Written By: Steve Whittington, Trailer Division ManagerFeb 15, 2013
On Thursday February 7 the Flaman Trailers division team toured the Wells Cargo plant in Ogden, Utah. We toured all areas of the more than 100,000 square foot facility. The team was impressed by the quality control processes at every step and the craftsmanship apparent in the build process.
Wells Cargo staff provided training on all their product lines:
Fast Trac,
Road Force, and the Wells line. In addition to the standard lines, specialized training was provided on
Concession Trailers, Job Shack Trailers,
Mobile Restroom Trailers and Wells Cargo’s impressive custom trailer capability. Last but not least, the Wells Cargo folks were great hosts!
The second day of the meeting was held at the beautiful Ogden Eccles Conference Center in downtown Ogden. All of Flaman’s main manufacturers (
Trailtech,
Southland Trailer Corp,
Diamond C,
Aluma and
ATC Trailers) were present to update the team on model improvements and changes for the coming year.
To cap off the meetings Friday evening, we headed to the Energy Solutions Arena and took in a Utah Jazz basketball game against the Chicago Bulls. All in all, the meeting provided a great learning opportunity that will allow us to better serve you, our customers.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with trailers Flaman Trailer trailer meeting Wells Cargo trailer manufacturers | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Trailer Division ManagerSep 24, 2012
The end of September is close, and every year at Flaman Trailers we review excess stock we have from the previous year and discount our snowmobile trailers.
All 10 locations have inventory to move, and all inventory is available at all locations (pending shipping). The discounts are deep and the sale will not last long. While there is not every choice you would want (you will have to wait for the new 2013 models for that) there is a lot of choice.
Here are some examples:
- 20’ enclosed steel-framed Summit Series sled trailer with heat
- 26’ all aluminum enclosed NashCar Rage snowmobile trailers
- 20’ two-tone XR Series enclosed sled trailer
- 12’ single axle two-place enclosed all aluminum NashCar Rage snowmobile trailer
- Plus 12’ aluminum and steel open deck sled trailers and 10’ steel and aluminum tilt sled trailers
Winter is coming and these units are starting to move fast, but unlike winter these deals will not last long. Hurry in to your local dealer!
Click
here for the poster with all available inventory at each store.
Click
here to see product details and photos.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with sled trailers snowmobile trailers trailers for sale winter | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Trailer Division ManagerSep 10, 2012
Every year, Flaman Trailers travels to the North American Trailer Dealer Association
(NATDA) tradeshow to learn about changes in the industry. This year the tradeshow was in St. Louis. This year,
as we have every year, we learned a lot. There are new parts and new trailers coming into the industry and all
manufacturers showcased new improvements to their line ups. This is a great event for the industry. Besides
the product specific learning, we also walked away with three big thoughts.
So what did we learn?
First, the industry is consolidating: like all industries the companies are getting bigger and buying each other. Broadly speaking, this means two things: there will be less manufacturers and thus less choice, but more resources put into the remaining trailer manufacturers, meaning increased quality and options, more innovations and ultimately increased value to the end customer. This is a good trend for the industry.
Second, the industry is growing. The amount of dealers waxes and wanes but the industry leaders are getting bigger and better at what they do. Customers are receiving more pre- and post-sale consideration and care. The dealer network is becoming more professional and more dealers are offering full service solutions. This too is a good trend for the industry.
Last, we learned as we always do, that we have work to do. Flaman Trailers strives to be an industry leader by providing trailers for every use. We have more products to receive training on, and shortly we will have more products to offer, thus more choices to help you find the trailer that specifically meets your needs.
We come out of this event every year with new ideas and new energy, with the ultimate goal of providing more value to our customers. I can already say, I am looking forward to next year.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with trailers trade show NATDA Flaman industry trends new lessons learned | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsJun 25, 2012
At Flaman trailers we have offered concession trailers for some time. With the addition of the Wells Cargo line, we can really offer quality concession trailers from a company that knows the industry requirements. We do receive requests for quotes for a concession trailer and they range from pointed requests such as “How much?” to more detailed inquiries.
The fact of the matter is when it comes to a concession trailer purchase, it should always be a detailed inquiry. However, you need to know what questions you should be asking prior to contacting a Trailer Sales specialist.
Here is a list of things to think about. In fact, you can use it as a check list prior to contacting us!
What is the Application of the trailer?
o Food
o Vending
o Line-up
o Display
o Ticket booth
o Other:__________
Size (Select the base box size)
o Single axle 7 wide 12 or 14 long
o Tandem axle 7 wide 12 ,14, 16 long
o Tandem axle 8 wide 12 , 16 ,20, 24, 28, 32 long
Floor
o Flat Floor
o Recessed floor
Roof Profile
o Radius Roof
o Flat Roof
Hitch
o Permanent A-Frame
o Removable
Stabilizer Jacks
o Scissor Jacks
o Corner Posts
Entry Door
o 30” Square
o 36” Square
o 36” Radius
Service Windows -Style
o No (skip next two questions)
o Vertical Style
o Horizontal Style
Service Windows – Quantity
o Curbside
o Roadside
o Front
Lift up Awning – Quantity
o One
o Two
o Three
o More
Lift up Awning Style
o Straight
o Sign type –Aluminum faced
o Sign type Plexiglas Faced
Awning Supports
o Self Storing –standard up to 8’0” wide without supports
o Swing out supports Standard on awnings over 8’0” wide
o Gas Piston Supports
o Sliding Awning Supports
Floors
o One piece standard vinyl linoleum
o One piece Heavy Duty skid resistant vinyl linoleum
o Other
Insulation
o No
o Walls
o Ceiling
Interior Side Walls
o Plywood
o White vinyl covered plywood (light duty)
o White embossed FRP plywood (heavy duty)
Interior Ceiling
o White vinyl covered plywood (light duty)
o White embossed FRP plywood (heavy duty)
Counter/Cabinets/Shelves
o Laminated Counter (no cabinet)
o Exterior Hinged Counter
o Tip-out Laminated Counter
o Base Cabinet
o Overhead Cabinet
o Overhead Plastic Storage trays
Sink Units
o 3 compartment sink – Straight
o 4 compartment sink – Straight
o 4 compartment sink – L -shaped
o 4 compartment sink – Deep
Electrical
o 30 amp service panel (120 Volt only)
o 50 amp service panel (120/240 Volt)
o 100 amp service panel (120/240 Volt)
o 120 Volt Duplex Receptacle(s)
o 120 Volt Duplex GFI receptacle(s)
o 240 Volt Bell Box (Stub Wire)
o Exterior 120 Volt Duplex GFI Receptacles
And this is just the start! Do you need and air conditioning, heating, lighting or a vent with an exhaust fan? The list goes on, but if you go through the checklist first you will have a good idea about what you need and the product specialist will be better equipped to answer your question: “How Much?”
