Opinion -Utili-Sports™ Trailer (Ice Fishing/Toy Hauling/Camping/Hunting/Utility)

I want to gage the interest of the ice fishermen / sportsmen on my Utili-Sports™ trailer? I’m in the process of fabricating a 6.5′ x 12″ aluminum trailer with a 6″ tube framing that can be used for ice fishing, hunting, camping, toy hauling (atv/utv/motorcycle/snowmobile) or can be used as a utility trailer too. The trailer will have 30″-36″ fixed sidewalls & trailer gate similar to that of a regular utility trailer except the sidewalls and flooring will be insulated. There will be a tenting enclose with 600 denier thinsulate sits on top (via quick connect/disconnect) of the trailer sidewalls. It will have a bimini travel cover for the tent enclosure for traveling (without trailer travel cover) and keeping the salt/muk off the tent enclosure in the winter. There will also be a another travel cover fabricated for covered trailering for the taller toys (i.e.motorcycles/snowmobiles/ATV/UTVs). The bimini top would not be necessary if the trailer travel cover is used unless it is wanted for storing the tenting enclosure. The curb weight of the trailer is currently 700-800 lbs so it can be pulled by a SUV and is ideal for early ice as it can be easily towed with an ATV too. I am looking at having a secured storage box on the front v-frame section where I can store the battery for electronics usage\lighting and other items that need securing. Other accessories include various attachments (benches, rattle wheel, bow, gun & rod holders, etc.). Another primary benefit of this trailer is that it can be stored in your garage. And while in your garage, you can drop the trailer down to ground level and store any of your toys in the trailer so no new storage space is required. You will not have to have a multiple trailers for toy hauling, sledding or cycling, and utility as the Utili-Sports™ trailer does it all.

At the end of the day, if you are like me, it will come down to a quality product and the PRICE. Any feedback is appreciated and especially anything negative as I believe that is most important in understanding any shortcomings before it is commercialized.

“Camp, Hunt, Ice-Fish & Travel More”

Sounds like a good idea. I ordered a trailer for all the things you listed but a full enclosed trailer and 7′ wide so it is easier hauling the sxs. Sounds like a good idea at a lower price point than a full enclosed.

Sounds like one of these.
https://theblackholeiceshack.com/ I started a thread about this but no one has bothered to comment on it yet. I like the concept I’m always for things that will serve multiple purposes and do them well. The drawback I see is mobility. You are limited to lakes with plowed roads and then not being able to venture very far off them.

My current problem is mobility. Too much snow for the side by side to get anywhere with out plowed roads. Only solution I see for now is to invest in a snowmobile and a flip over on a sled.
I pondered in the other thread if a set of Sno Cobra skis would work on a trailer set up like this to allow you more mobility??

Interesting idea, I’d be interested because of the utility nature of being able to use the trailer both with and without a cover.,

So is it correct that I’d be able to haul an ATV with the tenting enclosure up?

I will say that price point is probably going to be the issue. That’s a very intricate design with lots of manufactured parts. How close would you be able to get it to the price of an enclosed toy hauler?

Grouse

I think a fairly plain enclosed trailer almost like an ice castle but without all of the bells and whistles that make them so expensive. Something that’ll fit 2 flip over houses, 2 snowmobiles (or wheelers) along with room for a couple double bunks that fold into the sides for travel. This would be ideal for me. Something you can sleep in whether or not you can bring it on the ice isn’t a big deal for me. It could but wouldn’t need holes in it for I normally don’t fish out of a big house. But to cater to more people add it in along with the ability to drop it down to the ice. Simple and it could be used as a regular enclosed trailer for all seasons with the ability to sleep in and have heat in while still being able to fit fishing stuff for a weekend.

I see this being great for people like me who like to make weekend trips but those damn hotels can get expensive!

Onestout – Thanks for your comment. I do plan on offering both the 6.5′ & 8′ wide trailers which will accommodate the larger UTV’s for ample width and length.

