Winter Tune-up: The Health Benefits of Snowmobiling

Posted by Jeff Brown Jan 10, 2022

At first glance, it might be hard to believe snowmobiling is good for your health. After all, you are just sitting on a motorized machine that does all the work, aren't you?

No, you're actually doing much more than that. Here's a rundown of the health benefits of "sledding," and how you can take part if it sounds like your kind of outdoor fun.

More Than a Mechanical Sleigh Ride

According to the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), sledding can positively impact both your physical and mental health. In 2019, the organization released its Physical Activity Health Study, a summary of independent research done by the University of Guelph. The report included physiological data from field-testing in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.

The study highlighted how snowmobiling could restore a sizable list of healthy habits that go missing as the days get shorter and colder - physical activity, outdoor time, exposure to nature, and socialization. Unfortunately, their absence can result in weight gain and reduced strength, endurance and immunity. With winter seemingly closing in on us, we can add Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to the price of our sedentary sins.

Physical Benefits

After following over 4,000 snowmobilers, the study found that the average rider used 5.6 METs while riding. The term "MET" stands for Metabolic Equivalent, a measure of the calories you burn sitting still. The study used body-position sensors to determine snowmobiling is much more than "sitting still."

There's a lot of standing, kneeling, stabilizing, handle gripping, and changing position involved – especially if you head out into the backcountry or up into the mountains. The study also mentions peripheral tasks like digging out a stuck sled, clearing obstacles and truck/trailer loading and unloading.

The study also measured these activities' exertion, fatigue, and aerobic exercise value. Again, uneven terrain was a significant factor. Trail riders reached an average of 68% of their maximum heart rate, while backcountry and mountain riders reached 71% and 82%, respectively.

The researchers admit that cardio calculations can be logistically tricky with all the moving around. Measurement can also be obscured by exhilaration, which sometimes goes by another name - fun.

Emotional Benefits

Snowmobiling is so much fun, you might overlook the workout you're getting - and that physical activity makes you feel even better. It combats changes in the brain that can lead to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Time out on the snowy trails can also do wonders for sleep cycles and blood flow to the brain. It can even enhance the structure of the brain itself.

Furthermore, frequent leaning and shifting positively affect stress hormones, inflammation, and neurotransmitter production. It works as well or even better than prescribed antidepressant medications at reversing depression symptoms. One weekend trip can keep your contentment charged up for up to a week.

Social Dynamics Make Social Dynamos

The study also points to several social benefits vital to mental health and physical safety. For example, isolation is a significant contributor to depression and other mental disorders. Because snowmobiling works best as a group activity, it offers several group dynamic pleasures, benefits, challenges, and rewards. Leaders choose the path and set the pace, and followers look out for those before and behind them. Negative thoughts are replaced by the good feeling of being part of a group that relies on your best qualities.

It's also a great way to learn skills from others and develop your own sense of mastery. Feeling capable when you encounter challenges lowers your levels of stress and anxiety. So does gaining confidence within a group. Last but not least, there's a proven link between physical activity and improved mood. All of these benefits are easier to realize in an affirmative group setting.

So, where do you get started if you're interested in snowmobiling but don't have any snowmobile friends? There are several snowmobile associations and federations across Canada representing 729 individual clubs.

Reclaim Your Time with Nature.

It's not just what you do, but also where you do it. Getting outdoors in the winter allows many of us to confront and befriend the fearsome snow beast of our imaginations. It's more than liberating. It's restorative. You're reclaiming a connection you thought you'd lost with the summer sun, and the scenery is still gorgeous to behold.

Happy Trails!

The CCSO reports there are over 121,000 km of organized snowmobile trails in Canada, used by over 1.5 million family members across the nation. No doubt many of those snowmobilers get excited when the snow starts falling.

Just remember to take good care of the trails you travel, those who share them, and yourself. Follow that rule, and snowmobiling can be great fun and fitness for everyone who jumps on and throttles up.

Flaman Has the Trailer That Can Take Your Sled to the Snow.

You take pride in owning a snowmobile that can take you where you want to go. Take the same pride in a trailer that takes your sled where you want to go. Flaman Trailer Stores sells and rents outstanding utility, enclosed, and flat-deck trailers to take one or more snowmobiles to the trails. (We also deal in gooseneck, stock and dump trailers.)

You can count on our accredited Trailer Service Department for quality maintenance, inspection, repair, warranty, or upgrade work. You put a lot of care into your sled. Let our professionals put the same care into the trailer that carries it. Call or visit your nearest Flaman Trailer location and talk about giving your great ride a great ride!

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Get Out and Enjoy Winter Part 4 - Fun

Posted by Jeff Brown Dec 12, 2021

For countless winters, Canadians have instinctively taken to the outdoors. That habit has given us a national sport, long average lifespans, and a reputation for friendliness, hardiness and adaptability.

Most of us went out without the knowledge of studies documenting the good we were doing our minds and bodies. Fresh air, being active, and the natural beauty of our country were reasons enough.

Even if we find ourselves spending less time outside, the door is always open. So here’s some information for those who’d like to regain the joy of winters past and those yet to fully discover what the season offers. It’s our way of encouraging you to get out and enjoy the glories of a great Canadian Winter.

Part 4: Fun!



In part 3 of this series, we offered some timely tips to ensure your time outdoors is safe. As lovely as a regret-free winter sounds, FUN sounds even better. It's good for the mind and body and for our relationships with nature and each other. 

Done correctly, fun has the admirable power to make you feel younger AND extend your lifespan. So it's never a waste of your time. 

Raring to Go Outside



Recent events have made "going out" feel like a long-ago dream. That's certainly taken a toll on everyone's mental health, but at the same time, it's elevated our appreciation of our time outdoors. A recent study by the Centre for Addiction and mental health (CAMH) reported that getting outside was the most popular coping method - touted by 93.5% of survey respondents. Remember, that's in an age when people were already spending too much time indoors gawking at screens.
 
We've also become wiser and more respectful of each other's space – and there's plenty of it outdoors. So the time has come for us to reap all the benefits of a brisk winter day, safely sharing time with family, friends, and neighbours.
 
That renewed socialization comes with a whack of benefits. While our bodies enjoy reduced blood pressure and stronger immunity, our minds gain a better mood, more confidence and self-esteem, purpose, improved communication skills, increased brain health, and reduced risk of cognitive decline. 

Winter Frolics – Go Outside and Play



And we can have fun doing it. Just look at some of the entertaining activities out there and the health benefits they provide:
 
Downhill skiing: Do cardio-metabolic benefits like improved insulin resistance, body composition and glucose metabolism, and lowered blood pressure, blood lipids and heart rate sound like you're going downhill? According to a 2018 Time Magazine article, you are if you're on skis. Downhill skiing's cardio benefits are compared to those of rowing and cycling. But it's also a fantastic full-body workout, especially when your carve up those moguls. It's also a form of interval training with downhill dashes and rides back up on the chairlift. 

Cross-country skiing: The gliding motion makes it low-impact. Using your upper body, arms, legs, and core makes it a supreme strength and toning exercise. Because it's so good for your heart and easy on your joints, people enjoy it into their 90s.

Skating: It also uses a gliding motion that's easy on your joints. It actually enhances your joint flexibility. You'll be moving in directions that don't apply to regular walking and getting great aerobic exercise as you gradually build up your heart rate and respiration. You'll also dart around in quick bursts, which is a fantastic anaerobic exercise to build up your muscles. 

Snowshoeing: You can walk or run on them over snow that would otherwise cave in and leave buried up to your waist. (If you want a REALLY TOUGH workout, try walking around like that.) Because it keeps you on top of the snow, you can cover a lot of ground and see a lot of nature. But that doesn't make it a stroll in the park. There's enough drag over the surface to burn up to 50% more calories than you would walking the same distance. Meanwhile, you're building up muscular endurance as you work your flexors, quads, glutes, hamstrings and calves.

