- Trailer Knowledge
Key Takeaways
- The weekend migration up north is a defining Twin Cities rhythm - and a hauling challenge.
- An enclosed trailer protects toys and gear on the drive and stores them at the cabin.
- Open utility and ATV trailers work for simpler, fair-weather hauls.
- Browse trailers near the Twin Cities to match a trailer to your cabin routine.
A Ritual as Minnesotan as It Gets
Come Friday afternoon, a good share of the Twin Cities points its trucks north. The cabin weekend is a genuine institution here, and it comes with a hauling problem that anyone who has done it knows well: getting the boats aside - since those are their own thing - the ATVs, the side-by-sides, the fishing and camping gear, the tools for the project you swore you would finish, and in winter the snowmobiles, all up north and back. The right trailer turns that from a Tetris game with bungee cords into a routine you do not think about.
The Case for Enclosed
For most regular cabin-goers, an enclosed cargo trailer is the answer, for two reasons. First, the drive: hauling up north means real highway miles in whatever weather Minnesota serves up, and an enclosed trailer keeps your gear and machines clean, dry, and out of the road grime the whole way. Second, storage: an enclosed trailer at the cabin is a locked, weatherproof shed you already own - somewhere to leave the toys and gear between visits rather than cramming them into the cabin or leaving them out.
For a household that makes the trip often and hauls valuable machines, that combination of protection and storage is usually worth the step up from an open trailer.
When Open Makes Sense
If your cabin hauling is simpler - a single ATV, some gear, mostly fair-weather trips - an open utility trailer or a purpose-built ATV trailer does the job for less money and less weight. It loads fast, tows easily, and covers the essentials. The trade-off is exposure: your load rides in the open through whatever the drive brings.
The Four-Season Reality
The wrinkle that pushes many Minnesota cabin owners toward one versatile trailer is winter. The cabin does not close in December - it just trades the ATV for the snowmobile. An enclosed Allsport or Snowsport trailer carries side-by-sides and ATVs in the warm months and switches to sleds when the snow comes, which means one trailer covers the whole year instead of two seasonal ones. For anyone whose up-north routine runs all four seasons, that is the efficient buy.
Sizing for the Haul
Whatever type you choose, size it to the fullest version of your typical trip, not the lightest. Think about the biggest load you realistically haul up - the machines plus the gear plus the project materials - and make sure the trailer and your tow vehicle handle it with margin over long highway miles. A trailer that is comfortable fully loaded on the interstate is one you will actually enjoy using, trip after trip.
Get Set Before the Season
The best time to sort out your cabin trailer is before the season you use it most. Browse trailers near the Twin Cities, think through how you actually haul up north, and let the team at the Columbus store - conveniently on your way north up I-35 - help you match a trailer to the routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best trailer for hauling to the cabin?
For regular cabin-goers, an enclosed cargo trailer is popular - it protects gear and toys on the drive and doubles as locked storage at the cabin. Open trailers work for simpler, fair-weather hauls.
Can one trailer handle summer toys and winter sleds?
Yes. An enclosed Allsport or Snowsport trailer carries ATVs and side-by-sides in the warm months and snowmobiles in winter, covering the whole year with one trailer.
How big a trailer do I need for the cabin haul?
Size to the fullest version of your typical trip - machines plus gear plus any project materials - with margin for long highway miles. Our team can help you match the trailer and your tow vehicle.
Is the store on the way up north?
Conveniently, yes - the Columbus store sits right on I-35 north of the metro, on the route many cabin-goers already drive. It is an easy stop.
Where do I start?
Browse trailers near the Twin Cities online, then visit the Columbus store to see the sizes and talk through your cabin routine.
