Sometimes looking for the right trailer plans is like seeking a needle in a haystack. Every site has something, but not exactly what you want. So, what can you do?
Sometimes the trailer you need simply does not exist in available plans or in production models. That is when custom trailer design and engineering becomes an attractive solution.
No doubt, if you can dream it, there is probably a way to build it. And Yes, we do Custom Trailer Design.
Custom design can solve almost any requirement. However, proper engineering takes time and expertise, so the investment must make sense for the project. Before making the full-custom commitment, it is worth considering some options. While custom trailer plans are awesome, it is not the right solution for every situation. This page explains some of the options so you can decide what makes sense for your goals.
Join us as we answer this question we get fairly often: “You don’t have the trailer plans I need. Now what?”
Things We Recommend Before Custom Trailer Design
When you need something very specific, the best way to get it is to design it, then build it, the way you want it. Yet sometimes time, money, or other resources make that difficult. Unfortunately, that is a pickle we know well.
Here are a few considerations we recommend before jumping right to full-custom trailer design.
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What specific features of your ideal trailer can you not find?
Is it the size? The desired capacity? The shape? Or a special feature?
If you can find plans for most of what you need, then maybe you only need to customize the details. Read the article When It is Safe To Customize Our Plans. You may also find help in browsing through our conversion plans, for things like a Torsion Axle Conversion or maybe a Tilt Top Conversion.
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Can you buy a finished trailer already made?
Sometimes people send a photo of an existing trailer and ask if we can make plans for them. Sure, but is it worth it? Sometimes it is better to buy what you need rather than reinventing it. Here is an article on the topic that is worth reading. – When to Buy, When to Build.
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What can you retro-fit?
Can you modify an existing trailer with the special features you need? In other words, can you buy most of what you want, then add or change a few things so it will have the needed unique features?
If these ideas don’t help, then it might be time to seriously look at custom trailer design.
The obvious benefits for the list above are saving time, money, or both. Engineering is an investment, an NRE (Non-Recurring Expense – the upfront engineering cost before you even get to build one). Sure, it gives you what nothing else can, but it takes time and can be expensive.
There are times when custom trailer design is exactly the best solution. We can help with that, for sure. However, if you can get what you need while minimizing cost, then you are farther ahead. By suggesting other options, we are not trying to talk you out of it, just wanting to make sure you get the best for you.
Benefits of Custom Trailer Design
There are a lot of really great things that come with custom trailer plans. Some of the benefits include:
- First, you get exactly what you want (within reason, of course).
- Second, you have something you know will do the job. There is no guessing about “Is it strong enough?” or “Will it really work?” We establish all of that in the engineering.
- Third, you will have something truly unique. It is yours. You own the design and documentation created for your project.
Finally, you will get the best in quality when you build from blueprints by Synthesis Engineering Services. Synthesis is the parent company of Mechanical Elements. We have been designing specialized products for many years and have experience with custom trailers – in many sizes and crazy configurations.
To see examples of our thinking, please read this Case Study of A Specialty Trailer Design as well as this Case Study on Tiny House Trailers. Our list of custom designs for trailers spans many areas. Expanding mobile batting cages. Mobile kitchen trailers. Fishing pond on wheels. Custom hog haulers. Special mining support operations. And, so many more.
The Costs In Design
Without a doubt, cost is the big down-side of custom trailer design. As in our Article about Free Trailer Plans, the time and effort for creating plans is not trivial. If our work makes it look simple and easy, that is awesome. It means all the hard work is hidden so well that you can’t tell – which is a great compliment.
Why Does Custom Engineering Cost So Much More Than Your Plans?
The plans in our store represent hundreds of hours of engineering work spread across many, many customers. Custom trailer design concentrates that effort and cost into a single project. This is the NRE.
Custom trailer plans require dedicated engineering, both for new designs, and modifications of existing plans. Even small changes to a design can affect load paths, beam choice, and structural stresses. Because of this, custom is rarely simple. The engineering effort assures the new trailer meets our standards for strength, durability, and roadworthiness. It is expected for DOT, FMVSS, and NATM guidelines.
The higher cost of custom trailer plans is all the engineering and work for a unique design, to your specifications. Fortunately, it also means the result is yours to build without royalties or restrictions.
Complexity and Constraints
Cost in engineering boils down to 2 big factors: Complexity and Constraints.
Complexity can be a lot of parts, or a lot of things going on, or a bunch of conditions to meet. As a design gets more Complex, then it takes more time and effort. For example, a simple rigid frame utility trailer that only hauls dirt on roads is much less complex than a full hydraulic dump trailer that hauls dirt and/or tractors and takes a beating in off-road use.
Engineering is the balance of trade-offs. Constraints are the limitations that force trade-offs. Here is a classic example: “I want a 20-ft trailer weighing less than 1000 lbs.” That is easy if it does not carry much, but we bump hard into physics constraints if it must carry 10,000 lbs.
Factors in Complexity and Constraints
For each project, we start with concepts – often many. We consider customer needs while deciding on how things will go together, to make it easy to build. (There are a lot of convoluted trailers out there, because they skip or short-cut these steps.)
Next is material choice – driven partly by available stock, and by engineering analysis. It is a balance of constraints. Choices, especially for beam shape, depend on the complexities of loading.
