7′ x 21′ – Gravity Tilt Car Trailer / Equipment Trailer Plans
With a strong I-Beam Design, the Gravity Tilt Car Trailer of these awesome plans will do the job. It is a 7′ x 21′ trailer with many options, starting with 10,400 lbs, or 12,000 lbs Capacity. Many Choices, and a ton of great Function.
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Description
Description
You have been asking for a stellar Gravity Tilt Car Trailer – for Cars and Equipment – so here are the Trailer Plans. Like all our plans, these include complete engineering and design – from a blank sheet of paper – so this trailer will perform.
A Gravity Tilt Car trailer has the unique ability to be its own ramp – a full ramp – with a low entry angle. This design includes safety features like hydraulic damping so the deck will not slam down in either direction, and a gravity hook (invented for this trailer). The I-Beam design is strong, by design, and verified with proper engineering tools just as we did in the research.
The trailer plans have many options, starting with a choice of total capacity. Choose to follow the instructions and build your trailer at 10,400 lbs capacity, or choose the heavier duty options with 12,000 lbs capacity – both versions have the strong I-Beam design to give great strength while keeping a low deck height.
Gravity Tilt Car Trailer Plans

These plans have a Gravity Tilt Deck portion that is 17.9 ft length (including the beaver tail). It also has a fixed deck portion of 38 inches length at the front. This small front deck offers a lot of flexibility for loading and cargo. From giving a place for equipment implements, or a spot for a motorcycle in front of your 4×4. The fixed deck area extends not only the carrying surface, but also effectively extends the tongue for better, more stable towing.
Like all our trailer plans, this Gravity Tilt Car Trailer also includes a bunch of functional options. Some are in the images here, and others in the plans. Things like deck materials – wood deck options, split deck, steel deck, or an aluminum deck. Your choice. Jack types, storage options, tie-down options – even a winch – and more, are all in the plans.
Build your car trailer from these plans with confidence. Build it perfect for your unique needs. All the info and instruction for the Trailer and Tilt Top are in the plans. Read more by clicking the accordion headings below.
Specifications
Specifications
6’10” x 21′ – Gravity Tilt Car Trailer / Equipment Trailer Plans
- Tandem axles with leaf springs — use double eye or slipper style.
- 6’10” x 21′ full deck size. Tilt portion is 17.9 ft gravity tilt (includes the beaver tail) + 3ish ft in the mini front deck.
- Width at the fenders is 102 inches.
- Weight for this trailer is hard to estimate because of the many options. Your choices will certainly change the end weight. However, a good estimate for the base 12,000 lb capacity trailer without decking is around 2600 lbs. A bit less for the 10K version of this trailer.
- Trailer weight depends on many design choices. Tie-Down options, Decking choices, Toolbox, Winch, Battery, Jack Styles, etc. all add to the weight.
- I-Beam construction for the gravity tilt portion is compact, yet very strong. Rectangular tube for the trailer portion main beams for twist resistance.
- The Instructions and drawing notes explain all the details of building the tilt pivots, the beaver tail, and the gravity hook feature.
- For the 12,000 lb version of this trailer, on theoretically flat ground, the tilt angle is around 11 degrees. Since many things you can choose in construction will affect this angle, we only give it as a perspective.
- Choices for the Deck material and style. Choose a layered Plywood deck (stiffest and strongest), a plank deck surface, or a split deck. Choose steel or aluminum as fits your needs.
- Welded steel trailer frame construction is I-Beam, C-Channel, and Rectangular Tube, primarily. Some flat, some round, and some angle also.
- Crossmembers are 3″ C-Channel.
- Several parts are made from CNC cut sheet. Some beaver tail parts, the pivot stiffeners, some gravity hook components.
- Fenders for the Gravity Tilt Car Trailer are Removable (primary design), but as an option, they can weld (or bolt) on permanent.
- This trailer does not need Ramps to load a vehicle. It is, after all, a gravity tilt deck.
- Options for the hitch – standard straight ball coupler, or use an adjustable ball coupler.
- Many options are given as places to anchor as tie-down points. Use one style or several to meet your needs.
- Plans include options for a front rail, then make it as short or as tall as you like.
- The option for a winch is also in the plans. Make it fixed, or removable with a drawbar pin.
- Choose a tongue mount toolbox, or build an internal tray, or not.
- There are options for the tongue jack. Several kinds will work.
- Download the Gravity Tilt Car Trailer plans, then save them on your computer right after payment. It takes only a few minutes.
- Plans are in PDF format that can be printed on large or small paper. Perfect for your shop.
- The download includes a full set of Drawings (57 pages) plus the Instructions Document (35 pages). Plans DO NOT include the 3D CAD files (see our FAQ about CAD files).
- The instructions include a full materials list with both raw materials and components to purchase. It also has options, explanations, Engineering Considerations, and Step-by-Step construction instructions.
More About The Design Features
More About The Design Features
A Gravity Tilt Car Trailer offers some cool simplicity and convenience if you need to haul cars or equipment. A car, of course, and equipment like a skid loader or small tractor all work well with this trailer – as long as they are within the weight limits.
