THESE ARE a few of the eight different models of Trail-A-Sleds manufactured right here in Crosby. For an exciting and invigorating winter-time thrill, try skimming around in one of these at 40 miles per hour! The snow sleds are one of several products made by the rapidly-expanding Trail-A-Sled, Inc. at two plants here. Webmaster's Note: Interestingly enough, this photo actually contains two Polaris Comets. Trail-A-Sled acted as a Polaris dealer and manufactured parts for the Roseau-based firm during these early years.
PARTIALLY completed snow sleds are lined up at Trail-A-Sled's finishing plant here. Crews are working full speed to fill present orders for the product which is experiencing an ever-increasing demand. Glen Gutzman, Richard and Eugene Harrison head the local firm which also manufactures air sleds, pontoon boats, canoes and ricing boats.
Crosby-Ironton Courier
Wednesday, December 2, 1964
Trail-A-Sled Expands Here
Five-Year-Old Crosby Firm
Story from The Crosby-Ironton Courier
Trail-A-Sled, Inc., five-year-old Crosby firm, has expanded its operations here. A finishing plant has been established in the former Middleton Garage building on Main Street, and the former building on Third Ave. S.W. is being used to mold rubber for the company's products.
Trail-A-Sled, Inc. manufacturers molded fiberglass products, including snow sleds, air sleds, pontoon boats, canoes, ricing boats, etc. At present, the firm's 20 employees are working full speed to fill orders for snow sleds.
There are eight different models of the snow sleds available with various engine options. The sleds are constructed of lightweight, molded fiberglass, weigh 240 points over-all, and are mounted on a molded rubber and fabric track with linked steel inserts and steel ski runners.
Trail-A-Sleds attain speeds up to 40 miles per hour. In the main, the sleds are in great demand for hunting, fishing or just plain fun, although some are being employed as work tools in some instances.
The local company was incorporated in 1959 by Glen Gutzman, Richard and Eugene Harrison. The men predict about a top employment of 28 to 30 men shortly while filling present sled orders. Photo TwoEarl Hamilton is employed in the Main street office.
A Canadian firm, licensed by Trail-A-Sled here, is producing a snow sled under the name Sno-Ro, in Montreal, and reports good acceptance of the product in Canada and in the eastern part of the United States - New York, Maine, Michigan, etc. The Crosby firm supplied the Canadian manufacturers with rubber parts.
This is Trail-A-Sled's third year experimenting with the manufacture of the rubber tracks and drive sprockets. A number of machines have been installed for molding the rubber parts at the plant here. Sub-assembly work is also done here with the finishing done at the Main street location.
Trail-A-Sled has been represented at most of the national sports shows in recent years. Feature articles on the local firm are slated to appear shortly in Mechanics Illustrated magazine and the Midland Co-op Builder.