1:20 Scale Rivian R1T Towable Trailer

I recently got my hands on a Maisto 1:20 scale Rivian R1T and wanted to use it to tow my other 1:18 scale cars. So I had the idea to create a 1:20 scale flatbed gooseneck trailer that my Rivian R1T could tow. I had previously made a 1:64 scale trailer for my Matchbox Rivian, so I used that design to create the 1:20 scale trailer.

For this project, you will need:

1. Cardboard
2. Scissors or Box Cutters
3. Black construction paper
4. Small wheels and axles
5. Glue
6. Ruler
7. Tape
8. Sharpies
9. Sticker sheet
10. Measuring tape
11. 1:20 Scale Maisto Rivian R1T

First, I took some key measurements from the 1:20 Scale Rivian R1T model, such as bed height and depth. I used these to appropriately dimension the gooseneck part of the trailer. I also measured the platform Maisto 1:18 scale cars come with to decide the dimensions for the trailer bed. Using those dimensions, I created the rest of the trailer by making the other components look proportional to the rest. I have embedded the Fusion360 model below if you would like a closer look.

To create the trailer for yourself, cut out the following pieces from cardboard:

1. One, 12x5.5 inch piece (this will be the flat bed)
2. Two, 12x3/4 inch pieces (these are the two long support beams)
3. Four, 3.7x3/4 inch pieces (these are the short beams that connect the long beams)

When, I was making this, I also cut out some additionally 12x5.5 inch pieces to use later on as the triangle support pieces that connect the flat bed and long support beams.

Then, wrap the pieces from the previous step in black construction paper using glue. Alternatively, you could wait until the end and just spray paint the entire thing black.

Next, glue the support beams to the flat bed. I spaced the long support beams about 3/4 inch away from the edge of the bed. I also cut out some 3/4x3/4 inch triangles and glued them on the opposite side of the internal support beams, as shown in the picture.

For the wheels, I used some spare wheels and axles I had laying around. Unfortunately, I did not have a long enough axle to connect both sides of the trailer so I decided to connect the wheels to the trailer using additional smaller wheels on the inside which connects through a 3.05x1.1 inch piece of cardboard. Then, I wrapped them black and glued them to the underside of the trailer.

Then, sketch out the gooseneck hitch for the trailer. I would start by drawing a 5.61x3.75 inch rectangle. Then, cut out a 2.84x3 inch rectangle from the bottom right corner and a 2.03x3 inch rectangle from the top left corner. When I made this, I left a top left triangle in the cut out of the bottom right corner connected for some style. The height of the remaining piece should be about 3/4 inch. You will need two of these.

Also cut out a 3/4x3/4 inch piece and a 3.95x3/4 inch piece and cut it at about a 65 degree angle. This is to connect the two gooseneck hitch pieces later on.

Don't forget to wrap these pieces black.

To connect the gooseneck hitch pieces to the trailer, glue the 3/4 inch rectangle part to the support beams on the bottom of the trailer. I used a binder clip to hold these together while the glue dried. Also glue on the 3.95x3/4 inch piece cut at a 65 degree angle between the two gooseneck hitch pieces. You will need to bend the pieces inward a bit for it to fit nicely. Then, glue on the 3/4x3/4 inch piece to the front of the trailer with the corrugated part positioned vertically.

Using some tape, a sticker sheet, and sharpies I created some custom reflective sticker decals to put on the trailer to make it more realistic. Each rectangle is about 1x3/8 inch. To make the decals you will need to sketch out the rectangles with pencil, color in the rectangles in an alternating pattern with sharpie, place tape over the entire row, and then cut out the sticker.

To connect to the bed of the 1:20 Scale Rivian R1T without permanently damaging it, I cut out a 2.5x2.5+1/16 inch piece of cardboard, wrapped it black, and glued on three 1/2x1/2 inch pieces of cardboard vertically so that the corrugated part is facing up. This should then perfectly fit in the bed of the Rivian. I also glued in a pin to the bottom side of the gooseneck hitch of the trailer.

For some final touches, I cut out some long strips of 1/8 thick black construction paper to glue along the edges of the cardboard to hide the corrugated edges.

To prevent any cars that are being towed from rolling off, I created wheel stoppers that can be positioned in front and behind the wheels of the car. To make these, I cut out two 5.5x3/4 inch pieces of cardboard and wrapped them black. Then, I cut out some wire and bent them to make four hooks. I connected these to the cardboard pieces by running a pre-tensioned string through the corrugated part. This allows the hooks to retract into the cardboard and be extended to hook along the edge of the trailer.

There you have it! A 1:20 Scale flat bed trailer for your Rivian R1T! Now you can tow your favorite cars with your favorite EV truck :D