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Triton Trailers Closing

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7.7K views 30 replies 24 participants last post by  revrnd  
#1 ·
I just head that Triton trailers is closing their plant in Hartford, WI by January . As well as a plant in Texas. Have to admit I’m kind of surprised. They have been a big name in aluminum trailers in the Midwest for a long time. I’ve been thinking of getting a TC167 for a while now.

 
#5 ·
So I did a little more research. Triton was headquartered in Hartford, WI. And founded up the road in Allenton. In 2021 they were acquired by ALCOM, who has big manufacturing facilities in Maine and out west. They make a bunch of brands like Mission, SnoPro and Stealth among many others.

It will be interesting to see if they continue to manufacture the Triton brand and designs, or if they just bought them up to eliminate a competitor. Either way it means fewer jobs, like most if not all mergers and acquisitions.
 
#8 ·
Good information in this thread. I have owned 2 Triton covered trailers. The first had the clam shell cover where you had to lift the cover from the back. You have to clear the snow off the top as it would get very heavy to lift. Had that trailer for 22 years with no issues. I bought a Triton TC167 a year ago and just love it. Sure hope they keep the Triton design and quality going.
 
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#11 ·
This actually was started a few years ago, when one of the founders daughters sold it to a holding company as opposed to keeping the company private and putting the same effort into it as her father.

That one decision set the wheels in motion for what happened. Story of America these days, one generation works, commits time and energy for years to build a company, for the next to sell it off so they don't have to do anything.
 
#12 ·
Wonder if they take the manufacturing across the border into Mexico. Having worked in industrial sales for 40 years I watched a lot of companies shift manufacturing to Mexico for lower labor costs and less regulations. Once 1 company does it, it puts their competitors at a disadvantage if they stay in the states where labor and regulation costs are higher.
 
#13 ·
I asked one of my local trailer dealers about Mission trailers when I first seen them sold in my area. His advise was to look under the Mission snowmobile trailer I was interested in and compare it to my Floe and Triton trailers. Look at the lack of aluminum beams he said, they are built cheap, no torsional rigidity. When Triton was sold his words were the first thing I thought of, wondering what would happen to the product, factory and workers in Hartford.
 
#15 ·
In all fairness, this is a normal issue when a business has been sold - because the highest bidder got it, and they have a lot more debt to pay back than the previous owner did. So, either the original owners sell it for a more reasonable cost, or if the new owner is on borrowed money, it's gunna be tight for a long time.

.
 
#17 ·
I've had several Triton tilt-bed trailers, 3 with their Coverall clamshell covers-never had issues with them.

Just picked up a SnoPro Hybrid that was actually built at the Hartford, WI location. The dealer I purchased it from made the statement that since they started manufacturing the trailers there the quality has improved.
 
#20 ·
I just ordered a 16' ProStarr Bullitt. Once Alcom took over triton, they started to mass produce these trailers and it really became quantity over quality. Very poor craftsmanship and they cut a lot of corners and still charge through the roof. I highly recommend ProStarr if you are in the market for a quality snowmobile trailer. They are definitely built to last.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I friend of mine bought the ProStarr Bullitt & found out if you have a 2022 or newer sled the windshield will hit the front of the trailer if you try to pull it up to the front. And this trailer is with the added extra height. He hauls 2 137 " sleds in this trailer.

If you don't keep it all the way up to the front the ski hoop of the rear sled is under the running board of the front sled & will get damaged when the sled suspension goes up & down from rough roads.

He now has to pull the windshield off of the front sled & puts a block of wood under it's rear skid to get enough clearance for the rear sleds ski.

I bought a new trailer last year @ Toronto Snowmobile from Action Trailers. It's made by Forest River 7 X 16 Hybrid, comes with electric brakes, ski & track mats, the inside wall are all finish in aluminum so no dents from the inside out, Rear spoiler with LED loading lights ( they work excellent at night as back up nights as well ), they reduced the price of the trailer by $500 & added the black out pkg& 6" extra height for free as a show special. This trailer is now tall enough for me to walk around in.

The only disadvantage this trailer has is it's to tall to fit inside a 7' garage door..... not a problem for me as my garage isn't long enough to put it inside. A cheap diesel heater fixed most of things I need to do to this trailer when I'm wanting it nice and warm inside the trailer.
 
#29 ·
This closure is so sad. I am one of those Triton Trailers employees that was affected by it. What happend to us was completely bogus. The Triton name will never be the same. The trailers won't have the same quality. It will be interesting to see what happens to Alcom now. Just watch out for Stealth, Mission, Cargo Pro, etc. They're all connected to Alcom. Alcom bought them out too, took the name and the rest is history. Alcom is all about quantity over quality. Short cuts are their bestfriends. Look up their reviews, you'll see for yourself.