STEP 2. Lay Out the Basics

A picture is worth a 1000 words. And getting your trailer from your imagination onto a piece of paper can quickly tell you whether you are envisioning something workable. Although this step calls for only a “rough” sketch, it may not seem so rough if you are unaccustomed to “sketching” things to scale. And yes, it should be done on grided paper to some small scale so that it will fit on an 8-1/2-in x 11-in sheet of paper. This size makes it easier to file the drawing and slip it under the spring of a clip board. Using a clipboard has an ulterior motive because it means you can take it with you to relax in a big soft chair. In this way getting the drawing onto paper becomes relatively painless. Of course, if you’re a diehard for straight back chairs and rigidity inspires you, use a desk and a nice large sheet of paper.

If the trailer is really big, though, two letter size sheets could also be used to produce a drawing 11-in x 17-in. À more detailed description of your options in the realm of scales is shown in Figures 1.3 and 1.4 on the next two pages. Following that, on pages 10 and 11, is a background grid, reproduced as Figure 1.5 of this book. Use this if other sources seem to leave you empty handed. Copy this grid onto an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, it will give you something to start with. Next select an appropriate scale from Figures 1.3 and 1.4.

Plan and position top, side, front and rear views. These can be done freehand by tracing over the grid lines, or you can use a straight edge (triangle or ruler). Use the grid line to count the squares and check your dimensions. Sketching the cargo prior to delineation of your trailer will help verify the correctness of your dimensions and give you something to “wrap” your trailer around. Sketches of the cargo should be on a separate sheet of paper but of the same scale as the trailer drawing.

Figure 1.6 is an example of a rough freehand sketch. If you have drawn the item to scale, the dimensions are not necessary but you may want to include them for reference. Once you have recorded a general idea of your proposed trailer, set it aside for the time being and move onto the next step. The details for your trailer will begin to fall into place as you gather more information.