Join our Mailing list!
Stay up-to-date with new plan releases.
DIY Trailer & Ute Tray Price Guide
Budgeting for your DIY 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 a DIY Trailer
By building your own trailer, you can save significantly on labour costs while also ensuring the quality of parts (e.g. tyres) – some mass-produced trailers may use second-hand parts!
Overview
The cost of steel will fall between $600 – $2500 (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.
Recommended Main Parts List
Updated: August 2025
Part Description
Unit Price – AUD
Qty Required
Total Cost – AUD
Total Cost – USD
Steel
–
–
$800
$520
13″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
$105
2
$210
$137
Trailer lights / electrical parts
$85
1
$85
$55
Jockey wheel
$55
1
$55
$36
2000kg tow coupling
$35
1
$35
$23
1500kg leaf spring suspension kit
$165
1
$165
$107
1500kg square axle
$145
1
$145
$94
Electric drum brake kit
$265
1
$265
$172
Total
$1,760
$1,144
- 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 costs. Depending on your location and supplier, shipping can significantly increase the total cost of your build.
- 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.
Updated: August 2025
Part Description
Unit Price – AUD
Qty Required
Total Cost – AUD
Total Cost – USD
Steel
–
–
$1,400
$910
14″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
$120
4
$480
$312
Trailer lights / electrical parts
$100
1
$100
$65
Jockey wheel
$90
1
$90
$59
Electric braked 2500kg tow coupling
$95
1
$95
$62
Tandem rocker roller 2500kg spring suspension kit
$360
1
$360
$234
1500kg square axle
$145
2
$290
$189
Electric drum brake kit
$265
2
$530
$345
Total
$3,345
$2,176
- 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.
- 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.
Updated: August 2025
Part Description
Unit Price – AUD
Qty Required
Total Cost – AUD
Total Cost – USD
Steel
–
–
$2,000
$1,300
15″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
$135
4
$540
$351
Trailer lights / electrical parts
$150
1
$150
$98
Jockey wheel
$90
1
$90
$59
Electric braked 3500kg tow coupling
$120
1
$120
$78
Tandem rocker roller 3500kg spring suspension kit
$410
1
$410
$267
2000kg square axle
$350
2
$700
$455
Electric drum brake kit
$265
2
$530
$345
Total
$4,540
$2,953
- The notes from the above two trailer categories are also applicable.
Updated: August 2025
Part Description
Unit Price – AUD
Qty Required
Total Cost – AUD
Total Cost – USD
Steel
–
–
$2,000
$1,300
15″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
$200
4
$800
$520
Trailer lights / electrical parts
$500
1
$500
$325
Jockey wheel
$150
1
$150
$98
Electric braked 3500kg tow coupling
$120
1
$120
$78
Airbag suspension components
$3,500
1
$3,500
$2,275
1500kg Stub axles (pair)
$240
2
$480
$312
Electric drum brake kit
$300
2
$600
$390
Total
$8,150
$5,298
- The parts list above does not include shipping costs. Depending on your location and supplier, shipping can significantly increase the total cost of your build.
- 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 unit, 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.
Updated: August 2025
Part Description
Unit Price – AUD
Qty Required
Total Cost – AUD
Total Cost – USD
Steel
–
–
$550
$358
Lights / electrical parts
$200
1
$200
$130
Total
$750
$488
- 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.
Updated: August 2025
Steel
Unit Price – AUD
–
Qty Required
–
Total Cost – AUD
$800
Total Cost – USD
$520
13″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
Unit Price – AUD
$105
Qty Required
2
Total Cost – AUD
$210
Total Cost – USD
$137
Trailer lights / electrical parts
Unit Price – AUD
$85
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$85
Total Cost – USD
$55
Jockey wheel
Unit Price – AUD
$55
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$55
Total Cost – USD
$36
2000kg tow coupling
Unit Price – AUD
$35
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$35
Total Cost – USD
$23
1500kg leaf spring suspension kit
Unit Price – AUD
$165
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$165
Total Cost – USD
$107
1500kg square axle
Unit Price – AUD
$145
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$145
Total Cost – USD
$94
Electric drum brake kit
Unit Price – AUD
$265
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$265
Total Cost – USD
$172
Total
$1,760 AUD
$1,144 USD
- 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 costs. Depending on your location and supplier, shipping can significantly increase the total cost of your build.
