After over 40 years in the family tractor business , Laura and Rich Hillyer made the decision to buy a plot of land across the street and add trailers to their offerings . Not long after , it became clear that trailers had the potential to become the new family business .
“ About five years ago , I retired from 25 years of being a kindergarten teacher ,” Laura shares . “ My husband said , ‘ What if we use the property across the street from the tractor dealership and we ’ ll sell trailers ?’ And voila , I became a trailer dealer .”
Despite Laura ’ s lack of experience in the trailer world , Rich came from a family tractor dealership of over 40 years and was able to train their employees . Soon after , 4 Corner Trailers opened its doors to the world .
Of course , 4 Corners Trailers also works in partnership with the family tractor dealership , Southwest Ag , Inc ., and being attached to an established business was a definite asset to the startup . Hillyer credits the dealership ’ s success to that , as well as integrity , professionalism and a large selection .
“ We have customers constantly telling us how impressed and grateful they are at the integrity of what is done out of our service department , which is run by our highly knowledgeable and skilled shop manager , Jeremy . He ’ s been a huge blessing since joining our team ,” shares Laura . “ My husband believes very strongly in a ‘ go big or go home ’ mentality . If we do not have it , we cannot sell it . So , we have the largest inventory – hands down – in the 4 Corners area , including a full tire shop and mount-and-balance services .”
When they started out , the Hillyers did everything they could to advertise , including radio ads and branded hats . As for those just breaking into the industry now , Laura stresses marketing your business as much as you can . The Hillyers event went so far as to place stickers and logos on everything 4 Corners Trailers sent out , including serviced vehicles .
“ It takes a brand-new business three or four , if not five years , to be known and looked for ,” explains Laura . “ We were blessed to have an anchor store , so we were able to use that to be seen . Even three or four years into it , people go , ‘ Wow ! I did not even know you were here . We just tried as hard as we could , in any way possible , to get our name out there . Then , when you have an integrity-based business , people come back .”
MEMBER SINCE : March 17 , 2020
AWARDS : Rookie of the Year – Diamond C Trailers ( 2016 ), Top 5 Dealer Award – Cargo Express ( 2017 , 2018 )
SOCIAL MEDIA : Facebook , Instagram
TOP 5 TRAILER BRANDS : Aluma Trailers , Big Tex Trailers , Cargo Express , Diamond C Trailers , Wells Cargo
TYPES OF TRAILERS : Car Hauler , Cargo , Dump , Equipment , Livestock , Raft , Snowmobile , Truck Bed , Utility
39894 U . S . Hwy 160 Bayfield , CO 81122 970-884-2828 4cornerstrailers . com
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