Cold Weather Hiking: We've discussed the benefits of forest bathing, which is more relaxed and nature-focused than the driven pace of a full-on hike. However, the effects of forest surroundings work the same – increasing the physical benefits of a good, brisk walk. It's even better if you take your hike in the mountains. Participants in a 2017 PLOS One study said they found it more pleasant and less tiring than a treadmill workout. 

Old Familiar Fun in the Snow



Wish you were a kid again? It might be your sense of propriety and not your years that you need to overcome. Every winter, you can find plenty of snow to build forts, snow people, or snowballs to fling about. 

Put on your warm, waterproof clothing, then flop down and make a snow angel. Take a downhill plunge on a toboggan, tube or other gravity/good push-propelled vehicle. If you've got kids, use them as an excuse. They'll understand what you're getting out of it. 

• If you want more excuses, here's a bunch of them:
• You're getting a great cardiovascular workout that just feels like you're enjoying yourself.
• You'll be stimulating brain function.
• You'll activate your imagination.
• You'll bring back childhood memories and optimism that can lift the burden of adult problems off your shoulders for a while. 

Winter's Calling You to Come Out and Play.
 
If you remember your childhood correctly, you'll recall what came before all that romping in the snow. There was the getting roused out of bed and the bundling up your parents made you do. As adults, we can make our own choices, and we often decide to forego the inconveniences that come between us and getting on with life. 

It's easy to stay indoors in your pyjamas and wait for winter to just end already. But you'll miss out on all the invigorating, emboldening, and just plain fun benefits of the season. 

So go out and make a friend of winter. You'll miss it when it's gone. 
 

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Warm Up to Winter Contest
Have you entered our Warm Up to Winter contest on our Facebook and Twitter pages yet?

It's that time of year again – and we're giving away some awesome prizes! Enter to win a $3,000 trailer purchase credit plus weekly prizes like trailer rentals, Koenders snowmobile sleds, gas cards, and more! Draws are made at the end of every week until our Grand Prize Draw on February 4th. Enter now – and good luck!

 

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Get Out and Enjoy Winter Part 3 - Safety

Posted by Jeff Brown Dec 12, 2021

For countless winters, Canadians have instinctively taken to the outdoors. That habit has given us a national sport, long average lifespans, and a reputation for friendliness, hardiness and adaptability.

Most of us went out without the knowledge of studies documenting the good we were doing our minds and bodies. Fresh air, being active, and the natural beauty of our country were reasons enough.

Even if we find ourselves spending less time outside, the door is always open. So here’s some information for those who’d like to regain the joy of winters past and those yet to fully discover what the season offers. It’s our way of encouraging you to get out and enjoy the glories of a great Canadian Winter.

Part 3: Safety
 


In part 2 of this series, we went over the mental and physical benefits of getting outside in winter. But, of course, our coldest season brings some hazards beyond the usual sniffles or minor frostbite. 
 
However, that's no excuse to avoid winter altogether. Here are some common-sense tips for balancing safety with the joys of outdoor winter activity.
 
Don't Let Jack Frost Bite You.



Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic and other leading experts on best practices for keeping fit out in the snow:
Talking to your doctor before starting any exercise regimen is always a good idea.

Create a schedule and stick to it. Consistency is essential all year round. However, during the short days of winter, finding the right time for working, sleeping, exercise and eating are vital. Healthy, balanced meals will help keep you energized while the sun's up. That will help you make the most of your exercise, which will help you restore your circadian rhythm. Proper sleep and a consistent sense of time will help you stave off SAD and the physical, mental and behavioural problems that come with it.

Check the weather – especially if you have heart issues, lung problems or asthma. Remember, the colder it is, the harder it gets on your lungs and respiratory tract. Respiratory symptoms and lung function begin to change at -15 C, according to University of Alberta exercise physiologist and associate kinesiology professor Michael Kennedy. He advises slowing down if you go out on bone-chilling days. Indoor exercise may also be an option.

Dress in layers. As you exercise, your body will naturally warm up. So instead of taking off a big coat and instantly switching from too hot to too cold, you'll be able to adjust your clothing insulation like you'd change your thermostat at home.

Choose the right gear for winter running conditions. That includes reflective clothing for those dark morning runs and good shoe traction for icy conditions. In addition, a skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling helmet could offer vital protection if you do have a slip.

Keep hydrated. Drinking water or sports drinks before, during and after a run is a good idea, even if you're not feeling thirsty. Colder weather doesn't eliminate the threat of dehydration through sweating or even breathing.

Stay properly nourished. Carbohydrates are a great source of the energy you'll need. You can get them quickly from a pre-run banana or glass of orange juice. For longer runs, you'll want to bring along fruit, granola bars or other snacks to keep your strength up and your body warm.



Run against the wind on your way out. That way, you can get the "wind resistance" benefits of your run while you're fresh. You'll also have the wind behind you on the way back. Not only will it give you a push, but it will also protect you from a chill after you've been sweating. 

Take time to acclimatize yourself. Don't burst out of the door running or immediately jump on those skis or snowshoes. Instead, spend a little time getting used to the cold around you and do a slow warm-up before you take off. This practice will help you build up your metabolic rate gradually and safely.

Consider making it a walk. Running isn't the only way to cover ground and keep up with your fitness.

 
Wind Up Your Exercise Wisely



After a good workout in the cold, you might not want to wait to go back inside. Instead, you'll want to resist that urge, according to Associate Professor Kennedy. Rewarming is an exertion unto itself, and you don't want to inflict it suddenly on your chilled airway. Instead, it's best to cool down slowly while gradually reintroducing your body to a warmer environment. 

If you've driven to a skiing or snowshoeing area, driving home with the heat off can help your airway slowly regain its surface liquid before going into your home.

Once You're Back Indoors 



You can warm up further with a hot beverage and a meal that combines protein and carbs. Options include hot cocoa, chicken noodle soup, a tea latte made with dairy or soy milk, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter and banana, or oatmeal with warm milk, raisins and walnuts.
 
Eat it within 30 minutes of your re-entry to properly replace your spent fluid and glycogen resources. In addition, the walnuts offer an added refuelling benefit. Along with foods like almonds and lettuce, it can provide the melatonin that helps you get a great night's sleep.

Just remember that doing something out in the snow is not all work and no play. Exercise is great, but just going out and having a blast can do wonders for you as well. So, in Part 4, we conclude with a refresher on winter fun – and how to have it.
 

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Warm Up to Winter Contest
Have you entered our Warm Up to Winter contest on our Facebook and Twitter pages yet?

It's that time of year again – and we're giving away some awesome prizes! Enter to win a $3,000 trailer purchase credit plus weekly prizes like trailer rentals, Koenders snowmobile sleds, gas cards, and more! Draws are made at the end of every week until our Grand Prize Draw on February 4th. Enter now – and good luck!

 

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Get Out and Enjoy Winter Part 2 - Benefits

Posted by Jeff Brown Dec 12, 2021

For countless winters, Canadians have instinctively taken to the outdoors. That habit has given us a national sport, long average lifespans, and a reputation for friendliness, hardiness and adaptability. 

Most of us went out without the knowledge of studies documenting the good we were doing our minds and bodies. Fresh air, being active, and the natural beauty of our country were reasons enough.

Even if we find ourselves spending less time outside, the door is always open. So here’s some information for those who’d like to regain the joy of winters past and those yet to fully discover what the season offers. It’s our way of encouraging you to get out and enjoy the glories of a great Canadian Winter.
 
Part 2: Benefits  

In part 1 of this series, we discussed the mental and physical costs of staying cooped up all winter. Then we showed how other cold-climate regions get out and make the most of our coldest season. We also mentioned the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” – seemingly nothing more than an observant walk in the woods. But its proponents argue that their time in nature is much more than a pleasant pastime. Researchers agree with them – pointing to documented benefits. For instance, the aromatic scent of evergreen trees wafting airborne essential oils that can boost your immunity for weeks.
 
