Flaman Rentals Blog

Trailering 'Rules of the Road' Updated

Posted by Flaman Agriculture Jun 08, 2016

There are a wide variety of trailer regulations imposed across Canada - these regulations cover everything from annual inspections, to dimensions, to brake requirements.  Your trailer my conform to your province’s regulations, but what happens when you travel into another province?
 
You may be completely law-abiding in your province, then travel into the neighboring one and find-out an inspection is required the instant you enter the other jurisdiction.  Or maybe your trailer is fine, but now since  you have attached a trailer to your truck, the truck now requires an inspection.  Or maybe the load this time is heavier than last time, so last time you were OK in the next jurisdiction but this time you are not.
 
Flaman Trailers has grown to become North America’s largest trailer retailer.  This growth is in part due to, and brings with it a responsibility to be aware of the various provincial regulations regarding trailers.
 
So, Flaman Trailers VP – Steve Whittington created a “Rules of the Road” presentation to address these issues.   This presentation was first conducted at NATDA (North American Trailer Dealers Association) in 2012 and has been updated to 2016 regulations
 
“Rules of the Road” is available for free download here
 
If you have any questions or concerns about trailering, we are happy to help!
 
Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with Information Regulations | More articles by Flaman Agriculture

SK Snowmobile Registration Changes

Posted by Flaman Agriculture Nov 30, 2015

The Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association reminded riders last week that effective November 1, 2015 snowmobile registrations have changed to coincide with the snowmobile season, which is July 1st - June 30th as defined in The Snowmobile Regulations.
This was done to ensure the proper snowmobile registration fees were being collected.  Prior to this change, some snowmobile owners paid the snowmobile registration fee once but the snowmobile registration spanned over two riding seasons.  This change will close that loophole.
Please be advised that you may still pick any expiry date for your snowmobile registration, but the registration term cannot extend past June 30th of any given year.  For example, you could register your snowmobile from November 1st to April 15th.
All snowmobiles must be registered and the operator licensed before being driven on public land (i.e. roads (where allowed), ditches, other highway rights of way, provincial parks, Crown land, designated snowmobile trails, rivers or lakes).  And, to clarify, registration is not required to drive on privately-owned land if permission is granted by the owner/tenant.
And on a side note, although an ATV cannot be registered, it must be insured with a $200,000 liability policy before it can be operated in public areas.
For more information and a link to the “Snowmobile Act” go here
The guide from SGI called “Snowmobiling in Saskatchewan” is here
 
Posted in Local News | Tagged with Information Regulations | More articles by Flaman Agriculture

Picking a Sled Trailer part 1

Posted by Steve Whittington Sep 26, 2013

 I grew up in the small northern mining town of Thompson, Manitoba.  We were a family of sledders, four of us, but at times we had upwards of six sleds. For my brother and I we had a red Yamaha Bravo, an orange Élan and a yellow Tundra. Mom and dad had bigger machines, both Polaris, a Cutlass SS and Indie Trail. The Cutlass was eventually upgraded to a liquid cooled Indie 400, and when we got older we could take it for a rip. It was fast.

Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with Information | 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

First time buying a trailer?

Posted by Steve Whittington Aug 10, 2010

The first thing you need to do is qualify what your intended use is:

• Often (2- 5 times a week)
• Frequent (2 -5 times a month)
• Infrequent (2 -5 times a year)

Next set of basic questions you need to answer are as follows:

• Size required
• Payload to be hauled
• Any special requirements (i.e. extra tie downs)

Armed with this information you should have an idea of the amount and type of use required from your future trailer. This will help you pick a unit in the quality class you need.

The trailer world is divided much like the car world into classes of trailers of different quality, for simplicity at Flaman Trailers we simply say:

• Good
• Better
• Best

The differences between the classes depend on the type of trailer, enclosed, flat deck or utility: However some generalities are as follows:

As you move towards best the strength of the frame increases, for instance a good trailer may have all light channel construction, a better many combine tubing steel with heavier channel steel with the best unit being built entirely with HSS (High Structural Steel) tubing.

The same sequence will occur with the features on the units.Good trailers will have a straight springaxle, Better a torsion while Best may have an adjustable torsion.

So knowing the quality of the unit you require will help you and a trailer product specialist pick your required unit.

Another major item to consider is who are you buying from? There are so many manufacturers and dealers popping up that have only been in business for a few years one must question whether they will be present down the road to service your unit, or provide warranty.

Flaman Trailers has been in business for over 50 years as have several other dealers, but not many so be aware! Buy from accredited dealerships that can support you and the product you have purchased. Your trailer needs to be serviced at least annually and you want a dealership that cantake care of you. The final and a very important consideration is the trailer brand which you are purchasing. Flaman has partner manufacturers that have been in business for many years, known in the industry, and stand behind their products. As well Flaman Trailers support Canadian manufacturers. Trailtech Inc and Southland Trailer Corp are the two largest and oldest Canadian manufacturers that build for Canadian conditions. Do you think a trailer built in Texas has the heavy gauge wire to stand up to a Canadian winter?

So there are a lot of things to consider but to summarize

1. Determine the amount of use and what you need to haul
2. Determine the class of trailer that will work for you
3. Chose a dealer that has a proven track record in the industry
4. Pick a quality brand of trailer. (I would pick Canadian)

All the other details in between a professional trailer product specialist will be able to guide you through… have fun!

Posted in Trailer Tips | Tagged with Information | More articles by Steve Whittington