We focus on quality, innovation and reliability and each of our trailers are designed to tackle the harshest conditions that this country has to offer.
The world’s first O’Phee ‘London’ Container Double Stack Super B Double SKEL Trailer Combination entered its final trial phase at the Port of Brisbane, with the addition of a third trailer, transforming into the O’Phee London B Triple combination. A game changer for the industry with the potential to revolutionise productivity, enhance efficiency, promote sustainability, all while significantly reducing costs and time for operators.
Winners of Product Innovation Award at the 2023 HVIA National Awards for the O’Phee ‘London’ Container Double Stack Super B Double SKEL Trailer Combination. We’re immensely proud of pushing boundaries and transforming container transport with an innovative, efficient solution designed and manufactured right here in Australia.
Officially launching in July 2023 O’Phee ‘London’ Double Stack Container Super B Double SKEL Combination, is capable of carrying up to eight empty 20 foot containers at a time or four 40 foot containers. This vehicle significantly increases productivity and efficiency by 100% over current existing Super B Double combinations in a single journey. By reducing the number of vehicle movements to transport containers, it also improves safety for the driver and road users whilst ultimately helping reduce emissions.
Reid’s background includes executive positions in the transport and machinery sectors with proven capabilities across strategic planning, business improvement and optimisation. Reid is excited to build upon the already strong foundation of quality and customer support, and will lead the business toward continued growth, ensuring The Drake Group divisions remain a frontrunner in the industries we support.
The Drake Group is excited to announce the appointment of Sam Drake and Maggie Nilson as directors of The Drake Group. These well-deserved appointments follow many years of commitment and effort by Sam and Maggie both in the business, and in the industry more broadly. Maggie and Sam bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their new roles as directors, having held various positions in The Drake Group, they have experienced most facets of the business. Maggie and Sam are excited about the opportunities their new roles afford them to continue the growth and success of The Drake Group. At the same time, they acknowledge the enduring significance of The Drake Group’s strong foundational values in forging the future ahead. Remaining as Chair of the Board, John Drake is proud to confirm the appointment of his son and daughter Sam and Maggie to the Board. “I believe they will continue to bring outstanding value to the business, and also as directors, their addition inaugurates a third generation of family involvement in the management, leadership and ownership of The Drake Group.”
The Drake Group is proud to announce that on the 1st December we have acquired Dalzell and Bagley Engineering (D&B) from retiring owners, Cameron and Adele George. D&B is an established Brisbane engineering and metal fabrication business.
This award-nominated trailer offers Crane companies an innovative and flexible multi-purpose solution. It can be configured as a single trailer, B-double or road train. The trailer’s unique adjustable multi position cradle system has the ability to swap and change any accessory to fit any position whilst maximising axle group loadings
We bid farewell to three long-serving Drake legends in 2021: Aveen Cosgrove, Ray Ward and Steve Collins. Known by all, this trio racked up a collective 80 years’ service – now that’s impressive!
Launched at the Brisbane Truck Show in 2021, This brand new deck widener design allows for an additional 35 degrees of manoeuvrability, where every axle on the trailer steers. This is a marked difference between other models where only the rear axle has self-tracking.
The Drake Group works with our customers and key industry bodies to do all we can to “keep Australia moving” during one of the toughest times as COVID-19 spreads and a series of nation-wide lockdowns begin.
With BoXLoader’s acquisition of Swinglift, The Drake Group begins offering Swinglift container sideloaders to the Australian market.
After holding the role of acting-President since November 2018, John was appointed president of the Heavy Veicle Industry Association in February 2019.
Drake Group Production Manager Steve Collins Retires From Role. Steve Collins was pivotal in strengthening and maintaining quality standards and manufacturing over his 16 year stint. Steve Collins still remains here at the Drake Group as our Service and repair manager.
In 2018, The Drake Group celebrates 60 years in business. We also celebrate a momentous delivery: our 1000th delivery of Row of 4 Lowloader, made to Rob Stribley Transport.
O’Phee introduces an innovative sideloader called the Speedloader and a retractable container skel called the Retract-X. Both feature higher performance and the lowest tare weight on the market.
Drake Collectibles unveils brand new app designed to be a one-stop shop for premium diecast and collectible items.
The expanding portfolio of Drake Trailers sets in motion the desire to re-launch as The Drake Group. In 2017, we brought together Drake Trailers, O’Phee Trailers, Drake Collectibles, BoXLoader and Cometto under the one banner.
The 2017 Brisbane Truck Show Awards sees Drake Trailers 4X4 Deck Widener nominated for the prestigious category of Best Trailer.
Our custom-built heavy haulage Minesite trailer is designed for off-road mining operations. IT hauls up to 500 tonne loads.
