Shopping online is both a boon and a bust. It’s great access to a wide variety of components, but it’s a bummer when misleading info causes extra work and frustration. That brings us to this Customer Story of misguided
Articles – From the Mechanic
Join the discussion with the Mechanic on all sorts of DIY Project topics, including news, tips and about building things. DIY is our specialty. Enjoy the articles, then comment when things catch your attention. To filter the posts, just select a category from the top line. If there is a topic you'd like to see, please request it. This site is for you.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.
Yes, I’m talking about the RV season, but I’m also talking about all the short trips
Dump Trailer Plans – And Build Video
Need Plans to build a better built Dump Trailer? How about a 7′ x 14′ dump bed with 14,000 lbs trailer capacity. I can tell you where to get them, and we know the plans are great, because Synthesis Engineering did them.
Car Hauler Trailers — Bring On The New Trailer Plans
It’s a new trailer plans category at Mechanical Elements with plans for true, tough, Car Hauler trailers. After a ton of market and product study, we are stepping in and stepping up. Our niche is engineering better plans for DIY, so read on
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.
Torsion Axle Conversion Plans
By far, the most common trailer suspension is leaf springs. They’re cheap, straightforward, easy to repair and a bunch of other things. That said, there are definitely benefits in other suspension styles, too. Torsion is the 2nd most common
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
Easy Gantry Crane Lift Conversion
The beauty of a gantry crane is the beam overhead, and the clear access for lifting things. To make them more useful, telescoping legs put the top beam at a height appropriate for the job — in your garage, or outside, or wherever. One of the challenges
Tilt Top Trailer Plans Conversion
It’s time to welcome the tilt top trailer. You, as customers and readers, request this a lot, for a while. So, now we have it. Rather than redesigning all our trailers and sizes, we made it a conversion t0 will work with our utility trailer plans.
Are Your Trailer Plans Certified?
This is a great question we get a lot, in many variations. Are your plans DOT approved? Are the plans Stamped? We think it’s great to know the level of plans you get when you buy, so asking about certified plans is a great place to start. However, this question
Trailer Suspension Equalizer Link Action
There are many different sizes and shapes of the suspension equalizer link. What are they for? Better yet, when should I choose one shape over another?
If you’ve read much on this website, then you know
When Does My Trailer Need Brakes?
There are laws that say when a trailer must have brakes. In most places within the USA, when the trailer total capacity is over 3000 lbs, trailer brakes are required. That’s all well and good, but we all know that laws are an ignorant way of covering the least
Shop Tools – Super Tough DIY Utility Cart
When there’s a need that doesn’t really fit with existing products, make your own. That’s it with this new, tough Shop Floor & Utility Cart. While it’s not monumental in design, it does have some great functionality for DIY’ers, with strength that you won’t find elsewhere.
Trailer Hitch Class Ratings
As a convenient way to help with safety, trailer hitches, balls, and receivers have categories or load rating groups called classes. Each trailer hitch class has ratings for how much it will carry. A look at the ratings for each component
Small Trailer Instead Of A Truck?
That sounds like a good idea. Right? There are a million good reasons to need the capacity of a pickup truck, but actually, very few people use a Truck as a Truck that often. Can we get the function we need without all the weight and wasting fuel?
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.
I-Beam Shape Choices: Is it I, S, W, M or H?
When is an I-Beam not really an “I” Beam? While it’s common to use the generic term “I-Beam” for any beam with an I shape section, there are actually variations with different letter designations. And, there are advantages for the various shapes
Why No Plans For Aluminum Trailers?
This question comes up often — because there are not many good plans for aluminum trailers out there. We have great trailer plans, but none for aluminum. Why? As one of our Frequently Asked Questions, this one deserves a good answer.
How Often Should You Tighten Trailer Wheel Bolts?
A friend asked me this question, along with the companion “How Tight?” The last thing we want is to lose a wheel — because it will not only delay our trip, but a wheel coming loose can do serious damage — to us, our stuff, or maybe