Top 10 Trailers of 2019: #8 – Illini Tailgate Trailer

As 2019 winds down we are taking a look back at a few of our favorite custom trailers from the year. Of course, we will never overlook the everyday trailer sales that are the meat and potatoes of our business, but the big marketing trailers that require extended fabrication make us really proud to do what we do.

Over the next few weeks we will feature a top 10 countdown of our favorite custom trailers of 2019 as voted on by our employees.

From the sales team to the admin team to the service team, every person may or may not have played a direct role in each trailer along the way, but each person has played an important role in keeping the business going, providing excellent customer service, and getting trailers back up and running quickly, which is something to be celebrated.

Previous:
#10 – National Grid First Responders Training Trailer 
#9 – Harbor Hill Mobile Wine Bottling Trailer

#8. Illini TailgateTrailer

While the first two trailers we featured as part of our Top10 Trailers of 2019 were large trailers, No. 8 is special to us because it's asmall, simple enclosed cargo trailer that our customer made the most out of. It goes to show that you can get a nice, custom trailer to meet your needs without spending the big bucks.

There’s nothing quite like the experience of showing up tothe stadium several hours before gates open, breaking out the beer andbarbecue, and tailgating with friends, family, and fellow fans alike. That’swhat this group of University of Illinois grads had been doing for years, butthey took it to the next level this fall with a custom-built tailgate trailer.

Antonio Liga, a former student manager for the Illinifootball team, grew up going to Illini football games with his father and whenhis days as a student came to an end in 2015, he knew he had to continue thetradition.

For the past few seasons, Liga and his friends ran theirtailgate with tents and tables, but this fall they decided it was time toinvest in a trailer. Together, they purchased a 6-foot by 10-foot Stealth cargotrailer with a custom concession window and beer tap compartment on thecurbside. The concession window was framed to fit an 80-inch flat screentelevision and the beer tap compartment was sized to hold up to four taps. Bothflip-up windows contained individual locks so Liga and his team didn’t have toworry about theft.

“We went to every single home game this year and the trailerwas a hit,” Liga said. “We had about 50-100 people at our tailgate every week!The trailer revolutionized our tailgate. Every single week, we had peoplecoming up to us asking to check it out, especially visiting fans.”

With a two-tone exterior featuring Illinois’ blue and orangeand large Illini-themed graphics overlayed, it was an impressive lookingtrailer even without the TV and beer taps opened up. The trailer was also wiredfor antennae hookup, and a mounting rack on the inside allowed them to keeptheir electronics hidden but secured.

In addition to aesthetics, the trailer also improved thefunctionality of their tailgate as a storage and transportation piece for theirtents, tables, coolers, and other items. Liga and his team purposely left theinside of the trailer open so it could haul their tailgate elements from placeto place. 

After a successful first season with their new tailgate trailer — a season that saw the Illini reach a bowl game for the first time since 2014 — the group plans to hit the road with their trailer in 2020 when the Illini play at Nebraska.

From function to appearance to the wow factor, a trailer isa great investment for any tailgate die-hard. Let us help you create yours.Give us a call at 888-280-6695 or email us at marketing@advantagetrailer.com.