And that’s just the beginning of the mental and physical benefits winter holds for you.
 
Scientifically Proven
 


Studies indicate connecting with nature can help lower your body mass index (BMI) and lessen your risk of obesity and related conditions. A Central European study of late spring and winter forest bathing showed blood pressure levels dropped as well. 

Findings suggest it may reduce the prevalence of chronic illnesses including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Studies further show it speeds recovery from other ailments. There’s even research indicating that it bolsters NK (natural killer) cells in their battles with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

It’s also shown to be as good for your mind as it is for your body – improving your memory, mood, motivation, energy, attention span, focus, creativity and problem-solving. Forest bathing has been attributed the power to enhance spiritual benefits like mindfulness and gratitude.
 
A Symbiotic Relationship
 


The relatively new field of Environmental psychology puts much stock in the notion that time in nature helps us resolve internal, interpersonal and societal ills. It holds that human beings are more readily adaptive to natural environments than man-made ones. Other tenets include:

• Natural light quickly helps reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and boost our immune system
• Strong connections to the environment make us more aware of it and how we fit into it.  
• Humans can always improve the environment they live in.
• We’re active adapters to changes in society and the environment. We can reshape our social identities and affiliations to the physical space we occupy.

 
You can read more about our relationship with nature here. 
 
Of course, many like to add a little physical exertion to their enjoyment of nature. That, too, can be an invigorating experience – if it’s done correctly.
 
Exercising in Winter



Short days and chilly weather can discourage you from going out for that daily jog or brisk walk. But once you get out and do it, you can adjust to the difference and reap a long list of benefits.

Your body will thank you for awakening a metabolism that just wants to sleep in. It will help keep your figure trim even throughout the feasting holidays. Outdoor exercise pumps up your heart health and lowers your blood pressure all year long. But in winter, the cold acts as another form of resistance.

Meanwhile, the sun sends down buckets of vitamin D – even in winter – bolstering your bone strength and immune system. Studies indicate it also aids weight loss and helps protect us from the flu, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease.

You won’t have to tax your heart rate as much as you do in the summer, meaning less sweat and more energy. And who wants to sweat in all that winter clothing? The weight of those layers helps you become stronger and fitter at the same time.
 
The Heart-Warming Effects of “Chilling”



Piling on those clothes can take a load off your mind. Going out to exercise is an ironic escape; You’re breaking free of a debilitatingly oppressive winter by fleeing into a refreshingly liberating one. 

Same winter. Different perspective. Instant change.

This isn’t purely philosophical. Science has proven exercise makes you happier by releasing delightful endorphins. It ends your day with a relaxing sleep, which helps you greet the next day with more energy and enthusiasm and a sharper focus.

The air in natural areas like park trails along rivers is high in negative ions. In this instance, it’s believed that negative is better than positive – especially when it comes to emotions. An Australian study backed this belief – showing runners who ran outdoors reported more mood elevation running outdoors than on an indoor treadmill.

Further research has indicated:

• Vitamin D helps battle anxiety and depression.
• Exercise can improve your response to stress
• Exercise may help your brain produce new cells – boosting performance and clarity

With winter exercise, the “how” is as important as the “why.” Its many benefits come with some sound advice on keeping your time outdoors, safe, productive and enjoyable. That’s in Part 3 of this series.
 

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Warm Up to Winter Contest
Have you entered our Warm Up to Winter contest on our Facebook and Twitter pages yet?

It's that time of year again – and we're giving away some awesome prizes! Enter to win a $3,000 trailer purchase credit plus weekly prizes like trailer rentals, Koenders snowmobile sleds, gas cards, and more! Draws are made at the end of every week until our Grand Prize Draw on February 4th. Enter now – and good luck!

 

Posted in Contests | Tagged with Winter Contest winter recreation snowmobiling ice fishing trailers | More articles by Jeff Brown

Increase efficiency & reduce downtime during spraying this year

Posted by Mitch Flaman Mar 05, 2021

What started in the fall of 2020 as an idea to build an innovative sprayer trailer designed with functionality and convenience at the top of mind has resulted in the ST series of agriculture sprayer tender trailers from Flaman.

Model ST-9100

With safety, speed, and ease of use as the three pillars of design, these trailers were created to efficiently mix different batches of chemicals and quickly fill your sprayer – all with minimal downtime.

Now that all the planning and engineering has been completed, we are excited to have these units rolling through our production lines and hitting the market for the spring 2021 and 2022 seasons.

“We listened to our customers and put together all their best ideas into these all-new, all-encompassing sprayer tailers. Giving the customer all the features that they have always wanted to have – all in one unit. Flaman is proud to bring this product offering out to the marketplace just in time for the busy spring farming season.”
Bret Watson, Engineer 

The Flaman ST-9100 and ST-9200 are tender-style trailers, built around a 53’ Behnke tri-axle trailer with a heavy-duty air ride suspension and 22.5” tires. They have an 80,000 lb GVWR, cross members on 12” centres, powder-coated paint, and Apitong hardwood decking. These trailers feature a 48” heavy-duty undermount toolbox for additional storage, mud flaps, and dual 2-speed jacks. The most notable difference of the ST-9100 and ST-9200 from other units on the market is the custom-designed 11’ upper kick compared to traditional 10’ upper kicks. This allows for a heavy-duty, low-profile 3,200 US gallon tank to clamp securely to the top deck with heavy-duty deck pins.


Chem Handler III

These ag sprayer trailers are completely outfitted with 3” hose and pipe for speed when filling and emptying the 4,500 US gallon (17,000L) tank on the back and the 3,200 US gallon (8300L) tank on the front. They are fastened directly to the trailer deck with heavy-duty steel mounting pins for safety instead of ratchet straps or chains. The entire system is controlled and mixed with a heavy-duty 3” Chem Handler III, a chemical handler that is fast, safe, and easy to use. The 3” steel piping is mounted under the trailer to keep the deck clean and eliminate the potential for tripping. The fill station is versatile and can feed either each tank individually or at the same time. 

Features that make the ST-9100 and ST-9200 stand out include: 

Stowable Fill Arm 

The stowable fill arm has been engineered with 5” HSS tubing to manage the hose when filling the sprayer. This versatile fill arm takes care of the weight of the 3” hose when it’s full of product, and it swings out when filling the sprayer and easily folds back in when you are done. Your back will thank you!
 

Stowable Stairs & Grate Tread

The stowable stairs give safe and easy access to the deck when managing the Chem Handler III. In a matter of seconds, the safety pins can be pulled out and the stairs can be folded down – no more hopping up and down from the deck like you are training for a Spartan Race! The textured grate steps provide additional traction and reduce the potential for unnecessary slips and falls.

Tote Storage

The tote storage is loaded with innovative features and has been engineered to safely store two chemical totes on top with secure ratchet strap tie-downs. It is easily accessible from both sides of the trailer, as well as from on top of the deck. It can be used to store extra fuel, additional hose and couplings, chemical jugs and treatments, tools, extra parts or sprayer nozzles, and safety equipment. It has strategically been offset towards the passenger side of the trailer to allow for additional walking room on the driver side and access the upper kick with an integrated safety handrail.
 

Sight Tubes

Both tanks have built-in sight tubes for easy water level readings.

LED Light Kit

The trailer comes standard with four LED lights to increase safety and reduce the chances of an accident after the sun goes down. There is a convenient light switch located on the passenger side of the tote cage and in easy reach from the ground or deck. All wires are run inside of the frame and are powered by the 7-pin trailer plug.

