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Force

The Concept of “Strong Enough”

March 30, 2022February 12, 2022 by Mechanic
Is It Strong Enough?

I’m not sure how to categorize this Article.  It’s an answer, but more than that.  We get questions once in a while something like “My trailer is X long and I want to haul a Y.  Is 3 inch angle iron strong enough?”

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Categories Adventures Tags Best Practices, Calculation, Force, Gantry Crane, Plans, Quality, Safety, Testing Leave a comment

Can I Use An Axle-Less Suspension

February 9, 2022February 2, 2022 by Mechanic
Compare Axle-Less

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

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Categories Adventures, Plans Info Tags Axle, Fixture, Force, Stability, Torsion Leave a comment

I-Beam Shape Choices: Is it I, S, W, M or H?

May 13, 2022September 7, 2021 by Mechanic
Which I-Beam Shape?

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

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Best Practices, Bolts, Force, Gantry Crane, Strength Leave a comment

Who Says Welding Doesn’t Affect Strength?

March 4, 2022June 17, 2021 by Mechanic
Fracture at Edge of the Welds

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.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Fixture, Force, Steel, Strength, Welding 2 Comments

Engineering: Calculate Beam Loading (Intro)

March 4, 2022May 27, 2021 by Mechanic

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

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Categories Adventures Tags Analysis, Calculation, Force, Measurements, Press, Safety Leave a comment

Low Profile Trailer Suspension

June 12, 2021April 2, 2021 by Mechanic
Low & Lean 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

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Categories Adventures Tags Axle, Force, Spring, Suspension, Tandem, Torsion Leave a comment

Engineering: Welding Trailer Spring Brackets

June 15, 2021September 24, 2020 by Mechanic
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

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Force, Safety, Spring, Strength, Welding 7 Comments

Tricks To Weigh Heavy Things

July 19, 2021June 18, 2020 by Mechanic
How To Weigh A Trailer

Do you need to weigh something really heavy but don’t have access to an industrial scale?  How can I weigh heavy things — like a trailer frame — without a special super heavy duty scale?

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Calculation, DIY, Force, Measurements, Trailer, Video Leave a comment

Calculating Axle Position

September 14, 2021September 19, 2019 by Mechanic

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. 

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Force, Trailer, Triple 4 Comments

How To Make A Trailer Longer

December 29, 2021May 11, 2019 by Mechanic
How To Make A Trailer Longer

Sometimes I wish my trailer was longer.  Is there an easy way to make a trailer longer?  Is that even possible?  And, what are the limits

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Categories Adventures Tags Aluminum, Customize, DIY, Force, Steel, Strength Leave a comment

What Is The Right Trailer Tongue Length?

June 18, 2021April 10, 2019 by Mechanic
What is the right trailer tongue length?

How long should a trailer tongue be?  Is there a standard or is it totally arbitrary?  Let’s get some answers on this fun trailer tongue length topic.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Force, Stability, Tongue, Trailer 22 Comments

Practical Safety With A Crane

June 18, 2021April 2, 2019 by Mechanic
Spring Foot for Gantry Crane Safety

Nothing ruins a pleasant day quite like a goose egg on your head, or a throbbing finger pinch.  Avoiding those things (and, of course, the much more disastrous potential events) is the context of this gantry crane safety article. 

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Force, Gantry Crane, Plans, Safety, Strength Leave a comment

Tips To Strengthen A Trailer Frame

October 25, 2021July 21, 2018 by Mechanic
Gussets At Beam Intersections On A Trailer Frame

I have a great trailer, but it feels a bit flexy, maybe even rickety . . . How can I strengthen a trailer frame?  How can I stiffen it?

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Force, Strength, Tips, Trailer, Welding 17 Comments

Trailer Build: Where Does The Axle Go?

July 13, 2021November 24, 2017 by Mechanic
Learn To Calculate the Axle Position

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,

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Analysis, Axle, Build, DIY, Force, Tiny House, Tips, Trailer 59 Comments

The Low-Down On Twisting Safety Chains

June 23, 2021October 25, 2017 by Mechanic
Twisting Trailer Safety Chains

Should you twist trailer safety chains to make them shorter?  Certainly twisting them reduces the length so they don’t drag the ground.  That part is good.  However, there are big issues with twisting safety chains?

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Force, Hitch, Safety, Trailer 10 Comments

Trailer Safety Chains?

June 23, 2021October 24, 2017 by Mechanic
Trailer Hitch Safety Chains

Do they accomplish the intended purpose?  Or are trailer safety chains just a legal pain in the rear?  Maybe the better question to ask, since we’re required to use them:  “How do we make chains effective?“

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Force, Hitch, Safety, Steel, Tips, Trailer 5 Comments

Comparison: Steel or Aluminum – Part 2

June 24, 2021July 21, 2017 by Mechanic
Gantry Crane Failure Modes

In the debate about Steel or Aluminum for beams of trailer frames and gantry cranes, there is one piece we hear less about.  An important part of the equation, for sure, is the property of Elasticity . . . . What?

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Aluminum, Analysis, Force, Gantry Crane, Steel 8 Comments

Force, Displacement & Bloody Knuckles

June 24, 2021June 22, 2017 by Mechanic
Applied Force vs Movement With Shop Tools

Is there anything more annoying (painful and frustrating) than busting a knuckle when working on things in the shop?  To many of us, blood sacrifices are just part of getting a project done, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  This article is NOT about iron gloves or

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Force, Press, Safety, Tools Leave a comment
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