Articles & Build Tips – From the Mechanic
Join the discussion with the Mechanic on DIY Project topics including News, Build Tips and Engineering Perspective. DIY is our specialty. Trailers, Shop Tools, Cranes, and more. Enjoy the articles, then comment when things catch your attention. To filter the articles, select a category from the top line. For a subject you want to see, please request it. This site is for you.
For Tiny Homes and RV Trailers, making your trailer level is important. We get questions like: I want to level my trailer when I park it, so what is the best way? Should I use jacks at the corners?
A typical car hauler does not serve the hard-core 4×4’s and wide stance vehicles very well. Certainly removable fenders help, but we can go one step farther. Drive-Over Fender Trailers are a game changer for loading and transporting wide stance vehicles. So, by request,
Tackling the question of cost before starting a project is always a challenge. There can be a lot involved, yet, it is pretty important. So, we will take a look at the process of estimating cost prior to starting a project. In this article, to illustrate, we will use the example
Have you ever thought about truss structures for the main beams of a trailer? Trusses have some really nice advantages for stiffness and lightweight – mostly when the beams get long. They also come with a few disadvantages that are worth talking about.
Is there an easy way to build an adjustable length trailer tongue? This may seem like an odd question, yet it has come up many times. While the question seems simple and direct, there are actually a lot of pieces to give a good answer. If you are ready, we can dive in
When you get into the details, trailer axles are not as simple as we often like to think. Dimensions we most often discuss are: Capacity (strength), Spring Centers (where they mount on the trailer frame), and Hub Face (distance between the wheels). These all
Question from a customer: “Do you have any articles that speak about single axle vs double axle advantages?” Specifically, with the same load carrying capacity. Something like a 14 foot trailer with a single axle @ 7,000 lbs – or – 2 axles at @ 3,500 lbs each?
Announcing TRAILER PARTS KITS for the Mechanical Elements Trailer Plans! On their way for you! Certainly, having all the right parts can make the start of your trailer building project easier.
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.
For good ride quality in your car, Shock Absorbers are super important. So why don’t they use more shock absorbers for trailers? Do they make a difference with trailer ride? These are good questions that need a some background,