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
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.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: 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
From Cheap Kit to Improved Trailer
You’ve seen them, the inexpensive bolt-together Harbor Freight trailer kits. While they pack a lot of function, they unfortunately are often something like a rattle trap. (Not always, of course.) While they have a cheap rap, they sell a lot
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.
Who Says Welding Doesn’t Affect Strength?
I love seeing failures. Not that anyone wants things to fail, of course, we always try to make things that last. However, when a failure pops up, I love to look it over and understand the “how” and the “why”. It’s an excellent opportunity for learning, and I love to learn.
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
Why Special Order Axles?
Some Trailer Plans don’t use a standard axle size. Why not? Good question, along with the also common “Why should I special order the trailer axle?
There are a few common-ish axle sizes
Good Ways To Shorten A Chain
In previous articles we discuss the importance of trailer safety chain length. If the chains are too long, what can you do? Yeah, odds are you won’t need them, but what if you do? Long chains can complicate things quickly, so how can we safely shorten a chain?
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
You Don’t Have The Plans I Need. Now What?
Sometimes looking for the right plans for the trailer you need is a needle in a haystack. Every site has something, but not exact. What’s next? When you really need a particular trailer that others don’t offer,
Dangling By A Single Trailer Chain
If you ever doubt the sanity of safety chains, then see this example of where a single trailer chain literally saved lives. The story is amazing from all angles –
When To Replace Trailer Tires
Don’t mess around with your safety or unexpected trip interruptions. The Best Reason to replace old or worn trailer tires is personal sanity, because who wants to deal with it on the side of the road?
How Much Can I Tow With My Vehicle?
There are 3 main factors with how much you can tow. While it all seems simple, digging in makes it a little less clear. Yes, it’s easy to look at the simple rating numbers,
Wide and Wider Tiny House Trailer Plans
What if . . . You want to live Tiny, but not “that” tiny? Sure, there are a lot of attractive elements with living Tiny, but to some, the 8 foot width is just too tight. If that’s you, go with a wider tiny house built with these new trailer plans!