Trail King unveils new trailer model

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The Modular Hydraulic Transport System, an off-road transport system with a 375,000-pound load capacity, is the first trailer of its kind to be produced in the United States, according to Trail King. The trailer has two sets of independently turning wheels and features other modifications designed to separate it from its European predecessors. (Photo courtesy of Trail King)

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A local trailer manufacturer is producing a one-of-a-kind product.

Earlier this year, Trail King introduced its new Modular Hydraulic Transport System (MHTS), an offroad transport system with a 375,000-pound load capacity. According to Trail King, it’s the first trailer of its kind to be produced in the United States.

Trail King President Carol Lowe said the trailer was produced in response to demand from customers looking for an American-made version of the trailer.

“Most of them come from Europe, and that has been the case for years. Our customers in the U.S. were telling us that they wanted to buy from a U.S. manufacturer so they didn’t have to deal with metrics,” Lowe said earlier this year. “They could deal with the U.S. standard system. They wanted local repair and service capabilities, and we listened to that.”

The trailer is nearly 10 feet wide and features a 55-degree maximum steering angle, achieved by two sets of independently turning wheels. Barry Freifeld, director of sales for Trail King, said Trail King responded to customer feedback by adjusting a number of designs from the trailer’s predecessor, including adding an aircooled compressor.

“We went and listened to the voice of the customer,” Friefeld said.

Freifeld said the trailer design — which came together from concept to product in just under a year — improved upon European designs, allowing the unit to connect to existing European versions while offering improvements and the ability to repair the trailers locally.

“If something breaks down, they can go to a local hardware place and buy fittings for our system,” Freifeld said.

The trailers, designed for off-road hauling of large objects, can be hooked together to provide more transportation capacity, allowing users to haul anything from electrical transformers to buildings.

“Size is really the beauty,” Freifeld said. “They could move the launch pad for a space shuttle.”

The units will be custommade to order. Although the prototype has yet to be sold, Freifeld said talks are under way with a number of parties.

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