I see a lot of comments on websites and hear references once in a while about the wonders of independent trailer suspension. What do you think? Does it deliver on the hype? Or is it a sales hoax? We will look at some video
Analysis
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.
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
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?
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.
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
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,
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!
Introducing Plans For Deck-Over Trailers
More new plans, and even more coming. You’ve been asking for robust Deck-Over Trailers, so that’s what we’re working on. Now they are here, and we’re not talking about another “Me Too”.
Why Shouldn’t I Use Torsion Axles In Tandem Or Triple?
Torsion axles are awesome, so Why not use torsion axles in tandem? It’s a frequent question, along with the corollary “Why shouldn’t I have torsion axles in triple?” Good questions, especially in light of all the misinformation
Choosing The Best Trailer Frame Material
What materials should I use for building my trailer frame? It’s a common question with strong biases for Rectangular Tube or I-Beam or C-Channel. Also, choices of Aluminum versus Steel.
Six Beam Shapes To Build With, +1
Whether you’re an experienced DIY builder or brand new to the party, there are often quandry’s about beam shapes. Well, I need to do this, but I only have material like that. I’ll just use it
Trailer Frame Materials And Safety Factor
This post is a question from an engineering student wondering about trailer frame materials selection and safety factor. His analysis shows a material thickness that “does the job” is much less than his welder associates recommend. Wondering about why, he asks:
Axle-Less Trailer Suspension
Customer Question: “What do you think about the Axle-Less trailer suspension? Is it good?” Can I use it with the Mechanical Elements trailer plans? . . . You ask (actually a few of you are asking) and pointing to
There’s More To It – Mounting Trailer Axle Springs
As with many things, there’s a lot more to mounting trailer axle springs than first meets the eye. Here are 2 tips to make your trailer frame stronger.
The Economics of DIY Projects
“I want to build a new trailer.” That’s an awesome thing to say, and it’s even better to do. Yet, many such adventures don’t launch because of project economics? What does it cost to build?
Trailer Build: Where Does The Axle Go?
Trailer axle position? This is a good question. Unfortunately, there is some popular, but misleading information around. So, how do you know proper trailer axle position? Here’s the whole answer,
Comparison: Steel or Aluminum – Part 2
In the debate about Steel or Aluminum for beams of trailer frames and gantry cranes, there is one big piece we hear less about. An important part of the equation, for sure, is the property of Elasticity . . . . What?
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 comparing to others like steel? Or comparing for beams like with gantry cranes?
Trailer Axles: 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. I don’t want to change opinions, but I would like to offer a practical perspective.