Felling Trailers celebrated its 35th year in business with their first annual Dealer Appreciation Days September 17-18. The two-day event brought together Felling dealers from as far away as Alberta, Canada.

The celebration started with shop tours during the day showcasing some of Felling’s latest technologies put in service, including the company’s Custom Bug-O Side Beam Motion System. A product showcase was displayed, consisting of trailers from Felling’s traditional lines and some of its newest products.

(l-r) Merle J. Felling, CEO, David Abt and Phil Lewis (Don Laing Trailers) during the presentation of the 2009 Top Dealer award given Don Laing Trailer Sales.

Two of the showcased lines were the Perimeter Frame –Hhydraulic Tail (rigid neck semi) and the Air Tilt (deck-over). Both of these models were released earlier this year.

Other trailer lines on display included Felling’s reel and pipe coil trailers and a custom boat trailer, from Felling’s custom trailer division. Following the tours, dealers attended a banquet where awards were presented for 2009.

2008 Top Dealer: Don Laing Trailer Sales – Alberta, Canada

25 Years of Service: Lano Equipment – Anoka, Minn.; Lano Equipment – Shakopee, Minn.; Lano Equipment – Corcoran, Minn.

Four informational classes were offered for the attendees:

* Northland Capital -- Paul Pfannenstein and Michele Hiscock presented some new leasing/financing opportunities available to consumers from Northland/Felling.

* Minnesota State Patrol: Roger Istvanovich gave a presentation on towing rules/regulations and towing safety.

* Dexter Axle: Todd Degroote presented information about Dexter’s new NEV-R-ADJUST braking system (standard on all electric-brake Felling trailers with 7,000-and-under axles).

* From the Felling engineering department, Todd Skalbeck, head engineer, gave a presentation on the X-Force (Felling Trailers’ soon-to-be-released line of hydraulic detachable gooseneck semis).

 The event was capped with a door prize drawing for Felling’s FT-10 LX skid-steer trailer, which was won by Tom Stern of West Side Tractor in Chicago.