1991
Building trams since
1,100+
Systems installed
70°
Max slope
940 lb
Max lift capacity
15 yr
Structural warranty
Your hillside, fully accessible
Your waterfront
shouldn’t be off-limits
Steep, rocky terrain makes getting down to the dock and back up again a daily workout. Stairs are one option, but you still have to climb them, carrying everything as you go. A residential hillside tram changes that.
Families with kids & pets
Run everyone down to the lake and back without hauling them up the stairs.
Aging at home
Stay in the home you love and keep every level of your property within reach.
Hauling cargo
Coolers, fishing gear, and watersports toys ride down with you, not on your shoulders.
Built to outlast the hill
Engineering you can
trust with your family
We engineer and manufacture every system in-house in Frazee, Minnesota. If a part doesn’t meet our standards, it doesn’t make it onto your tram.
940 lb capacity
Carry the whole family plus coolers, fuel cans and watersports gear in a single smooth ride.
Slopes up to 70°
Each system is custom-engineered for your hill’s exact grade, with a rail that contours to the terrain.
ASME A17.1 certified
Meets or exceeds the national inclined-elevator safety code, Sections 5.1 & 5.4, plus any state regulations.
Eco-friendly pin piles
Our proprietary engineered pin-pile foundation is strong and durable, leaving a small footprint, minimizing erosion, and keeping your hillside natural.
Weatherproof for life
Powder-coated aluminum, zinc-plated and galvanized steel resist rust and corrosion, standing up to decades of changing seasons.
15-year warranty
An exceptional 15-year warranty backed by in-house factory support and a certified dealer network coast to coast.
See what’s possible
1,100+ hillsides, no two alike
Every hill is different, so every install is unique. A look at real Marine Innovations trams on the lakes and bluffs we serve.
From first call to first ride
A simple, guided process
Our full-time staff is with you through sales, design, installation, and long after the sale. We’re just a phone call away.
1
Tell us about your hill
Call or request a quote. We’ll ask about your needs, application and hill specifications.
2
Initial estimate
We provide a budgetary estimate so you know what to expect before we go further.
3
On-site evaluation
We visit and measure every variable of your site, then deliver a firm quote.
4
Engineered & US-built
Your fully customized tram is designed and manufactured in our Frazee, MN facility.
5
Professional install
Certified, factory-trained crews install your system. Then you enjoy your property.
Trams vs. stairs
Often the same cost.
Decades more value.
A hillside tram frequently prices out near high-end stairs — but it outlasts them by decades while making your shoreline accessible to everyone.
THE MODERN MARVEL
TRUSTED ON 1,100+ HILLSIDES
What owners say
“We wanted an easy way to access our dock. The painless purchase and installation of our Marine Innovations lift made it reality. Mike made the planning process easy. The installation crew was professional and efficient. The workmanship is excellent. Now our lake is only a short, smooth ride away.”
Bruce Gillies
Lake Almanor, CA
“I had no idea what a high-tech thing this tram was going to be, but they’ve got it worked out and it works perfectly. Installation was smooth and Murray did a real nice job on the landings, too.”
Ron
Gull Lake, MN
“We love our Marine Innovations tram. We never hesitate going to the lake. We just get in and go. We looked at steps, but installed a tram, it’s the best money we’ve spent. We encourage our friends and neighbors to invest in a tram too.”
Mark and Shelia
Underwood, MN
Learn More About
Our State-of-the-Art Trams
Efficient, industrial-duty, three-phase brake motor
Heavy-duty, cast, helical gearbox
Galvanized wire rope
Zinc-plated shaft & drum
Heavy-duty industrial bearings
Galvanized steel frame
Heavy-duty limit switches
11 Guage, 2” x 3” galvanized steel track
Powder coated aluminum powerframe cover
Slack Cable safety system
Galvanized steel wire rope brake cable
Grade 8, zinc-plated hardware
Debris-clearing wheel covers
Self-centering poly wheels
Zinc-plated axle bolts with grease zirks
Zinc-plated steel carriage track guides
Zinc-plated rail brake system
Stainless steel governor
Zinc-plated cable brake with poly wheels
Before you buy
Questions worth asking
This is a big investment. Here are the questions we hear most, ask them of every tram company you consider.
How long has Marine Innovations been building hillside trams?
Since 1991. We’re the longest-running tram manufacturer in the United States, with more than 1,100 systems installed across the U.S., Canada, and four other countries. Most of our earliest systems are still running today.
How steep a slope can a hillside tram handle?
Our inclined elevators are custom-engineered for slopes up to 70 degrees. Our flexible rail system contours to the gradient of your hill, so the system is built specifically for your property, not an out-of-the-box package.
How much weight can a residential tram carry?
Up to 940 pounds.
Are your inclined elevators safe and code compliant?
Yes. Every system is engineered to meet or exceed the national ASME A17.1 inclined-elevator code, Sections 5.1 or 5.4, plus any state-specific regulations. Make sure any company you consider builds to these standards.
What warranty comes with a Marine Innovations tram?
An exceptional warranty: 15 years on structural components, 3 years on non-structural components (gearbox, motor, brakes), and 1 year on electrical parts and drive & brake cables, backed by in-house factory support.
Will installation damage my hillside?
No. Our proprietary pin-pile foundation creates a small footprint with minimal environmental impact, allows system anchoring and vegetation growth, and keeps your hillside’s natural feel.
How much does a residential hillside tram cost?
Every tram is custom-quoted for your property. They’re often priced comparably to professionally installed stairs, but they last decades longer with far less upkeep — better value over time. Request a free, no-obligation quote, and we’ll give you a real number.
Free quote · No obligation
Ready to reclaim your hillside?
Tell us about your property, and we’ll design a system built exactly for your hill, engineered, US-made, and installed by people who treat your family like their own.
Family-owned & US-made since 1991
In-house engineering & manufacturing
Certified dealer network coast to coast
Free quote · No obligation · Family-owned & US-made since 1991