One such company is Mirage Enterprises in Nampa, Idaho.  Mirage has developed several new products that deliver affordable value to a market that is, now more than ever, cost driven.  The average consumer is short on disposable income and is completely driven by “how much can I purchase for the least amount of dollars?”. Mirage Enterprises has developed a new low-cost cargo trailer, the “Cargo Craft” to meet the demands of the current market.  Using knowledge held within the company, Mirage has applied RV technology and Cargo trailer design to bring about a low cost trailer capable of delivering reliability and value.

 Mirage Enterprises has also assisted a local entrepreneur to develop a custom transport trailer for show cars.  The design of this trailer improved gas mileage in the tow vehicle by 29% , when hauling the identical vehicle over the same route of 100+ miles, according to owner Lee Nevill.  You can check out this trick car hauler on Lee’s website at www.autoloader.biz.

Mirage Enterprises is also bringing new options to the snowmobile trailer market for the 2011 season and will be announced in the very near future.  Growing a company in this type of economy is an intense undertaking on many different fronts.  Mirage has shown its company’s desire to not only survive this downturn, but to increase both sales and market share through innovation and hard work.

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PRODUCTION INCREASE SPARKS INDUSTRY

 Cargo, utility, and RV trailer orders are on a definite upswing, encouraging industry leaders.

 Manufacturers in Idaho and Oregon have benefited from new orders coming in this past month.

Dealers are beginning to order more stock trailers as they witness an increase in their sales and the amount of prospective customers they have to choose from.  Both manufactures and suppliers have reported increases in production and sales volume.  While it is certainly a welcome change to have increases in production, sales, and employment back into the conversation, Rob Swikert, President of Mirage Trailers preaches temperance.            

            “We may be witnessing a small spike in overall market performance. I would advise careful optimism going forward.”

The trailer industry looks forward with expectations that the future will continue to be prosperous as we close the second quarter and move into the third.  Our neighbors to the north in Canada have continued to be a strong partner in our growth and we appreciate the success they have demonstrated in the past. We anticipate their continued growth as well.  There is an old saying that I believe holds true today:  “Time Will Tell”.

 Bill Boyles

bill@mirageinc.com

www.miragetrailers.com

Bill Boyles has been involved with the trailer manufacturing industry for 39 years and is employed at Mirage trailers in Nampa Idaho.

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The National Association of Trailer Manufactures (NATM) addresses corrosion problems caused by de-icing chemicals spayed on roadways.

March 3, 2010 Reno Nevada

Workshops presented by paint industry leaders brought to the forefront the problems caused by chemical de-icing applications.

This presentation will focus on corrosive reactions caused by de-icing agents. Over the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase in corrosion, especially on over-the-road products and architectural coatings near roadways. There has been speculation on the composition and quality of the steel; however, the focus is now shifting to what is actually corroding the steel.

How this issue progresses will affect the process used in the trailer manufacturing industry in dealing with the ongoing corrosion issue we face. It was made clear the corrosion problems we face are directly caused by and or affected by the winter-time use of our products on the interstate roadways due to the chemicals the states have approved for de-icing. We will update on what the individual manufacturers will come up with to battle the ever changing environments our products must endure. A few items of concern are brake linings, electrical wiring, metal surfaces, including aluminum (painted or not), and rubber products. There are a number of options available to the industry which will be dictated in part by the market we serve. Here are the three culprits being used along with salt: Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, and Magnesium Chloride. We suggest that trailer users wash their trailers often with soap and water, check their wiring at least once a year, and touch up any chips or rusted areas on steel frame parts. This maintenance will add years to the life of your trailer.

A Spreader Truck De-Ices a Roadway

Bill Boyles

mailto://bill@mirageinc.com
www.miragetrailers.com

Bill Boyles has been involved with the trailer manufacturing industry for 39 years and is employed at Mirage trailers in Nampa Idaho.

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“Mirage is all about the right people,” Swikert said. “We all love what we do and like being here. We believe that money isn’t enough…you must have fun.”

This philosophy has served the Nampa-based company well. In just seven years, Mirage has grown from a start-up to an industry leader with a network of 250 dealers stretching across the Western U.S. and Canada. The company’s cargo and equipment trailers – used by snowmobilers, ATVers, contractors, even racecar owners – are widely considered some of the best in the industry.

At its peak, Mirage was building nearly 80 trailers a day. Even now, in the midst of the severe economic downturn, the company’s “people-first” approach continues to fuel Mirage’s success.

