Many of us have that moment where you have had to rent a U-haul or its equivalent to move large objects that would just not fit in your car. This solution is good enough if this is not for regular use.
However, if you are caught in a situation, where you have to do this from time to time, most people would consider buying a utility trailer of their own. You could decide to build one or you could make one of your own. This trailer could be cheaper and you could design it to meet your specific needs.
This article will be going through 21 DIY Utility Trailers you can make yourself.
Table of Contents
1. Harbor Freight Utility Trailer
This a fairly simple trailer. It is made of wood, with a steel chassis and axle to hold the load carriage.
You can make the flatbed with steel welded together with the axle. Build the wooden floor and the sides. Fasten it firmly with brackets for durability. Make sure to fashion the clamp to attach it to the car.
2. Build from a kit
You can get extra space for your things by creating a utility trailer from ready-made parts. The beauty of this, is that the hard part of the creation is already done.
The kit comes with everything out of the box. From the manual, assemble the bed, the electrical, and the wheels. On completion, you will have a trailer that can haul plywood and other heavy construction materials.
3. An aluminum trailer
This trailer is made from aluminum which makes it a lot lighter but maintains the strength that is associated with metal.
To join the aluminum beams and the axle, you should use brackets and bolts. Using welding would weaken the aluminum and affect its utility.
4. Motorcycle utility trailer
This utility trailer is meant for use for a motorcycle, lawn tractor, or a 4*8 ATV. The ATV can be able to haul large loads despite not having much in the way of storage space.
This build requires a lot of welding as it is completely made of metal. It required a steel checker for the flooring and sides. These should be welded to the chassis and the axle. The trailer will weigh about 860 pounds which requires suspensions.
5. Heavy Duty Logging Trailer
Logging trailers have to be able to handle large loads. As such one axle will not be enough for it.
This strength also applies to the bed of the trailer. Instead of plywood or a sheet of metal for the platform. The bed has beams put in an X pattern. They are also attached to two axles and which hold a total of four wheels.
6. Three in One
This trailer is built to be usable as a box, a car mover, and a flat top, all at once. This trailer has been built to be as versatile as possible. It can carry sand loaded with a forklift, a car, and even smaller pellets in the box.
It comes as a kit, will all the necessary parts in the box. With the instructions in the box, you can put it together with widely available parts at your home. You do not have to worry as all the parts are compatible
7. Homemade trailer with an enclose
This is a better option for those that ferrying fragile goods, or those worried about security.
The bed is made with steel beams. The sides and the top is made with a diamond or steel plate. The open is connected to hinges so it can open and close.
8. Bike Cargo Trailer
This trailer is meant to be light enough to be towed by a bicycle. The materials to make it can be easily found at the local home improvement store.
With the same steel frames and some wood, you can make a useful trailer. Attach the steel bars to create a frame. With wooden floorboards, make the bed. Finally, attach it to the axle and wheels to complete your trailer.
9. Heavy Duty Steel Trailer
This trailer is built to take abuse. Being made completely from steel, it can carry heavy loads without taking damage.
This build requires heavy welding. It requires steel beams to form the frame of the trailer. Hard mesh is used to create the bed of the trailer. Attach the bed to the wheels. On completion, you will have a trailer that can tow heavy objects.
10. Affordable utility trailer
The objective of this build is to get a great trailer while saving money.
You should not cheap out on the steel beams but you can save money by using a salvaged axle. There is also a lot of money to be saved when using salvaged wood to create the bed of the trailer.
11. A kayak trailer
This trailer is designed to move the kayak from one place to the other.
Given the shape of the kayak, you do not need to have a bed that is completely covered. All you need is the steel beam and axle. With the lightweight of the kayak, you can substitute the steel beams for aluminum.
12. Harbor freight trailer with removable sides
This trailer is very versatile. Without the removable sides, the trailer can be loaded with a forklift. When it has sides, the trailer can be loaded with smaller objects and even fine sand.
This trailer is made with a kit that came from a harbor freight with a 1720-pound capacity. This can then be modified by adding lights to the back of it. The bed can be made from plywood. The sides are also crafted from plywood.
13. Affordable bike trailer
Given the size of the bike trailer, few materials are needed.
You can salvage a futon frame to crates the bed of the trailer. Attach some wheels and have a clamp to the bike. This will give a very capable utility trailer.
14. Basic Trailer
This trailer is going to be built from scratch. The skill needed to build this can be high. The requirements to build the trailer can be bought at the local hardware store. You have to make sure that all the parts you buy are compatible with each other, especially when buying from different stores.
Build the frame from square steel rods and attach it to the axle. Attach the wheels to the axle and top the bed of the frame with whichever material you would like.
15. Off the grid bike trailer
This trailer is meant to be able to house all that an individual needs to survive.
This trailer is modified for a hand cart that is used for hauling things. Modify the handle of the hand cart to fit on the bicycle you are using. On the cart, you should have a box containing food, water, and all the things you need to survive.
16. Trailer with a tie-down system
Poorly tied loads can be fatal on the roads. As such, it is very important to make sure that your loads are well secured to your trailer.
To solve this problem, you can use hitch rings. You can firmly attach the track to the bed of your trailer. Have a variety of rope anchors and either side of the bed. From these rings, you can attach ropes to secure your loads.
17. Trailer with a self-lifting tailgate
A self-lifting trailer is great just for the convenience it offers. You can have a trailer that easily looks itself up with the use of an old leaf spring and some scrap steel.
With a leaf spring, some U-bolt plates, and some heavy-duty bolts, you are good to go. Attach leaf spring to the bottom of the trailer with some steel and bolts. The door when open will give some resistance, however, go low enough and it will stop. All you need do is gently nudge the door to close it.
18. Homemade trailer made with bolts
This trailer is made with square steel rods. The idea is to use brackets and bolts to join them together to make the trailer as opposed to using welding.
Arrange the cut steel rods and with galvanized brackets merge them to create a bed. Do the same for the axle and you will get a trailer in the end.
19. Simple 4*8 trailer
This trailer is made from a simple spring and a salvage minivan axle.
With steel beams, you can fashion the frame for the trailer. Attach to the axle by welding. The final product is a functional trailer that comfortably hauls plywood and other construction materials.
20. Trailer with LED lights
Trailers used in the road should have lights. As the road gets bumpy, incandescent lights can get broken and stop working. LEDs are a lot more resilient.
Use high-quality connectors when installing the LED lights at the back of the trailer. Solder the wires to prevent corrosion which can be a problem down the line.
21. Off-road utility trailer
This trailer should be capable of leaving the tarmac road and into the rocks and mud.
The build should reflect its requirements. The springs should not be too soft so they can better navigate the rugged environment. The tires and the rims should also match the off-road vehicles in the market.
Conclusion
Utility trailers shine most in their versatility. Regardless of the vehicle you use, you can easily hook one to the vehicle and be able to haul a lot more weight. Companies have recognized this and have offerings to solve your problems by selling trailers.
To find use in a good trailer, you do not have to pay that much. These DIY tutorials can guide you to make one for yourself. With these tutorials, you can find one that will help you solve whichever specific utility trailer problem you may have.
