Pricing Guide
budgeting for your trailer build
These prices are a GUIDE ONLY and may vary significantly depending on your location. We recommend contacting your steel and parts suppliers to determine the exact pricing and availability – before starting your trailer or tray build.
We’ve listed parts on the lower end of the cost scale.
The cost of building your own trailer
Generally Speaking
The cost of steel will fall between $600 – $2000 (AUD) depending on the design and local steel prices/availability.
You can source the primary, essential components required to get your trailer on the road cheaply; however, you can quickly max out your budget if choosing high-end trailer parts like alloy rims and heavy-duty accessories.
You will find a detailed parts list when building your own trailer using our plans. Of course, you can use whatever parts you want if they meet your local regulations. Using brand-new parts is a good idea for building a new trailer.
Another important consideration is the cost of painting your new trailer. The cheapest option is to paint it yourself, however this does require lots of preparation to ensure a sleek and durable finish. Another great option is to have your trailer power coated – but it can be quite costly. Hot dip galvanising is the most durable and long-lasting coating but is expensive, like powder coating.
Below is a categorised guide of trailer parts for each ATM (aggregate trailer mass) group.
| PART DESCRIPTION | COST EACH (AUD) | QTY REQUIRED | TOTAL COST (AUD) | TOTAL COST (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Steel |
– |
– |
$650 |
$430 |
|
13″ Galvanised Rim & Tyre Kit |
$105 |
2 |
$210 |
$140 |
|
Trailer Lights/Electrical Parts |
$85 |
1 |
$85 |
$55 |
|
Jockey Wheel |
$60 |
1 |
$60 |
$40 |
|
2000kg Tow Coupling |
$35 |
1 |
$35 |
$20 |
|
1500kg Leaf Spring Suspension Kit |
$165 |
1 |
$165 |
$110 |
|
1500kg Square Axle |
$145 |
1 |
$145 |
$95 |
|
Electric Drum Brake Kit |
$265 |
1 |
$265 |
$175 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
$1,615 |
$1,065 |
|
- Installing electric brakes on a small trailer is a cheap option if you already have a brake controller installed in your vehicle. If not, we recommend a mechanical override braking system.
- The parts list above does not include shipping charges. However, this can add quite a bit to your overall build if you must get the parts shipped to you.
- Other cost considerations are any outsourcing of fabrication work, miscellaneous parts such as mudflaps, spare wheel, safety chains, reflectors, consumables, tools, and any safety equipment you don’t already have.
| PART DESCRIPTION | COST EACH (AUD) | QTY REQUIRED | TOTAL COST (AUD) | TOTAL COST (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Steel |
– |
– |
$1,300 |
$860 |
|
14″ Galvanised Rim & Tyre Kit |
$120 |
4 |
$480 |
$320 |
|
Trailer Lights/Electrical Parts |
$100 |
1 |
$100 |
$65 |
|
Jockey Wheel |
$100 |
1 |
$100 |
$65 |
|
Electric Braked 2500kg Tow Coupling |
$95 |
1 |
$95 |
$60 |
|
Tandem Rocker Roller 2500kg Spring Suspension Kit |
$360 |
1 |
$360 |
$240 |
|
1500kg Square Axle |
$145 |
2 |
$290 |
$195 |
|
Electric Drum Brake Kit |
$265 |
2 |
$530 |
$350 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
$3,255 |
$2,155 |
|
- The notes in the previous category are also applicable.
- If you don’t have a brake controller, this is another cost to include depending on local requirements.
- Remember to include your brake-away unit; these vary significantly in price! (Not required in all countries).
- Other things to consider are the cost of extras, such as a winch for a car trailer or a hydraulic kit if you are building a tipping/dump trailer.
- Often when you build your own trailer, you will want to use better than the standard run-of-the-mill components, for example, galvanised parts which will be more expensive.
- You may also like to upgrade your springs to the next size up depending on how hard you are on gear and the roads that you expect to travel on.
| PART DESCRIPTION | COST EACH (AUD) | QTY REQUIRED | TOTAL COST (AUD) | TOTAL COST (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Steel |
– |
– |
$1,600 |
$1,050 |
|
14″ Galvanised Rim & Tyre Kit |
$120 |
4 |
$480 |
$320 |
|
Trailer Lights/Electrical Parts |
$100 |
1 |
$100 |
$65 |
|
Jockey Wheel |
$100 |
1 |
$100 |
$65 |
|
Electric Braked 3500kg Tow Coupling |
$120 |
1 |
$120 |
$80 |
|
Tandem Rocker Roller 3500kg Spring Suspension Kit |
$410 |
1 |
$410 |
$270 |
|
2000kg Square Axle |
$400 |
2 |
$800 |
$500 |
|
Electric Drum Brake Kit |
$265 |
2 |
$530 |
$350 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
$4,140 |
$2,700 |
|
Updated: 21 May 2023
- The notes from the above two trailer categories are also applicable.
| PART DESCRIPTION | COST EACH (AUD) | QTY REQUIRED | TOTAL COST (AUD) | TOTAL COST (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Steel |
– |
– |
$1,600 |
$1,050 |
|
15″ Galvanised Rim & Tyre Kit |
$200 |
4 |
$800 |
$530 |
|
Trailer Lights/Electrical Parts |
$500 |
1 |
$500 |
$330 |
|
Jockey Wheel |
$150 |
1 |
$150 |
$100 |
|
Electric Braked 3500kg Tow Coupling |
$120 |
1 |
$120 |
$80 |
|
Airbag Suspension Components |
$3,500 |
1 |
$3,500 |
$3,000 |
|
Stub Axles |
$120 |
4 |
$480 |
$320 |
|
Electric Drum Brake Kit |
$300 |
2 |
$600 |
$400 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
$8,150 |
$6,085 |
|
Updated: 21 May 2023
- The parts list above does not include shipping charges. This can add quite a bit to your overall build if you need parts shipped to you.
- Other cost considerations are any outsourcing of fabrication work, miscellaneous parts such as mudflaps, spare wheel, safety chains, reflectors, consumables (e.g., grinding discs), welding consumables, tools, and any safety equipment you don’t already have.
- If you don’t already have a brake controller, depending on your local requirements, this is another cost to include.
- Don’t forget to include your breakaway units, these vary greatly in price! (Not required in all countries).
- Some other things to consider are the cost of extras such as a winch if it is for a car trailer.
- Often when you build your own trailer, you will want to use better than standard run-off-the-mill components, for example, galvanised parts which will be more expensive.
- You will also need to factor in the cost of your paint job, galvanising, powder coating or DIY painting.
| PART DESCRIPTION | COST EACH (AUD) | QTY REQUIRED | TOTAL COST (AUD) | TOTAL COST (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Steel |
– |
– |
$550 |
$365 |
|
Lights/Electrical Parts |
$200 |
1 |
$200 |
$130 |
|
|
|
TOTAL: |
$750 |
$495 |
Updated: 21 May 2023
- There will be other costs to consider such as any nuts and bolts, mud flaps, latches, etc.
- Don’t forget to factor in the cost of outsourcing you may need, such as having the tray sides folder by your local fabrication shop.
- There is also the cost of painting your ute tray.