Posted in New Products | Tagged with concession trailer ticket trailer ticket booth food trailer Flaman trailers custom trailer | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing Project ManagerJun 19, 2012
It may be summer, but there are a few people who are getting excited about snowmobiling next winter. Gerald Serson of Regina recently traveled to Saskatoon to pick up his grand prize from our Sled’N Snap Photo Contest. He won the use of an enclosed snowmobile trailer for a year!
More than 860 photos were submitted to Sled’N Snap from across Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. The grand prize winner was determined by public voting. Just over 27,600 votes were cast for the top 20 finalists.
Gerald says he was “pretty excited” to hear he’d won the trailer. There are four people in his family who snowmobile, and he says he’ll get great use of it. His winning photo was taken at a warm up shack in Hudson Bay this past January while Serson was sledding with his family.
“This photo contest has opened people’s eyes to snowmobiling,” Serson says. “I think some people didn’t realize what’s out there for shelters and trails and all the wildlife you can see.” He believes this contest will help promote the sport and more people will want to try snowmobiling next winter.
Random draw winners were also selected by the sled associations for a 2-place tilt sled trailer. The winners were:
Charity Jarduk, Yorkton
Todd Lander, Rocky Mountain House
Treena Massey, Winnipeg
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Sled'N Snap photos photo contest winners sled trailer | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsMar 19, 2012
I have been in the trailer industry for a long time: 3 years as a marketing consultant to the industry, 6 years as General Manager of a trailer manufacturer and 4 years running retail dealerships. Despite all this experience, I still get overwhelmed by the diversity of choice offered to a customer in today’s market place.
Unlike the auto industry, there are hundreds of large trailer manufacturers and thousands of small players. The dealerships to buy from range from a small, one-man band to professional, fully staffed dealerships that emulate the auto dealership model.
So how does a customer choose what and where to buy?
Some of you reading this may not be close to a Flaman Trailer Dealership. (If you are in Western Canada you are never far, as there are ten locations.) Either way, when choosing a dealership to deal with, think about the following: How long has the dealership been in business? Do they carry brand name manufacturers? Do they offer service and parts? What are my product choices? Is there a range from good to best? Why does any of this matter?
How long has a dealership been in business? As a consumer you may think this does not matter anymore, as many old companies have been swept under the rug lately. Fair enough, but do consider this; a company that has been around for a while is doing something right. That something is always about the how the customer is treated.
Brand Names: For trailers, let's compare two brands: Trailtech and Blue Hill trailers. If you live in Western Canada, you know the quality of build that Trailtech represents and you know that brand will take care of its retailers and by default you, the customer. Who is Blue Hill? Well, they are in Texas. I honestly do not know much more. Would you buy a car you have never heard of? Then why buy a trailer that you have never heard of?
Service and Parts: Would you buy a car from a dealership that cannot perform a service check? Not a new car anyway. Not all trailer dealerships provide this commitment to their customers. I personally believe there is duty of care that a responsible dealer should be able to provide to its customer.
Product Range Choices: As a consumer you want to be able to choose the best fit for you. If you are a four times a year user, you will need a certain grade of trailer with the appropriate price for that use. If you are a construction company owner, you want a certain grade of trailer to take the work stress you will put on the trailer. The point is, when you come to the lot you want to be able to make these choices and buy what you need, not what a sales person pressures you to buy because that is what the dealership offers. At Flaman Trailers we believe in providing choice: good, better, best. You pick.
Does it always come down to price? Well I hope not – as a retailer the fight for the lowest price is a race to the bottom. You never win and never create a sustainable customer orientated business, unless you cut all services, amenities and after sale care. That is not the Flaman Trailer customer-focused business model. That said, at Flaman we do often have the lowest prices due to our buying power, and we often have the highest prices due to our product offering. Our sales team will consult you as to which grade (good, better, best) of trailer you need and then you pick.
I hope this has been helpful. It is difficult to choose sometimes in this congested marketplace.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with trailer brand name manufacturer service parts choosing a trailer Flaman | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsJan 17, 2012
Well, we finally have snow!
It's actually looking like winter now in many parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta. This is good news for snowmobilers, who can finally get out on the trails and have some fun. And the snow is good news if you're looking to buy a trailer. At Flaman Trailers, we're celebrating the snowfall by passing on some great savings to you on snowmobile trailers.
You need a trailer to get to where you can go sledding. You may need one for storing your sleds. Currently there are sales, clearance items and manufacturer rebates on trailers. Now is really the best time to buy.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with snowmobile trailers sled trailers enclosed trailers trailer sale snow winter snowmobiling | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionDec 12, 2011
A new website has been created to get the message out about safe sledding to local snowmobilers.
Sled’N Snap (www.slednsnap.com) is an online photo contest and community forum that celebrates snowmobiling in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association and Flaman Group of Companies recently launched the new website as a way to reach out to the sledding community.
“Our biggest challenge is getting the message out to our many members about safe and courteous riding,” says Chris Brewer, President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association. “This contest is a fun and interactive way to spread the word to a larger audience.”
“But it’s more than just a photo contest. It’s a destination site for anyone who snowmobiles. There are links to trail maps, articles about safety, a tips forum and more.”
Sled’N Snap’s premise is simple – visitors to the site upload their photos in a variety of categories like Trail/Scenery/Wildlife, Youth and Family, Action!, or Club Rides. At the end of March, the photos will be judged by an association panel who will select a group of finalists and then the public will vote for the grand prize winner.
Up for grabs is the use of the amazing, fully-loaded Stealth aluminum enclosed sled trailer for one year. There are also category prizes from the Saskatchewan Association and every entry is eligible for the random draw for a new two-place aluminum tilt trailer from Flaman Trailers.
And it’s a way for snowmobilers across the province to share memories and common experiences. They can leave comments on photos or share pictures on Facebook. “One of the submitted photos is of a cabin that’s used as a shelter, and someone’s already commented on how they remember going to that same place,” says Brewer.
