ABTrailers designs and builds custom aluminum boat trailers in San Bernardino, California, and has for more than 25 years. Every trailer is made for one boat: the frame, axles, brakes and bunks are chosen for that hull's length, beam, deadrise and loaded weight. You buy factory direct, with no dealer markup.
Why aluminum, and why custom
A steel trailer that goes in salt water starts corroding the first time it's launched. Aluminum doesn't rust, weighs less, and holds up for years with a freshwater rinse. That's why we guarantee our custom aluminum trailers corrosion free and built to last at least three times as long as a painted or galvanized steel trailer.
Off-the-shelf trailers are sized by boat length, not by how your hull actually sits. A trailer built for your hull supports it where the builder intended, loads straight in wind and current, and tows without sway. That matters most on the boats we specialize in: heavy offshore center consoles, twin-hull catamarans, pontoons and working craft.
Sizes and ratings
We build single, tandem and triple axle trailers (quad on request), rated from about 3,500 lb to 21,000 lb and up. We set the rating at your boat's loaded weight plus a margin of at least 2,000 lb, then match the tires, coupler, jack and winch to it.
Boats we've built trailers for include Radon, Force, Grady-White, World Cat, SeaKing, Aquila, ACI, Ranger Tugs, Cutwater, Sea Ray, Jeanneau, Boston Whaler, Seaswirl, Amato, North River, Pacific Custom, Innovator, Silver Streak, Anderson Greenough and AliiKai, among many others.
What goes into every ABTrailers build
- Aluminum I-beam frame sized to the load, from 7.5 in to 10 in, so the frame never rusts.
- Galvanized torsion axles with removable, replaceable trailing arms, rated to the boat's loaded weight plus a safety margin.
- Marine disc brakes with aluminum calipers and stainless steel pistons, surge or electric over hydraulic, plus Synflex non-corrosive brake lines.
- Carpeted bunks (2x6 up to 4x10) set to your hull's deadrise, on aluminum uprights and cross members.
- Stainless steel fastener package and sealed LED lighting.
- 3-year standard warranty and our corrosion-free guarantee: a custom aluminum trailer is built to last at least three times as long as a painted or galvanized steel trailer.
How a remote custom build works
- Tell us about the boat. Year, make and model, length, beam, deadrise and loaded weight (fuel, engines and gear). Our online quote builder walks you through it.
- Send a few measurements. If you have a trailer now, a handful of measurements from it (bow eye to tires, coupler size, tongue length) tell us how the boat sits. No trailer? Your boat's specs are enough to start.
- We design the trailer to the hull. We choose the weight rating, frame, axles and brakes, and set the bunks to your hull's shape, then send a written quote.
- We build it in San Bernardino. Pick it up at our shop, or we arrange delivery and freight, including crating and ocean shipping to Hawaii and Guam.
Your boat never has to come to our shop.
Questions owners ask
How much does a custom aluminum boat trailer cost?
It depends on the boat's weight, the number of axles and the options you choose. Send your boat's details through our online quote builder and we'll reply with a written quote. Because we're the manufacturer, you pay no dealer markup or salesman commission.
Do I need to bring my boat to your shop?
No. We build from your boat's specs and a few measurements, so the boat never has to visit our shop.
Is an aluminum trailer worth it in fresh water?
Yes, for weight and long life, but the biggest payoff is in salt water, where steel trailers corrode quickly. Aluminum frames don't rust and need little maintenance.
What warranty do you offer?
Every trailer has a 3-year standard warranty, and custom aluminum trailers carry our corrosion-free guarantee.
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