U-Haul Trailer Sizes: Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Hauling Solution

U-Haul Trailer Sizes: Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Hauling Solution types.truckstrend.com

Moving, transporting goods, or tackling a large DIY project often involves the need to haul items too big for your personal vehicle. This is where U-Haul trailers come in, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution for a myriad of transportation needs. Understanding U-Haul trailer sizes is not merely about knowing dimensions; it’s about making an informed decision that ensures the safety of your belongings, the efficiency of your move, and compliance with towing regulations.

Choosing the correct U-Haul trailer size is paramount. An undersized trailer means multiple trips, increased fuel costs, and potential damage from overpacking. An oversized trailer, while offering more space, can be harder to maneuver, consume more fuel, and might exceed your towing vehicle’s capacity. This comprehensive guide will break down U-Haul’s diverse trailer offerings, helping you confidently select the perfect fit for your next venture.

U-Haul Trailer Sizes: Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Hauling Solution

Understanding U-Haul’s Trailer Offerings: Cargo vs. Utility

U-Haul primarily offers two distinct categories of trailers, each designed for specific purposes:

1. Cargo Trailers (Enclosed): These trailers are fully enclosed, providing protection from weather elements, road debris, and offering enhanced security for your belongings. They are ideal for household moves, transporting furniture, or any items that require a secure, covered environment.
2. Utility Trailers (Open): These are open-air trailers, essentially a flat deck with side rails, making them perfect for hauling oddly shaped items, landscaping materials, ATVs, or anything that doesn’t require protection from the elements. Their open design often includes a ramp for easy loading.

Let’s delve into the specifics of each type and their available sizes.

U-Haul Cargo Trailers: Enclosed Protection for Your Belongings

U-Haul’s enclosed cargo trailers come in four standard sizes, each suited for different volumes of goods. All cargo trailers feature a low loading deck and a sturdy ramp for easy loading and unloading.

1. 4×8 Cargo Trailer

• Interior Dimensions (approx.): 8′ L x 4′ W x 4′ H
• Cubic Feet: 144 cu. ft.
• Weight Capacity: Up to 1,600 lbs
• Ideal Use Cases:
  
  • Studio apartment or dorm room moves.
  • Transporting boxes, small furniture, or appliances.
  • Hauling gardening equipment, tools, or small project materials.
  • Excellent for local moves or supplementary storage.
• Key Features: Lightweight, easy to tow, equipped with a loading ramp.

2. 5×8 Cargo Trailer

• Interior Dimensions (approx.): 8′ L x 4’9" W x 5’4" H
• Cubic Feet: 208 cu. ft.
• Weight Capacity: Up to 1,800 lbs
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • 1-bedroom apartment or small home moves.
  • Transporting a queen-size bed, dressers, and multiple boxes.
  • College student moves or decluttering projects.
  • Often the smallest recommended size for moving furniture.
• Key Features: Slightly wider and taller than the 4×8, providing more versatile space for furniture, also includes a ramp.

3. 5×10 Cargo Trailer

• Interior Dimensions (approx.): 9’10" L x 4’9" W x 5’4" H
• Cubic Feet: 256 cu. ft.
• Weight Capacity: Up to 1,860 lbs
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • 1-2 bedroom apartment or small house moves.
  • Ideal for larger furniture pieces like sofas, dining tables, and multiple appliances.
  • Moving specialty items that need to be laid flat.
• Key Features: Adds significant length over the 5×8, allowing for more items or longer items, still features a low deck and loading ramp.

4. 6×12 Cargo Trailer

• Interior Dimensions (approx.): 12′ L x 6′ W x 5’5" H
• Cubic Feet: 396 cu. ft.
• Weight Capacity: Up to 2,480 lbs
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • 2-3 bedroom home moves.
  • Transporting large furniture sets, multiple appliances, and numerous boxes.
  • Suitable for cross-country moves of moderate size.
  • Can often fit a king-size bed and associated bedroom furniture.
• Key Features: The largest enclosed trailer, offering substantial volume and weight capacity, comes with a wide loading ramp. Some 6×12 trailers are tandem axle, providing better stability and weight distribution.

U-Haul Utility Trailers: Open-Air Versatility for Odd Jobs

U-Haul’s open utility trailers are designed for hauling items that are bulky, dirty, or don’t require enclosed protection. They are excellent for landscaping projects, construction debris, vehicle transport, or moving items that simply won’t fit inside an enclosed trailer. Most utility trailers feature a low loading height and a sturdy ramp.

