IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,654,793
Granted Patent B2
US 12,654,793 · App. 18/476,623 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Convertible off-road trailer

Inventors: Barry Alan Johnson (Roseau, MN); Derek Thibert (Roseau, MN); Cory Wimpfheimer (Greenbush, MN); Jeffrey A. Eaton (Roseau, MN); Matthew Prusak (Salol, MN); Rachel L. Kendall (Roseau, MN)
Assignee: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
B62D63/061B60G7/003B62M29/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,654,793
App. No.
18/476,623
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A trailer for use with off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The disclosed off-road trailer can be adjusted to accommodate different trailer beds and attachments that can be readily off loaded and can be compactly packaged for shipping and storage. Modules for different conditions (e.g., ground or snow surface) can be implemented for multi-season usage. The disclosed suspension assembly enhances performance and robustness while maintaining cost effectiveness. The utility of the disclosed off-road trailer may be enhanced by grab handles for manual maneuvering, a rear bumper, and an active tail light. The overall design of the off-road trailer enables towing cargo behind a snowmobile or off-road vehicle over rough terrain at higher rates of speed than conventional off-road towable trailers.

Claims (16)

1 . An off-road towable trailer, comprising:

an axially-extending beam assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end forming a tongue portion;

a suspension assembly configured to be selectively positioned and affixed to the axially-extending beam assembly at a first axial position and at a second axial position;

a ground engagement component coupled to, and supporting, the suspension assembly;

wherein the suspension assembly positioned and affixed at the first axial position is closer to the tongue portion as compared to the suspension assembly positioned and affixed at the second axial position, such that a tongue weight of the off-road towable trailer with the suspension assembly positioned and affixed at the first axial position is different than a tongue weight of the trailer with the suspension assembly positioned and affixed at the second axial position.

2 . The towable trailer of claim 1 , wherein a center beam assembly includes a main beam portion.

3 . The towable trailer of claim 2 , wherein a wall of said main beam portion defines a first plurality of mounting holes, each of said first plurality of mounting holes defining and being concentric about a respective mounting axis.

4 . The towable trailer of claim 3 , wherein said first plurality of mounting holes are through-holes that extend through said main beam portion.

5 . The towable trailer of claim 3 , wherein said respective mounting axis extends in said lateral direction.

6 . The towable trailer of claim 3 , wherein said first plurality of mounting holes are linearly and uniformly spaced along said main beam portion.

7 . The towable trailer of claim 2 , wherein said center beam assembly includes a telescoping beam portion disposed within said main beam portion in a telescoping arrangement.

8 . The towable trailer of claim 7 , wherein a wall of said telescoping beam portion defines a second plurality of mounting holes, each of said second plurality of mounting holes defining and being concentric about a respective mounting axis.

9 . The towable trailer of claim 8 , wherein at least some of a first plurality of mounting holes and at least some of said second plurality of mounting holes are configured for selective alignment with each other.

10 . The towable trailer of claim 1 , comprising a torsion axle assembly coupled to a chassis, said ground engagement component being coupled to a torsion axle of said torsion axle assembly.

11 . The towable trailer of claim 10 , wherein said torsion axle defines a polygonal cross-section.

12 . The towable trailer of claim 11 , wherein said polygonal cross-section defines a square.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYING PARTY DATA SURNAME OF ASSIGNOR WIMPFHEIMER, CORY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 66279 FRAME 863. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 15, 2024
From: JOHNSON, BARRY ALAN; THIBERT, DEREK; WIMPFHEIMER, CORY; EATON, JEFFREY A.; PRUSAK, MATTHEW; KENDALL, RACHEL L.
To: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 066611/0213 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2024
From: JOHNSON, BARRY ALAN; THIBERT, DEREK; WHIMPFHEIMER, CORY; EATON, JEFFREY A.; PRUSAK, MATTHEW; KENDALL, RACHEL L.
To: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 066279/0863 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63411739 · Sep 30, 2022
Related Publication 20240109614A1 · Apr 4, 2024
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