Need a really tough dump trailer? Build one yourself – with confidence – using fully engineered Dump Trailer Plans. This design features a 7′ × 14′ tilt bed with 14,000 lb gross trailer weight (GTWR). Yes, you can build a better dump trailer with these plans.
While these plans actually belong to our competitor, we are offer them in our Plans Store because they are great plans. After all, we designed and engineered them, so we know they are good.
Now why would I write about a competitor’s trailer plans? That is a good question with a simple answer. First, some background.
Trailer Plans From Synthesis
Mechanical Elements is the DIY and retail side for Synthesis Engineering Services. Among many other things, at Synthesis we design trailers – mostly specialty and custom trailers – for customers with a specific need. (Read this Engineering Case Study for a cool example.) We help customers evaluate their needs, and set their trailer design goals, then we work through all aspects of the design for an awesome solution.
Of course, at Synthesis we also produce all the plans available here at MechanicalElements.com.
If you look around, it is easy to see that our Fully Engineered trailer plans are a step above the competition. By design, we include options with extra function so you can build your perfect trailer. And, our plans have more detail and better documentation. These are things our competition does not have.
The paradigm is noticed by Johnson Trailer Parts, as they seek trailer plans of their own. At Synthesis (and Mechanical Elements), we are not driven by a hording ego. We believe the best things come back as we give. And, we get what we need as we help others get what they need. So, we also design trailer plans for Johnson (and some others).
Their business is Trailer Parts, and the plans help them attract customers to sell more parts. They specialize in Trailer Parts Kits, which is why we are also working with them to provide parts kits for your that match our trailer plans. Yes, the relationship goes both ways so we can provide a Best-In-Class experience for you, our customer.
Video: Building From The Dump Trailer Plans
The Dump Trailer plans are a highlight of the Johnson Trailer Parts offerings. Super cool, very strong, and well designed for the big jobs. Check out the video.
Here is the first build from the Dump Trailer Plans we did for them. They did a great job with this video. A touch long for a build video, perhaps, but it is all in one video. I personally think they did a stellar job with the cinematics and build views. Since building a dump trailer is a lot more involved that building some other trailer styles (like utility trailers for instance) this video length is good.
Please watch the clip, and enjoy the build show !!
These dump trailer plans are totally new, designed by Synthesis for Johnson Trailer Parts from a clean white piece of paper. The design of these Dump Trailer plans is specific to the things they want to see in a trailer for their own use, combined with the engineering experience here. This all means it has the things others will need also.
While the dump trailer plans are to their specifications, the full design and the engineering is from Synthesis. We did the design, then, as in this video, they did this first build – and they also created the cool video. If you like it, feel free to follow it to YouTube and let them know in the video comments. I am sure they will appreciate hearing from you.
Plans For Sale
The decision to help is easy, because they are a good bunch. As a family business, they take care of customers. We are their customer for trailer parts, and they come to us for plans. That is a good relationship.
UPDATE: After years of working together, Synthesis (Mechanical Elements) and Johnson are now collaborating even more: First, the Dump Trailer Plans are now for sale here, at Mechanical Elements. Second, Johnson Trailer Parts is now providing trailer parts kits for you, for our trailer plans. That will save you money on quality parts that fit the plans.
This update is cool, because it means Blueprints for this Dump Trailer are now available in our Plans Store. Then, you can get the full trailer parts kit for it – from Johnson Trailer Parts – including the hydraulics package, and the scissor hoist. (The scissor hoist is from Premium Supply, now part of Dexter). Other scissor hoists may work, but you must verify the mounting locations and all the geometry to make sure.
I hear it coming . . . Why don’t we have our own Dump Trailer Plans? Good question. That is the way we roll. They paid us to design the trailer and provide the plans, so we will not step on their toes. After all, what would we do better? We did the design for these dump trailer plans, and we think they are excellent right now. We think it is better to license their plans and offer them to you, than to try to create something else.
That said, the Johnson Trailer Parts – Dump Trailer Plans – are available for you. To us, it matters most that you, as our customer get what you need. You can get the plans on our website, or on theirs.
What Is The Motivation?
Do we get royalties? No. The plans belong to Johnson Trailer Parts, not to us. Which is just fine. For plans we sell here, we split the revenue, and likewise for the Mechanical Elements plans they sell on their website. It works.
So, going back to the first question, why do I write about a competitor’s dump trailer plans? Because you, as our customer, may want them. We know the plans are good, so we are happy to recommend them.
Oh sure, just like everyone, we like to make money in what we do, but that is not our guiding directive. First and foremost, we believe the world needs more kindness, and if that means helping you find something – especially if it is something we do not offer. We are happy to do it. Second, selling DIY plans is a good hobby.
A few Dump Trailer Plans will not make us rich or poor. This is just a thing. Our primary revenue comes from engineering the future in Custom Machines, Product Development, Engineering Consulting, Custom Trailers, and other Technical Engineering endeavors.
Trailer plans are fun, and so are Crane Plans and other Shop Tool Plans. We make the designs, integrate them into plans, then talk about them in articles and tips. We find it very satisfying to share the know-how and some perspective. Your stories of success are the best return. After all, that is what Mechanical Elements is all about.
If you need Dump Trailer Plans, now you know the story. And, you also know where to get the best trailer plans!
Update For The Dump Trailer Plans!
Per request from Johnson Trailer Parts, we recently did a revision of the Dump Trailer Plans to include a variation in the hydraulics, and to add a ramps option for the back.
We know that many people also use their dump trailers to haul other things, like a skid steer. Making it possible to load that other equipment is a request from customers, so we added an option in the plans which allows ramps to securely attach to the back of this trailer. We also designed a nice way to hang and store the ramps on the trailer sides for easy access.
(We thought about putting the ramps under the bed, sliding them in for storage like on many of our other trailers, but that will raise the Center-of-Gravity, making a higher load, which is somewhat less stable. Side mounting makes more sense in this case.)
But there is more . . . we also provide engineering information so you can choose to build the ramps you want, with the strength, and length you need. Options for the ramps include both steel and aluminum. This is another feature you will not find in competitive trailer plans.
Then, to assist with safety, we also added the option for rear stabilizers to the dump trailer plans. The stabilizers support the rear of the trailer to reduce stress on the frame when loading something heavy – like driving a tractor into it. Of course, we highly recommend the rear stabilizers if you will be driving equipment on and off the trailer bed.
Once again, you get more at Mechanical Elements. We fully engineer all the plans, including dump trailer plans for Johnson Trailer Parts – and for you.
We Wish You Happy Trailer Building !!
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