How to Choose the Right Size U-Haul Trailer Rental
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U-Haul trailer rentals are some of the most versatile and affordable rental equipment you can find. With a wide range of utility trailers, enclosed cargo trailers, tow dollies, and car carriers, you’ll find the best trailer for any job.
You may be wondering what size rental trailer you need, especially at the start of your search. To make the process easier, this complete guide will help you choose the right U-Haul rental trailer size that’s right for you.
Key Takeaways
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U-Haul Rental Trailer Sizes and Types
The first thing you’ll need to figure out is what type of trailer rental you’ll need for what you’re moving. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of rental trailers and what you can expect to be able to hold in each trailer based on size and cargo capacity.
Enclosed Cargo Trailer Sizes
Whether you’re moving locally, in-town, or making a cross-country move, towing an enclosed cargo trailer is one of the most affordable ways to move household goods like furniture, boxes, and other valuables. Enclosed trailer rentals offer protection from weather and damage on the road and come with lockable doors to ensure your belongings are safely protected.
Learn more about Enclosed Cargo Dimensions of U-Haul Rental Trailers.
Below are the sizes available and what each typically fits.
| Dimensions | Empty Weight | Max Load | Great For | Popular Uses |
| 4’ x 8’ Enclosed Cargo Trailer | 850 lbs. | 1,650 lbs. |
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Short or long-distance moves; like moving a child to college |
| 5’ x 8’ Enclosed Cargo Trailer | 900 lbs. | 1,800 lbs. |
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Office moves, trade show exhibits, anything with larger bulk items |
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6’ x 12’ Enclosed Cargo Trailer |
1,920 lbs. |
2,480 lbs. |
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Cross-country moves, motorcycle towing, business moving |
Utility Trailer Sizes
Utility trailer rentals offer more hauling flexibility due to their open design, which is perfect for large, bulky, and oddly-shaped items. Popular for hauling materials for DIY projects and home renovations, landscaping and gardening equipment, and anything else that just might not fit in a moving truck or enclosed trailer due to its size.
Below are the sizes available and what each typically fits.
| Dimensions | Empty Weight | Max Load | Great For | Popular Uses |
| 4’ x 7’ Utility Trailer |
630 lbs. |
1,770 lbs. |
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Self-deliveries, in-town moves |
| 5’ x 8’ Utility Trailer |
1,000 lbs. |
1,890 lbs. |
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Small business deliveries, local hauling, home improvement projects |
| 6’ x 12’ Utility Trailer |
1,730 lbs. |
2,670 lbs. |
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In-town deliveries, home improvement projects, trips to the local dump |
| 5’ x 9’ Utility Trailer w/ Ramp |
1,240 lbs. |
1,650 lbs. |
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Local and one-way moves, hauling a motorcycle, home improvement projects |
| 6’ x 12’ Utility Trailer w/ Ramp |
2,290 lbs. |
3,710 lbs. |
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Landscaping, vehicle hauling, large deliveries |
Vehicle Towing Equipment
With multiple towing devices to choose from, we have the perfect size trailer for towing disabled vehicles, show cars, golf carts, and even motorcycles. You can use U-Haul towing equipment for everything from hauling recreational vehicles on a day trip to towing your primary vehicle across the country to save on mileage.
Learn more about How to Tow Your Car.
Below are the sizes available and what each typically fits.
| Dimensions | Empty Weight | Max Load | Great For | Popular Uses |
| Tow Dolly |
740 lbs. |
3,450 lbs. FWD / 3,900 lbs. RWD |
Most FWD and many RWD vehicles |
Transporting vehicles in town or long distances |
| Auto Transport |
2,210 lbs. |
5,290 lbs. |
Larger FWD and RWD vehicles |
Transporting vehicles in town or long distances |
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3,155 lbs. |
6,845 lbs. |
SUVs, Trucks, Side by Sides, ATVs |
Towing full-size SUVs and side-by-sides for rock crawling |
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| Motorcycle Trailer |
870 lbs. |
1,530 lbs. |
Motorcycles |
Transporting a motorcycle |
How Much Weight Can A U-Haul Trailer Rental Hold?
To simply figure out the allowed cargo weight you can tow with a U-Haul rental trailer, get a free, instant, online quote on uhaul.com! Our system calculates the allowed cargo weight by taking your vehicle's curb weight rating, hitch rating, and the empty weight of every U-Haul trailer.
Now that you know what type of trailer suits your load, you can begin planning how you will load and use the trailer rental.
What Size U-Haul Rental Trailer Do I Need?
Once you’ve narrowed down which type of trailer will work best for your move and determined your vehicle’s towing capabilities, you should have a good idea of what size trailer you need to rent. Depending on the move you are making, there are a few more things you’ll want to consider before deciding on what size trailer to choose.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
If you're transporting heavy items, the weight of your cargo can significantly limit how much you can load. To avoid overloading the trailer, it's better to make multiple lighter trips than overload a large trailer.
When Size Matters More than Weight
On the other hand, if you're transporting a large lightweight object, the size could require a larger or open trailer rental to safely fit its full dimensions. Remember to consider both weight and dimensions when making your decision.
Trailering Tips
- Always load your trailer with 60% of the weight in the front half of the trailer closest to your car and 40% in the rear half.
- Don’t forget to secure your load to the trailer with tie-downs. This will prevent the load from shifting in transit.
- Prepare for your towing equipment rental by learning how to load an Auto Transport, Tow Dolly, or Motorcycle Trailer.
- While you can always use your own vehicle to tow a U-Haul trailer, consider adding your trailer onto a moving truck rental for larger moves.
Ready to get trailering? Get an instant online quote and reserve the U-Haul rental trailer that’s right for you!