Drake Trailers open day

This Saturday (March 14) will see Brisbane-based trailer company Drake Trailers open its doors to the public, with the company hosting factory tours of its Wacol manufacturing facility and providing a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of trailer production.

While the company already conducts factory tours on an ad hoc basis, it's the first time the firm will host an open day for the general public.

The company will also be presenting two new trailer models on the day: a 3x4 Tilt Slide and a 3x4 Lowboy drop-deck. The former revisits a format Drake Trailers hasn't featured in its line-up for many years.

The company says a number of its clients' trucks that feature in its 'Drake Collectibles' range of scale models will be on display, including the Membrey's Transport 'Rowan' tribute truck – a stunning custom Kenworth T904 built by company owner Craig Membrey in tribute to his son Rowan, who took his own life in 2011.

At last year's International Truck Trailer and Equipment Show in Melbourne, Drake Trailers unveiled a model scale replica of the Membrey tribute truck. A portion of the model tribute truck's sales go to mental health initiative, Beyond Blue.

Proceeds of the open day's food and drink sales and from a raffle will also go to Beyond Blue, says Drake.

The General Manager of Drake Trailers, Khali Lake, says the day will give customers and transport enthusiasts alike an insight into trailer production.

"The whole idea behind it is to open the doors to the public – to those who have an interest in coming in but who have never previously had the chance to," he says.

"The impetus for it came from the truck shows, where people would say to us, 'We really love your products, but we'd love to see how they're made'."

Mr Lake says the day will also hold a special appeal for Drake Collectibles buyers.

"It's also for our collectibles customers too – there's been a dual push there for people to get access to our site," he says.

"These customers are transport enthusiast; they quite often say to us, 'I can't afford the real thing but the model will do for now'."

The open day will be held at Drake Trailer's head office and manufacturing facility at 19 Formation Street, Wacol, in Brisbane's south-western suburbs, from 9.00am to 1.00pm. Admission is free.

For more information call (07) 3271 5888 or visit www.draketrailers.com.