Ice Cap wrote:

Sounds like one of these.
https://theblackholeiceshack.com/ I started a thread about this but no one has bothered to comment on it yet. I like the concept I’m always for things that will serve multiple purposes and do them well. The drawback I see is mobility. You are limited to lakes with plowed roads and then not being able to venture very far off them.

My current problem is mobility. Too much snow for the side by side to get anywhere with out plowed roads. Only solution I see for now is to invest in a snowmobile and a flip over on a sled.
I pondered in the other thread if a set of Sno Cobra skis would work on a trailer set up like this to allow you more mobility??

Keith – It is similar to the Black Hole Ice Shack in that it has an insulated floor but this trailer will have est. 30″ fixed sidewalls panels & trailer gate like a regular utility trailer does. For mobility, would you be interested in having the option for built-in skids on the trailer frame?

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

Interesting idea, I’d be interested because of the utility nature of being able to use the trailer both with and without a cover.,

So is it correct that I’d be able to haul an ATV with the tenting enclosure up?

I will say that price point is probably going to be the issue. That’s a very intricate design with lots of manufactured parts. How close would you be able to get it to the price of an enclosed toy hauler?

Grouse

Grouse – Yes, you would be able to haul an ATV with the snap-on travel cover. The tenting enclosure is separate from the travel cover and is for enclosing the trailer for ice fishing, camping, hunting. As an example, you could travel around the ice at low speeds with the tenting enclosure up so you don’t have set it up/take it down for every move you make.

As far as the price point of the trailers – at this time, I do expect it to be more competitively priced than an enclosed trailer but ultimately it will be priced where the value is in the trailer. As far as the intricate design – it has a product design for all parts of the trailer & other accessories. As any product that comes to market, there should be a product design (CAD or similar type drawing) to exact specification for a BOM (Bill of Material for trailer, tenting enclosure, travel cover, etc.) for manufacturing the products. This allows us to better understand our material sourcing costs and fabricating the trailer & accessories as efficiently as possible.

rjthehunter wrote:

I think a fairly plain enclosed trailer almost like an ice castle but without all of the bells and whistles that make them so expensive. Something that’ll fit 2 flip over houses, 2 snowmobiles (or wheelers) along with room for a couple double bunks that fold into the sides for travel. This would be ideal for me. Something you can sleep in whether or not you can bring it on the ice isn’t a big deal for me. It could but wouldn’t need holes in it for I normally don’t fish out of a big house. But to cater to more people add it in along with the ability to drop it down to the ice. Simple and it could be used as a regular enclosed trailer for all seasons with the ability to sleep in and have heat in while still being able to fit fishing stuff for a weekend.

I see this being great for people like me who like to make weekend trips but those damn hotels can get expensive!

Rjthehunter – Thanks for your input. The enclosed trailer market is very saturated and I believe there are manufacturers that currently do make enclosed fish houses/toy haulers to what you are asking. The value in the Utili-Sport trailer is that it can do everything you want to with the enclosed trailer but it can also be stored/housed in your garage too. You can even store your ATV/UTV/Motorcycle or snowmobile in it while it is in your garage as well. Drop it to the floor and load your toy in it while in the garage.

Greg Maschino wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Keith L wrote:</div>
Sounds like one of these.
https://theblackholeiceshack.com/ I started a thread about this but no one has bothered to comment on it yet. I like the concept I’m always for things that will serve multiple purposes and do them well. The drawback I see is mobility. You are limited to lakes with plowed roads and then not being able to venture very far off them.

My current problem is mobility. Too much snow for the side by side to get anywhere with out plowed roads. Only solution I see for now is to invest in a snowmobile and a flip over on a sled.
I pondered in the other thread if a set of Sno Cobra skis would work on a trailer set up like this to allow you more mobility??