In May, O’Phee Trailers moves onsite with Drake Trailers and Drake Collectibles to The Drake Group’s central manufacturing facility located in Wacol, Brisbane.
Drake Trailers sister brand Drake Collectibles picks up a major award for Model of the Year 2015 by Cranes Etc.
Drake drops Australia’s toughest drop deck trailer, Drake Trailers Lowboy, with 30-40 tonne capacity and trailer lengths from 45-55ft. At the Brisbane Truck Show, we showcase a “first of its kind” tilt slide trailer: a Deck-Widening Extendable Tilt Slide trailer, built to carry up to 40 tonnes. We also release of the brand-new Full Widener Rear Steer trailer with enhanced manoeuvrability and efficiency. The steerable axles at the rear help to reduce wear on tyres and running gear.
The Drake Group joins forces with O’Phee Trailers – one of the leading manufacturers of semi-trailers in Australia, bringing about new capabilities and products.
Drake appoints Khali Lake as The Drake Group’s new General Manager to build on the Drake success and enable the transport trailer manufacturers to continue to grow well into the future. Khali’s background in the expanding mining sector, with a degree in both accounting and management, and he excels in Drake leadership to this day.
As a family-owned and operated company, Drake were delighted to have third generation Drake family member Maggie join our ranks, working in Procurement, Production and Financial Accounting. She is promoted to Projects Manager in 2017.
Drake partner with Cometto to design and engineer a Fully Modular Self Propelled Platform For Mine Sites: The Ant.
To celebrate 50 years in business, Drake Trailers launch a new logo and the Steering Widener, filling a niche in the range of highway trailers for manoeuvrability with stability.
The Drake Group broke into the diecast miniatures market after calls from international collectors. With regular special edition launches and several award-winning models, the popularity of our collectibles is outstanding. Visit The Drake Shop to see our range of premium heavy haulage miniatures.
Sam continues in the footsteps of his family, as a third-generation Drake. His background is as a diesel fitter and his knowledge of troubleshooting issues is a great asset to our customers. Sam goes on to become Business Development Manager in 2014, Group Sales Manager in 2018 and Business unit Manager: New Trailers in 2022.
This historic M.A.N military trailer design was a variation on the standard Drake 4X8 Swingwing, again showing the design’s versatility.
Drake continues pioneering innovative trailer design with 3D Computer Aided trailer design, starting out with the SolidWorks system. This gave Drake Trailers greater design capacity and more flexibility for trailer customisation.
Drake launches the Swingwide in 2000. The wide line goose neck design allowed operators to carry heavy narrow loads.
Drake’s Deck Widener gets a design upgrade, with the re-release filling a niche for urban use with the onset of traffic calming devices.
1992 sees an upgrade in size and equipment, with Drake re-locating to a large industrial complex of 8,650 square metres – our location to this day at 19 Formation St.
The passing of our founder Colin Drake in 1991 left a huge hole, not only in the company, but also in the heavy transport industry. John Drake takes over as Managing Director to continue the Drake family legacy.
Pulled behind a CAT 789 dump truck, the empty trailer weighed over 120 tonnes.
An important development for Drake Trailers growth, as Greg was previously with Allison Trailers.
The introduction of the computer aided design system process was driven by John Drake and revolutionised the trailer manufacturing industry.
The Full Widener unit is designed to carry 50 tonne legally with the added benefits of easy loading because of the widening frame and suspension. This design has been the industry standard since this 1986 and is one of our bestselling trailers.
Designed for the special heavy duty loads, the Full Modular Steerable Transporters are a similar concept to units manufactured in Europe, but widen for Australian regulations.
Our Deck Widener is one of the first innovative models brought to market by Drake Trailers and remains a popular model to this day.
Colin and John Drake launch the Steerable Platform Trailer, a low loader with one of the heaviest on-road payloads – the first of which goes to Brambles.
Second Generation Drake, and our current owner John Drake joins the group in 1978. John would go on to take over the running of the company in 1991.
Mine site trailers are designed for the off-highway transport of large mining equipment on mine sites across Australia – hauling up to 500 tonnes.
The Swingwing Widening Lowloader revolutionises heavy haulage. The trailer remains popular to this day and continues to evolve as an industry leader.
You might say Noel was one of the first Drake legends. He was known by all, and his knowledge of the business was hard to match during his time with Drake Trailers. Noel retired in 2006 after 35 Years of loyal service, and was a regular visitor onsite until his sad passing in 2021 at the age of 84.
Our Founder, Colin Drake was a mechanical and electrical engineer and entrepreneur with a dream. He wanted to build Australia’s best low loader trailers and innovate better ways to meet operators’ needs. Colin’s unique and ground-breaking trailer builds would go on to revolutionise heavy haulage in Australia.