Trailer Info Mart

How To Select Torflex Axles

2008-01-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

Determining GVW, what axles, brakes, and frame dimensions you need. 1. How to Determine the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) When building a trainer, the total Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must be determined in order to

Advantages of the ATV / Snowmobile Trailer

2008-01-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

If you are planning to tow a trailer over poor roads with muddy or snowy conditions, you may wish to choose a trailer in which the trailer axle tire width is reasonably close to the width of the towing vehicles tire width. As long as the trailers axle width is close it will cut into the towing vehicles tracks. This will greatly improve mobility and tow-ability. We find that ATV'ers and

How to Select Tubular Axles and Running Gear

2008-01-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

Determining GVW, what axles, brakes, springs, and hanger kit you need 1. How to Determine the GVW - the Gross Vehicle Weight The total Gross Vehicle Weight of the

Wheel Bearing Maintenance

2008-01-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

One of the most important items to maintain on a trailer are the wheel bearings. The wheel bearings should have enough lubricant (wheel bearing grease) and the tapered wheel bearings should have the correct adjustment. The procedure for checking wheel bearing tightness is as follows: Block the trailer on a level spot so it cannot move, raise the trailer one side at the time. Locate the jack in a

Electric Brake and Electronic Brake Control Setting

2008-01-14T10:43:00.001-08:00

Modern trailer electric brakes are of course a full time operational brake system used on most of today's small and medium duty trailers. They are not to be compared with the mobile home trailer brakes that were never designed as a full time operational braking system. There are two systems working together with the electric brake system. One is the brake actuator or electronic brake control and

Trailer Towing Ball Safety

2008-01-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

This trailer safety tip related to a situation that occurred last summer. I was contacted at home on a Saturday evening by a person requiring trailer coupler parts. It turned out the gentleman had lost his holiday trailer on the highway when the trailer became uncoupled from the ball. I met him at the shop and we repaired his mangled coupler. The cause of his problem was discovered as we were

Trailer Suspension Safety

2008-01-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

Regular maintenance on your trailer should include attention to the suspension components. There are many moving and therefore wearing parts that form the trailers suspension. A typical conventional tandem axle trailer contains hangers, leaf springs, shackle straps, shackle bolts, equalizers, u-bolts, and axle plates to name a few. The leaf springs and equalizers usually contain Teflon bushings

Break-Away Kit Safety

2008-01-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

All trailers sold with electric brakes have a break-a-way kit including battery, battery box, break away switch with attached plunger and cable. The theory is that if your coupler becomes separated from the tow ball the plunger of the breakaway switch will come out thereby completing the electrical circuit, allowing the battery to provide power to the electric brakes and bringing your trailer to

Trailer Wiring and Electric Brake Safety

2008-01-14T05:15:00.000-08:00

In spite of continued improvements in trailer wiring and electrical components, wiring problems can occur if regular maintenance is avoided. Many of the problems we see with a trailers electrical system stem from the conditions under which many trailers are operating in. Under gravel road conditions the underside of the trailer is being bombarded by an abrasive mixture of sand and stone (gravel).

Replacing or Converting Trailer Electrical Plugs

2008-01-14T05:12:00.000-08:00

I have learned a very important lesson over the years with respect to changing or converting a trailers electrical plug. You can save yourself a potential hassle and loss of time by marking down the location and the color of each wire to each of the connections from the existing trailer plug prior to replacing it or changing it. The trailer plug itself has each plug wire connection identified by

Determining My Trailer Needs

2008-01-14T05:07:00.000-08:00

Measure your hauling objects length, width, height to be certain it will fit on the selected trailer. It is a good idea to place or line up the objects on the ground first and take measurements. Find out the weight of the object(s) you wish to haul. This information will help determine the frame size, frame strength, axle capacity and ramping options that will suite your needs.

Swerving Trailers

2008-01-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

For any of you who have experienced a swerving trailer! I'm interested in hearing about your harrowing experience with an uncontrolled trailer behind your towing vehicle. We'll try to help you understand why?