The submission period for the photo contest ends March 31, 2012. To be eligible for any prizes, entrants must have a registered sled. For more information, visit www.slednsnap.com. Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with SledN Snap sleds sledding snowmobiling photos photography trailers prizes | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsNov 24, 2011
This season the diversity of choice for a sled trailer can be daunting. There are many brands, different dealers, options and types to choose from.
Let me try to take you through the choices with a bunch of comparison points as follows: Canadian versus American, steel versus aluminum, open versus enclosed, enclosed 7 wide versus 8.5 ft wide deck over, heated versus not heated and dealer versus dealer.
1) Canadian versus American. Let me start by writing “buy Canadian eh” whenever possible. There, I put it in writing. Not to get political but come on, if you can, support a Canadian company. That said, of the Canadian brands that provide sled trailers, the two leading players are Southland Trailers with their XR Series and Trailtech with their heavy duty steel trailers. There are others in the West notably Rainbow Trailers, Agassiz Trailers and CJay Trailers; however, their choice offering is less than the leading two. That said, the American companies do a good job, the problem is how fluid the industry is. Many companies rise and fall quite quickly (such as Pace American which recently shut its doors). Despite this, competition in the US is thick and there are all kinds of options to choose from, but beware of what you are buying and from whom. At Flaman Trailers we partner with the two leading Canadian companies and several American companies to round out our offering.
2) Steel versus aluminum. The debate rages, but there are some simple facts. Aluminum is lighter and does not rust, but it costs about a 1/3 more. Steel is stronger and on an enclosed unit it is only the tip of the trailer and the tail that is really going to show any rust. On an open deck there is a little more exposure. With the weight factor, several hundred pounds with a regular pick up makes a heck of a difference for hauling. For instance a two place aluminum open can weigh as little as 480 lb., while a two place steel open can weigh as much as 1345 lb.
3) Open versus enclosed. To be honest, it comes down to available storage, usage and budget. If you have lots of room to store your trailers in for the summer, there’s no need for an enclosed trailer otherwise. As for usage, how many a times a year will you be trailering and how far? Do you need an enclosed staging area? The amount of time you have to spend cleaning grime off your sled gets older every time. That being said, if you are hauling only a few times or short distances, get an open deck trailer, save some money and put it into your sled.
4) Enclosed lowboy/7 ft wide versus enclosed 8.5 ft wide deck over. Traditionally, if you wanted to haul sleds in Canada you purchased an 8.5’ wide deck over trailer. Your sleds parked side by side and loading and unloading was easy through the rear and front ramp. The 8.5’ wide deck over trailers, while convenient for loading, are big and if you have a steel frame trailer you need a big truck to haul your big trailer. Lowboy and 7 ft wide trailers are easier to pull and the 7 ft wide is a more convenient multi-use trailer in the off season than the 8.5 ft deck over. You can also see around the 7 wide and 8 wide lowboys with your mirrors when hauling. But loading is tricky, and you will not be walking in your trailer when loaded, there simply is no room.
5) Heated versus not heated. To heat or not to heat is a question many a customer has. The benefits of heat are obvious, but are you going to use it enough to justify the added expense? Only you can be the judge of that.
6) Dealer versus dealer. There are many dealers selling sled trailers. Your choices are many but should be made based on product knowledge, service and after sales support – not price! The trailers are all priced differently for a reason. If something is less or more at different dealers it is due to features, product quality and support the dealership offers. Educate yourself and purchase from a professional that will help you choose the best sled trailer for you.
Hope this helps!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with snowmobile trailers sled trailers trailer open flat deck enclosed highboy lowboy deck over steel aluminum Canadian | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsNov 07, 2011
The days are getting colder, Halloween has come and gone and this means Sled Trailer season has started!
Flaman Trailers is excited for the start of the season. Flaman Trailers has already been to the Alberta Snowmobile show and the Saskatchewan Snowmobile show.
We have more product choices for you than ever before. Starting with the economical offering of our steel framed Summit Series trailers to the all flat black Stealth trailer from NashCar Trailers, we truly have a trailer for every sled. Our open deck line has expanded as well. Aluminum tilt trailers with a five year warranty are always popular units. For the 2012 season Trailtech has produced a special edition open deck two place. It is an eye catcher with flat black paint, silver reflective tape, white LED lighting and series 7 aluminum rims.
However, the show stopper is the ultimate custom Stealth 40 foot long gooseneck. This trailer features mirrored interior walls, black hard top flooring, a kitchenette, a rocking stereo system with no less than 4 subs, air conditioning, a 40,000 BTU heater, insulated generator set...and the list goes on and on.
Last and most exciting is the new photo contest Sled'N Snap (www.slednsnap.com). Flaman Trailers partnered with the Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba snowmobile associations to bring this exciting contest to the sledding community. The contest has it all: six categories to enter into, an entry prize of a two place aluminum tilt trailer per province, and the grand prize, use of a 28’ tag Stealth trailer for a year.
So this winter season there is a lot going on at Flaman Trailers. Check back often to keep in the loop.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with sled trailer snowmobile snow flat decks enclosed aluminum | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsAug 02, 2011
In many ways this product is nothing new, but this product is part of new specialization occurring with trailer products. Let me explain.
Living Quarter units for horse trailers have been around for a long time and the idea originated from cowboys tired of sleeping in the trucks and being on the rodeo circuit more than they were at home.
This evolved to include weekend riders and then weekend warriors thus the RV industry followed suit creating toy haulers. In many ways the living quarters began to outstrip the original purpose of the trailers which was move something somewhere.
In my career, the need for simple sleeping accommodation with a trailer has been a constant request. Over the years the options have been as follows:
- High End LQ units
- Custom built units
- Customer modified units (customer takes a stock unit and makes what they need)
- Unit vented and the customer throws in a mattress
- A Simple pull out allows for affordable, quick, comfortable accommodation.
- The pull out allows for full use of the trailer box
- The unit can be customized for different cargo (extra height for side by side units, or extra length) or more features: Awning, Stereo, water, base cabinets, the list goes on.
- The unit is all aluminum so it will not rust, light to pull plus it is stylishly designed (the triple wedge front really stands out)
So if you are looking for a trailer which can haul all your toys and then provide decent sleeping accommodation the Nash Car Rage Camper is your unit.
Ask any of our product specialists for more details.
Tell us what you think? Has the missing link between camper and hauler finally been filled?
Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Toy Hauler Camper Trailer Camper Trailers Toy Trailers Toy Trailers Toy Hauler Trailers Living Quarter Trailer | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsJul 05, 2011
The trailer industry has traditionally been a fairly static industry. Take the decade from 1998 to 2008: there were few developments other than more wide-spread use of enclosed trailers.