1. 4×7 Utility Trailer

• Deck Dimensions (approx.): 7′ L x 4′ W
• Weight Capacity: Up to 1,770 lbs
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • Small landscaping projects (mulch, dirt, small plants).
  • Hauling lawnmowers, ATVs, or motorcycles (check dimensions).
  • Transporting furniture that can withstand open-air travel.
  • Great for quick trips to the dump or local errands.
• Key Features: Compact, easy to maneuver, features a ramp and tie-down points.

2. 5×8 Utility Trailer

• Deck Dimensions (approx.): 8′ L x 5′ W
• Weight Capacity: Up to 1,650 lbs (Note: Lower capacity than 4×7 due to single axle design, but check specific trailer)
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • Larger landscaping jobs (more bags of soil, bigger shrubs).
  • Transporting larger ATVs, dirt bikes, or golf carts.
  • Hauling building materials like lumber or drywall.
  • Small equipment transport.
• Key Features: Offers more deck space than the 4×7, comes with a ramp and multiple tie-down points for securing cargo.

3. 5×9 Utility Trailer with Ramp

• Deck Dimensions (approx.): 9’2" L x 5′ W
• Weight Capacity: Up to 1,670 lbs
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • Transporting motorcycles, snowmobiles, or small recreational vehicles.
  • Larger landscaping debris, brush, or firewood.
  • Hauling longer lumber or pipes that might not fit in a 5×8.
  • Ideal for home renovation waste.
• Key Features: An extended 5×8, perfect for slightly longer items, features a low deck and a full-width ramp for easy loading.

4. 6×12 Utility Trailer (Single or Tandem Axle)

• Deck Dimensions (approx.): 12′ L x 6′ W
• Weight Capacity: Up to 2,670 lbs (single axle) or 3,710 lbs (tandem axle)
• Ideal Use Cases:
  • Transporting large riding lawnmowers, ATVs, side-by-sides, or multiple motorcycles.
  • Hauling heavy construction materials, large furniture pieces, or major appliances.
  • Great for large yard clean-ups or moving large volumes of debris.
• Key Features: U-Haul’s largest utility trailer, often available with tandem axles for increased stability and weight capacity, includes a robust ramp and numerous tie-down points.

Choosing the Right U-Haul Trailer Size: A Practical Guide

Selecting the optimal trailer isn’t just about looking at the pictures; it requires careful consideration of several factors:

1. Assess Your Belongings:

   • Inventory: Make a detailed list of everything you plan to move.
   • Measure Large Items: Measure the length, width, and height of your largest furniture pieces, appliances, and any oddly shaped items. This is crucial for ensuring they will fit through the trailer door and lie flat if necessary.
   • Estimate Volume: For boxes and smaller items, visualize how many will stack. U-Haul’s website offers helpful calculators, but generally, a 4×8 is good for a studio, a 5×8 for a 1-bedroom, and a 6×12 for a 2-3 bedroom.
   • Consider Weight: Don’t just think about space. Estimate the total weight of your items. Heavy items like books, tools, or appliances can quickly add up.

2. Factor in Towing Vehicle Capability:

   • Towing Capacity: This is the absolute most critical factor. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will state its maximum towing capacity. Never exceed this. Remember, this capacity includes the weight of the trailer itself (empty weight) plus the weight of your cargo.
   • Hitch Class: Ensure your vehicle has a properly installed hitch that matches the trailer’s requirements (e.g., Class I, II, III). U-Haul trailers typically use a 1 7/8" or 2" ball, with larger trailers sometimes requiring a 2 5/16" ball.
   • Wiring: Your vehicle needs a working lighting connector (usually a 4-pin flat connector) to power the trailer’s brake lights, turn signals, and running lights.

3. Think About Destination Access:

   • Will you be navigating narrow streets, tight turns, or small driveways? A larger trailer, especially a 6×12, can be challenging to maneuver in confined spaces.

4. Budget Considerations:

   • Larger trailers generally cost more per day. However, doing multiple trips with a smaller trailer might end up costing more in fuel and time than a single trip with a slightly larger, more expensive trailer.

5. "When in Doubt, Go a Size Up":

   • It’s a common adage for a reason. Having a little extra space is far better than realizing you don’t have enough. You can always fill extra space with blankets or soft items, but you can’t magically create more room.

