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Spring

Independent Trailer Suspension – Are You Being Taken For A Ride?

March 11, 2023August 17, 2022 by Mechanic
Independent Trailer Suspension?

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

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Categories Adventures Tags Analysis, Axle, Force, Spring, Tandem, Torsion, Trailer, Triple 2 Comments

Why Special Order Axles?

April 1, 2022May 5, 2021 by Mechanic
What Is The Right Trailer Axle Size?

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

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Categories Plans Info Tags Axle, Best Practices, Customize, Plans, Spring 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

Why Shouldn’t I Use Torsion Axles In Tandem Or Triple?

February 11, 2023August 12, 2019 by Mechanic
Study of Torsion Axles In 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

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Analysis, Axle, Spring, Tire, Torsion, Video 29 Comments

The Value Of Spring Length

May 13, 2022March 11, 2019 by Mechanic
Trailer Axle Suspension - Leaf 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?

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Spring, Tandem, Trailer 11 Comments

Overslung or Underslung Trailer Springs?

October 10, 2022January 9, 2019 by Mechanic
Overslung or Underslung Trailer Springs

Because you asked . . . What are the advantages of Overslung – OR – Underslung trailer springs?  They both have a good purpose, so let’s discuss it.  The concepts are pretty easy to see with some good graphics.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Spring, Stability 14 Comments

Trailer Axles 101 – What You Need To Know

October 5, 2022November 21, 2018 by Mechanic
Trailer Axles - Springs - Wheels - and Tires

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

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Calculation, Spring, Strength, Tire, Torsion, Trailer 14 Comments

How To Make A Lower Trailer Deck

October 25, 2021October 10, 2018 by Mechanic
Making A Lower Trailer Deck Height

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 

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Customize, Spring, Trailer Leave a comment

There’s More To It – Mounting Trailer Axle Springs

June 19, 2021June 14, 2018 by Mechanic
There's More To Just 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.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Analysis, Axle, Spring, Tips, Trailer, Welding 19 Comments

How To Stop Utility Trailer Bounce

June 26, 2021May 1, 2018 by Mechanic
How To Stop Utility Trailer Bounce

If you pull an empty (or nearly empty) utility trailer, you probably know the feeling of utility trailer bounce.  It’s that bumpy jolting extra bouncing you feel in the tow vehicle as you drive.  Sometimes it feels like the trailer is just bouncing away

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Spring, Torsion, Trailer 18 Comments

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

October 3, 2022July 15, 2017 by Mechanic
Example of DIY Trailer Construction Mistake

Learning good trailer construction by examining bad is a great way to focus on details.  This photo shows 4 points of “less that careful thought” in the way the trailer is built.  Can you pick them out?

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, DIY, Safety, Spring, Tandem, Welding Leave a comment

Choosing Tandem Axles (and Triples)

October 6, 2022March 6, 2017 by Mechanic
Wire Routing and Covering for Trailer Tandem Axle Brakes

It all rides on the trailer axles, so get them right.  Here are some common technologies (and misnomers) for tandem axles and other multi-axle trailers.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Axle, Spring, Tandem, Torsion, Trailer, Triple 10 Comments

Trailer Axles: Use Springs? Or Torsion Axle

February 11, 2023March 2, 2017 by Mechanic
Trailer Axle Choices

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.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Analysis, Axle, Spring, Torsion, Trailer 26 Comments
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