The last three years have witnessed an explosion of developments. A lot of these developments have been with hydraulics. For instance, Roll Off Dump trailers, multi-deck trailers, 9’ hydraulic tails and more hydraulic tilt models than ever before.
What does this mean for you, a user of trailers? The hydraulics add cost, but not as much as before; because of the increased use of scissor lifts, the costs have been driven down by economies of scale. There is also a big increase in ease of use or just downright convenience. The flip over ramps on an industrial trailer are nothing but heavy and awkward and a hydraulic tail is pretty nice to use in comparison.
The other thing besides convenience is versatility. Some of the hydraulic trailers are multi-function. Heck, one unit is called “Multi-Deck”, and a Roll Off Dump unit can roll on a cargo or flat deck attachment, making it “three trailers in one.”
All this being said, there are, as always, financial considerations. The Roll Off Dump while being “three trailers in one” only starts to provide a cost advantage by the third attachment. One could make the argument that you could buy three trailers instead of one. The same kind of argument can be made for a Multi-Deck. Granted, I am comparing two or three entry levelled priced units to these top end units, but that still has to be a consideration. To be fair, one has to put operating costs in the equation; the hydraulic units have only the operating costs of one versus three, which is a point worth considering.
I can rant and rant about the pluses and minuses of the recent influx of hydraulic trailers. I do believe they are here to stay and I do believe they have a place and application. In some cases they not only make sense, but considering the alternative, an operator would be crazy not to have one given the choices available.
So are they the next big trend? Well no, I think trailer specialization is the next big trend and hydraulic units are just a part of that trend....but that is another topic for another time.
Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Hydraulic Trailers tilt trailers dump trailers roll off trailers tilt trailer multi-deck trailer | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionJun 16, 2011
At Flaman Trailers, we’re dedicated to customer service. So much so, that if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you!
That was the motto behind one of our salesman’s recent trip to Fort McMurray. Aaron Farrell, a trailer specialist at the north Edmonton store, loaded up a H370 flat deck trailer with a XR7 cargo trailer and an Aluma 638 utility trailer and headed up north To Fort McMurray on June 3 and 4.
This is the first time Flaman Trailers has gone on the road. Not long ago Aaron was looking through his customer list and noticed that many of them were form Fort McMurray. Talking with his customers, they expressed some difficulty in getting trailers up there. Many of them made the drive down to Edmonton.
“I thought: why not go up there? I had nothing to lose,” Aaron says.
He set up shop at the Fountain Tire in the MacKenzie industrial area, displaying the trailers on government land right in front of the store so everyone could see them as they drove by. Although Aaron says he had a bit of bad weather on the first day, the set up worked. He even sold the utility trailer on the spot.
“Lots of people were pulling over on the side of the road,” he says. “Many recognized the ad we had put in the paper. I talked to about 24 people over the 2 days I was there. It was great!”
Feeling confident, the second day he was there Aaron pulled his trailer over to a mall parking lot and set up for a few hours, where he also got a lot of traffic. He says he got a lot of interest from the oil field in equipment haulers and flat decks, but also a lot of interest in cargo trailers.
Aaron says he would “absolutely” like to take Flaman Trailers on the road again, and plans to go back to Fort McMurray.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with trailers Flaman cargo utility Fort McMurray flatdeck | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsMay 26, 2011
Often the perception is that utility trailers are the bottom rung of the trailer world when it comes to build construction. Granted, the $899 bolt together group of products with 8” tires at the big box stores are well...garbage. Tough words I know, but I have been around long enough and have had to deal with the aftermath of customers' price point purchases to write that strong language.
Things are shifting with manufacturers and trailer retailers, especially at Flaman Trailers. Speciality manufacturers and retailers like Flaman Trailers and Trailtech have recognized a customer need in this area and we are now supplying utility trailers that are quality built at a value.
Are these trailers $899? Well no, they are not. They start at $1,115 or in all aluminum by Aluma for $1,550. These are not bolt together units. They are welded, they have torsion axles or 3500 lb spring axles, some with aluminum rims and the smallest tire is 13” rubber. The steel utilities are generally sporting 15” rubber most of the time.
These are quality built units for only a few dollars more and I believe worth your consideration.
Posted in New Products | Tagged with utility trailers cheap trailers well built utility trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionMay 06, 2011
No, we’re not opening a new Flaman Trailers location in Siberia. But an interesting story unfolded this past March where trailers purchased from Flaman Trailers in Nisku played a background, but important, role in taking some special guests to the northern Russian region.
Parks Canada moved 30 Wood Bison calves from Elk Island National Park in Alberta to Lenskie Stolby National Nature Park in Sakha, Russia as a way to preserve the animals’ endangered population. This move created what is called an “out-population” in a region where bison went extinct thousands of years ago. Essentially, having these bison in Russia is an insurance policy, in case anything happens to the vulnerable population here in Canada.
So where does Flaman Trailers fit into all this? Well, as one woman quips in the documentary of the bison’s journey filmed by Discovery Channel, you can’t transport the bison in passenger seats.
The 30 calves were loaded into Southland stock trailers purchased from Flaman to make the one hour trip to Edmonton International Airport. These loaded trailers were then put on a Russian transport plane for the 10 hour flight to Yakutsk, Russia, then continued on a four hour drive along bumpy roads and a frozen river to the nature park.
These trailers had been in Russia since 2006, after they carried bison there as part of a pilot project. Almost five years later, as they were given the once over before the bison were loaded in, the trailers looked “excellent” according to the General Trades Assistant at Elk Island. I think it’s a testament to the quality of these Southland units – not only their durability but the fact they were trusted with carrying such precious cargo.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged with Flaman Trailers Southland stock Nisku bison Discovery Channel | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsMar 01, 2011
On February 24th 2011, Ryan Sailer, General Manager of Southland Trailer Corp. won the NATM (National Association of Trailer Manufacturers) Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
I personally nominated Ryan and extend professional congratulations.
I first met Ryan when he was 16 years old and I was the Marketing Manager for an umbrella organization that included Southland Trailer Corp. Ryan had been “told” to help with set up for images in a photo shoot. What immediately struck me was his poise and ability to organize. Ryan immediately started to help with the layout of the shoot and was not afraid to make suggestions as to how he thought the trailer looked best.