Keith – It is similar to the Black Hole Ice Shack in that it has an insulated floor but this trailer will have est. 30″ fixed sidewalls panels & trailer gate like a regular utility trailer does. For mobility, would you be interested in having the option for built-in skids on the trailer frame?

I’m guessing any of the current wheel ski’s that are available out there would work on this. But yes any added mobility would be a big plus in my book. If your limited to only going where the big wheel houses go I would not be interested.

I like this idea generally. Have you considered making it work with a furnace of some kind (an add on feature) so you could safely heat the shelter for sleeping? That would be a great feature in my mind.

john23 wrote:

I like this idea generally. Have you considered making it work with a furnace of some kind (an add on feature) so you could safely heat the shelter for sleeping? That would be a great feature in my mind.

I wondered this as well. If you have the larger trailer to haul your UTV I don’t think a Big Buddy heater is going to be enough to heat this even with the insulated side walls and tent over the top of the sidewalls.
Actually I’m not sure I see the advantage of 30″ high insulated sidewalls. Heat rises instantly and I don’t see the sidewalls being a large factor in holding in heat. I see the sidewalls as adding weight without much benefit. But from a manufacturing standpoint it may be cheaper to add insulated sidewalls than the additional insulated tent material and additional pole hardware.

john23 wrote:

I like this idea generally. Have you considered making it work with a furnace of some kind (an add on feature) so you could safely heat the shelter for sleeping? That would be a great feature in my mind.

John23 – Yes, I have investigated adding some type of pass-thru housing in the front or side of the trailer so that if a propane tank was housed on the trailer, a line could be ran thru it into the trailer enclosure without having to run the line between where the trailer top and tenting enclosure meet.

unfortunately I don’t have pictures of our enclosed trailer modifications to show. But we set it up as a Toy/hunting trailer/construction trailer.

Tandem axel 7 x 14 basic box
Fured out the ribs and added 3/4″ foam and re-skinned with the luna ply Added a 20×24 escape hatch vent on the roof

Made all out construction shelves/benches easily removable as well as the ladder rack unbolts easy.

Added reinforced floor track tie-downs and some d-rings for fast easy securing of ATVs.
Added a camper LP 12V furnace and 12V LED lights.

Bunk-cots that hidge on the side walls and hang from chain from the ceiling. Also has room for additional cot to be set out. Sleeps comfortable 4 people.

Its a awesome set up for in the mountains where we go. Its common to get iced up from crossing creeks wiht the ATVs. We can drive them in and turn the heat on to melt them out before use the next day. I think we paid 3500 for the trailer then added about another 2500 with all the whistles bells that we added

Randy Wieland wrote:

unfortunately I don’t have pictures of our enclosed trailer modifications to show. But we set it up as a Toy/hunting trailer/construction trailer.

Tandem axel 7 x 14 basic box
Fured out the ribs and added 3/4″ foam and re-skinned with the luna ply Added a 20×24 escape hatch vent on the roof

Made all out construction shelves/benches easily removable as well as the ladder rack unbolts easy.

Added reinforced floor track tie-downs and some d-rings for fast easy securing of ATVs.
Added a camper LP 12V furnace and 12V LED lights.

Bunk-cots that hidge on the side walls and hang from chain from the ceiling. Also has room for additional cot to be set out. Sleeps comfortable 4 people.

Its a awesome set up for in the mountains where we go. Its common to get iced up from crossing creeks wiht the ATVs. We can drive them in and turn the heat on to melt them out before use the next day. I think we paid 3500 for the trailer then added about another 2500 with all the whistles bells that we added

Randy – Sounds like you have made a very nice and functional trailer too. What I’m striving for is to have quick-connect/disconnect type accessories (i.e. rod holder, rattle wheels, gun/bow holders, electronics tables, bench or bunk, etc.) that latch onto the sidewalls of the trailer. The premise behind this is so they can be easily moved around the trailer or removed from the trailer as desired. I also will be able to have LED lighting on the trailer sidewalls too.