About
About Built-Rite Trailers
At Built-Rite Trailers, we believe your time on the water starts long before you launch. For more than two decades, we’ve been dedicated to building premium marine-grade aluminum boat trailers engineered for reliability, durability, and peace of mind. Whether you're hauling a family pontoon, a performance catamaran, or a fleet of PWCs, our trailers are built to handle every mile with confidence.
Our Story
Built-Rite Trailers was founded with a clear mission: build high-quality boat trailers the right way—every time. What began as a small, craftsmanship-driven shop has evolved into a trusted builder of premium custom marine trailers. As our capabilities have grown, our commitment to precision engineering, durability, and dependable performance has stayed at the core of everything we do.
Our roots go back to 2012, beginning with boat sales and quickly expanding into custom trailer modifications to meet the growing needs of our customers. In 2020, Mike—an engineer dedicated to building stronger, longer-lasting trailers—officially launched Built-Rite Trailers. Since then, we’ve produced around 400 custom boat trailers, each designed with meticulous attention to detail, marine-grade materials, and proven structural integrity.
Today, Built-Rite Trailers is known for delivering reliable, American-made trailers built to handle real-world use on the water and on the road. Whether it’s a catamaran trailer, pontoon/tritoon trailer, PWC trailer, or a fully custom aluminum boat trailer, we focus on one thing: building it right from the start.
Why Built-Rite Trailers
At Built-Rite, every trailer starts with your boat—its size, its weight, and its purpose. We design and engineer a trailer that provides the ideal fit and support so your investment stays protected on the road and at the ramp.
1. Double Bend Tongue
A double-bend frame extends the trailer length, improving weight distribution, ground clearance, and durability over the old-school single bend. The added length means you don’t have to back in as far on ramps, keeping your vehicle dry while making loading and unloading easier.
2. Drilled and Fastened
Instead of welding, we drill and fasten all components with stainless steel fasteners, ensuring superior durability, flexibility, and ease of maintenance.
3. V-shaped Crossmembers & Torsion Axles
Our torsion axles and crossmembers enhance stability and strength, ensuring smoother towing and better load distribution. We use torsion axles and bent crossmembers to carry the boat at a lower center of gravity, providing a more stable ride—unlike competitors who simply raise the bunks, making the boat sit higher.
6061-T6 Marine Grade Aluminum
Crafted from marine-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, our trailers offer exceptional corrosion resistance and lightweight durability, ideal for withstanding harsh marine environments.
Owner and Operator
Mike Carlton
Expert Boater and Dedicated Trailer Craftsman:
Mike Carlton, the owner and operator of Built-Rite, has been passionate about boating since he was 17 years old. With a 100-ton Coast Guard Master's License and decades of experience on the water, Mike brings unparalleled expertise and dedication to every trailer he builds. Under his leadership, Built-Rite has become known for its custom aluminum boat trailers that perfectly fit each boat, ensuring safety and reliability on every journey. When you choose Built-Rite, you’re not just getting a trailer; you’re working directly with an expert who understands the unique needs of boaters.
*Mike wouldn't let us take a picture of him so here's one of Mac instead.
Why NOT to Use Welds
Weld failures occur when a welded joint breaks or becomes unusable due to various defects or issues in the welding process. These defects can be internal or external, and they weaken the weld, making it more prone to failure under stress or loading.
Instead of welding, we drill and fasten all components with stainless steel fasteners, ensuring superior durability, flexibility, and ease of maintenance.