Hot Tank (available on the ST-9200)

The ST-9200 includes an additional 1680-gallon (6400L) Chembine Hot Tank. Designed to reduce wait times and increase efficiency, the Hot Tank can mix and agitate the next batch of treatment while the sprayer is out in the field. When the sprayer is ready for another fill, the Hot Tank can quickly unload the next batch of chemicals that have already been already prepared. This feature can be added to any ST-9100.

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For more information on the Flaman ST Series Sprayer Trailers, talk to one our ag & trailer specialists at your nearest Flaman location.

Posted in New Products | Tagged with spraying sprayer trailer ag trailer Flaman ST-9100 ST-9200 | More articles by Mitch Flaman

Hitting the Road: Which Sled Trailer is Right for You?

Posted by Paul Boechler Dec 01, 2020

Hitting the Road: Which Sled Trailer is Right for You?

The winter of 2020/2021 is shaping up to be a great year for sledding.  A huge dump of snow across much of the prairies in early November coupled with a global pandemic keeping people at home is the perfect recipe for spending quality time on some fresh powder. 

There’s a lot that goes into buying a snowmobile trailer. We’ve talked about it before, but some of the big considerations include choosing between an open vs. enclosed trailer, steel vs. aluminum frame and heated vs. not.  A lot of your decision-making will likely come down to budget, storage requirements, your vehicle’s towing capacity and where/how much you’ll use the trailer.  If you’re looking for customization, our parts & service team can help you upgrade your trailer to fit your lifestyle.
 

Enclosed Sled Trailers

Inline:

Inline enclosed sled trailers are great for people with half-ton trucks who want to haul 3 sleds (or 2 sled with some extra storage).  By parking one sled via the front ramp door and two in the main ramp, a 7’ or 7.5’ width inline is an ideal design for smaller trucks.  
 

Deck over/Highboy:

The deck over (aka highboy) is the perfect trailer for the serious sledder.  Available in 8’ or 8.5’ width models, they’re designed to easily fit up to 4 sleds in, with heated and insulated models available.  Keep in mind trailers this big typically require a ¾- or 1-ton truck to haul.  They’re also built with higher clearance so you’re able to pull them in rough terrain or snowy conditions.
 

Lowboy:

The lowboy toy or car hauler is designed with a lower deck with the clearance to fit a car, side-by-side (UTV) and other toys. Typically, these trailers are 8.5’ to accommodate space requirements.  They’re also ideal for pulling sleds with a long track & skis, making it ideal for pulling mountains-ready sleds.
 

Open Sled Trailers:

Open deck sled trailers are much more economical than their enclosed counterparts.  The argument of steel vs. aluminum frame comes into play here. Aluminum is lightweight while maintaining similar towing capacity and increased longevity, as it doesn’t rust or weather as quickly.  However, if you’re looking for versatility beyond hauling snowmobiles or ATVs, steel is more economical as they typically cost less than an aluminum trailer would.
 

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Winter Staycation Contest:

If you previously weren’t aware, we’re giving away some awesome trailer accessories to make your sledding experience even better this winter. Things like tie downs, explorer sleds and wheel locks are up for grabs simply by liking our Facebook or Twitter page, liking the posts and tagging a friend. Our Winter Staycation contest is on now until mid-January, 2021. Visit our social pages for more information!
Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with sled trailers trailer comparison | More articles by Paul Boechler

What is the NATM?

Posted by Flaman Feb 23, 2015

So if you’re looking for a new or used trailer, keep this in mind. Look for NATM dealer associate marked trailers and do your research. It’s worth it. 

Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with NATM trailers safety Flaman | More articles by Flaman

All-Sport Trailers

Posted by Steve Whittington Nov 17, 2014

If you have been in the trailer industry as long as I have,you can reflect on trends and the evolution of a product.  One product I believe that has been evolving  quickly is the enclosed all sport trailer. The best place to see this evolution at its most diverse is the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Show and Sale or the Alberta Power Sports Show.  While both of these shows have been dubbed “sled shows” and are run by the provincial snowmobile associations they are so much more than just Snowmobiles shows. 

Over the years I have watched non-snowmobiling recreation power sports creep into these shows (there was a wake boarding boat at the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Show and Sale this year). As the products on display have broadened so too has the versatility of trailers at this show.  Many of the trailers showcased were not just “sled” trailers they were trailers to haul products for all seasons and all sports.  Thus the name all sport. 

So what is an all sport trailer? Its name suggests it is a unit that can transport all power sport equipment.  Fair enough, but the reality is that most of the “all sport” dubbed trailers can only transport a few types of units the name would otherwise imply. So if you are shopping for a true all sport trailer, below are characteristics to look for and reasons why:

1. Extra Height: If you want to just haul sleds and quads height is not an issue. But as soon as you decide to transport a UTV you will need extra height to clear the rear ramp door opening.  I generally recommend an 84” interior height that will allow for 78” in rear ramp door clearance.  With lots of UTV’s having 76” as their overall height that provides the clearance you need.
2. Lowboy or Middeck as opposed to the traditional 8.5 ft wide highboy (deck over trailer):  This type of trailer allows for a lower ramp incline making it easier to load quads, sleds, or UTV’s.  The lower ramp angle makes it easier to back sleds in, which is required for many loading configurations with a lowboy or middeck trailers.  The lowboy trailer also allows you to haul a vehicle, and with that toy hauling capacity, now you have an all sport.
3. 5200 - 6000 lb axles: The machines keep getting bigger and thus heavier.  In the case of mountain sleds 11’ in length is not uncommon and these come with bigger engines every year.  While the manufactures strive to keep the weight down it does continue to creep up. The same trend goes for ATV’s and UTV’s. With the primary cargo getting bigger and heavier more axle capacity makes sense, certainly if you are transporting extra gear along with your snow machines or quads.  The larger axles also provide the payload capacity for a vehicle and can handle some of the rougher roads you may need to travel on to get to your adventure destinations.
4. Extra Length: As mentioned before all the units are getting bigger and longer. A thrity foot long trailer used to be a rare unit, now we try to keep in stock. While it is not the common size (26’ is still 90% of the units sold) it is no longer uncommon.  Twenty foot long (16’ straight wall plus 4’ v-nose)  3 place trailers with extra height are a very popular size; but because they are too short to transport a car they are not considered an all sport trailer.
5. 8.5 wide: While 7’ wide inline units are gaining popularity as a multi-use units (they fill in as a standard cargo trailer in the off season) and are easier to tow, turn, back up and park; they have less capacity and of course cannot haul a car (8.5’ wide is needed for a vehicle).

Several additional points to note:

• These units can be steel frame or aluminum frame. The difference is weight and cost. I use the 1/3 rule: aluminum reduces the curb weight by about 1/3 but adds to the cost by about 1/3 more.
• Escape doors: Many folk insist they need these.  I agree shimming out your window like a Bob and Luke duke is not a fun task in a confined space of an enclosed trailer. I have a few words of caution.  First if your car has very low clearance there is chance you will not be able to use the escape door because the car door will not clear the inside fender of the trailer.  Second, customers have gotten quite excited about the escape door only to discover after loading their car the escape door does not line up their door, so I would suggest taking some measurements first.
• Heaters, cabinets, stereos, benches, fan tails, oh my!  The list of options is vast.  Customers sometimes buy the options instead of the trailer.  Figure out what you need and then what you really want and go from there…

Shopping for an all sport can be an exciting experience.  Have fun, and talk to an expert.

Posted in New Products | Tagged with All Sport Enclosed Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

CJAY Trailers Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Oct 29, 2014

In this episode of Trailer Talk Steve talks with Brad Harvey from Cjay Trailer. Brad fills us in about his organization and some unique new products only available from Cjay Trailers. Listen, learn, Enjoy!

