Check this Out!-Utlitoy?

[Ed Harris]

Evidently these are built here in St.Louis.
I will try to go see one this week,Today if I can.

Looks interesting to say the least and priced nice too.

Discuss?


http://utilitoy.com/

[Gina D.]

hate hate hate the website..

it's so busy I didn't even bother to wait.

[Donna D.]

hate hate hate the website..

it's so busy I didn't even bother to wait.

You are so old skool Gina. There is going to be more and more Flash on the web.

[Alan Weinel]

Agree w/ Gina. Just because there is more and more doesn't make it good.

If I go to a PRODUCT site, I just want information. WAY too busy of a site. But then, I **AM** Olde School. And Proud of that fact!

You are so old skool Gina. There is going to be more and more Flash on the web.

[Bobbie Mayer]

hate hate hate the website..

it's so busy I didn't even bother to wait.

Same exact reaction here...

What are people thinking?

[Bobbie Mayer]

And then I can't find the information I'm interested in when I do look...

Where are the specs?
I wanted the mattress measurements... couldn't find them.

What's the overall weight? Height?

Other than the website... interesting rig, but not my cup of tea, I don't think.

Bobbie

[ronsmith100]

You are so old skool Gina. There is going to be more and more Flash on the web.

You can always tell a web designer who has just learned action script or flex codeing.
I use firefox and it has an addon to block flash. It was worth it on that page..

[Nancy]

We also use firefox and first time in had no problem. It was lots of fun looking at their site with fast internet connection. I should send them a message saying we want specs listed all by themselves.

By cruising the site we learned the following:

weight 1,020
15" wheel
load 2,000 lb axle
1,000 lb useful load
10x6 1/2 feet (I think that is inside)
fits in 7 foot garage
will hold one queen and one full size mattress
had double back door for loading and a hatch on the side that kids and people younger than me can go in (like teardrop door)
base cost $6,000
polypropylene core with fiberglass inside and outside.
no tongue weight listed that I could find.

I did think the site was fun. Will try again later. Our second attempt to enter was not successful.

This little guy would sure be handy for the guys who want to haul stuff and have a place to sleep when not hauling.

Nancy

[Nancy]

Hey Gina,

You missed some fun guitar music with that video.

We got back in, but the site seems to have some memory and will not let one go back to the video. Had to do something else and then went back and I got in to the video (with sound second time around).

Nancy

[Pete Dumbleton]

Agreed that there were too many bells and whistles detracting from the message, HOWEVER, did you guys check out the almost 2" thick composite waterproof floor? Be nice to have that stuf in an egg, but a redesign would likely be needed to still accommodate human beings inside...

The roof is interesting also -- The $$ LED lighting package is actually *inside* the roofing material, as well as the $$ insulation package -- Lots of innovation in this rig, but the options bring it up to $8K.

I like the use of 15" tires for better ground clearance, but am not sure about the fantastical fan mounting in front where it might be vulnerable to rock damage.

[Donna D.]

My point is the Millenials are coming... no, they're here and they ain't us. The young adults of today expect websites to be edutainment. Not just education and not just entertainment. Most of us are still in the just-show-me-what-I want-to-know stage. Trust me, I feel your pain, it's counterintuitive to my own wants too. All I can tell you, is get used to it... we're never going back.

[Booker B.]

I don't know, I think this site is just incredibly badly designed. Generally when I see a site like this one I think they have hired someone right out of design school - probably someone who specialized in flash. Having been in the web industry for 8 years now I have done my own share of 'experimentation' on websites but as with all professionals you settle down to a format where information is conveyed as effectively as possible. I find my kids are used to get information immediately and having to dig through that site would bore them to tears =)

[Bobbie Mayer]

My point is the Millenials are coming... no, they're here and they ain't us. The young adults of today expect websites to be edutainment. Not just education and not just entertainment. Most of us are still in the just-show-me-what-I want-to-know stage. Trust me, I feel your pain, it's counterintuitive to my own wants too. All I can tell you, is get used to it... we're never going back.

And if their target audience is young adults who are impulse buyers, they'll do just fine. But I went back and looked and still couldn't easily navigate the site and find the info I want. A flash intro is annoying, but I just skip it and go on. But when the info is hidden or not on the site, all the bells and whistles in the world are not going to sell your product.

Bobbie

[pjanits]

hate hate hate the website..

it's so busy I didn't even bother to wait.

I agree with Gina on this one too star warsy for me. Distracted from the product - Oh maybe that was the idea!

[pjanits]

Ok so to be fair and not an old fogie, I made a Manhatten and took another look.
I didn't see anything I couldn't get with a regular utility trailer with a window stuck in it for a lot less money.
I was right, All that flash was to mask the fact it's just a very expensive utility trailer.
My mind's made up.
And all it took was one Manhatten.

[Pamela S.]

Poorly designed site aside, it looks like just a variation on a teardrop camper. I'd rather spend the same amount of money and get an older used egg camper. Much more useful for what I want, and more economical. (Of course, we're still looking for a cheap fixer-upper, and saving the money to buy one as we go.)

[Ed Harris]

Boy you guys are one tough room!

I agree the site is a complete waste of my time annd detracts entirely from any simple message they may be sending......I hope.

I also think it is rather expensive on first look.
But I will have to give it a Looksie and report back since it is so close by.

It is interesting though. Materials are not too common and like Pete I was curious about the LED package that I just assumed was for providing light not just effect?

If it is well put together I think it may have an audience but the Little Guy line is I think about 1/2 the price and more conventional too.

[Jim Bennett]

This Fuddy Duddy is trying to be objective.

Most things about site layout were not too bad, links all right there, no scrolling except in a dialog box. The sounds effects are terrible, truly annoying. If they just undazzled it a wee bit, I think it would be just fine. I have seem many sights in the travel trailer industry that are much, much worse.

The product is a great concept, in my opinion. Something a step up from a tent, you can store all your gear and quickly get away. Nice and watertight. It also doubles as a good small utility trailer.

The base cost should be lower, for sure.

Nothing I would buy at this time, but for someone wanting something easier to deal with then camping with a tent, and be able to combine the same trailer for utility use, this would be a product worth looking at. My hat is off to the guy for some good minimalist thinking.

[Time K]

No waiting for me...but on the topic of utili-toy, let me think this one through. First you tow the thing to your destination presumably with a larger car or truck, with ATV inside, then you hook up utilitoy to an ATV (stored inside) and pull it ...where?... ?

That combination of tow vehicle and trailer does not inspire confidence..

[Donna D.]

No waiting for me...but on the topic of utili-toy, let me think this one through. First you tow the thing to your destination presumably with a larger car or truck, with ATV inside, then you hook up utilitoy to an ATV (stored inside) and pull it ...where?... ?

That combination of tow vehicle and trailer does not inspire confidence..

Hunters may well love this thing. I've got a passel of friends that hunt the back country on ATVs, pulling small utility trailers.... then they setup a big ole army-style tent (think stinky oil). But, then again they're mostly the younger generation... I'd rather be plugged in where I can run my blender... or fix a Manhattan!