Led by the same management team that launched the company in 2003, Mirage continually works to improve every aspect of their business. For example, the company utilizes a unique piece-rate system for production employees that allows them to earn more as efficiency increases and warranty claims are reduced. It’s a common-sense approach that Swikert says keeps employees focused on meeting the market’s increasing demand for lower prices and ever-higher quality.

“It’s really a matter of getting back to basics,” Swikert said. “We’re not focused on just growth. It’s quality of growth that is the most important thing.”

If that perspective sounds like that of a seasoned industry veteran, that’s because it is.

Rob Swikert, Mirage’s president and majority shareholder, has spent most of his life in and around the trailer business. His father, Dale, was a long-time executive with one of the nation’s largest RV manufacturers, giving Rob a unique inside-view of the industry from a very early age.

After graduating from college, Rob, with the participation of Dale, founded his first trailer company with a friend. They grew the company, sold it, and three years later Rob set out on his own, founding Mirage in 2003.

Through the years, the father-son team has worked closely together, with Rob leading the company but frequently calling on Dale’s vast experience. Even today, at age 80, Dale maintains an office at Mirage and comes in almost every day to share his wisdom and play a couple hands of cards in the lunchroom.

“He’s a great sounding board,” Swikert said. “I feel very fortunate to work with my dad every day.”

The challenges of the economy and new financial realities of his business – tighter credit for manufacturers and dealers, high cost of capital and pricing pressures – has led Rob to look to other experts as sounding boards as well.

“That’s why I really enjoy working with Western Capital Bank,” Rob said. “They are very hands on. The bank president comes out to our office and spends time talking about the nuts and bolts of our business and how they can help.”

The future is bright for Mirage Trailers. Swikert expects sales to climb steadily as the economy picks up, the availability of credit for dealers improves, and the company’s internal efforts to increase manufacturing effectiveness pay off.

“Mirage is here for the long run,” Swikert said. “We’re making progress every day so that when things improve we’ll be ready to seize the opportunity.”

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This past winter we hitched our company truck to a new Mirage Xtreme 26-foot snowmobile trailer and gave our sleds a first-class ride to the mountains.

The Mirage not only looked great towing behind our truck, but it pulled well. This is a very functional trailer with all the features necessary for active snowmobilers.

We really don’t look for a lot of “bells and whistles” in a snowmobile trailer. We just want something that’s easy to load, easy to unload, easy to tow and easy to maintain. And Mirage makes a very solid trailer that fits our requirements.

Past snowmobile trailers tended to show their wear first on the floor— where the carbides bite into the surface.

Mirage uses a three-quarter inch polybead laminate treated plywood for the flooring which protects the wood and maintains the integrity of the floor. White vinyl interior walls provide a nice clean finish to the trailer, making it easy to clean.

Mirage trailers feature DOT and NHTSA approved lighting placements that are visible when doors or ramps are open, improving trailer visibility and safety. We went a little farther, having Mirage install LED lights along the sides of the trailer for noticeable visibility.

Mirage trailers are also constructed with stronger stamped hat bows to reinforce the roof and reduce the box twist under uneven road conditions. Mirage Trailers have been in business since 2003. This Nampa, ID-based company has gained an excellent reputation in quality and company service. The company specializes in custom trailers, tailor-made for specific uses, particularly in the toy hauler market. For more information contact Mirage Trailers (208) 461-7776.

This article was taken from the January issue of SnoWest Magazine from their Product Review section on Page 29. Mirage would like to thank SnoWest for the vote of confidence in the products we are so proud to build for the snowmobiling community.

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Basic properties:

Steel is 66% stronger when compared pound for pound. This means it takes 3 times as much aluminum to equal the same structure as steel. Often times the weight gains claimed by aluminum trailer manufacturers are unsubstantiated when trailers are compared equally.

Steel has a natural memory, aluminum does not. This means when steel is flexed to a point, it returns to it’s original shape. Aluminum does not.

Aluminum has a much higher rate of metal fatigue than steel. This means that steel can resist flexing much better than aluminum. Aluminum tends to crack at flex points. This is why many aluminum trailers are bolted or riveted together. Aluminum welds crack much more easily than steel welds.

Steel trailers are much easier to repair than aluminum. Aluminum is much more difficult and requires more specialized equipment to weld.

Steel bends and stretches when impacted. Aluminum tears and breaks when impacted. This equals more extensive and expensive repair costs.

