do not? Even a small trailer that does not behave is intimidating
Trailer Build: Where Does The Axle Go?
Trailer axle position? This is a good question. Unfortunately, there is some popular, but misleading information around.
The Low-Down On Twisting Safety Chains
Should you twist trailer safety chains to make them shorter?
Trailer Safety Chains?
Do they accomplish the intended purpose? Or are trailer safety chains just a legal pain in the rear?
The Right Tools – Metalworking Files
Often misused and not very well understood — so goes the life of many metalworking files. Yet, they still do things other tools can’t.
Comparison: Steel vs Aluminum – Part 2
In the debate about Steel vs Aluminum in beams like trailer frames and gantry cranes, there is one big piece of the equation you don’t often hear so much about.
Compare: Steel vs. Aluminum Trailer Frames & Beams
Aluminum is such a great material. It’s light, strong, and looks sweet to boot. So, why is there a debate about Aluminum Trailer Frames and other beams?
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Learning good trailer construction by examining bad examples is a great way to focus on the details. This photo actually shows 4 points of “less that careful thought”
Force, Displacement & Bloody Knuckles
Is there anything more annoying (painful and frustrating) than busting a knuckle when working on things in the shop? To many of us, blood sacrifices are just part of getting a project done, but
The Little Things Make All The Difference
The trailer hitch and surrounding hardware are Oh so important — safety is priority. Here are examples illustrating one success and one horrific failure.
Pre-Stressed Steel Fabrication
The concepts of pre-stressed steel fabrication have been around for ages, but they are not often applied for simple welded structures like trailer frames or crane stands.
Choosing Tandem Axles (and Triples)
It all rides on the trailer axles, so get them right. Here are some common technologies (and misnomers) for tandem axles and other multi-axle trailers.
Trailer Axle: Use Springs? Or Torsion Axle
In the discussion of trailer axle leaf springs versus a torsion axle, let’s put some engineering behind the debate.
Save Big Buying DIY Project Nuts and Bolts
Have you ever wondered why fasteners like nuts and bolts are so expensive? You would think that something so standard and manufactured in such high volumes would be cheap, but in most places, they’re actually pretty expensive. Why?
Creative & Cheap, That’s How To Fixture
Oh, I need to drill holes in 8 parts, all in the same place. What a pain! And, I need to cut these 5 pieces all to match. What a hassle to measure, mark, and cut each one!