Ultimate Guide To U-Haul Trailer Types: Sizes, Specs, And How To Choose The Right One

Renting a trailer is one of the most cost-effective and versatile ways to tackle a DIY move, transport recreational vehicles, or haul heavy cargo. U-Haul has established itself as the industry leader in consumer towing solutions, offering an extensive fleet of trailers designed to attach to personal vehicles. Unlike renting a massive box truck, towing a trailer allows you to use your own vehicle, saving on fuel costs and providing greater maneuverability once you reach your destination.

Understanding the differences between the various U-Haul trailer types is essential for a safe, efficient, and damage-free towing experience. U-Haul categorizes its fleet into three primary types: enclosed cargo trailers, open utility trailers, and specialized vehicle transports. Each category serves distinct hauling needs, has specific weight capacities, and requires different towing hookups.

Before reserving a rental, you must evaluate your tow vehicle's hitch capacity, the total weight of your cargo, and the driving conditions you will encounter. Selecting the wrong trailer can lead to overloaded suspension systems, compromised braking ability, or hazardous highway trailer sway. This comprehensive guide breaks down every U-Haul trailer model to ensure you make an informed decision for your next project or move.

Enclosed Cargo Trailers: Secure and Weatherproof Options

Enclosed cargo trailers are the gold standard for residential moves and transporting valuable, weather-sensitive items. These trailers feature a fully lockable, rigid aluminum structure that protects your belongings from rain, wind, road debris, and opportunistic theft during overnight stops. U-Haul offers three primary sizes in this category, engineered with a low-profile aerodynamic design to minimize wind resistance and improve fuel economy.

4' x 8' Cargo Trailer

The 4' x 8' cargo trailer is the most compact enclosed option, making it a favorite for college students moving into dorm rooms, cross-country road trippers needing extra luggage space, or individuals transporting small furniture items. With a maximum load capacity of up to 1,600 pounds and 142 cubic feet of storage, this trailer can easily be towed by most compact SUVs, crossovers, and mid-sized sedans equipped with a Class I or Class II hitch.

5' x 8' Cargo Trailer

Step up to the 5' x 8' cargo trailer, and you gain significantly more vertical clearance and width. This model is widely considered the most popular rental for small apartment moves, as it can comfortably accommodate a queen-sized mattress, several large moving boxes, and moderate-sized furniture. It features a low deck height for easy loading and unloading, making it highly accessible for solo movers.

6' x 12' Cargo Trailer

The 6' x 12' cargo trailer is the heavyweight champion of the enclosed fleet. Offering a massive 396 cubic feet of storage capacity and able to haul up to 2,480 pounds, this trailer is designed for multi-room household moves or transporting commercial equipment. Because of its size and weight, it requires a larger tow vehicle—such as a half-ton pickup truck or full-sized SUV—and comes equipped with an automatic hydraulic surge brake system to assist your vehicle in stopping safely.

Open Utility Trailers: Versatile Solutions for Large Cargo

If you are hauling awkwardly shaped items, landscaping materials, construction supplies, or recreational vehicles, an open utility trailer is the ideal choice. These trailers lack a roof, allowing for virtually unlimited vertical clearance and easy loading from the top or sides. They are constructed with heavy-duty galvanized steel frames and durable wood or metal decks designed to withstand rugged use.

4' x 7' Utility Trailer

The 4' x 7' utility trailer is a lightweight, highly maneuverable option perfect for quick hauling tasks. Homeowners frequently use this size for transporting lawnmowers, picking up soil or mulch from home improvement stores, or moving single appliances like washing machines and refrigerators. Its compact footprint makes it incredibly easy to park and navigate through tight suburban streets.

5' x 9' Utility Trailer with Ramp

For those needing to load wheeled machinery or heavy items, the 5' x 9' utility trailer is equipped with a heavy-duty, fold-down spring-assisted ramp. This integrated ramp eliminates the need for dangerous makeshift ramps when loading ATVs, dirt bikes, or commercial lawnmowers. Additionally, this model features a heavy-duty tie-down loop system to secure your cargo tightly against the steel side rails.

6' x 12' Utility Trailer

The 6' x 12' utility trailer is available with or without a loading ramp, depending on your local U-Haul center's inventory. It offers a broad platform for hauling large quantities of construction materials, logs, or multiple off-road vehicles. With a loading capacity of over 2,600 pounds, this trailer is a favorite among professional contractors and DIY landscaping enthusiasts alike.

Vehicle Transport Trailers: Tow Dollies and Auto Transporters

When you need to transport a car, truck, or SUV behind a moving truck or personal vehicle, U-Haul provides two highly engineered vehicle towing systems. Choosing between a Tow Dolly and an Auto Transporter depends entirely on the drivetrain of the vehicle you intend to tow and your budget.

U-Haul Tow Dolly

A tow dolly is an economical option designed for front-wheel-drive vehicles. It functions by lifting only the two front wheels of the towed vehicle off the ground, while the rear wheels remain on the pavement. Tow dollies are lightweight, easy to hook up, and do not require heavy-duty tow vehicles. However, they cannot be used to tow all-wheel-drive (AWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles unless the driveshaft is disconnected, as doing so can cause catastrophic transmission damage.

U-Haul Auto Transporter

The auto transporter is a heavy-duty, dual-axle trailer that carries the entire towed vehicle off the ground. This is the safest, most secure option for long-distance transport, classic cars, all-wheel-drive vehicles, and heavier trucks or SUVs. It features built-in loading ramps, a tire-strap securement system, and automatic surge brakes. Because the towed vehicle is completely elevated, there is zero wear and tear on its tires, transmission, or suspension during the journey.

Comparison of Popular U-Haul Trailer Types

How to Safely Choose and Tow Your U-Haul Trailer

Towing a trailer alters how your vehicle accelerates, handles, and brakes. To ensure a safe trip, you must follow a systematic preparation and loading process.

1. Verify Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity: Consult your vehicle owner's manual to find its maximum towing limit. Never exceed this rating, keeping in mind that the total weight includes both the empty trailer weight and the weight of your cargo.
2. Inspect Your Hitch System: Ensure your vehicle is equipped with an appropriate hitch receiver class. U-Haul trailers require either a 1-7/8" or 2" hitch ball, rated to handle the gross weight of the loaded trailer. Your hitch ball must sit at an appropriate height so the trailer rides level while towing.
3. Connect and Test the Electrics: Plug the trailer's lighting connector into your vehicle's receptacle (typically a 4-way flat plug). Double-check that the running lights, turn signals, and brake lights are functioning perfectly before leaving the rental lot.
4. Load Cargo Correctly (60/40 Rule): This is the most crucial step for highway safety. Always load 60% of the cargo weight in the front half of the trailer (closer to your tow vehicle) and 40% in the rear. An improperly balanced trailer with too much rear weight will experience dangerous high-speed swaying, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control.
5. Adjust Your Driving Habits: Reduce your maximum driving speed to 55 mph, as recommended by U-Haul. Double your following distance behind other vehicles, scan the road ahead for obstacles, and allow for wider turns at intersections to prevent the trailer wheels from clipping curbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do U-Haul trailers require my vehicle to have a brake controller?

No. U-Haul’s larger trailers (such as the 6' x 12' models and the Auto Transporter) utilize an independent, hydraulic surge brake system. This system automatically applies the trailer's brakes when your tow vehicle slows down, using the momentum of the trailer pushing against the hitch ball. Therefore, no electronic brake controller connection is required in your tow vehicle.

What size hitch ball is required for U-Haul trailers?

U-Haul rental trailers are engineered to attach to either a 1-7/8" or a 2" hitch ball. The coupling mechanism on the trailer is adjustable to fit either size securely. You must ensure that your hitch ball and ball mount are rated for the weight capacity of the trailer you are renting.

Can I tow a U-Haul trailer with a soft-top Jeep Wrangler?

U-Haul has strict safety guidelines regarding tow vehicles. Generally, U-Haul does not permit trailer rentals to be towed by vehicles equipped with soft-top roofs, canvas tops, or aftermarket convertible configurations due to safety and liability concerns. Hard-top Jeeps and SUVs are perfectly acceptable, provided they meet the weight requirement guidelines.

Is trailer insurance necessary when renting from U-Haul?

While your personal auto insurance policy may cover liability while towing, it rarely covers damage to the rental trailer itself or the cargo inside. U-Haul offers Safetow protection plans, which provide physical damage coverage for the trailer, cargo protection, and medical/life coverage. Investing in this optional coverage is highly recommended for peace of mind during long-distance transits.

Can I rent a trailer for a one-way trip?

Yes, U-Haul is one of the few rental companies that fully supports one-way trailer rentals. You can pick up the trailer at a location near your starting point and return it to any authorized U-Haul dealer near your final destination.

Plan Your Move with Confidence

Selecting the right trailer type is the foundation of a successful, stress-free move or hauling project. Whether you need the weatherproof security of an enclosed cargo trailer, the versatile accessibility of an open utility trailer, or a heavy-duty auto transporter, aligning your cargo requirements with your vehicle's towing capacities is the key to highway safety.

Inspect your vehicle’s hitch receiver, calculate your cargo weight, and reserve your ideal U-Haul trailer today to ensure your next haul is safe, smooth, and highly efficient.