Description

This is the smallest of the Endurance Duty family of Deck-Over Trailer Plans — BUT, it’s not small, and it’s not light duty!  Check the specs because, the Deck-Over trailer in these plans is a workhorse.  Yet, that’s just the start with these blueprints.  Choose options like various sides, ramps, hitch style, deck style, and much more.  Even the options have options — like choices for ramp length and strength.  The design is for you, so make it the way you want it.  This is a tough trailer in a design for endurance duty.

Tandem Axle, 7000 lbs Deck-Over Trailer Plans

When you need the broad, full width deck, there’s not much else to substitute.  This trailer spans the full legal limit of 8′ 6″ wide with a 16′ long deck.  Tandem Axles give 7000 lbs capacity making this Deck-Over trailer one of the most popular sizes.  Yet, the plans are more than just the trailer — they also include a lot of options, and variations in the options.  For instance, our research shows many owners wish their ramps were just a little longer — so the plans give options for ramp length.  Oh, and options for ramp strength including a chart of capacity by length so you can find your own sweet spot.

Giving you choices to build the trailer the way you want it is the Mechanical Elements way.  Design and engineering for robust action, is all included.  In researching other 7000lb deck-over trailers we also found that many side rub rails had damage.  Yes, the rub rails did their job, but many have damage.  The more robust trailers have thicker rails, so this design includes a nice balance of thick and wide to give robust action.  Options exist.  The same is true throughout the trailer.  Again, it’s something to expect at Mechanical Elements.

Get the trailer plans, then customize them for your specific needs.

Related Products & Information

– For the next size larger:  8.5′ x 20′ – 7000 lbs Deck-Over Trailer Plans.
– Greater capacity:  8.5′ x 20′ – 10000 lbs Deck-Over Trailer Plans.
– For a Lower Deck,  7000 lbs (not a Deck-Over), please see the  6’10″x 16′ Trailer Plans or the 6′ x 16′ Plans.
– Learn how we design plans specifically for a Deck-Over trailer.

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Specifications

8.5′ x 16′ – 7000 lbs Deck-Over Trailer Plans

• 8’6″ x 16′ Nominal Deck Size.
• 7000 lbs Total Axle Capacity (which includes both trailer and cargo).
• Tandem axles with leaf springs and equalizing.
• Deck-over design with optional side tie-down rub rails.
• Welded Steel Construction with a mix of materials including rectangular tube as main beams.
• Approximate base trailer weight ~ 1600 lbs (w/o Ramps, Decking, or Sides).
• While the primary design is a traditional Deck-Over trailer, plans also include many options.
  (Something you just don’t get with other trailer plans.)
• Options like Ramps (and ramp options), Raised Front, Sides, Deck Type, and more.
• Blueprints with lots of detail, notes, and trailer construction hints.
• Instructions explain the build, step by step, with hints to customize for specific needs.
• The download is a Zip file containing drawings, illustrated instructions, and special part files.
• Fully Engineered design by Synthesis Engineering Services.

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More About The Design Features

While the specifications are nice, here’s little more information to expound on the trailer features.

• * The trailer is 8 feet 6 inches wide (typical legal width limit), with a bed length of 16 feet 3.5 inches including the steel frame.  8’6″ width includes the rub rails.
• Overall length with the tongue is 253 inches (a little over 21 feet) — which will vary a little with some options.
• Trailer bed height will depend on design options.  Typical is ~34 inches, but will vary with tire size, spring shape, shims, load and other options.
• 7000 lbs max capacity (combined axle rating)* using tandem axles rated at 3500 lbs each.  Load capacity includes the trailer weight with all options.
• Suspension is leaf springs, double eye style, with equalizer.  Slipper type springs are acceptable.  Not for independent torsion axles (see this article).
• Trailer weight will vary depending on design options.  The 7K base flatbed trailer is in the 1600+ lbs range, which includes the axles and wheels, but without decking, sides or ramps.  Options like sides, decking choices, and all the other options will change the weight.
• Many options are in the plans.  Here is a list, yet it does not include everything.
• Deck options — both material, connection options, with or without the wheel covers, etc..
• Build the standard flatbed, or choose on of the sides options — permanent or removable — also in the plans.  Sides options have variations, including options for tie-downs, rub rails, stake pockets, etc..
• Ramps are an option — Choose ramps that slide in (and store) under the deck (or not), then choose the ramp length and capacity you need.
• Design includes options for a raised front rail (or not), and a tongue tray for special tools (or not).
• Choose a mounted toolbox, a tongue tray, spare tire, etc. are there for optional functionality.  Since some options are mutually exclusive, not all options are in the pictures here.

  

• The download package includes the full set of drawings along with illustrated instructions and CAD files for laser or water jet cutting of the tail plate and other option parts.
• We provide the plans complete, the way we would want to receive them.  We think they are much more complete and more detailed than any of our competitors.

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Plans from Mechanical Elements are an awesome start to a great project.  Here are even more resources!

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