Important Considerations Before You Tow

• Hitch Ball Size: Confirm the correct hitch ball size for your chosen trailer. U-Haul provides a list of required ball sizes for each trailer type on their website.
• Lighting and Wiring: Ensure your vehicle’s electrical system is compatible and functioning correctly for the trailer lights. U-Haul can assist with wiring if needed.
• Tire Pressure: Before embarking on your journey, always check the tire pressure on both your towing vehicle and the trailer. Proper inflation is crucial for safety and fuel efficiency.
• Loading Principles:
  • Weight Distribution: Load heavier items first, positioning about 60% of the cargo weight in the front half of the trailer, closest to the hitch. This creates proper tongue weight (10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight) and prevents dangerous swaying.
  • Secure Your Cargo: Use tie-downs, ropes, or moving blankets to secure all items inside the trailer, preventing them from shifting during transit. Shifting cargo can destabilize the trailer and cause accidents.
• Driving with a Trailer:
  • Increased Braking Distance: Your stopping distance will be significantly longer.
  • Wider Turns: Account for the trailer’s path, especially when turning corners.
  • Reduced Speed Limits: Many states have lower speed limits for vehicles towing trailers.
  • Lane Changes: Allow extra room and signal well in advance.
  • Backing Up: This requires practice and patience. Make small steering adjustments.
• Insurance: Check with your auto insurance provider to confirm coverage for towing a rental trailer. U-Haul also offers optional Safemove® and Safetow® coverage plans.

U-Haul Trailer Sizes & Estimated Daily Rental Prices

Please note: Prices are estimates and can vary significantly based on location, availability, duration of rental, time of year, and whether it’s a one-way or in-town rental. Always check the U-Haul website or call a U-Haul location for exact, real-time pricing.

Trailer Type	Size	Interior/Deck Dimensions (L x W x H)	Cubic Feet (Cargo Only)	Weight Capacity (lbs)	Estimated Daily Price*
Cargo Trailer	4×8	8′ x 4′ x 4′	144	1,600	$14.95 – $29.95
Cargo Trailer	5×8	8′ x 4’9" x 5’4"	208	1,800	$19.95 – $34.95
Cargo Trailer	5×10	9’10" x 4’9" x 5’4"	256	1,860	$24.95 – $39.95
Cargo Trailer	6×12	12′ x 6′ x 5’5"	396	2,480	$29.95 – $49.95
Utility Trailer	4×7 (with ramp)	7′ x 4′ (deck)	N/A	1,770	$14.95 – $29.95
Utility Trailer	5×8 (with ramp)	8′ x 5′ (deck)	N/A	1,650	$19.95 – $34.95
Utility Trailer	5×9 (with ramp)	9’2" x 5′ (deck)	N/A	1,670	$24.95 – $39.95
Utility Trailer	6×12 (with ramp)	12′ x 6′ (deck)	N/A	2,670 – 3,710	$29.95 – $49.95

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I tow a U-Haul trailer with any car?
A: No. Your vehicle must have a sufficient towing capacity, a compatible hitch (Class I, II, or III), and proper wiring for trailer lights. Always check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for its specific towing capabilities.

Q: Do U-Haul trailers have brakes?
A: Most U-Haul trailers, especially the smaller ones, do not have their own braking systems. Their design is optimized to be towed by vehicles with adequate braking capacity. Larger, heavier trailers (like some 6×12 utility trailers or car haulers) might be equipped with surge brakes or require a separate brake controller in your vehicle.

Q: Do I need a special license to tow a U-Haul trailer?
A: In most U.S. states and Canadian provinces, you do not need a special driver’s license to tow a U-Haul trailer for personal use, provided the combined weight of your vehicle and the loaded trailer does not exceed certain limits (typically 26,000 lbs). Always check your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent authority for specific regulations.

Q: What’s the difference between a cargo and utility trailer?
A: Cargo trailers are enclosed, offering protection from weather and enhanced security for your belongings, ideal for household goods. Utility trailers are open, with a flat deck and side rails, perfect for bulky, dirty, or oddly shaped items that don’t require protection from the elements.

Q: Can I pick up a trailer in one city and drop it off in another?
A: Yes, U-Haul offers one-way rentals for trailers, allowing you to pick up at one location and drop off at another U-Haul center, which is ideal for long-distance moves. In-town rentals require you to return the trailer to the same location.

Q: Are ramps included with U-Haul trailers?
A: Yes, most U-Haul cargo trailers and utility trailers come equipped with sturdy loading ramps integrated into their design for easy loading and unloading of items.

Q: What hitch ball size do I need for a U-Haul trailer?
A: The most common hitch ball sizes for U-Haul trailers are 1 7/8 inches or 2 inches. Larger trailers, like some 6×12 utility trailers or car haulers, might require a 2 5/16 inch ball. U-Haul will specify the required ball size for the trailer you reserve.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of U-Haul trailer sizes doesn’t have to be daunting. By understanding the distinct offerings of cargo and utility trailers, carefully assessing your hauling needs, and paying close attention to your towing vehicle’s capabilities, you can confidently select the ideal trailer for your task. Remember that safety is paramount: proper loading, securing your cargo, and adjusting your driving habits are crucial for a successful and stress-free towing experience. With the right U-Haul trailer, your next move or project can be as efficient and seamless as possible.