- 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.
Updated: August 2025
Steel
Unit Price – AUD
–
Qty Required
–
Total Cost – AUD
$1,400
Total Cost – USD
$910
14″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
Unit Price – AUD
$120
Qty Required
4
Total Cost – AUD
$480
Total Cost – USD
$312
Trailer lights / electrical parts
Unit Price – AUD
$100
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$100
Total Cost – USD
$65
Jockey wheel
Unit Price – AUD
$90
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$90
Total Cost – USD
$59
Electric braked 2500kg tow coupling
Unit Price – AUD
$95
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$95
Total Cost – USD
$62
Tandem rocker roller 2500kg spring suspension kit
Unit Price – AUD
$360
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$360
Total Cost – USD
$234
1500kg square axle
Unit Price – AUD
$145
Qty Required
2
Total Cost – AUD
$290
Total Cost – USD
$189
Electric drum brake kit
Unit Price – AUD
$265
Qty Required
2
Total Cost – AUD
$530
Total Cost – USD
$345
Total
$3,345 AUD
$2,176 USD
- 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.
- 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.
Updated: August 2025
Steel
Unit Price – AUD
–
Qty Required
–
Total Cost – AUD
$2,000
Total Cost – USD
$1,300
15″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
Unit Price – AUD
$135
Qty Required
4
Total Cost – AUD
$540
Total Cost – USD
$351
Trailer lights / electrical parts
Unit Price – AUD
$150
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$150
Total Cost – USD
$98
Jockey wheel
Unit Price – AUD
$90
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$90
Total Cost – USD
$59
Electric braked 3500kg tow coupling
Unit Price – AUD
$120
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$120
Total Cost – USD
$78
Tandem rocker roller 3500kg spring suspension kit
Unit Price – AUD
$410
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$410
Total Cost – USD
$267
2000kg square axle
Unit Price – AUD
$350
Qty Required
2
Total Cost – AUD
$700
Total Cost – USD
$455
Electric drum brake kit
Unit Price – AUD
$265
Qty Required
2
Total Cost – AUD
$530
Total Cost – USD
$345
Total
$4,540 AUD
$2,953 USD
- The notes from the above two trailer categories are also applicable.
Updated: August 2025
Steel
Unit Price – AUD
–
Qty Required
–
Total Cost – AUD
$2,000
Total Cost – USD
$1,300
15″ galvanised rim & tyre kit
Unit Price – AUD
$200
Qty Required
4
Total Cost – AUD
$800
Total Cost – USD
$520
Trailer lights / electrical parts
Unit Price – AUD
$500
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$500
Total Cost – USD
$325
Jockey wheel
Unit Price – AUD
$150
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$150
Total Cost – USD
$98
Electric braked 3500kg tow coupling
Unit Price – AUD
$120
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$120
Total Cost – USD
$78
Airbag suspension compoenents
Unit Price – AUD
$3,500
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$3,500
Total Cost – USD
$2,275
1500kg Stub axles (pair)
Unit Price – AUD
$240
Qty Required
2
Total Cost – AUD
$480
Total Cost – USD
$312
Electric drum brake kit
Unit Price – AUD
$300
Qty Required
2
Total Cost – AUD
$600
Total Cost – USD
$390
Total
$8,150 AUD
$5,298 USD
- The parts list above does not include shipping costs. Depending on your location and supplier, shipping can significantly increase the total cost of your build.
- 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 unit, 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.
Updated: August 2025
Steel
Unit Price – AUD
–
Qty Required
–
Total Cost – AUD
$550
Total Cost – USD
$358
Lights / electrical parts
Unit Price – AUD
$200
Qty Required
1
Total Cost – AUD
$200
Total Cost – USD
$130
Total
$750 AUD
$488 USD
- 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.