the mathews trailmaker

 
The "Trailmaker" was manufactured in Hibbing, Minnesota by the Abe Mathews Company beginning in 1962. It was marketed from that date through 1965 at which time it was sold to the Boatel Company in Mora, Minnesota. The inventor (John House) went to Boatel as part of the deal. The Mathews "Trailmaker" reached its highest level of sales in the 1964 season when more than 500 units were sold. Oddly enough, the bulk of the sales were in New York state. It was a tracked vehicle that had plenty of power and speed to take you anywhere you wanted to go no matter what the terrain was. It was equally capable in deep snow, frozen ground or muskeg swamp. It was designed with the outdoorsman in mind. Hunters, trappers and fisherman relied upon the "Trailmaker" to return them safely home after a day's activities.

It soon became a work machine as well as a recreational vehicle. Pulpwood cutters used it to pack down roads leading to the worksite and public utilities companies depended on it to check their power lines. It wasn't long until the different Departments of Natural Resources became aware of its value as the game wardens went about their duties.

Options included a windshield assembly, lights, a larger 10 hp engine, gun and fishing pole recepticals, as well as front wheels for summer use and extra wide skis for better stability.

Mathews Trailmaker Specifications

Engine: 7 horsepower, air cooled
Transmission: Automatic variable speed with forward, reverse and neutral positions
Track width: 18 inches
Length: 81 inches
Width : 24 inches
Height: 38 inches without windshield
Weight: 300 pounds