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Podcasts CJAY Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Why built in Canada still matters

Posted by Steve Whittington Jul 25, 2014

It was a Friday.  I was at our Nisku location and I was leaving the dealership walking through the lot headed home for the weekend. I walked past a Trailtech TD 210 that had a few  modified options on it. I looked the trailer over as I always do when walk past any unit in our yard. As I walked along the length of the unit from taillights to hitch I noted the features, fit and finish, quality of build, overall appearance, etc, etc, etc…when I reached the hitch  I saw this trailer had just gone through our pre-delivery inspection process (as the sticker slapped on the front of the gooseneck indicated).  I then stopped and looked back down the length of the trailer.

“This is a damn fine trailer”  I thought to myself.  So  I took a closer look at the welds and the convenience features on the unit (some installed by us).  I started to really critic the unit looking at the decking for cracks and other imperfections; I looked under the frame at the paint coverage; I followed the wiring harness (note I wrote wiring harness not strand wiring) along the frame paying attention to how it was secured and protected.  Everything on this trailer was perfect. No matter how hard I looked I could not find any problems with the trailer.  Quite honestly, this is not an exception to the rule, it is the rule: Trailtech product has outstanding consistent quality. 

Call me bias (Trailtech is Canadian built, and a brand FGC has a longstanding history with) but I believe the quality that goes into to trailers built in Canada, for Canadian conditions is underappreciated. To address this I decided to give you reasons as a Canadian consumer why you should buy a Canadian built Trailtech.

1)      Quality of Build.  As in many products there are a good, better and best for light industrial trailers. At Flaman Group of Companies  we sell products that fit into all three categories in order to meet the various needs of various customers.  These categories are differentiated by features and quality which ultimately means different pricing.  Trailtech as a brand offers a good, better and best  models for each category. Where I believe they really shine (and customers have been voting this way with their dollars) is in the best category.  The Premier and Industrial series generally have no equal in the market place.  If you need a reliable trailer as a tool for your business, to me it makes sense to invest in a Trailtech that will always do what you need and last the test of time.

2)      Canadian weather and road conditions. They are awful, both our roads and our weather and many trailer brands are built for the warm flat highways of the southern states as opposed to the gravel and pitted frozen highways of the Canadian north.  For these conditions you need paint that can absorb some of the mechanical impact of road rocks at -40 and a RV plug that will not shatter when you fight to plug it into your tow vehicle.   Trailtech based in Gravelburg SK lives in and understands these conditions.  A Trailtech trailer is made to deal with this weather without fuss.

3)      Warranty: We sell thousands of Trailtech products every year.  They get horribly abused by some customers (another story) and yet we rarely hear of any issues. That said no company is perfect.  The product is built by people and people make mistakes (as we all do).  What defines a product and company is what they do when that happens. It has been my experience that between Trailtech and Flaman when a mistake happens that affects the customer,  the Trailtech and Flaman people always make it right.

Lastly Americans market buy American all the time to support American companies and American workers. Let me be shameless and proudly yell the same thing: Buy Canadian!  Yes I am a hypocrite as we sell many American brands across many of our divisions( including the Trailer Division).  Being a leader in retail we need to provide the leading products in their appropriate categories in order to provide the best customer experience to our customers. That said, there are Canadian products that we sell that are the best in their categories (Trailtech is one of them)…Buy Canadian and support Canadians.

 So if you are in the market for your first trailer or are adding one to your fleet. Think about Canadian quality.  Quality comes with a cost but I believe it is worth it.

 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Trailtech Flatdeck Canadian built Trailers dump trailers ag transport | More articles by Steve Whittington

B & B Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Jun 03, 2014

Jim Behnke from Behnke Enterprises talks to Steve about Ag Transports and changes he has seen in his 27 year career in the Trailer Industry. Behnke Enterprises is a truly world class and worldwide brand with distribution in many countries and continents. Behnke Enterprises manufacturers a diverse product line of Ag Transport equipment and industrial trailers that allows evolving. Listen, learn, and enjoy the podcast.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Podcast Flaman Trailers Steve Whittington Behnke Enterprises Ag Transport Industrial Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Semi Flatbed Trailers, Stock Trailers, and Level loading Trailers. All new this year at Flaman Trailers

Posted by Steve Whittington May 07, 2014

Every year we have Trailer Division training in February and every year we find new products to bring to you our customers.  Organizing the event this year I surprised at the logistics required to make this happen.

Five years ago we had three manufacturers to focus on. We now supply fifteen trailer manufacturers to Western Canada eleven of which were at our inside training event. We consumed an entire exhibition hall in Lethbridge to show case the equipment inside from the cold. Ultimately, that is a lot of product choice for you. Now that spring has sprung these trailers are in our lots ready to be viewed.

Many of these fifteen manufactures many are what I consider speciality products: Office Trailers, Concession Trailers, Mobile Restroom trailers, Sprayer Trailers, car dollies, level loading trailers, fuel trailers... the list goes on. But to be fair many are also mainline manufacturers and we have aligned ourselves with the best in the industry to provide our customers pricing and specification choices or simply put their pick of good better or best. 

What I was excited about most this year however are products I believe we have be needing to supply for quite some time;  Stock and Horse Trailers (which we used to supply), and Semi flat bed trailers. To meet these needs we have aligned ourselves with Corn Pro Trailers for Horse and Stock Trailers and B&B Trailers for Flat Bed Semi Trailers. We have more product information on our website. Both of these brands have been in the industry for a long time and we excited to offer them.  

The last new trailer type we had in our training is quite unique. The company Air Tow Trailers are a worldwide industry leader for level loading trailers. When I was first exposed to this trailer I will admit I raised an eyebrow and thought what use are these trailers? The idea is nice but regular trailers can do the job. The fact is they cannot. The bed of these units lowers completely to the ground and when raised for travel the bed self levels depending on weight distribution on the deck. For loading safes, pianos, sky jacks, pallets, etc. this trailer does a job that other units cannot do: painless and safe loading plus smooth transport. So if you have a special moving consideration, this is the trailer. Listen to our podcastto learn more.

Posted in New Products | Tagged with Trailers stock level-load flatbed office concession restroom sprayer car-dolly fuel-pup air tow | More articles by Steve Whittington

Southland New Products 2014 Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington May 06, 2014

In this Episode we talk with Ryan Sailer General Manager of Southland Trailers. Ryan takes us through three exciting new products from Southland Trailers. The E270 Dump Trailer, the SL 280 Dump Trailer and their Fuel pup trailer. Enjoy the conversation.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Podcast Southland Trailers Steve Whittington Ryan Sailer Flaman Flaman Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Sled N Snap 2013/2014 Winners

Posted by Flaman May 02, 2014

Our 2013/2014 Sled’n Snap contest has come to a close and the winners have been announced. This year was my first experience with this contest and it sure was fun to witness. All of the pictures that people submitted were amazing! The trick riding shots and the ones of kids having so much fun were my favourite.
 
This was also the first year that Sled’n Snap went international with North Dakota joining Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The more the merrier! Making this contest available to more people is what it’s all about.
 
I also found it interesting that there was a lot of conversations happening on the Sled’n Snap website during the contest. People were sharing their favourite routes and commenting on their favourite pictures. That’s the best way to discover new trails to explore.
 
I believe that this contest is only just getting started. This year's was great, but I have a feeling that next year is going to be awesome! I’m really looking forward to seeing what pictures the snowmobiling community snap next year.
 
Congratulations to Jason Holt of Saskatchewan for winning the grand prize! Jason won the use of a 4-Place Enclosed Snowmobile Trailer for a year.
 
