From its early days, Drake Trailers has remained committed to delivering reliable, top quality, heavy duty low loaders that can stand the test of time. Our aim has always been to produce low maintenance trailers that maximise payload and meet the exacting requirements of our customers, all within the guidelines of ISO 9001 Quality Assurance.
In this article we look back at the history of innovation behind the iconic name and sleek logo.
A family owned and operated business
Founded in 1960 by Colin Drake at its original site in Rocklea QLD, Drake Trailers remains to this day a family business and has built its market-leading reputation on quality, service and reliability.
For more than fifty years Drake Trailers’ core function has been engineering manufacturing solutions for widening and fixed-width trailers for heavy haulage, mine site equipment transport, steerable modular trailers, telescopic trailers and specialist uses.
History of innovation
In 1969, Drake Trailers introduced its revolutionary 100 tonne capacity ‘Swingwing’ widening low loader. Since then, this design has continued to evolve and is now available in capacities ranging from 65 to 120 tonne.
During the early 1970s, Drake Trailers began building mine site trailers and by the close of the decade produced a new generation mine site trailer capable of carrying loads of up to 400 tonnes.
By 1980, Drake’s steerable platform trailers were introduced with hydraulic widening and mechanical steering. Today, this range has expanded to include both semi and fully modular steerable platforms in various line configuration featuring remote controlled hydraulic widening, goose necks, header draw bars, suspension and steering.
The Drake Trailers range also includes self-tracking low loaders, jinkers, vessel carriers, speciality trailers, telescopic steerable trailers and dollies.
Celebrating 50 years
In 2010, we marked our 50th year in heavy haulage trailer manufacturing by unveiling a new logo. As a symbol of the strength present in all of our trailers, the new logo features a low, lean and tough Perentie.
Native to Australia, the Perentie is the country’s largest Monitor lizard and is featured above the Drake name. Able to thrive in blisteringly harsh environments, we think that nothing comes close to the Perentie in terms of strength and resilience. Like our trailers, it is perfectly engineered to the Australian environment.
Expanding with new premises
With our ever-expanding range of trailers and growing workforce, Drake Trailers now operates from a modern 8,650 square metre manufacturing and finishing facility in Wacol QLD.
Recent upgrades to the facility include new engineering and production offices complete with 3D design capabilities, new painting and finishing booths, new robot welding systems and redesigned work areas and increased staff levels of over 170 people.
Drake Trailers has a long history, more than 50 years, of trailer manufacturing, design and engineering, and we’re far from finished. We are proud of our history and plan to continue engineering quality heavy duty trailers for the transport industry.
To discover exactly what trailer will fit your haulage needs, contact Drake Trailers on (07) 3271 5888.
