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There are dozens of trailer plans available from many sources. We've looked at several and found that quality
varies quite a bit. So, how do you choose which plans to use? Here are several things to consider:
First, and most important, is the FUNCTION of the trailer.Buy plans for the trailer that will best fit
your specific needs. It doesn't matter how good or bad the plans are if the end product won't do your job.
- What type of trailer? (Utility trailer? ATV trailer? Landscape trailer? Other?)
- What load will you carry? (How much weight? How much volume?)
- What size trailer do you need? (Is the bed height, width or length a factor?)
- How long should it last? (A year? Several years? A life time?)
- What options do you need? (Sides? A top? A tailgate? Ramps? Tie-down points? More?)
What do you get for your money?
- Completeness of the Plans -
- 2, 3, or 4 sheets are not adequate to detail and describe a trailer. Our plans include
several pages with lots of detailed illustrations (16 to 28 drawing sheets plus 10 to 16 pages of instructions).
- Some plans include only the base trailer (with options costing extra), and some (like ours) include
lots of options in every set of plans to help you customize and personalize your project.
- Some plans have a woefully inadequate list of materials. Our plans materials list is detailed
by piece name, size and option if applicable.
- See more of what our plans contain, including sample pages.
- Accessibility -
- Most other plans come only in a paper format. Ours are available on paper (printed and mailed) or in an electronic
PDF format that can be printed in any size (8.5 x 11 up to 22 x 17).
- Many plans are available only via mail order. Ours are available on immediately via electronic download as well as being
available via Mail Order.
- On this site you can purchase plans via credit card for immediate download, or to have them printed and mailed.
You can also use our Mail Order Form (check or money order)
and choose to have the plans delivered via e-mail or postal service (North America only).
- Delivery -
- Most plans are available only through the mail which can take weeks. Ours can also be downloaded
immediately after real time credit card approval.
- Almost everyone charges for shipping and handling -- it's a cost of doing business. If you want to
avoid that, order our electronic format and save the S&H charges.
Finished Trailer Design:
- Trailer Strength -
- Some utility trailer designs require short sides for adequate strength. These make a fine design if you will
never need a flat surface or if you don't want tall sides. However, if the short, required sides ever get damaged,
the load capacity (strength) is compromised. Our trailers are designed with strength in the frame
so you can choose your options for sides (or not) to meet your needs.
- Some trailer designs appear quite wimpy -- perhaps not able to handle the rated load if it were evenly
distributed -- or more importantly -- if not evenly distributed. Trailer strength is much more than simply
being able to hold the load. A trailer must be designed with safety factors making it able to handle the load over
potholes and other unavoidable obstacles. Our trailers are designed tough for long, faithful service.
- Utility Options -
- What options do you need on a trailer? Are options available with the plans? Many plans do not include
ANY options. Others have options at an additional cost . . .
- Our plans include lots of options like tailgate options, ramp options, tie-down options,
sides options, axle options, motorcycle stands, bed surface options, and more . . .
- Trailer Weight -
- A lightweight trailer is certainly desirable. There are many out there that are light -- some because of
clever design, some use lightweight materials like aluminum, and some are under designed. Care should be given to
choices of weight because a hundred pounds less can cost a lot more to build, or it could yield a weak trailer.
- Our trailers are a little heavier than some because we have chosen strength, and long life as a worthy trade-off
for a little weight. A little extra weight in the right places is worth the extra strength and worry free performance.
- On-the-Road Function -
- The proof in the pudding -- how will the completed trailer perform going down the road? Our trailers are
designed for Towing Stability, by adhering to fundamentals, and allowing adjustability for various load types.
- Using a trailer involves more than just towing it down the highway. Our trailer designs also include
usability features:
- like a tongue long enough for proper vehicle spacing and maneuverability.
- like tail light protectors to avoid inadvertant, frustrating damage.
- like a spot for a tool box or other accessories.
- like a hide-away ramp that stores under the trailer for convenience (not all plans).
- and more thoughtful additions . . .
- Some trailers are built cheap just for the price. While cost is important, it is not the only factor.
Our trailers are designed for a life time of faithful service. If you build it well,
it will perform well . . . almost forever.
Prices:
- Prices for plans range from cheap to expensive. Look at what you get (like how complete the plans are).
We believe ours are the most detailed and complete plans around.
- Some places make you order options as separate items costing more. Our plans have
a bunch of options all included.
- For mail order plans, there is the cost of shipping and handling. We do the same for printed plans.
However, we also offer the option of electronic delivery, which saves the cost of S&H.
- Our prices are not the lowest, but our plans are of the best, and include lots of options.
We also offer electronic delivery that's free of extra costs for shipping and handling.
What makes our Trailer Plans better?
A lot of little things that add up. We don't have plans for everything,
but the plans we offer are intended as a great value to you, our customer.
>>> See our Plans Sample Page for a peek at what our plans look like. >>>
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