Have a look at the video of the name drawing for the 2-place Aluma trailers There was one winner for each region.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJzo8v8EMX0
 
Check out the other winners at https://slednsnap.com
 
Posted in Division News | Tagged with sled n snap winners 2-place aluma trailer photos | More articles by Flaman

Bull Dog Truck Deck Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Apr 22, 2014

In this episode of Trailer Talk we talk with Brett McDowell who shares with us the innovations and evolution of bull dog truck decks. Have a listen and gain insights on how the use of the decks has changed over the years and continues to expand. Trucks Decks are not just for Sledding any more.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Podcast Truck Decks Bull Dog Decks Super Decks Flaman Flaman Trailers Brett McDowell Steve Whittington | More articles by Steve Whittington

Corn Pro Trailers Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Mar 10, 2014

Brian Frette from Corn Pro Trailers talks us through the manufacturing of the product and shares his views on the versatility of their products. (For instance snow machines in a stock trailer?) Have a listen to some great information about this respected brand.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Flaman Brian Frette Steve Whittington Trailers Trailer Talk Stock Trailers Horse Trailers Podcast | More articles by Steve Whittington

ATC Trailer Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Jan 29, 2014

In this episode of Trailer Talk we learn about ATC trailers, their value stream manufacturing and some really unique products. Industry veteran (24 years!) Trent Sheets tells us the story.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast ATC | More articles by Steve Whittington

Trailtech Trailers Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Jan 03, 2014

In this episode of Trailer Talk we hear from Ryan Miller at Trailtech, one of our long time partner manufactures. Ryan gives us a sneak peak at his ideas about the future of the trailer industry.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Trailtech | More articles by Steve Whittington

Aluma Trailers Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Oct 24, 2013

In this episode we hear from Mike Lloyd, President of Aluma, CFO of Kay Corporation and President of NATM (National Association of Trailer Manufacturers.) Lucky for us Mike has taken some time out of his busy schedule to tell us the back story of Aluma and what is on the horizon for Aluminum trailers.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Steve Whittington Aluma Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Sled N Snap Photo Contest turns international

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Oct 23, 2013

The Sled’N Snap photo contest has launched for its third year and we’re excited to showcase a brand new website! This site will make it even easier for people to share, view and comment on each other’s photos.

Visitors to www.slednsnap.com can upload their pictures in a variety of categories and in April the public will vote for the grand prize winner. The site is also a place to celebrate all things snowmobiling, while promoting safe riding and registered sleds. It has valuable information like trail maps, upcoming events and safety articles.

We’re also happy to announce that Sled’N Snap has turned international and Snowmobile North Dakota has joined the contest! Anyone with a registered sled in that state can enter a photo.

“We are really excited about joining Sled’N Snap,” says Keri Wanner, executive director for SND. In 2011, she attended the Saskatchewan snowmobile show where an enclosed trailer with “Win Me!” on the side caught her attention. It was the grand prize given to the winner of Sled’N Snap to use for a year, which prompted Wanner to find out more about the contest and get involved.

“As a manager of snowmobile trails, there is no other opportunity that can outshine promoting snowmobile registration,” adds Wanner. “That’s how you can maintain trails and do the work behind the scenes to make sure you can ride.”

“Having North Dakota join Sled’N Snap is something I pushed for,” says Chris Brewer, executive director of the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA), another Sled’N Snap partner. “I don’t believe in borders as a snowmobiler. We all have a common cause: we love to enjoy winter. To open up internationally is absolutely fantastic for snowmobilers.”

Sled’N Snap isn’t the only thing turning international this winter. A new snowmobile trail linking Saskatchewan and North Dakota is opening in February. The first of its kind trail will connect the two systems at the Port of Carievale and allow snowmobilers from either side of the border access to thousands of kilometers of new trails. An international ride to commemorate this trail opening will take place on February 15.

Snowmobilers with a legal sled in North Dakota may cross into Saskatchewan free of charge. Snowmobilers with a legal sled in Saskatchewan coming into North Dakota must purchase an out-of-state permit for $15. This fee will be waived for the International Ride on Feb. 15. Snowmobilers must still cross at the normal border security crossing and have a valid passport.

Sled’N Snap is put on by the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association, the Alberta Snowmobile Association, Snowmobilers of Manitoba, Snowmobile North Dakota and Flaman Group of Companies. For contest details visit www.slednsnap.com.

Posted in Division News | Tagged with sled'n snap photo contest trailer international trail | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

Everest Edition trailer celebrates Flaman manager's summit

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Oct 08, 2013

Standing at 28,700 feet above sea level, the crisp mountain air whipping around him, the first rays of morning sunlight glittering on the untouched snow ahead of him, Steve Whittington, Saskatoon mountaineer and Flaman Trailers division manager, took his final steps onto the South Summit as the top of Mount Everest exploded into view. The Hillary Step and final summit ridge were all that remained between him and the top. At that moment, after living on the side of a mountain for almost two months, he knew he was going to make it. 

Posted in New Products | Tagged with Everest Edition sled trailers snowmobile trailers enclosed trailers flatdeck Mt Everest Steve Whittington | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

NATDA Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Oct 08, 2013

In this Episode we are joined by the President of the North American Dealer Association(NATDA) Andy Ackerman. Andy shares the history of NATDA, membership benefits and how NATDA is working to improve the trailer industry.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Steve Whittington NATDA | More articles by Steve Whittington

Picking a Sled Trailer part 2

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 30, 2013

Part 2 of Steve's Sled Trailer guide. To see part 1 which focuses on steel vs. aluminum click here

Picking an Enclosed Sled Trailer:  You decided you did not want to clean off your sleds every time you reach your destination. Or you need somewhere to store your machines in the summer, or you want to work on your sleds out of the wind in the staging area.  Whatever your reasons, you’re going to buy an enclosed trailer; now which type? Your options are many.

 To help you understand your options here are how they’re generally classified:

The first way enclosed sled trailers are classified is by how many sleds they carry: 2 place, 3 place or 4 place. 

The second way they are classified is by deck height: lowboy (deck is as low to the ground as possible) mid-deck (the deck is raised for some clearance but not too high, keeping the ramp angle down) and highboy (the deck is above the wheels so the platform is a full 8’ wide).

The third way the trailers are classified by is width, which tends to fall into two broad categories 7’ or 8’ wide (which is really 8’6” wide).

Lastly, the frames will either be steel or aluminum.  

 When it comes to deciding which class of trailer is right for you, it really comes down to your specific needs, but I will give you some things to consider with the most popular classes that may help your decision making.

 2 place, highboy, 8’ 6” wide:  This class of enclosed sled trailer tends to be the most economical.  It is usually single axle without brakes, so a half tonne truck can pull it with no problem.  They are often aluminum so they are quite light, which makes them even easier to move around.   It is a great starter enclosed trailer. The down side of this trailer is that unless you bump up to tandem axles you do not have a drive off front ramp, and if you add another axle and a front ramp your costs sky rocket.  That said, with a reverse option on today’s sleds, is the front drive-off ramp really needed?

 2 or 3 place, lowboy, 7 wide:  This trailer with a steel frame is also very economical.  Being 7’ wide and lower to the ground means they pull well behind a truck. Plus, they are tandem axles so their ride is smoother than a bouncy single axle trailer.  They also have a front ramp so you can drive your sleds in and out with ease.  Beyond those points this trailer is also being used year round as a traditional cargo trailer because it is just the right size – not too big, not too small. Contractors love the access to the trailer with two ramps.  The downside of these trailers is that the loading of three sleds can be difficult, but once you figure out the configuration needed it is not an issue.  As well, being only 7’ wide there is not a lot of room on the inside for cabinets and racking.

 3 or 4 place, lowboy, 8 wide:  These enclosed units have become more popular as a multi-use unit or toy haulers.  Instead of just sled trailers the ramp can be reinforced and you can haul a car or side by side MUV if you make the rear door opening high enough.  If you have a lot of different toys this becomes a really economical option. Instead of two trailers you can get one built for all your toys.  The down side is that you have full size fender boxes inside the trailer to maneuver around when loading your sleds, but trust me that is not a difficult issue, and if it is, are you sure you want to chase powder  between the trees?  The other issue with the lowboys is adding a heater. Generally the propane tanks will have to go on an extended hitch so your trailer gets a little longer overall.

