Featherlite Inc

What Featherlite Inc does

Featherlite Inc, operating as Featherlite Trailer Manufacturing, LLC, is a U.S. manufacturer of premium all-aluminum trailers founded in 1973 and headquartered in Cresco, Iowa, with approximately 340 employees. The company produces thousands of trailers annually across six core product categories: car trailers, horse trailers (including living quarters models), livestock trailers, recreational trailers, utility and commercial trailers, and specialty trailers. Its differentiation rests on proprietary construction methods, notably the Pierce & Roll Roof System, a patent-pending rivetless side sheet design, and a patent-pending fenderettes design inspired by its 53-foot NASCAR transporters. A 10-year limited structural warranty and an in-house cabinet manufacturing capability support a premium positioning within the specialty trailer category.

Featherlite generates revenue through one-time sales of manufactured trailers, custom specialty builds, dealer-supported parts and service, and dealer-arranged trailer financing. Pricing is quote-based through its distribution network of more than 100 authorized dealers across the United States and Canada, with no public price list. The company has served as Official Trailer of NASCAR since the 1990s, supplying transporters to the majority of NASCAR teams and mobile office trailers for race officials, and has expanded into adjacent event-services specialty work through a custom mobile workshop trailer built for PING for PGA Tour events. Customer segments span horse owners, livestock operators, car enthusiasts and racers, recreational equipment owners, commercial contractors, and motorsports organizations.

The company is a privately held LLC with no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, or venture capital backing. Manufacturing is concentrated at the single Cresco, Iowa facility, which also supports workforce development in partnership with Northeast Iowa Community College. Brand marketing is anchored on motorsports sponsorships (NASCAR, USMTS, Deer Creek Speedway), trade show presence (PRI Show), website-driven dealer locator and quote requests, and earned media through press release distribution. There is no indication of software, AI/ML capabilities, or non-trailer product lines in the source material.

Name

Featherlite Inc

Legal name

Featherlite Trailer Manufacturing, LLC

Website

https://fthr.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Featherlite Inc is a privately held U.S. manufacturer founded in 1973 in Cresco, Iowa, producing premium all-aluminum trailers across car, horse, livestock, recreational, utility, and specialty categories, sold through 100+ dealers and serving consumers, commercial buyers, and motorsports clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aluminum Trailers

NAICS

Truck Trailer Manufacturing (336212), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)

SIC

Truck Trailers (3715)

akta.pro primary industry

Trailer Manufacturing (Utility/Enclosed/Flatbed/Car Hauler) (IMACAGAA)

Keywords

• Aluminum trailer manufacturing
• Horse trailers
• Car trailers
• Livestock trailers
• Specialty trailers

Headquarters

HQ city

Cresco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Trailer Sales: One-time purchase of aluminum trailers including car trailers, horse trailers, livestock trailers, recreational trailers, utility/commercial trailers, and specialty trailers. Revenue generated from initial sale with optional add-ons and customization.
2. Custom Specialty Trailers: Bespoke specialty trailer manufacturing for specific clients, such as the custom mobile workshop trailer built for PING for PGA Tour events.
3. Parts and Service: Replacement parts, warranty service, and maintenance through authorized dealers and service centers nationwide.
4. Trailer Financing: Financing options offered through dealer network for trailer purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Featherlite designs, manufactures, and sells all-aluminum specialty trailers—including car, horse, livestock, recreational, utility/commercial, and custom specialty trailers—through a nationwide authorized dealer network. The company produces thousands of trailers annually at its Cresco, Iowa manufacturing facility, leveraging proprietary construction methods (Pierce & Roll roof system, rivetless side sheets, spread axle/fenderettes) refined over 50+ years in business.

Product overview

Featherlite Inc is a manufacturer of aluminum specialty trailers founded in 1973, offering a comprehensive lineup of trailer products designed and manufactured in the U.S. The product portfolio includes six core product categories: Car Trailers (with models like 4410 bumper pull and 4414 stacker), Horse Trailers (including the 9808 living quarters model), Livestock Trailers (bumper pull, gooseneck, semi, and truck box configurations), Recreational Trailers (ATV, motorcycle, and snowmobile), Utility & Commercial Trailers (enclosed cargo, flatbed, open utility, and tram), and Specialty Trailers (custom NASCAR transporters, mobile workshops, and event trailers). The company leverages NASCAR-inspired engineering including their patent pending rivetless side sheet design and Pierce & Roll roof system across their product lines. Products are available through a nationwide network of approximately 100 authorized dealers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Featherlite Specialty: Specialty trailers division operating through featherlitespecialty.com, serving motorsports, event marketing, hospitality, and vending trailer markets.