Aluminum resists corrosion better than raw steel. Fortunately steel trailers are not sold in raw steel form. They are typically painted with very durable finishes. There are differences in paint processes and materials and the better the coating, the longer it will last. One thing the Aluminum trailer manufacturers don’t tell you is that aluminum corrodes also. It is not as visible as it is in steel, but the chemicals and environmental conditions that affect steel trailers also affect aluminum trailers. The aluminum erodes and weakens over time.

Steel trailers are typically 20% less expensive than equally compared aluminum trailers.

Keep in mind there are many things we use every day that are made of steel rather than aluminum because of the reasons outlined above.

• bridges
• ships
• cars
• skyscrapers
• construction equipment
• cranes
• military tanks
• semi truck frames
• trains
• school busses

Please consider these factors when making your choice.

->> Trailerman.

XK6897J79NGF

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It has been brought to our attention that a new law went into effect in January of this year. This law requires that any trailer equipped with 110 volt options, LP gas, or any plumbing requiring tanks must be certified by a third party entity, such as RVIA or Pacific West Associates. Mirage Enterprises chose to certify with Pacific West Associates.

The actual enforcement of this law commenced this month, October 2009. Certification ensures our dealers, as well as the retail customer, that Mirage has, and is, subject to on-going inspections and monitoring for quality assurance functions as required by law. You will notice on the left hand side of the entry door of trailers with the above options the required Seal from PWA.

Mirage Enterprises is proud to be one of the first, if not THE first major cargo trailer manufacturer meeting these new standards. Our Snow and Sport trailers, as well as any other trailers with these options will have the required certification. The substantial cost in not only dollars, but time, effort and engineering is negligible to our desire to continue to supply the quality products our dealers have come to expect from us.

You as a Dealer can assure your retail customers that a Mirage Trailer is certified within the current laws. Can the manufacturers of the other brands of trailers on your lot say the same? A quality product, validated by a third party, ensures the safety and satisfaction of your retail customer and limits your liability pertaining to these products.

As always, we look forward to your questions and comments, but mostly we appreciate your continued support.

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Feature: Powder coated axle tube
Benefit: Better aesthetics and corrosion protection

Feature: No paint on hub face of drums
Benefit: Provides minimal torque loss on wheel nuts

Feature: Zinc plated spring mounting hardware including Tie Plates, U-Bolts, and Nuts)
Zinc plated axle attaching hardware including shackle links and nuts
Zinc plated brake mounting hardware including mounting nuts and lock washers
Benefit: Better aesthetics and corrosion protection. Prevents nuts from rusting to bolts improving service jobs

Feature: 3M, silicone filled wire connectors
Benefit: Connector prevents wires from pulling out like hot glued and silicone filled prevents corrosion at connection

Feature: One piece integrated spindle/brake flange
Benefit: Provides precise brake mounting surface to maximize brake performance, and provides a much stronger flange than a welded

Feature: CSA Certified 2000# – 7000# CSA rating includes the 12” x 2” brake
Benefit: Other manufacturers only have a 6000# rating, allows for a more cost effective 7K axle compared to going with an 8K electric brake

Feature: Brakes adjusted to drums 100%
Benefit: Maximizes new brake performance, LCI adjusts the brakes like a service shop.

Feature: Robotically welded spindles and spring seats
Benefit: Competitors’ Rotary weld which relies on operator to ensure weld location and penetration. Welds are not traceable to a production run. LCI welded beam ensure proper location and penetration. LCI beams are fully traceable to the time of mfg.Feature: Extensive weld approval process for robotic spindle welds
Benefit: The approved weld etch coupon can be traced to the final axle serial number.Feature: DC electric nut runners for accurate u-bolt nut torque
Benefit: Competitors use air guns that are not repeatable and do not guarantee proper torque. LCI dc Nut Runners guarantee and Document the proper torque.

Feature: 100% QC check on brake nuts
Benefit: Others bend axle after manufacture which provides no consistency. Toe In controlled to 0-3/16”. Camber is controlled to 3/8”-5/8”.

Feature: Camber and toe set in spindle welder with fixtures
Benefit: Better aesthetics and corrosion protection

Feature: LCI beam is pre-cambered before spindle weld
Benefit: Holding spindle position in robotic welder is more repeatable than bending axle tube after the weld op

Feature: Extensive inspection process of incoming materials with full lot traceability
Benefit: Ensures axle components and raw material conforms to quality standards.

Feature: Electrical checks on 100% of axles produced
Benefit: Ensures functional wiring and functional brakes

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