At first I was a little taken aback - a kid suggesting to me, a former VP of a Marketing Agency, how to conduct a product shoot. Luckily, with an open mind I listened and used Ryan’s suggestions. He knew trailer; he had been loading and helping build them all his life and now he pulled them all the time. In fact, in those days, standard issue when a Sailer boy turned 16 was a truck, I suspect with the motivating factor to have them pull trailers.
Monty Sailer (Founder of STC) trained Ryan (his middle son) well over the years, and I would like to think during my time at STC as Marketing Manager and then General Manager and finally VP of Business Development, I may have helped in the process as well. What I have seen in those eight years since I met Ryan has been the remarkable development of a future leader in the trailer industry. Ryan’s contributions to date are many and will continue to grow but below are some of the highlights in the two (only two!) years he has been GM of STC.
Manufacturing:
He was part of the initial Project Team for Lean Manufacturing at STC (Project Consolidate), of which STC won an Alberta Manufacturing award. (Previous to his role as GM.)
Under Ryan’s Leadership as GM of STC he has taken the organization and manufacturing of trailers to a new level. Project Consolidate was only the start of the lean process and Ryan has been the ongoing leader. Notable to date in this process is the integration with an Enterprise Resource Planning system into the manufacturing environment and implementation of a new paint prepping process.
Product Development:
In the past two years under Ryan’s leadership STC has rolled out 20 new models (that is almost 1 a month!)
· Light duty Engineered Beam trailers
· Roll trailer concept complete with cargo, flat deck and bin
· New Monster Dump
· Re-engineered the entry level cargo offering of STC
Education:
At every opportunity Ryan educates the industry on the following:
· Safety – issued with every STC trailer is required PDI checklist to the STC dealer group, which forces the dealer to educate the customer on trailer safety
· Manufacturing process of trailers, how a consumer can spot a well built trailer versus one that is not i.e. VHB tape, Phosphate acid wash process
· NATM certification and what it means to the customer and how a manufacturer achieves the certification
Why is all this important?
Flaman aligns with manufacturing leaders. Clearly Southland Trailer Corp is a leader. Together Flaman Trailers and Southland Trailers hope to continue to bring you, our customer, innovative and industry leading products.
Posted in Division News | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsFeb 22, 2011
The 2011 Lightning line by Southland Trailer Corp has been redesigned away from a V-nose back to the traditional flat front.
Economy without Comprise
Sure it's a tag line, but really what else should I write, because the line is the proper description for the Lightning trailer. Sometimes you do not want a trailer with all the bells and whistles - you might be a customer that is only going to use a trailer several times a year, or maybe you have just started a business and cash is tight. Either way with the new Lightning line, Flaman Trailers has the trailer for you.
The new Lightning line has an all tubing main frame. The interior is lined with plywood not luan and the units ride on robust spring axles. Sure the aluminum skin is mechanically fastened with screws and the the lights are incandescent as opposed to LED lighting, but these are standard specifications for this class of trailer. The rear taillights are rubber mounted and most LED lights are fix mounted. I personally still debate whether a rubber mounted LED which can absorb travel shock will last longer than a fixed mounted LED with has to take the full jarring impact of the road.
As mentioned above, the unit is a flat front in the traditional style of enclosed trailers and conforms to the standard box sizes. You, our customer, have been asking for an entry level priced unit and through consultation with our partner manufacturer this line up is it.
Canadian made, Canadian value, Flaman Trailer services what we sell. Come to our locations and see the new Lightning trailers starting at $2,995.
Posted in Product Information | Tagged with trailers enclosed Lightning Southland | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsFeb 15, 2011
The Annual Trailer Division Meeting was a great success! Flaman Trailer product specialists from all eight locations gathered in Mankato, Minnesota for product training and an Aluma factory tour.
The Aluma folks were beyond great hosts and a full day was spent reviewing the aluminum manufacturing process, new Aluma products and reviewing Aluma product specifications. All of the Flaman Trailer Team greatly benefited by the knowledge shared. As an example of Aluma’s dedication to customers, all trailers are now waxed prior to shipping! Waxing the trailer protects the units from travel stains and yard weathering.
Flaman Trailers is committed to training its team. The more we know the more we can help you make the right decision. Once a year the team gathers for a formal learning seminar, and continually throughout the year training occurs.
Posted in Division News | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionJan 15, 2011
One year after a devastating earthquake struck the capital of Haiti, Frank Flaman has once again generously given half a million dollars to support the relief effort.
In a simple presentation on Jan. 12 at Flaman Sales in Nisku, Flaman donated $250,000 to the Salvation Army and $250,000 to Oxfam. These funds are in addition to the $500,000 he donated to the same charities shortly after the earthquake hit in 2010 through the Frank Flaman Foundation.
“These charities do a lot of good work,” says Flaman. “And there’s a real need in Haiti. There’s still so much suffering there – people are living in tents with no clean water.”
Around 230,000 people died and 1.5 million were left homeless after a magnitude seven earthquake struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince last year. Billions of dollars in international aid have been donated toward relief work, but money is still needed to reconstruct the devastated city.
“This donation is a symbol of the generosity Canadians continue to demonstrate as Haitians struggle to rebuild their country,” says Robert Fox, executive director of Oxfam Canada. “It's a tremendous display of support at a time when it's needed most."
Since the earthquake, Oxfam has provided clean drinking water and sanitation facilities to more than 400,000 displaced people, provided 98,000 people with emergency shelter, distributed hygiene kits containing personal-care items like soap, shampoo and towels to 120,000 people and assisted 175,000 people in reopening businesses and removing rubble through cash-for-work programs. Among other programs, the organization has spent $19.5 million on water, sanitation and hygiene and $11 million towards emergency food security and livelihoods programs.
The Salvation Army currently operates 49 primary schools throughout Haiti, along with several children’s homes and secondary schools. The Army’s medical work includes maternity programs, dispensaries, tuberculosis clinics, primary health care centres and a nutrition centre.
“I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the support Frank Flaman has provided for our work in Haiti,” says Karen Diaper, The Salvation Army’s assistant public relations director. “This donation will help many people on their road to recovery and redevelopment. Without such community minded, generous people as Frank Flaman, The Salvation Army wouldn't be able to provide such assistance, in Haiti and around the world.”
Along with its support for Haiti, the Frank Flaman Foundation has funded and helped countless global charities provide their valuable services, both locally and around the globe. For more about the foundation visit www.flaman.com/foundation
Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionJan 11, 2011
We’re doing it again!
