Caravan Trailer Parts Blog
Welcome to our caravan trailer parts help page.If you are towing a boat trailer, caravan, camper trailer, box trailer or heavy vehicle trailer you can find articles here that will help you install, operate and maintain the quality trailer and caravan parts that Couplemate manufactures. From tips & tricks, FAQ’s to Australian Road Rules and Regulations we’ve tried to cover it all. If there’s something in particular that you’re looking for and you can’t find it here then give our friendly staff a call on 07 3348 3822 and we will try to help any way we can. If there’s something you would like to see listed on our help page or a topic you would like to be discussed then send us a message via email and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Our Latest Know How Posts
Read our most recent posts here. Couplemate periodically posts articles relating to trailer & caravan towing safety. For archived articles on technical tips & tricks or towing product news check our Blog Categories menu.
Caravan Wheel Nut Indicators
Caravan wheel nut indicators help identify loose wheel nuts caused by rough dirt roads. Broken wheel studs are regularity occurrence on open highways around Australia.
How to measure Rim and Tyre Backspace
Wheel backspace is an essential measurement for the manufacture of axle length. The first thing you need to do when building a new trailer is to buy your rims and types.
Alternatively, you could purchase your rims and tyres from us and we’ll do the calculation for you. One more complication, we need to know your chassis width.
Loose Axle U-bolts Cause Highway Havoc
Loose axle U-bolts causes highway havoc for unsuspecting caravaners. The reality of not checking your rig before heading on your family holiday can easily become a nightmare.
Today’s article has been generated from yet another unsuspecting driver who forgot to re-tighten u-bolts after the first 300 kilometres from new.
Broken Couplings and Jack-knife Trailers
Broken couplings and pintle hooks are a result of jackknife trailer. Jackknifing trailers usually occurs when reversing. The driver is unaware the trailer is approaching jack knife angles.
Stretching U-Bolts cause Caravanning Problems
Caravanning problems caused by stretching u-bolts can usually be easily fixed, however, unforeseen issues can have disastrous consequences. An example is the humble u bolt that clamps the spring to the axle. The bond between the spring and the axle prevents catastrophic events at high speed.
Galvanised ElectroGal® Trailer Parts
Galvanised trailer and caravan parts have undergone a quiet revolution. Gone are the hot-dipped galvanising methods that were used in many processes. Hot-dipped galvanising whilst still very popular is being replaced by ElectroGal® or a Mechanical Galvanising process.
How to Auto Calculate Truck D-Value
Calculate D-Value for Towing Equipment on the Truck | Trailer. D-Value is one of the most understood calculations in the truck and trailer industry. We will try and make it easy with a little technology and science.
Learn the Secrets of Electric Brake Magnets
As a result of running a cable across the axle, the first magnet will lock during braking, In addition, the magnet across the axle will not lock. Learn the secrets and taboos of caravan and trailer electric brake magnets. For many years, expert Auto Electricians and Manufacturers ran magnet cables across axles. The industry believed this was the correct procedure.
Easy Steps to Install a Marine Bearing Seal Correctly
Grease is applied to seals and bearings for one reason only, to reduce friction. Friction produces heat, excess heat through incorrect installation destroys bearings. Is it true that 40% of all bearings do not live their full engineering life due to bad installation practices?
How to Align Caravan Wheels
If the tandem wheels are not square, call your service agent for an alignment. It is quite likely that your u bolts have come loose and your rig has sustained some shock loading during your travels, This moves axles backwards and out of alignment.
Hot Joints in Caravan Electrical Connections and Fire
Hot Joints are a common problem to find in electrical connections on your trailers and inside your caravans. A hot joint is an electrical connection that becomes loose over time or connected by only a few strands in the connector ferrule.
Electronic Control Units (ECU) and Towing Looms
This simple ECU has 5 pole or circuits and the main power circuit. It draws power from the battery and powers lights through relays in the ECU. Therefore the car computer does not know it is connected as there is no extra circuitry or resistance that can be detected by the vehicle computer.
Lanyard Breakaway Switch Safety Alert
The Lanyard on your breakaway switch is likely to have been installed without being shortened. A simple adjustment could save your life.
How Electric Drums become Electrically Polarised
Here is a simple test for your electric drums to test to prove polarisation. Point your trailer coupling facing north or south. Residual magnetism can be excess positive ions(North Pole) or excess negative ions (South Pole).
Truck Trailer Pintle Coupling Scales
If you are heavy on the scales, shift weight from the front of the axle set to a more central location. This action will lower the weight on your tow ball, allowing your vehicle to become lighter and therefore brake more effectively.