Then we analyze using a variety of tools – FEA, fatigue charts, and more – including proper safety factors. While it seems simple, we must analyze the model many ways to be sure it is good for all the ways you will use it. Design iterations of analysis, choices, tweaking and back to analysis and sanity checks take time to get right.
When we say the plans are fully engineered, this is what we mean. Even for simple trailers, we do not skimp.
Finally, all the details. They say the devil is in the details – and if that means time, then it is true. Of course, the more complex the design, the more time it consumes. All the views on the drawings, the notes of instruction, tips, steps and dimensions so you will know how to build it.
End documents must show the design, sure, and communicate how to build it. Yet, that is what we do, because it is part of doing the job right.
So What Does It Cost?
Custom design makes your trailer unique, so the cost is unique too. Without knowing details, it is impossible to guess about cost. However, here is some direction based on previous work.
There are 3 categories of custom trailer design.
- Minor modifications to an existing design. If your ideal trailer is an easy change to current plans we have, for instance a simple change in size, or capacity, then the cost is less. We have made these kinds of design changes ranging from $1,000 to $2,000+. Obviously the more complex the changes, the more the cost.
- Significant modifications to an existing design. This is the middle ground. For instance, if we have a trailer that is close, but you need more capacity, another axle, or extensive size or configuration changes, then that fits this middle category. Prices range from $1,500 to $4,000+. Again depending on the changes.
- Full Custom Trailer Design. This is the hardest to estimate because everything depends on the needs. Large complex trailers (like a tandem dually, or one with moving sections) might be in the $8,000 to $12,000+ range. Or simpler, we have done wide load trailers in the $3,000 to $8,000 range. It depends on the amount of work (complexity and constraints). One custom trailer design was over $18,000!
The best way to know the cost for your project is a discussion with us. If the above numbers fit, then please give us a shout.
TIP:
Settle on the design specification before we start the work. We can help with that. When the design constraints (requirements) change in the middle of the project, it can mean a lot of re-work, and unnecessary extra cost.
Rule Of Thumb For Cost Perspective:
We often joke about engineering cost by saying – the trailer plans in our Mechanical Elements Store are the best deal around! They are all at 99% discount.
Yes, it is joking, but there is a strong element of truth. To get a perspective on the cost to fully engineer them, multiply the plan price by 100 to estimate the engineering investment behind it. That is not exact, but it does give perspective. We have to sell 100 or more copies of each plan just to break even on the cost to do all the engineering and detailing work.
When Does Custom Trailer Design Make Sense?
The above discussion may feel a little negative. Well, that is not the intent, but if the costs of custom trailer design are scary, then maybe this is not the right path for your project.
Custom Trailer Design / Custom engineering makes the most sense for three types of projects:
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The trailer has a unique purpose which supports the NRE.
For example, a custom trailer that hauls a unique product – perhaps one that has special loading / unloading requirements. It justifies the NRE because it is part of the delivery process. If you make and deliver $300,000 machines, the NRE of engineering so they arrive safe is easy to justify.
For example, one trailer we did was for mining operations to move special equipment. Another example is livestock transport to expedite and destress the loading and unloading of animals. A third example is a Park Home delivery system.
Another situation is where the trailer itself generates revenue. We have done a few trailers that facilitate business for their owners – like a mobile fishing pond, and traveling amusements. One trailer we did carries the machine a contractor uses for their special operations.
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Trailer Manufacturer / Builder
If you are a trailer manufacturing shop that wants a design to build and sell, then custom trailer design can certainly benefit you. We have helped several custom trailer builders with their own designs. They want certain features, and assurance the engineering is right. The cost is worth it for peace of mind.
The unique plans are also worth it because they don’t pay royalties, or worry about competing with duplicate trailers.
In a nutshell, if you will make many, the custom cost can easily amortize out. (Sometimes this does not require custom trailer design, you can build from our existing designs with a royalty agreement.)
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Unique Design justified by time and use.
Some custom trailer uses justify a unique design. We have done custom design for businesses to use in shows or for marketing. We have done custom tiny home trailer designs for individuals needing something special. For them, the cost of engineering is worth it because they will live in it for a long time.
The same for custom food trailers we have helped with – like putting a full brick pizza oven on a trailer – because it gives them an edge in their market.
This list is not exclusive. You may have your own reasons too. If cost and timing are not constraints, there may be many reasons to justify custom trailer engineering and design. The sky is the limit, and we are here to help if custom trailer plans are what you need.
In a more compact format, think of it like this . . .
Summary – Custom Trailer Design Makes Sense When:
- The trailer supports revenue or business operations.
- The trailer must meet unique operational requirements.
- Multiple units will be produced.
- Liability or structural verification requires engineering.
If You Are Ready?
If the options for filling your needs are not readily available, custom trailer plans are one more possibility. As mentioned above, we know it is not cheap, and it is not for everyone. We always recommend that you look at other, faster, easier, less expensive options first. Perhaps modifying existing plans, or purchasing an existing trailer to modify? Only you know the answer to that.
If the project justifies the engineering investment, we are ready to help.
Custom design is the top rung of the ladder. It is the way to get exactly what you need. So, when there is no getting around the needs, then you have found the right place. Through Synthesis (our parent company) we do Custom Trailer Design and Engineering.
Synthesis Engineering Services has delivered custom engineered products across multiple industries, including transportation, mining, agriculture, and mobile systems. Yes, and many custom trailers. Contact us to discuss your trailer design requirements.
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