Due to the overwhelming success of our first contest, Flaman Sales is once again hosting the Great Stuck in the Muck Photo contest. But this year’s contest will be bigger and better!
We are opening it up to entries from across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. And this time entrants have the chance to have their best “stuck” photo featured in a calendar for 2012. The public will vote for photos just like last time, but this year they can vote for pictures in different categories such as Best Overall Stuck, Best Tractor Stuck, Best Combine Stuck or Most Comical. The winners of these categories will be included in the calendar, which will be on sale in November. All proceeds from calendar sales will support local charities.
Here’s how the contest works:
- Upload and view photos at www.stuckinthemuck.com starting March 1 until Sept. 30.
- Voting will begin Oct. 1 and go until Oct. 30.
- The winners featured in the calendar will also win a new tow rope.
- There will be five random winners again (including at least one from each province), so everyone has a chance to win!
Start taking your pictures right now! You can still visit www.stuckinthemuck.com to see all the great photos from last year and check out the new ones starting March 1.
Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsDec 30, 2010
This year we brought in a standardized insulation and heating package for our XR enclosed sled trailers. The package was designed to be simple and robust and it really is! It includes a 25,000 BTU forced air propane heater with a 35 lb underbelly mount propane tank. To start the unit the operation is simple – move the thermostat to the desired heat level and an interior battery will fire up the unit. Presto! You now have heat.
To understand the units we have been field testing them. The system is easy to use and warms a three place enclosed sled trailer at -10 in about ten minutes. It really is quite comfortable and fast. The insulation in the roof, walls and floor keep the heat in well. You’re going to need that in this weather!
There are a couple of things we don’t like: there’s no remote fill on the tank. Not having this option does keep the costs down, but that is hardly remembered when you are struggling on your back beneath the unit to fill the propane tank. While filling the tank is not an everyday occurrence, when it does happen it is a nuance, and you have to make sure wherever you are getting it filled has a long enough hose to reach.
The second thing we did not like was shutting the system down. If you do not push the thermostat into the right position it stays on and drains your battery. This has occurred for us in our lots with customers while showing off the unit, so most likely this is not applicable in the field.
In conclusion, the good far outweighs the bad. The system works well and produces heat fast! We are looking at carrying a remote fill kit for aftermarket purchase in case you get tired of crawling around beneath the trailer.
Posted in Product Information | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionDec 24, 2010
We’ve made the draw for the random winners of the Great Saskatchewan Stuck in the Muck photo contest.
Congratulations to the winners who also get a new tow rope:
Trevor Berkan, Southey
Rick Yagelniski, Springside
Diane Coombs, Wroxton
Nicole Squires, Prince Albert
Monty Kovlaske, Humboldt
We’ve had more than 72,000 visits to the Stuck in the Muck website from across the globe since the contest launched. Over 300 people signed up and submitted 365 photos. Thanks to everyone who support us and helped make the contest a success!
We’ve been getting lots of attention in the media too! We’ve had stories on CBC Radio, CBC Online, CTV, Global, CJWW, News Talk CKOM, CKBI in Prince Albert and CJGX in Yorkton to name a few!
Don’t forget to give us a “Like”!
We know many producers had a rough time seeding and harvesting in the mud, but we hope you had some fun with this contest and were able to have a few laughs about the “sticky” situations.
Trevor Berkan
Rick Yagelniski
Diane Coombs
Nicole Squires
Monty Kovlaske
Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionDec 21, 2010
What started out as a frustrating time with spinning tires and sticky terrain has turned into a winning situation for five Saskatchewan farmers.
Flaman Sales has announced the winners of the Great Saskatchewan Stuck in the Muck photo contest, as voted on by the public. The winners of a brand new tow rope are:
- Carla Debnam, Chruchbridge
- Wayne Ratzlaff, Waldheim
- Richard Semchuk, Meath Park
- Evan Sauer, Edenwold
- Lori Wuchner, St. Gregor
After farmers across Saskatchewan dealt with record rainfall this past spring and summer, Jody “Joe” Kemp, with Flaman Sales in Southey, soon realized that getting stuck in the mud was a province-wide epidemic. He came up with the idea of the contest where farmers could submit their best “stuck” photos and share their experiences with each other.
And share they did – since the contest launched Nov. 8 there have been more than 60,800 visits to www.stuckinthemuck.com as people have viewed and voted for the over 360 photos entered from across the province.
“This contest has exceeded our expectations,” Kemp says, noting he’s received a lot of positive feedback from customers as well. “I think it became so popular because everyone was in the same predicament this year. Everyone could sympathize with each other. While getting stuck was depressing at the time, people are looking at all the photos and they’re laughing about it now.”
First place winner Carla Debnam, who combined 10 quarters of grain near Churchbridge, agrees the contest has been fun and enjoyed looking at all the “wonderful” photos that were entered. She says it’s nice to win a prize after dealing with such a difficult harvest.
“Saskatchewan farmers had it rough,” she says. “Everyone deserves a pat on the back.”
After getting stuck pretty bad this year, Debnam is sure she’ll need a new tow rope. With all the snow, she thinks there could be a wet spring next year.
Flaman Sales will also be drawing five random winners from all of the entries on Wed., Dec 22 who will win a new tow rope as well. The winners, along with the Top 25 and all the submitted entries, can be viewed at www.stuckinthemuck.com. Photos can still be uploaded for sharing and the site will remain up for viewing.
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Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionDec 06, 2010
It’s time to vote!
We need your votes to help pick the winners of the Great Saskatchewan Stuck in the Muck Photo Contest. We received more than 280 great photos and it’s too hard for us at Flaman Sales to choose.
From Dec. 6 to Dec. 20, you can visit www.stuckinthemuck.com every day and vote for your favourite photos. You can vote once per photo each day, but there’s no limit to the number of photos you can vote for every day.
The top 5 photos with the most number of votes will win a brand new tow rope!
But don’t forget, every photo has a chance to win. We’re drawing five random winners from all the entries to win tow ropes as well.
If you still have a great stuck in the muck picture you’d like to submit, that’s OK, we’ve extended the deadline for entries.
People are already voting so hurry and cast your vote now! Check back each day to see the front runners – you never know, your vote could make a difference.
Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionNov 09, 2010
With record rainfall across Saskatchewan this past spring and summer, many farmers found themselves in sticky situations.
“It’s no secret that everyone in the province was getting their equipment stuck in the mud,” says Jody (Joe) Kemp, with Flaman Sales in Southey.
