What Size Trailer Is Right for My Move? (2024)
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Renting or buying a trailer keeps costs low during a do-it-yourself (DIY) move or when moving cross country on a budget. The trailer type and size matter because the wrong trailer could detach during transport, not fit your belongings, or be too heavy to pull during your move. Keep reading to learn what size trailer is appropriate for towing your load and attaching to your vehicle.
How Much Weight Can My Vehicle Carry?
Understanding how much weight your vehicle can pull will help determine which size trailer to choose. You could damage your car or truck if it pulls more weight than it can handle, so learning your vehicle’s towing capacity is necessary. How much weight your vehicle can pull is usually more than its payload capacity, which is the combined weight of everything inside the vehicle.
Your car or truck’s user manual lists its towing capacity, but you can calculate this measurement yourself. Determine your vehicle’s curb weight, which is its weight without people or cargo inside. You can find this poundage in your owner’s manual or on the vehicle identification number (VIN) sticker on the driver’s side door. You’ll also need to know the truck’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which is the gross vehicle weight rating added to the gross trailer weight. You can find these weight ratings on your VIN sticker.
Subtract the vehicle’s curb weight from its GCWR to get the towing capacity. For example, if your truck has a GCWR of 20,000 pounds and its curb weight is 5,000 pounds, subtract 5,000 from 20,000 to get your towing capacity, which would be 15,000 pounds.
These numbers reflect the towing capacity when the vehicle and trailer are empty, so account for the passenger and cargo weight for a more comprehensive capacity. Using the weight examples above, if your vehicle has a curb weight of 5,000 pounds and you have 1,000 pounds inside the truck, you would have a total curb weight of 6,000 pounds, meaning your towing capacity would drop to 14,000 pounds.
What Type of Moving Trailer Do I Need?
You can determine the type of moving trailer you need by narrowing down your choices by weight, size, and type. Your vehicle’s towing capacity will determine the type of trailer you need, but another factor to consider when choosing your trailer is your load size. The more items you have to move, or the heavier your cargo, the bigger trailer you’ll need.
Most trailers fall under three categories: cargo, utility, or vehicle. Cargo trailers are completely enclosed and provide your vehicle with a layer of protection. These trailers are ideal for items that can’t be exposed to the elements and can house goods you can’t leave unattended.
Utility trailers have an open top, which allows you to tow large or bulky items. You can secure your cargo with tie-downs and tarps if you’re worried about the safety and security of your items. You can tow personal cars or motorcycles with a vehicle trailer, but some rental companies will allow you to rent a vehicle trailer only if you rent their trucks.
Types of Trailers
Some trailers may be better options for your move than others. Below is a list of trailer types and how much they can carry.
A car hauler is a vehicle trailer that tows your car on a flatbed trailer. This type of utility trailer is used for long-distance moves and can pull a maximum load of 5,290 pounds. They come with a ramp to drive the car onto and tire straps and security chains to lock the vehicle in place.
Choose a cargo or enclosed trailer to carry small- to medium-sized furniture, boxes, and mattresses. Here are some common cargo trailer sizes and what they can pull:
- 4’ x 8’ cargo trailer: This size trailer can carry a maximum load of 1,650 pounds and fit items from a bedroom or small living room.
- 5’ x 8’ cargo trailer: This enclosed trailer can carry a maximum load of 1,800 pounds and fit items from a two-bedroom apartment.
- 6’ x 12’ cargo trailer: A 6’ x 12’ trailer is a standard-sized trailer that can carry up to 2,480 pounds. It generally fits the items you’d find in a multi-room, single-family home.
A dump trailer has an open box bed and can lift the trailer’s front end, making it ideal for dumping materials. This type of open utility trailer can haul large and heavy items, such as your couch or dining room set, and is available in sizes up to 30 feet in length. Fourteen-foot dump trailers are the most common size used for moves.
An equipment trailer is another utility trailer with an open top and flat bed ideal for carrying oblong or heavy items.
A gooseneck trailer is a large utility trailer with an open top and sides that can pull up to 30,000 pounds. You’ll need a pickup truck to tow this type of trailer, and you’ll have to install it over the rear axle into the truck bed. Gooseneck trailers are best for towing heavy-duty equipment or large items, such as a race car or tiny home.
A motorcycle trailer can carry a motorcycle and its associated gear and has a weight capacity of 950 pounds. You could use a 5’ x 9’ utility trailer equipped with a ramp for your long-distance move instead of a motorcycle trailer, but a dedicated motorcycle trailer comes with tire straps and a built-in chock to secure the vehicle during transport.
A tow dolly is a vehicle trailer popular among DIY movers because it’s more affordable and versatile than other trailers. They carry a maximum load of 3,450 pounds when towing a front-wheel vehicle and 3,900 pounds when pulling a rear-wheel vehicle. Tow dollies typically come with tire straps and security chains to keep your vehicle secure during transport.
A utility trailer is an open-bed trailer that you can use to move various items, from sectional couches to landscaping equipment. Here are some common utility trailer sizes and what they can fit:
- 4’ x 7’ utility trailer: This trailer can carry a maximum load of 1,770 pounds and fits singular items, such as a lawn mower or an ATV.
- 5’ x 8’ utility trailer: A 5’ x 8’ trailer can carry 1,890 pounds and fits larger items, such as mattresses or golf carts.
- 5’ x 9’ utility trailer: This trailer carries up to 1,650 pounds and may come with a loading ramp. You can fit belongings from up to two rooms on this size trailer.
- 6’ x 12’ utility trailer: This trailer can haul up to 2,670 pounds and fits items from a few rooms. This trailer may also come with a ramp, which can change its maximum load to 3,710 pounds.
How To Choose the Right Size Trailer
Using the wrong size trailer can cause you to lose control of your vehicle during transport or damage your car or truck. You can decide which trailer to rent or buy after determining how much you need to move and your vehicle’s towing capacity. Remember to consider how much weight you’ll add to the trailer before choosing which size trailer you need.
You can choose a hitch class after you determine the correct trailer size. The most common hitch is the receiver, which is divided into five classes. Your class is based on the vehicle you drive and the trailer type you need hitched to your car or truck. You can install the hitch by yourself, or you can have someone do it for you if you can afford the trailer hitch installation cost.
Our Conclusion
We recommend renting a trailer to hitch to your vehicle if you have smaller loads to transport. You can use the calculation above to determine how much your car or truck can pull, but we also advise consulting the company from which you plan to rent or purchase your trailer for more guidance.
Moving can be expensive, so you may be tempted to rent a trailer, but it isn’t always the least expensive option. You may find the rental cost of a moving truck will save you more money, so it’s worth considering if you can’t fit everything into a cargo or utility trailer. You can also hire a moving company if your vehicle’s towing capacity won’t pull the right size trailer for your move. Compare moving companies for a small move if you don’t have much but can’t tow all your belongings in a trailer.
FAQ About Trailer Sizes
How do I determine the right hitch system?
You can determine the right hitch system by checking the hitch, hitch ball, and ball mount ratings. Your hitch’s label lists its maximum tow weight rating, and the hitch ball’s rating is on the ball’s top or the shank base. You can find the ball mount’s rating listed on the mounting plate or the receiver shaft.
Can a king-size mattress fit in a 6’ x 12’ trailer?
Yes, a king-size mattress can fit in a 6’ x 12’ trailer. A 6’ x 12’ trailer carries about 2,600 pounds and can fit approximately 400 cubic feet.
What is the most common-size utility trailer?
The most common-size utility trailer is 6’ x 12’. Another common size is the 7’ x 16’ trailer.
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