 3 or 4 place, mid-deck, 8 wide: These units are another popular class of toy hauler, but with a little bit more clearance.  The extra clearance comes in handy for added features such an underbelly mounted fuel tank and propane tanks.  The fender boxes inside the units are not as high and can be easily driven over. The disadvantage of these units is the extra clearance; if it is going to be a toy hauler trailer a lot of cars will not be able to make it up the higher angled ramp.

 3 or 4 place, highboy, 8 wide: If there is a traditional enclosed sled trailer, this is it. It is still the most popular option for an enclosed sled trailer. They have a full width deck so it is very easy to drive and position your sleds for travel. The full width provides lots of room for cabinets and racking on the walls.  They have lots of clearance, they track well behind a vehicle on snowy roads, plus with all the deck clearance there are no problems adding options such as on board fueling stations or under deck mounted propane tanks.  Quite simply, they are specifically designed to load sleds and all their accessories the easiest out of all the trailers on the market and as a result, people buy them the most.  The downside of the units is the fact that they are specifically designed for hauling sleds, being so high up you have a hard time loading cargo or recreational power sport vehicles.  Lastly, again being so high up in a cross wind they act as a big sail and they push the tow vehicle around a lot.

 There many other options to consider when buying a sled trailer such as adding heat or cabinets, the type of interior walls, little features such as kick plates and floor drains...the list is endless.  I was talking to a manufacturer about his enclosed sled trailer production run this year and he estimated that 90% of the trailers will be unique coming down the line. The point is, there are a lot of choices in the market place. Make sure that when you are looking for a trailer you talk with someone that can educate you and provide you with all the options so you can get your trailer, your way.

Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with sled trailer steel trailer aluminum trailer enclosed trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Sled'N Snap Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 20, 2013

In this episode we talk with Chris Brewer President of the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA) about the Sled'n Snap photo contest. The Sled'n Snap photo contest has been running for three years and has reached thousands of snowmobilers sharing their photos and comments in a fun online forum with a potential to win great prizes. SSA and Flaman Group of Companies united to create this intuitive and Steve reflects with Chris about how the contest has grown and provided benefits to the associations and members that were never expected. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Steve Whittington Sled'N Snap | More articles by Steve Whittington

Sourcing new trailers at NATDA 2013

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 18, 2013

I landed in St. Louis at 11:30 pm Wednesday the day before the North American Trailer Dealer Association Tradeshow started.  I have been making the pilgrimage to NATDA for that last five years.  The event has been improving every year with more vendors exhibiting in the tradeshow and a higher quality speaker line up for the education sessions.  As a team we travel to St. Louis to stay on top of industry trends, to learn about new and innovative products and how to improve our business practices.  Attending the show refocuses us on the trailer business and provides us with great ideas for what more we can do for our customers.

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with NATDA new trailers camper trailers fuel trailer horse trailers speciality trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Truck Boss Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Aug 19, 2013

Aidan Thygessen and Kent Natrass, joined me on a call to explain truck decks, the evolution of truck decks and how the Marathon Truckboss is the pinnacle of that evolution. Marathon has been building Truck Decks for 17 years there have been a lot of changes along the way. Today the Truckboss is much more than just a truck deck, have a listen and learn why the truck boss is shipped and used all over the world.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Truck Boss Aidan Thygessen Kent Natrass Marathon sled deck sleddeck truck deck truckdeck truck cargo management system | More articles by Steve Whittington

Wells Cargo

Posted by Steve Whittington Jul 31, 2013

They called themselves the tinker club and during this timeframe the original design for an enclosed cargo trailer came about and so there was a decision that was made I think it was like in 1953 to hop into the cargo trailer business and start building trailers. You can actually see the first wells cargo trailers that were basically produced and sold on our dealer website.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Steve Whittington Wells Cargo | More articles by Steve Whittington

What's New With Diamond C

Posted by Steve Whittington Jul 15, 2013

A flatdeck is a flatdeck and customers sometimes just say, “I'm looking for a flatdeck”. They're not looking for a particular brand; they're not looking for anything like that, because they believe a flatdeck is a flatdeck. So that being said, what do you believe makes your trailers standout so they're not just another flatdeck? To find out listen to the podcast below.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Steve Whittington Diamond C | More articles by Steve Whittington

Southland Trailer Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Jul 08, 2013

With having associations like NATM it kind of allows the collaboration of all the manufacturers so we can all get together to say "what are our big obstacles right now". Whether government regulations or whatever it may be we can all work together to figure out how we can come up with a resolution to those...

Listen to the rest of the podcast below.

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with Trailer Talk Podcast Southland Trailers Ryan Sailer Steve Whittington Flatdeck trailers Royal Cargo XR Series Enclosed Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Trailtech Multideck: The solution to almost all of your problems.

Posted by Mark Flaman Jul 03, 2013

So imagine this. You've got a weekend warrior that you run at the track, and you need a lowboy trailer to throw your high horsepower car on top of. You've subsequently purchased a garden shed that measures eight feet by twelve, and you need a highboy to haul it up to the lake so that you don't have to worry about fitting it in between the fender wells. You need something that can tilt in either configuration so that you don't have to mess around with heavy ramps. Well fortunately for those of you who need this kind of versatility, we have an option that you may want to look further into.

In 2012, we started carrying the Multideck built by Trailtech in Gravelbourg SK, and saw that the optional towing configurations of this trailer are the closest thing to endless we've seen yet. You can order them with a stationary deck on the front in case you've got a skid steer and you need a place to store a bucket that doesn't move. It features a four way lift system that not only elevates from a lowboy up to a highboy and back down, but also a two-way tilt feature to get the back of the deck on the ground for ease of loading. The trailer uses an electric / hydraulic pump to actuate the lift systems, and has an optional fast-charge kit so that you can plug the trailer right into the truck to charge it.

Like the idea, but concerned about the weight on the hitch? No problem. We offer the Multideck in a gooseneck option as well. Some models come with hinged dovetails. It would be nice to one day see a charge kit built in so that you could simply plug it into a 110V receptacle, but I don't think it'll be too far down the road, as we're starting to see manufacturers implement this technology into trailers that feature electric components. Either way, you're sure to be hassled by your friends to use it on a constant basis.

Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with trailtech multideck lowboy highboy configurable | More articles by Mark Flaman

Restroom Trailer Podcast

Posted by Steve Whittington Jun 26, 2013

...we've all been to those outhouses at concerts and stuff and they are just horrible, I mean do these things stink, what is it like? Personally I think that is where they shine, we have rented these out to the stars in fact, the VIPs at the Dauphin Countryfest where country acts like Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Eric Church have actually used these facilities. They are first class all the way and they give you all the amenities, and comforts of a nice bathroom at any kind of hotel. So the customers love them, the reactions been great? The reaction has been "wow" right from the get go. We've had these things at many weddings, country jamborees, graduations, and golf tournaments...

Listen to the rest of the podcast below.

 

Posted in Podcasts | Tagged with trailer podcast trailer talk restroom trailers bathroom trailers mobile restrooms ultra lav wellscargo | More articles by Steve Whittington

Medicine Hat celebrates its Grand Opening

Posted by Adam Diakow May 17, 2013

On Wednesday May 8 Flaman Group of Companies in Medicine Hat held its grand opening to celebrate its new, larger location. We couldn’t have asked for a better day weather-wise, although this meant that most farmers were in the field and unable to attend.

We held a free BBQ lunch and had a great turn out. The official ribbon cutting was done at 12:30 p.m. by the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce and also in attendance was the mayor of Medicine Hat Norm Boucher.

To top off the day the Frank Flaman Foundation donated $7,000 to the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter, which is the largest donation they had received to date.

The day couldn’t have gone better for everyone. Thanks to everyone who attended.