Almost every customer he spoke with had gotten stuck at one point and Flaman Sales even had a waiting list for tow ropes. Kemp says his friends kept sending him photos of their tractor or sprayer caught in the mud, and each one was unbelievable. But he soon realized this wasn’t just happening in southern Saskatchewan – getting stuck in the muck was a province-wide epidemic.
“As farmers, we are all in this together,” Kemp says, adding he thought it would be neat to have a place where farmers could share their experiences. So Flaman Sales created the Great Saskatchewan Stuck in the Muck Contest, where producers can upload their best stuck photos on the Internet and have a chance to win great prizes.
“Getting stuck is depressing at the time, but when you look back at the photos afterwards you can laugh,” Kemp says, “If a guy was having a bad day and he sees a picture of someone 10 times more stuck than him, it might make him feel better.”
Farmers can visit www.stuckinthemuck.com to submit their photos and view and comment on the other entries. Starting December 6, the public can vote for their favourite photo and the top five photos will win a 50 foot, $469 tow rope. Flaman Sales will also be drawing for five more tow ropes from all the entries, so everyone has a chance to win.
“We feel for all of the farmers in the province and care about the wellness of our customers,” says Kemp. “This is a way to build community with the agricultural producers. If there’s someone in Estevan looking at photos from Yorkton, he’ll know we all had to deal with the same issues.”
In one of the worst stories he heard, Kemp says a farmer had a stuck sprayer, so a truck and trailer was brought in to unload the chemical. But the truck and trailer got stuck so a four-wheel drive tractor was brought in to pull it out. A backhoe was needed to dig out the sprayer, but it too got stuck and needed to be pulled out by the tractor. In the end, it took two four-wheel drive tractors to pull out the sprayer.
“When they got that equipment out, people were cheering like the Riders had just scored a touchdown,” Kemp says. “I’ve talked to farmers who’ve been farming for 80 years and they all agree it’s never been like this.”
Producers can submit their stuck in the muck photos until Dec. 5 and there’s no limit to the number of photos you can upload. Voting will run from Dec. 6 to 20. Voting is limited to one vote per person per day. Visit www.stuckinthemuck.com for more details. Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsNov 06, 2010
Sometimes seeing is believing. Last night was the opening night for the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Show and Flaman Trailers has a 4,200 square foot booth, twelve trailers, five Flaman Salesmen and three factory representatives working the booth, plus three show girls to hand out brochures. With all the space and trailers and the draw of the Boom Boom trailer it was all the girls could do to keep up with handing out brochures.
Why is our booth so popular? Well the Aluma trailers and the XR Series enclosed sled trailers are dialed in to provide the best value on the market. They are a big draw by themselves but the all black Stealth Nash Car unit and the Boom Boom trailer really get people excited. I mean really excited! While I was working there was a lull in the crowd for just a moment. When I mean lull, one Product Rep was not helping a customer and the rest of us were busy...so being a salesman he cranked the Boom Boom's stereo. I shot him a nasty glance as I was trying to answer questions and now the roar of the music (from six speakers and two subs) made it more difficult. He shrugged his shoulders and pointed at the wave of people coming to check out the Boom Boom trailer. I am not exaggerating...a literal wave of people was working down the aisle and through the booth to the trailer. If we were being invaded we had just become completely overrun! Over twenty people lined up and started working their way through the trailer.
Sometimes seeing is believing, so if you read this post and are anywhere near Saskatoon you ought to come down to the show and see the Boom Boom and the Stealth for yourself. You will not be disappointed, and if you want the girls will give you a tattoo!
Posted in Product Information | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsOct 30, 2010
Well, snow has arrived and so have our sled trailers. This year Flaman Trailers is very excited about our line up. The XR Series Enclosed Sled Trailer is packed with features. An all aluminum interior, overhead cabinet and black hard top flooring are just a few of the standard fetaures. Two tone colours to match your sled have been brought in across our eight locations, and we have more selection than ever before: heater packages, insulated, lowboy toyhualers, 7 wide inline sled trailers and the list goes on.
Our flat deck sled trailers have the same amount of choice: aluminum or steel, tilt or drive on drive off. Salt shields, aluminum rims, torsion or spring axles are available.
Once you pick your trailer our parts departments are stocked with accessories to make your trailer your way: helmet bays, shelving, broom hangers, base cabinets and much, much more.
Come in today to outfit your trailer needs for this winter!
Posted in Product Information | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Jennifer Thompson, Marketing DivisionOct 20, 2010
When customers come to Flaman Trailers, they can expect not only the best product at the best price, but a knowledgeable sales staff that will find them the right trailer to fit their needs.
One of our own trailer experts, trailer division manager Steve Whittington, was recently interviewed by SnoRiders magazine for an article on how to choose the best snowmobile trailer.
There are lots of options, Whittington points out, such as an enclosed or open sled trailer, or a steel or aluminum sled trailer.
To read the story in the Fall 2010 edition of SnoRiders click here.
Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Jennifer Thompson
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsOct 17, 2010
The Alberta Snowmobile Association Show in Edmonton and the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association Show in Saskatoon will soon be here.
On October 22nd, 23rd and 24th at the Edmonton Expo Centre, Flaman Trailers will be exhibiting enclosed sled trailers, aluminum sled trailers, drive on drive off flat deck sled trailers, tilt deck sled trailers, plus a full line of sled trailer accessories. Come down to see the all new 2011 XR Series enclosed snowmobile trailer complete with a heater and insulation package.
On November 5th , 6th and 7th in Saskatoon at Prairieland Park, Flaman Trailers again will be exhibiting the same line up. There will be show specials and free draws. Be sure to take advantage of these pre-season offerings.
Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Nathan Laturnus, Product Specialist - Flaman Trailer DivisionSep 01, 2010
Southland Trailers Has recently came out with a new addition to their enclosed line up. The XR Sport Model is designed specifically to haul your side by side ATV.
The trailer comes standard with extra 8” of height with allows you enough room to ride your ATV in with ease. (rear door height - 81", rear door width - 74") The entire frame is constructed of hollow structural steel (HSS). Full tubing construction means increased strength and rigidity. We upgraded the flooring to high grade structural mezzanine decking, perfect for construction or recreational use.
