🚚 Additional Trailer for Gale Beaufort Transporter (Mattel Mini Cars)
This project was born out of a simple, everyday need – my kids just ran out of space for their new cars in the original trailer! To keep the fun going, I designed this fully functional add-on that allows you to build endlessly long truck convoys.
✨ Key Features
The biggest highlight of this design is the clever, retractable tow hitch.
- When you need to open the loading ramp, the hitch can be pushed inside so it doesn't block the entrance.
- Once the ramp is closed, you simply slide it out to attach yet another trailer full of cars!
🖨️ Printing Guidelines
I wanted to preserve as many details as possible to make the trailer look nearly identical to the original toy. Because of this, the model:
- Requires supports.
- Recommended materials: For the best visual results, print the main parts in PLA and use PETG as the support interface material. This leaves the bottom surfaces perfectly smooth.
- Optimization: The entire project was optimized and tested using SUNLU PLA 2.0.
- Important – Tolerance test: The tolerances in this design are very tight; everything is meant to have a snug fit. Before you print the whole trailer, I highly recommend printing a smaller part (like the hitch itself) to check your printer's calibration. If necessary, you can secure the magnets or axles with a drop of CA (cyanoacrylate) glue.
🔩 Bill of Materials (BOM)
To assemble the trailer, you will need the following hardware:
- 5x Neodymium round magnets D8x2 mm (3 pcs for the hitch, 1 pc for the wheel mount, 1 pc for the body)
- 2x M2 x 15-18 mm socket head cap screws - allen key
- 2x M3 x 15-18 mm socket head cap screws - allen key
- 1x M4 x 8-10 mm socket head cap screw - allen key
- 2x M3 x 4-5 mm brass heat-set inserts
🛠️ Assembly Instructions
Assembly is quite simple, but it requires following a specific order:
Magnets: Press the magnets into the hitch, the main body, and the wheel mount.
⚠️ NOTE: One of the holes in the hitch requires two magnets stacked on top of each other. Remember to check the polarity before pressing or gluing them in so the parts attract rather than repel!
- Wheels: Mount the wheels on one side of the axle, slide the assembly through the wheel mount part, and then attach the second pair of wheels to lock it in.
- Inserts: Use a soldering iron to melt the M3 brass heat-set inserts into the main body, exactly where the wheel mount will be attached.
- Hitch: Slide the assembled hitch into its dedicated slot in the main body.
- Wheel Mount: Only after the hitch is inside, attach your prepared wheel mount assembly to the body using the two M3 screws (screwing into the heat-set inserts).
- Tow Ball / Catch: Drive the M4 screw into the central hole at the back to a depth of about 2-4 mm (depending on your screw length). The protruding head will serve as the connection point for the next trailer.
- Ramp: Finally, attach the rear loading ramp using the two M2 screws.
Happy printing and have fun! 🚗💨
marcinmiszewskix