Products and services

• Car Trailers Enclosed and open car trailers in bumper pull and gooseneck configurations for hauling cars, UTVs, and snowmobiles. Built with aluminum construction, spread axle design, and rivetless side sheet technology, targeting car enthusiasts, collectors, and racing teams.
• Horse Trailers Aluminum horse trailers for transporting horses to shows, rodeos, and trails, available in bumper pull, gooseneck, and living quarters configurations with safety-first design features.
• Livestock Trailers All-aluminum livestock and stock trailers combining rust-resistant construction with heavy-duty crossmember systems, available in bumper pull, gooseneck, semi, and truck box configurations.
• Recreational Trailers Aluminum trailers for hauling recreational equipment including ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles, with smooth towing, durable construction, and convenient loading/unloading capabilities.
• Utility & Commercial Trailers Versatile aluminum utility trailers, cargo trailers, and flatbed trailers for commercial and personal use, featuring multiple configuration options including enclosed cargo, open utility, and flatbed designs.
• Specialty Trailers Custom specialty trailers including NASCAR race car transporters, mobile workshops, hospitality trailers, and event marketing trailers, built to specification for motorsports and commercial applications.
• Model 4410 Car Trailer Enclosed bumper pull car hauler available in lengths of 20', 24', 28' or 32', with inside height options of 7'0", 7'6" or 8'0". Features spread axle design, rear spoiler, flat nose, and patent-pending rivetless side sheet design.
• Model 4414 Stacker Trailer Bumper pull stacker trailer with internal lift for two-level cargo hauling, available in lengths of 22', 24', 26' or 28' with 11' interior height and 8'6" exterior width. Features rivetless side sheet design and NASCAR-inspired spread axle with patent-pending fenderettes.
• Model 9808 Living Quarters Horse Trailer Gooseneck horse trailer with living quarters available in 2, 3, or 4-horse configurations, with 8' width and 7'6" interior height. Living quarters floorplans available in 8', 11', 13', 15' or 17' lengths, featuring hardwood cabinets and multiple décor packages.
• Model 3115 Passenger Tram Bumper pull passenger tram trailer with 17' length and 8' width, featuring seven aluminum benches, removable aluminum canopy roof, optional wheelchair ramp accessibility, and 8 LED lights for nighttime transportation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ years in business
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core, notable and minor.

• Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Partnership to build workforce pipeline between NICC graduates and Featherlite's manufacturing needs. Collaborated to bring Core Manufacturing Skills Career Pathway Certificate to local community. Supported NICC's 6th annual National CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day. Featherlite employs approximately 340 people in Cresco, Iowa.
• NASCARcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 May 2026Multi-year partnership extension as Competition Partner. Featherlite has served NASCAR since the 1990s, building race car transporters for teams including Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt. The company manufactures transporters for the majority of NASCAR teams and provides at-track support. Specialty trailers also serve as mobile offices for race officials.
• PINGnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2026Built a one-of-a-kind specialty trailer for PING (golf equipment manufacturer) for use on the PGA Tour. The custom mobile workshop trailer features large slideouts, expandable roof system, workshop space for club repairs, lounge/hospitality area, and podcasting lounge. Trailer debuted at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
• Deer Creek SpeedwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of regional racing venue in Featherlite's home region.
• USMTS (United States Modified Touring Series)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of regional modified stock car racing series.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sundowner Trailers: Premium aluminum horse and livestock trailer manufacturer with similar product mix to Featherlite. Both compete directly in the gooseneck and living-quarters horse trailer segments with comparable aluminum construction and dealer-based distribution models.
• Exiss / Aluminum Trailer Company (Universal Trailer): Direct competitor in aluminum horse, livestock, and car trailers; part of a larger trailer group. Competes head-to-head with Featherlite on aluminum goosenecks, living quarters models, and similar dealer distribution across the U.S.
• 4 Star Trailers: Aluminum gooseneck and bumper-pull trailer manufacturer focused on horse and stock segments. Overlaps with Featherlite on premium horse trailer buyers and dealer-based sales model in North America.
• Sooner Trailers: Aluminum horse and livestock trailer manufacturer with comparable product positioning and dealer network distribution. Direct overlap in living-quarters horse trailer category where Featherlite sells the Model 9808.
• Cimarron Trailers: Aluminum horse trailer manufacturer competing in bumper-pull and gooseneck segments. Comparable price-point positioning and dealer-based go-to-market to Featherlite's horse trailer lineup.
• Trails West Manufacturing: Aluminum horse and stock trailer manufacturer in the western U.S., comparable product mix with Featherlite. Competes for similar dealer accounts and end customers in horse and recreational segments.
• Bloomer Trailers: Manufacturer of premium aluminum horse and living-quarters trailers, particularly known for high-end painted models. Competes with Featherlite's Model 9808 in the luxury horse trailer segment with similar dealer-based distribution.
• EBY Trailers: Manufacturer of aluminum livestock and horse trailers with comparable all-aluminum construction philosophy. Overlaps with Featherlite on heavy-duty livestock hauling and dealer distribution in the Midwest.
• Titan Trailers: Aluminum and steel utility, car, and equipment trailer manufacturer with broad product range. Direct competitor to Featherlite's utility/commercial and car trailer categories via overlapping dealer networks.

Broad incumbents

• Wabash National (trailer manufacturing): Large public trailer manufacturer producing a broad portfolio of commercial trailers including dry vans, refrigerated trailers, and specialty vehicles. While Featherlite operates in lighter-duty specialty niches, Wabash represents an established incumbent with greater scale and capital access in the broader trailer manufacturing industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FeatherliteTrailers
• Xx.com/FeatherliteInc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Featherlite Inc