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.
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.
What is the first thing you think when looking at this image? “Oh My !! That’s Awful.” – was my thought. According to the driver, “thankfully it didn’t happen when I was on the highway ten minutes prior.” This catastrophic tongue break
In the previous articles in our Bolts 101 series, we spoke briefly about Stainless Steel Bolts, but we did not discuss specifics. With typical alloy steel bolts, there are grades (like Grade 5, Grade 8, etc.), but with Stainless Steel, Brass, Plastics and other materials, it is not that simple.
What’s the big deal with Weight in my Trailer? Isn’t Weight just Weight? Yes, I know about tongue weight, but the trailer is made to carry weight. So, if I am below the specified weight ratings, what does it matter? If you have ever felt this way,
A good question from some of our customers: “I want to build an offroad trailer, but I can’t to find the right trailer plans. Is it better to buy the 4 x 6.5 – 2500# Off-Road Trailer Plans, then enlarge it, or to buy a utility trailer plan and beef it up?“
How should I connect things as I build my trailer? Welding is a typical practice for many structural frame members, but bolting also has some great benefits. So, this makes me wonder. How do I decide where to bolt, and where to weld? Since it is usually not an all or nothing proposition, we will…
If you are looking for something a little different in trailer suspension, one good approach is air. It is a little off the beaten path, but not too far, and there is a lot of support for doing it. For a smooth riding trailer suspension, air can do it, but there are
“I am building a new trailer and wondering about what deck material to use? So many choices, all with various advantages and disadvantages. I probably don’t even know all the available choices. How do I decide?”
What happens if you hard mount an axle on your trailer – without a suspension? The question has come up a few times, and it is worth talking about. There are some distinct advantages of eliminating the suspension, but there are also some pitfalls.
I really thought I was done with posts about safety chains. We have several of them on the site, but I found a video that begs for comment. I really like the video and subject matter – from the Compliance Director of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers