If you’re already an experienced mover, then you probably know what a big fat hole moving costs can make in your pockets, right? And even if you are just planning a move for the first time, you’ll realize very soon how moving costs pile up faster than you may have imagined. That’s probably also the reason why DIY moves are popularly opted by people moving with a tight budget.
Renting a moving trailer or a truck is the most popular DIY way of budget moving. If you’re confident with your driving skills and can manage sufficient weight, then renting a moving trailer will probably be a cheap as well as convenient way of transporting your items. But getting the right sized trailer could be a tricky process for some.
And that’s exactly where we want to help you. With a quick understanding of the types of trailers as well as their capacity and utility, our article here will help you understand the size of moving trailers you would need for your move. Let’s get straight to what’s needed!
Types Of Moving Trailers
Firstly, know that there is a difference between renting a moving truck and a moving trailer. A moving truck is usually an enclosed carrier that you can drive on your own and is available in various sizes. A moving trailer on the other hand is a carrier that you may tow behind your truck or car. It is usually smaller than most moving trucks and is available in 3 broad categories namely Cargo Trailers, Utility Trailers and Auto Trailers. Let us have a closer look at each one of them and understand their main functionality.
Cargo Trailers
Out of the different types of trailers available, you will find a close resemblance between cargo trailers and mini rental trucks. The only major difference between the two is that a cargo trailer can be much smaller in size and can be easily towed to your vehicle. You will usually find companies offering enclosed cargo trailers in various sizes.
They are lightweight and aerodynamic and are typically designed for moving your household goods. Since these trailers are usually enclosed, you have the assurance that your belongings inside can be secured from debris or unforeseen weather conditions. Another advantage of a cargo trailer is that they can be locked during transit. So, you know that all your belongings would be kept safe inside the trailer at all times.
Utility Trailers
If you have a couple of bulky furniture pieces or your backyard tools that need to be moved, you will probably find utility trailers to be more helpful in this context. Specially designed for heavy, oversized items, utility trailers can be used to transport items that can survive the open air. Yes, unlike the cargo trailers, utility trailers are usually open air carriers that may be enclosed only on the sides. So, all your sturdy garden equipment that can survive the open air conditions, or the items that are difficult to load onto a truck, can safely be transported with a utility trailer. But because these are open air carriers, we suggest that you only use them for items that you know won’t be negatively impacted by the prevalent weather or terrain.
Auto Transportation Trailer
As is suggested by the name, an auto trailer is used for transporting your vehicles from one location to the other. At times when you’re moving with your belongings, but are not keen on driving your vehicle to your new location, you can easily rent an auto trailer that can be towed to your moving truck. These trailers are usually equipped with a loading ramp, through which you could safely load your vehicle onto the trailer and get it transported to your new location. Some trailer renting companies like U-Haul, may also provide security chains and tire straps with their auto trailer, to ensure that your vehicle is safe during the transit.
Also Read: 5 Best Trailer Hitch Installers
Understanding Moving Trailer Sizes
Now that you’ve got a fair idea about the different types of trailers available for your move, let us dig further into the sizes they are available in. Each of the 3 categories of trailers are usually available in a variety of sizes. While the dimensions that we’ll be mentioning about these trailers may vary a little depending on your trailer renting company, they are more or less the standard sizes provided by the leaders like U-Haul, in the industry.
Cargo Trailer Sizes
You may find 4 main sizes of cargo trailers offered by most trailer rental companies. Since all of them differ in the capacity that they can hold, you could choose the trailer that is most convenient for you, depending on the total load of your belongings.
4 x 8 ft.
- Maximum weight: 1,650 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 8’1” x 4’1” x 4’ (Length x Width x Height)
- Door opening dimensions: 3’1” x 3’5” (Width x Height)
- Best Utility For: Moving items of a dorm room or a single bedroom. Can be a great choice for college students who have limited items to move.
5 x 8 ft.
- Maximum weight: 1,800 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 8’ x 4’8” x 5’4” (Length x Width x Height)
- Door opening dimensions: 4’0” x 4’10” (Width x Height)
- Best Utility For: Moving items like small tables, twin beds and loveseats. If you’re moving a studio apartment with limited belongings, this size trailer could be a good choice.
5 x 10 ft.
- Maximum weight: 1,550 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 9’10” x 4’9” x 4’7” (Length x Width x Height)
- Door opening dimensions: 3’9” x 4’ (Width x Height)
- Best Utility For: Moving items of an apartment with 1 to 2 bedrooms. You can easily move items like your dining room furniture, a couch or even a queen sized bed, with this trailer.
6 x 12 ft.
- Maximum weight: 2,480 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 11’7” x 6’ x 5’5” (Length x Width x Height)
- Door opening dimensions: 5’0” x 4’10” (Width x Height)
- Best Utility For: The largest size available in cargo trailers, you can easily move items like your pianos, L-shaped couches and queen sized beds. This could be a good choice for people moving a 1 or 2 bedroom house.
Also Read: What To Expect When You Move With A U-Haul Trailer? | How To Move A Piano?
Utility Trailer Sizes
Some companies like U-Haul offer 5 different sizes of utility trailers. And some of these may even be equipped with a ramp to help load all your belongings easily.
4 x 7 ft.
- Maximum weight: 1,770 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 7’8” x 3’4” (Length x Width)
- Best Utility For: Moving single room items like your lawnmowers and garden tools. If you’re just looking to transport a few items for a short distance within the town, this sized trailer could be a good choice to consider.
5 x 8 ft.
- Maximum weight: 1,890 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 108” x 51.5” (Length x Width)
- Best Utility For: Ideal for moving a single room or heavy furniture pieces like twin beds and small couches. You can also use this trailer for your small local moves or home improvement projects.
5 x 9 ft. (With a ramp)
- Maximum weight: 1,650 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 9’2” x 4’9” (Length x Width)
- Ramp width: 4’9”
- Best Utility For: Since you may have a ramp provided with this trailer, it could be ideal for moving heavy appliances, large tools or bulky furniture pieces like queen sized beds. You can manage to move 1 or 2 rooms worth of belongings in this trailer.
6 x 12 ft.
- Maximum weight: 2,670 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 12’ x 6’2” (Length x Width)
- Best Utility For: Moving items from several rooms together. Can also be used to move large, heavy items that are difficult to position in an enclosed trailer.
6 x 12 ft. (With a ramp)
- Maximum weight: 2,110 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 12’ x 6’2” (Length x Width)
- Ramp width: 4’9”
- Best Utility For: This is probably one of most convenient utility trailers as the ramp provided with it, can easily facilitate the loading of all those randomly shaped pieces of furniture. You can also move your heavy items like golf carts and ATVs.
Auto or Motorcycle Trailer Sizes
Now, this category of trailers may be subjective to each rental company. To get a general idea, we’ve taken into consideration the 3 main types of auto trailers offered by U-Haul.
Tow Dolly
- Maximum weight: 3,450 lb. (FWD) and 3,900 lb. (RWD)
- Best For: Front wheel drive cars. Can even be towed behind your own personal vehicle.
Auto Transport (Car Carriers)
- Maximum weight: 5,290 lb.
- Best For: Transporting small cars and light vehicles.
Motorcycle
- Maximum weight: 1,600 lb.
- Interior dimensions: 7’8” x 3’9.5”
- Ramp width: 3’9”
- Best For: Both light and heavy weight motorcycles.
Like we’ve mentioned before, these are the standard sizes of moving trailers available in the market. However, we suggest that you confirm the dimensions and specifications from your trailer rental company as well.
What Size Moving Trailer Do You Need?
After you’ve got an understanding of the moving trailer sizes, let us now help you choose the right size moving trailer for your move. Before you make a decision based solely on the size of the trailer, we suggest that you take a look at the things that you may have to consider for finalizing on your choice.
Items You Need To Move: Not all trailers will be equipped to handle all the different belongings that you may want to move. For instance, if you’re moving delicate items or antique objects, you may not prefer moving them through a utility trailer as they are open carriers, which means all your items could be easily exposed to the weather and terrain. So, the trailer that you would need, may actually depend on the type of items that you’re planning to move.
Size Of Your Inventory: Along with the type, the size of your inventory is another factor that you need to take into account while deciding on your ideal trailer. That is because each trailer is designed to carry only a specific amount of weight, and if you have too many items to move or need to move a lot of heavy furniture pieces, you may have to choose a trailer sized accordingly.
Your Vehicle’s Holding Capacity: The vehicle to which you would be attaching your trailer, would be an important factor in determining the trailer type and size that you could choose. For this purpose, it is important that you know your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), as well as the Tongue Weight of your trailer. Some companies like U-Haul, even have specific vehicle requirements for renting a trailer. You would be better able to judge the ideal trailer size that you need, after you have assessed your vehicle’s (to which the trailer shall be attached) holding capacity as well.