The Sport model comes standard with 4, recessed D-rings rated at over 500lbs each for the safety of whatever you’re hauling. An aluminum tread plate 24” rock guard wraps the front of this trailer, On some models we have also added aluminum rims, this increases longevity of the rim and gives the trailer a polished look. The XR Sport comes standard with Flo thru vents and utilizes slim line LED lighting throughout the exterior of the trailer.
There are many color options available to you, here we feature our “Camo Edition” this is a limited edition trailer with only a few models available. This unique trailer would be great for hauling your side by side on your next hunting trip! Because of the many features this trailer has such as the extra height and heavy duty flooring we have been getting a lot of positive feedback from customers who use the trailer for more commercial and industrial uses as well.
Whatever you chose to use this trailer for, you will be satisfied with the quality and workmanship that Southland Trailers provides For more information, please contact your local Flaman Trailer Dealer.
Posted in Product Information | More articles by Nathan Laturnus
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsAug 10, 2010
The first thing you need to do is qualify what your intended use is:
- Often (2- 5 times a week)
- Frequent (2 -5 times a month)
- Infrequent (2 -5 times a year)
Next set of basic questions you need to answer are as follows:
- Size required
- Payload to be hauled
- Any special requirements (i.e. extra tie downs)
Armed with this information you should have an idea of the amount and type of use required from your future trailer. This will help you pick a unit in the quality class you need.
The trailer world is divided much like the car world into classes of trailers of different quality, for simplicity at Flaman Trailers we simply say:
The differences between the classes depend on the type of trailer, enclosed, flat deck or utility: However some generalities are as follows:
As you move towards best the strength of the frame increases, for instance a good trailer may have all light channel construction, a better many combine tubing steel with heavier channel steel with the best unit being built entirely with HSS (High Structural Steel) tubing.
The same sequence will occur with the features on the units.Good trailers will have a straight springaxle, Better a torsion while Best may have an adjustable torsion.
So knowing the quality of the unit you require will help you and a trailer product specialist pick your required unit.
Another major item to consider is who are you buying from? There are so many manufacturers and dealers popping up that have only been in business for a few years one must question whether they will be present down the road to service your unit, or provide warranty.
Flaman Trailers has been in business for over 50 years as have several other dealers, but not many so be aware! Buy from accredited dealerships that can support you and the product you have purchased. Your trailer needs to be serviced at least annually and you want a dealership that cantake care of you. The final and a very important consideration is the trailer brand which you are purchasing. Flaman has partner manufacturers that have been in business for many years, known in the industry, and stand behind their products. As well Flaman Trailers support Canadian manufacturers. Trailtech Inc and Southland Trailer Corp are the two largest and oldest Canadian manufacturers that build for Canadian conditions. Do you think a trailer built in Texas has the heavy gauge wire to stand up to a Canadian winter?
So there are a lot of things to consider but to summarize
- Determine the amount of use and what you need to haul
- Determine the class of trailer that will work for you
- Chose a dealer that has a proven track record in the industry
- Pick a quality brand of trailer. (I would pick Canadian)
All the other details in between a professional trailer product specialist will be able to guide you through… have fun!
Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with how-to information trailer tips | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsJun 30, 2010
The new Trailtech MD270 MultiDeck Trailer is one of this season’s hottest innovations. This is a must see unit for trailer users that have been thinking about another trailer for their fleet, or looking to replace/reduce trailers in their fleet. The trailer has a lowboy position, a highboy position and is a powered tilt in both positions. So this unit is really four units in one. The dovetail at the rear of the trailer with the tilting deck eliminates the need for ramps, combine this with the hydraulic cushion, loading equipment is truly a one person job.
Features on this unit include:
1. Self Contained Hydraulics
2. Patented MultiDeck
3. Load Securement: rub rails and stake pockets standard plus D-rings in the axle location.
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This unit rides on (2) 7000 lb Torfex (Rubber Torsion) axles with 16” tire providing a 16,100 lb GVWR. Contact your local rep for more details.
Available at all Flaman Trailer locations.
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Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsFeb 26, 2010
The New Roll off Dump Trailer is truly a versatile unit. The same chassis can serve as a cargo trailer, flatdeck or dump unit. Currently Southland trailers has released the garbage bin attachment, with the above other attachments soon to follow. We are pretty excited at Flamans to be the first to bring this new unique paradigm changing trailer to the market place.
Often when you drive to a construction site there are multiple trailers present. Cargo Trailers serving as mobile tool cribs or a job site shack. Flat decks for hauling equipment, garbage bin on the ground, and dump trailer for moving dirt or landscaping. Imagine the possibilities and cost shavings of having all these functions combined with one chassis. What if you have two or three job sites!
You only need to register and maintain only one trailer instead of multiple units or if you are renting eliminate rental fees for the occasional rentals by purchasing a cost effective attachment. Additionally the attachments can be spotted and picked up at your convenience and you do not have to worry about the theft of your trailer.
These units are due to be released the middle of March just in time for the start of the spring construction season.
Posted in Uncategorized | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsFeb 01, 2010
Well, there are many reason to buy an aluminum trailer vs a traditional steel trailer. Firstly Aluminum is lighter by 35- 45% which means your payload is going to be higher than a steel trailer with the same axle rating. Generally though most aluminum trailers have a lighter axles than their steel counterparts but are still able to offer the same payload. This equals a less weight to haul (better fuel economy) and your trailer is easier to move around when hitching up.
Another big advantage of aluminum is that it does not rust nor will you have a rotting wood deck to replace (considering you purchased an aluminum decked trailer). A simple acid wash brings the shine of the trailer immediately back.
One of the main misperceptions about aluminum trailers is that aluminum is not as strong as steel. Actually pound for pound aluminum can be two and half times as strong as steel. The extruded shape and type of aluminum used provides a higher tensile strength. Finally if aluminum was weaker why are airplanes made of it?
Posted in Product Information | Tagged with aluminum Aluma trailer tips information | More articles by Steve Whittington
Written By: Steve Whittington, Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsFeb 01, 2010
We are really excited about this new four by eight foot dump trailer we have in stock at our Flaman locations.
The product is constructed with an all tubing frame which provides ample strength and allows the wiring to be enclosed. The trailer rides on a 5200 lb spring axle..plenty of payload for an acreage heck plenty of payload for a landscaping contractor! A gas shock on the tool box lid is a nice touch as well as the light mounted on the underside of the lid for when you are working at dawn or dusk. Robust jeep style fenders plus plank brackets for building up the already ample height side walls.
All around a Must see! Must have! trailer at a very reasonable price!
Posted in New Products | More articles by Steve Whittington
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