Aluminum decks light enough to move by hand
Sport Haven builds open utility trailers out of aluminum, which in a state that salts its roads from November to March is less of a style choice than a maintenance decision. The frames do not rust, the trailers weigh noticeably less than a steel equivalent of the same size, and a single axle model is light enough that one person can push it around a driveway. Whatever we have from them is listed below.
What Sport Haven does differently
The whole line is built around one idea: take the weight out of the trailer so more of the tow rating goes to the load, and use a material that does not care about winter.
Aluminum frame, wood deck
The frame, sides, tongue and fenders are aluminum. The deck itself is usually treated wood, which is deliberate and not a cost saving. Wood grips better than plate when it is wet, it is kinder to whatever you strap down, and when it eventually wears out you can replace boards for very little instead of replacing a floor. The parts that corrode on a steel trailer are the parts Sport Haven does not build from steel.
Reading the AT and AUT model names
The numbers tell you the shape. The first pair of digits is the deck width in feet and the second pair is the length, so a six by twelve and a seven by twelve share a length and differ by a foot of width. Suffixes cover the details: the deck style, whether the sides are solid or open rail, and which tailgate arrangement it ships with. Ask us to walk you through a specific model number rather than guessing from the listing.
Ramp gates, bi-folds and solid sides
A full width ramp gate that folds up flat against the rear is the most common arrangement and handles mowers, quads and anything with wheels. A bi-fold gate halves the length you have to lift and stores tighter. Solid side panels keep loose material in, which matters for mulch and yard waste, while open rail keeps the trailer lighter and easier to reach over. None of these are upgrades over the others, they are just different jobs.
Weight you can tow with what you already own
A twelve foot aluminum utility trailer with a single axle typically carries a 2,990 pound gross rating. Take the empty weight off that and you still have most of a ton of payload, and the whole package is light enough that a mid-size SUV or a crossover with a factory hitch will pull it without complaint. That is the argument for aluminum in this size, more than the corrosion resistance.
If we do not have the one you want
Sport Haven builds a wide range of configurations and we cannot keep all of them on the ground at once. If the size or gate arrangement you want is not on the list above, tell us the dimensions and what you are hauling and we will get a build quoted. Financing and trade-ins apply the same as anything else here.
Sport Haven questions
In Michigan it often is. Aluminum does not rust, so the frame outlasts a painted steel one on salted roads, and the lower weight means more of your tow rating goes to the load. Steel is stronger for a given size and cheaper up front, which is why heavy equipment trailers are still steel.
Single axle models in that size are typically rated at 2,990 pounds gross. Subtract the trailer weight and you are usually left with roughly two thousand pounds of payload. Always work from the sticker on the trailer you are buying rather than a general figure.
Less than steel, but not none. The axles, bearings, brakes, lights and wiring are the same components as on any other trailer and need the same annual check. Rinsing salt off the underside over winter is still worth doing.
Usually, yes. A light single axle aluminum utility trailer is within the rating of most mid-size SUVs and crossovers with a factory hitch. Check your vehicle tow rating and make sure the wiring connector matches.
Yes. Tell us the deck size, the gate you want and what you plan to carry, and we will quote a build. Lead times vary by configuration and time of year.