Distance Of Your Move: If you’re moving a local distance in town, you can most likely make a few trips between the locations, with your trailer. In that case, you may even choose a moving trailer that best suits your budget. However, if you’re moving a longer distance, not all trailers could be used optimally for your belongings. For instance, a cargo trailer may be small for your apartment move, while a utility trailer, though bigger in size, may not be ideal since it’s an open carrier. So, we suggest that you also consider the option of renting a moving truck, if you’re moving your items for a long distance.
How Much Does A Moving Trailer Cost?
The total cost of renting a moving trailer is calculated after taking into consideration a number of factors. They could broadly be categorized as:
- The type and size of the trailer you are renting.
- Your location and the distance of your move.
- The time period you are renting the trailer for.
- Additional costs like those for gas mileage, environmental fees, tax and insurance.
To give you a price perspective, renting a moving trailer could cost between $14 – $75 per day. Keep in mind, that these are just the base prices for your trailer rental. For instance, companies like U-Haul, offer a moving trailer at a starting price of $14.95, as mentioned on their website. Also, some companies may provide you with the towing accessories for your trailer, while others may charge an additional fee for the same. You can clarify the costs and pricing of your preferred trailer, with the trailer rental company you choose to approach for your move.
Also See: Moving Companies That Offer Trailer Rentals | What Is A Linear Foot And Why Is it Important While Moving? | How To Calculate A Linear Foot
Frequently Asked Questions
What are standard trailer sizes?
The North American trailer industry is nothing if not standardized. The length of a semi-trailer (the distance it can travel without turning) ranges from 28 feet all the way up to 53′. It also comes with different wheelbase options, which affects how much load that particular type will carry at one time! One thing remains constant, though – no matter what size you choose, your vehicle needs clearance underneath.
What sizes do utility trailers come in?
The range of sizes for a utility trailer goes from 10 feet to 24-foot long, with an 82-inch wide deck. You can choose single, or tandem axle styles and have capacities ranging anywhere between 3500 pounds up 5200 lbs., all the way down at 7500lbs!
What are the sizes of flatbed trailers?
The sizes of flatbed trailers are 48 to 53 feet long with an 8.5-foot width and height, respectively!
What are the dimensions of a 40-foot trailer?
A 40-foot trailer is a great way to transport all your belongings, but it’s important that you know the dimensions. The exterior is 40′ long, 8 feet wide, and 8 1/2″ tall. Internally, it’s 39′-6” long with 7’9” width for carrying space at 7 ft 10”.
What is the maximum trailer width?
The maximum load width is 150mm, but if your load projects deeper than 1.2 meters behind the back of your trailer, then they’re going to need an extra red flag for safety purposes because you might hit something valuable when driving down the road.
How high off the ground is a flatbed trailer?
A flatbed trailer is five feet high, so the height of the freight can be as tall as 8 feet 6 inches. Step-deck trailers are three feet six inches high, so the height of your freight can’t be more than 10 feet.
How do you measure trailer size?
Measure your travel trailer starting at the ball mount and all the way to back bumper. The advertised length should be used for measurement, so don’t include anything in between, like tongue or rear end cap!
What is the average weight of a flatbed trailer?
The average weight of a flatbed trailer is about 7,400 pounds.
What are box trailers called?
Box trailers are known as dry vans or enclosed trucks. They come in different sizes to suit the needs of transporting almost anything, from tools and building materials to band equipment!
What is the most versatile trailer?
Some of the most versatile trailers on today’s market are flatbeds. They come in various sizes, ranging from just over a few thousand pounds all the way up to 30,000 pounds!
What is the difference between a utility trailer and a landscape trailer?
Utility trailers are used for transporting a variety of cargo, including tools and materials. Landscape trailers are explicitly designed for carrying plants and other landscaping items.
How tall are camper trailers?
Camper trailers come in all different heights, but the height of your travel trailer usually falls between 10 and 11 feet. For some models, it’s almost 12-foot high! If you want a shorter roof though, there are other options available.
Conclusion
Moving trailers are not as big as moving trucks but some of them are also big enough to easily move your items. Now that you have a general idea about the different trailer sizes and their utility, you can easily decide if a moving trailer would be an ideal choice for you, or you would rather prefer a moving truck to move all your belongings together.
Ideally, moving trailers could be an affordable option for assisting with your small, local moves. But if you’re moving long distance, you may probably want to consider hiring a moving truck that can hoard all your belongings at one go. Either way, if you’re shopping around for some good truck and trailer rental companies, do check out our suggestions for the Best Truck Rental Companies.