The convenience is just tilting the deck so the vehicle can drive on or off – no ramps needed. Additionally, the ramp up surface is a lower angle than most ramps on fixed deck car haulers.
For reference, if you build the 12,000 lbs version of this trailer, and if the complete trailer is 3500 lbs (reasonable for these plans), then your load can weigh up to 8500 lbs. That is enough for almost any car, and most pickup trucks, SUVs and a lot of small loaders. Of course, some weigh more, so make sure you know your trailer weight, and the weight of the vehicle you wish to put on it.
Operation
A gravity tilt car trailer is fairly easy to use. This one, particularly. To load a vehicle, just tilt the deck back (or down, or in ramp position – all ways of saying the same thing). Then drive the vehicle slowly up the ramp (the deck). When the load gets to the tipping point, it will pivot forward until it rests horizontal (flat). Once flat and horizontal, drive the vehicle forward a little more to put proper weight at the tongue for towing. The vehicle is loaded. Strap it down.
Unloading is the opposite actions. Prime the Gravity Hook, then back the vehicle until the tilt deck begins to pivot back. Once the end of the tilt deck is on the ground, back the vehicle off the trailer.
Gravity Tilt Trailer Features
Hydraulics on the system dampen the tilt action so the motion is smooth. These hydraulics are passive – meaning they do not require a pump or other power to do their job. They really just keep the tilting from acting fast and banging things.
The beaver tail at the end of the tilt deck is there to allow an easy roll-on for the vehicle. The tail does include a bar at the end, which does give a tiny bump, but it manages weight and stress nicely. Taillights for this trailer are under the driving surface of the beaver tail – partly for protection, and partly to keep them out of the way.
These trailer plans also include a unique feature that was invented for it. The idea of a hook to grab the top when it comes back to horizontal is not new. Spring loading the hooks so they snap on is also not new. However, priming the system so it will release when action happens, then automatically reset to grab mode is a new function. It is made to improve safety when the gravity tilt trailer is operated with a single person. It takes away a few points of error that can occur.
The Gravity Hook has 3 modes:
- Locked. When the hooks are engaged and the pin is IN, the trailer is ready for towing.
- Ready. This is basically the same condition as Locked, except that the pin is OUT, so if the trailer tilt top is back and comes forward, it will snap to secure top from tilting.
- Primed. The hooks are designed so they can be manually held disengaged, but someone has to hold the lever. On the other hand, in the Primed position it will hold itself until the trailer deck begins to tilt, then it resets itself automatically, so that if you change your mind about backing off, or after you unload then reset the deck, it will automatically be in the Ready mode.
The Gravity Hook is self energizing – which means it does not want to release when there is significant load on it. That keeps you from accidentally releasing the tilt in a condition where it will immediately, and violently tilt.
Your Needs?
So, what are your needs? Various needs require different configurations, which is why we give so many options. Whether you are hauling Cars, or Equipment, there are always ways to make the job easier.
To make this trailer exactly what you want, we recommend considering the features you want and options in the plans as a start. Then, add your own flavor so it fits your needs. Things like Decking material and style, Tie-down places, a tongue mounted toolbox, a winch, jacks, removable fenders, front rail, and more. They are all choices to give you desired functionality. Some options are mutually exclusive. Not all options are in the pictures on this page.
If you want a Gravity Tilt Car Trailer, this is an excellent place to start. Buy the trailer plans here.
We wish you the best of luck with your project.
Maximizing Your Project
Plans from Mechanical Elements are an awesome start to a great project. Here are even more resources!
First: For more info, please read: What's In The Plans? and What Makes Our Trailer Plans Better?
Second: Purchase plans with the "Add to Cart" button, then right after payment, a digital copy is ready to save to your computer. Please see this article for answers about getting the plans.
Third: We have many articles to help with trailer building. Just type a question in the Show Me bar (top of this page), then press "GO". Or, for simple browsing, visit Articles from the Mechanic.
Reminder:
Trailer building requires metal working skill and tools for things like cutting, drilling, and accurate set-up, as well as welding skill. Strength, durability, and enjoyment depend on building the trailer well. Build it well, then Enjoy the Finished Project !!
Notes for Success
* Trailer load capacity depends on all the parts and materials, as well as the craftsmanship in building. All Mechanical Elements trailers are engineered to perform as stated when built as defined with proper care in construction – including parts, material, construction techniques, weld integrity, assembly methods, and finishing. Capacity for this trailer also requires proper choices for parts such as the hitch, axle(s), wheels, tires, safety chain, decking, bolts, pins, etc. Please make sure component load capacities match or exceed the trailer total capacity. Do not exceed manufacturers limits.
For trouble-free trailer life, think care and safety. Please select fastening methods to handle how and where the trailer will operate – including vibration, proper fastener types, bolt grades, torques, and nut types (like lock nuts). Then, be smart about loading the trailer, load distribution, tire pressure, tire condition and the mechanics of towing. We want you safe to enjoy your trailer for a long time ahead. Always use proper safety and securing equipment when loading and towing a trailer.
Thank You — The Mechanical Elements Team
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