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
Axle
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
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
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
The Trailer Breakaway Kit
What in the world is a Trailer Breakaway Kit? If you pull a “larger-ish” trailer, you should definitely know, because it’s a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.
Wheels And Tires For Your Trailer
There are a million tires out there with a ton of classifications and designations. What tires do I choose for my trailer? That is not a silly question at all.
Engineering: Welding Trailer Spring Brackets
There is some disagreement in trailer building about how to weld-on trailer spring brackets (also known as spring hangers). Some of you have sent questions about which techniques are best, especially
More Trailer Plans For Torsion Axles
More New Product Announcements: The Mechanical Elements line of DIY Trailer Blueprints has just expanded – AGAIN – with more trailer plans for torsion axles. These new trailer plans fill
Converting A Trailer
The concept of re-purposing or converting a trailer is absolutely awesome. My hat’s off to anyone who can find a way to reuse and convert something from end-of-life to new-again. We need more of that in our world!
Calculating Axle Position
There’s always more to it. Our previous post titled “Where Does The Axle Go?” has spawned a lot of great questions. Here is one in particular asking some very relevant info about calculating axle position.
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
Old Time Tiny House Trailers
The Tiny House Craze is cool and feels New, but it’s actually one of those things that has come around — though with a twist. There is a lot to learn from the past if we take a few minutes
The Value Of Spring Length
Why choose a long or short leaf spring for your trailer? They come in different sizes, not only for strength, but also in trailer leaf spring length. So, why do I want long ones or short ones? Does it even matter?
Overslung or Underslung Trailer Springs?
Because you asked . . . What are the advantages of Overslung – or – Underslung trailer springs? Let’s discuss it. The concepts are pretty easy to see with some good graphics.
Trailer Axles 101 – What You Need To Know
I’ll just drop by the parts store and grab an axle . . . . Well, trailer axles are not quite that simple, but knowing a few important details, we can certainly get the right one. Here’s a quick guide to trailer axles
The Walking Beam Trailer Suspension For Smaller Trailers
Plans are now available for the Twin Torsion Axle Walking Beam Trailer Suspension. This was introduced on a build early in 2018, with posts about the trailer including a video of the suspension in action.
Value & Pitfalls Of Low Trailer Deck Height
To some people a low trailer deck height really matters, to others not so much. Yet you read about it in trailer descriptions a lot. So, what are the trade-offs for a low deck? And how do you achieve it?
How To Make A Lower Trailer Deck
Many things contribute to a low trailer deck, and often they conflict with other needs for the trailer. Here is a list of ways to build a lower trailer deck — and some potential trade-offs
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
New Torsion Axle Trailer Plans
New Product Announcement: The Mechanical Elements line of DIY Trailer Blueprints has just expanded with some new sizes for Torsion Axle Trailer Plans. You ask, then we work to deliver.