For more photos of the event, please visit our Facebook page here

Posted in Local News | Tagged with new store trailers fitness agriculture rentals Medicine Hat grand opening | More articles by Adam Diakow

Flaman Rentals introduces new Damage Waiver Fee

Posted by Flaman Apr 19, 2013

As of May 1, 2013, all Flaman Rentals stores and agriculture rental dealers across the prairies will be introducing a new damage waiver fee for all of our equipment rental customers. This new fee is designed to help our customers offset the high cost of equipment repairs if they accidentally damage any rental equipment while in their possession.

By paying this small fee, our customers can now feel good knowing they have coverage for any accidental damage to tools or equipment they rent from Flaman. This coverage could save them hundreds of dollars in repairs.

It’s just one more way Flaman is helping our customers have a positive rental experience, knowing that those expensive pieces of rental equipment are covered while in their possession.

Please stop in or call your nearest Flaman rental store for full details.

Flaman Rentals in Moosomin, Yorkton and Swan River currently offer a similar fee and this will remain unchanged.

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Flaman Rentals rental renting equipment trailers damage waiver fee protection | More articles by Flaman

Trailer Division Meeting at Wells Cargo a success

Posted by Steve Whittington Feb 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. 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with trailers Flaman Trailer trailer meeting Wells Cargo trailer manufacturers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Winter is Coming Snowmobile Trailer Sale

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 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. 

• 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 

Posted in Local News | Tagged with sled trailers snowmobile trailers trailers for sale winter | More articles by Steve Whittington

Lessons from NATDA

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 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.

 

Posted in Division News | Tagged with trailers trade show NATDA Flaman industry trends new lessons learned | More articles by Steve Whittington

Third Time's A Charm

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Jun 26, 2012

For the third year in a row, Flaman Rentals in Saskatoon has been named a Consumer Choice Award Winner. This division of Flaman rents out enclosed and flat deck trailers, along with agricultural equipment like discs, land rollers or mowers.

I recently attended the Consumer Choice Award ceremony with our marketing VP Steve Whittington at the beautiful Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon. We got to sip champagne and rub elbows with a lot of great business owners in the city, and of course, celebrate our own success!

This award is special because the winners are picked by our customers. It means a lot to us that people recognize our efforts to offer great customer service. We were also very pleased to win a Consumer Choice Award three years in a row. This means our team is consistent taking care of our customers’ needs. And we’re proud of that!

What’s great is that the Consumer Choice Award is becoming a trusted name in the Saskatoon area. Looking at the other winners gathered in the room that night, we knew we were in good company amongst other top businesses in Saskatoon.

A big “thank you!” is due to our rental team in Saskatoon for all their efforts and hard work every day and to our customers for continuing to choose Flaman Rentals.

Steve Whittington (middle) receiving our award from Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison and Consumer Choice Award President Marcel Sbrollini

Jennifer Thompson arriving at the awards ceremony.
Posted in Division News | Tagged with Consumer Choice Award Flaman Rentals trailer rentals agricultural equipment rentals customer service Saskatoon | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

So You Want a Concession Trailer?

Posted by Steve Whittington Jun 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.

Posted in New Products | Tagged with concession trailer ticket trailer ticket booth food trailer Flaman trailers custom trailer | More articles by Steve Whittington

Congrats to our Sled'N Snap winners!

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Jun 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! 

Posted in Division News | Tagged with Sled'N Snap photos photo contest winners sled trailer | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

New Rental flyer is out now

Posted by Flaman Mar 30, 2012

Flaman Rentals has just finished producing and distributing the new Rental Rate Flyer for our eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba rental stores. It contains details and safety information as well as rental rates on all of our most popular equipment.

Posted in Division News | Tagged with rentals equipment Flaman rates flyer construction agriculture trailers | More articles by Flaman

How to Choose Which Trailer to Buy

Posted by Steve Whittington Mar 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.  

Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with trailer brand name manufacturer service parts choosing a trailer Flaman | More articles by Steve Whittington

Snow = Savings

Posted by Steve Whittington Jan 17, 2012

Well, we finally have snow!

Posted in Division News | Tagged with snowmobile trailers sled trailers enclosed trailers trailer sale snow winter snowmobiling | More articles by Steve Whittington

New photo contest created for local snowmobilers

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Dec 12, 2011

A new website has been created to get the message out about safe sledding to local snowmobilers.

Posted in Division News | Tagged with SledN Snap sleds sledding snowmobiling photos photography trailers prizes | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

So many Sled Trailers but what should you choose?

Posted by Steve Whittington Nov 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. 

Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with snowmobile trailers sled trailers trailer open flat deck enclosed highboy lowboy deck over steel aluminum Canadian | More articles by Steve Whittington

Sled Trailer Season Has Started!

Posted by Steve Whittington Nov 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 Product Information | Tagged with Snowmobile Trailers Flatdeck Trailers Aluminum Information | More articles by Steve Whittington

Toy hauler Camper Trailer from Nash Car Trailers

Posted by Steve Whittington Aug 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.

• 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)

 

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Toy Hauler Trailers Camper Trailers Nash New Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Are hydraulic trailers the next big trend?

Posted by Steve Whittington Jul 05, 2011

Posted in Product Information | Tagged with Hydraulic Trailers Tilt Trailers Dump Trailers Multideck Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

New website, new dealers for summer 2011

Posted by Barrett Prokopie Jul 05, 2011

This spring has been a very different one for many producers in the prairies, from near disastrous flooding in the southern parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to drought in northern Alberta and B.C. It seems that nothing is predictable in the agricultural sector anymore (if it ever was).

Posted in Division News | Tagged with rentals new website dealers ag equipment trailers Saskatchewan Alberta | More articles by Barrett Prokopie

Flaman Rentals wins Consumer Choice Award

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Jun 28, 2011

For the second year in a row, Flaman Rentals has received the Consumer Choice Award for the best Equipment Rental dealer in Saskatoon. 

Steve Whittington, an executive at Flaman, accepts the Consumers Choice Award for Flaman Rentals in Saskatoon.

 

Posted in Division News | Tagged with Rentals Consumer Choice Award trailers equipment Flaman award customers Saskatoon | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

Flaman Trailers takes to the road!

Posted by Jennifer Thompson Jun 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!

Posted in Division News | Tagged with Cargo Trailers Utility Trailers Flatdeck Trailers | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

Utility Trailers do not have to be poor quality

Posted by Steve Whittington May 26, 2011

Posted in New Products | Tagged with Utility Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

Flaman Trailers in Siberia

Posted by Jennifer Thompson May 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. 

Posted in Division News | Tagged with Southland Stock Trailers Bison | More articles by Jennifer Thompson

Spring Clearance and Used Trailer Sale

Posted by Mark Flaman May 02, 2011

Every two years we replace the rental trailers in our fleets across all of our stores. We combine our pre-existing used inventory with our ‘birthday’ (clearance) trailers and add the trailers that come out of our rental fleets to make the largest trailer sale in our organization. We are currently clearing out over 350 trailers across western Canada, and we are sure we’ve got one to fit your bill. From small shuttle trailers, to motorcycle trailers, to car haulers, to dump trailers, to goosenecks, you’ll be hard pressed to find something we don’t have in our used inventory. Everything from aluminum to steel, light-duty to heavy-duty, in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes. All trailers go through our service centers for a full inspection before they are put into our used inventory. 

Stop in at your nearest FLAMAN dealer, or visit our used selection online HERE.

 

Posted in Division News | Tagged with trailer sale spring clearance used flaman rentals low cost pre-owned | More articles by Mark Flaman

New Enclosed Trailer Line Up

Posted by Steve Whittington Feb 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 Southland Snowmobile Trailers Cargo Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington

XR Sport - Side by Side ATV Trailer

Posted by Flaman Sep 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 | Tagged with Southland Snowmobile Trailers | More articles by Flaman

A True Multi-Use Trailer

Posted by Steve Whittington Feb 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 New Products | Tagged with New Trailer Dump Trailers | More articles by Steve Whittington