When it comes to selling boat trailers, choosing the right manufacturer to stock your lot isn’t just about picking a brand—it’s about finding a partner that helps your dealership succeed. Let’s face it, any trailer can tow a boat, but the manufacturer you choose should also deliver reliability, service, and support to make your job easier.
If you’re considering offering a new trailer brand, or wondering if your current supplier is really the best fit, here are a few questions to consider:
1. Can I Rely on Their Inventory and Fulfillment?
Few things are more frustrating than telling a customer you don’t have what they need because your supplier is backordered or slow to deliver. Dealers need a trailer supplier that:
- Consistently delivers on time
- Keeps a steady inventory of in-demand models
- Makes ordering simple and hassle-free
Dealers often call Venture after experiencing delays with their current supplier, and when boating season is in full swing, the last thing you need is backorders.
“We started working with Venture because we were having problems getting quality galvanized trailers from other suppliers,” said Steve Brown of Creek Meadow Marine in Michigan. “Venture builds a very well constructed trailer at a very reasonable price. The entire staff is very friendly, easy to work with, and timely with responses.”
2. Do They Actually Pick Up the Phone When I Call?
You know the drill—you need to check on an order, resolve an issue, or get a quick spec confirmation, and your supplier is nowhere to be found. A great boat trailer supplier is one that:
- Responds quickly to dealer requests
- Has knowledgeable team members who can help on the spot
- Follows up and takes action, not just promises
“We’ve been working with Venture Trailers for four years, and their customer service is the best,” said Jason Windle of M&M Liquid Assets in Maine. “Tara is very responsive; she always picks up the phone when I call, or she calls me back right away. She is quick to respond to emails, finds the answers to my questions, and solves problems.”
3. Are They Helping Me Maximize My Margins?
Boat trailers are an essential but often overlooked profit center for dealers. If your supplier isn’t helping you increase margins and reduce costs, you’re missing out. A strong supplier will:
- Provide competitive, transparent pricing
- Offer tools to help you compare costs and improve profitability
- Make it easy to switch by doing the pricing analysis for you
Recently, one of our dealers assumed they were getting the best deal with their existing supplier, until we ran a pricing comparison and showed them how much they could be saving (it was in the thousands!). That dealer is now moving more of their trailer business to Venture.
And, long time partner Lakeside Marine in Georgia recently told us, “We have been working with Venture since 2018, and they are just so easy to work with. They are consistent and accurate with orders, the pricing is extremely reasonable, so we are able to sell the trailers at a fair price and still make money.”
4. Do They Make My Life Easier?
Trailers aren’t your only product, and you don’t have time for a complicated ordering process, endless product variations, or unexpected issues. A great supplier:
- Keeps product lines streamlined so dealers don’t get overwhelmed
- Handles details like warranty support, parts availability, and easy reordering
- Helps solve problems instead of creating them
“Venture is one of the very few businesses that have their processes completely ironed out,” said Lakeside Marine. “When it comes to a relationship between a dealer and a manufacturer, they are awesome.”
5. Are They Investing in the Future?
Today’s customers are doing research and finding trailers online, before they even step foot into a dealership. Is your supplier making it easy for them to find and learn about the products you sell? If not, they are losing business to brands that:
- Have modern websites that work as a customer resource
- Invest in digital tools to support both dealers and customers
- Help dealers improve their marketing efforts
At Venture, we recognize the importance of a strong digital presence, which is why we recently updated our new website with tools, product information, and resources to help customers shop and dealers close sales. More than a static catalog, we treat the digital experience as part of the value we bring to customers and dealers.
Is It Time to Consider a New Boat Trailer Supplier?
If your current supplier isn’t checking all five of these boxes, it might be time to explore your options. Venture Trailers makes switching easy, with seamless onboarding, competitive pricing, and a team that’s always ready to support you.
Want to see what it’s like to work with Venture? Let’s start a conversation.