Car Trailer Rental: Types, Costs and a Safe Towing Checklist

Yes, you can rent a trailer to haul a car, and the right choice comes down to three things: what your tow vehicle is rated to pull, what the car you are hauling weighs, and how many days you need it. Get those numbers first, then compare trailers by type, price and rental terms. On Life4Rent you can search rentals by item, location and dates, so you can see what is available near you before you commit to a pickup point.

This guide walks through the types of car trailers, what they cost, how to check that your truck, hitch and trailer match, and how to load and tow without surprises. It also covers what changes when you rent a trailer for a move instead of hauling a car.

TL;DR

• A car trailer is either a tow dolly (lifts two wheels) or a full auto transport or car hauler trailer (carries all four wheels). All-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive cars usually need the full trailer.
• Before booking, find your tow vehicle’s maximum towing rating, the hitch rating and the empty weight of the trailer. The loaded trailer must stay under every one of those limits.
• Car haulers and dollies commonly run about $50 to $120 per day, and many owners ask for a refundable deposit.
• Tongue weight, the downward push on the hitch, should be 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer’s weight.
• Do a full walk-around before you leave: tires, lights, brakes, coupler, safety chains, straps and load position.

Table of Contents

• Types of car trailers you can rent
• Will your vehicle handle it? Check these numbers first
• Questions to ask before you book
• What does it cost to rent a car trailer?
• How to rent a car trailer step by step
• Load, secure and tow safely
• Renting a trailer for a move
• Our perspective
• Find a trailer near you on Life4Rent
• FAQ
• Sources

Types of car trailers you can rent

When people search for a car trailer rental, they usually mean one of three things. Knowing the difference saves you from a pickup-lot surprise.

Tow dolly

A tow dolly is a small two-wheel trailer. The front wheels of the car sit on the dolly and the rear wheels roll on the road. It is light, usually the lowest-priced option, and easy to store. It suits front-wheel-drive cars. Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars usually need the drivetrain adjusted or a full trailer instead, because their rolling wheels turn parts of the drivetrain.

Auto transport trailer

An auto transport trailer is a four-wheel trailer that carries the whole car off the pavement. Nothing on the car rolls, so there is no added mileage on its tires or drivetrain. It handles front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive cars, which is why it is the common pick for long-distance moves and for non-running vehicles. It is heavier and wider than a dolly, so your tow vehicle needs to be able to handle it.

Open car hauler, flatbed or tilt-bed trailer

These are the flatbed-style trailers you see at equipment yards and from private owners. They come in single-axle and tandem-axle versions, often with ramps, a winch point or a tilting deck. They are common for project cars, race cars and anything that needs more deck length or a higher weight rating than a basic auto transport trailer. Enclosed car haulers add walls and a roof, which protects the car from weather and road debris.

Will your vehicle handle it? Check these numbers first

This is the step where most trailer rentals go wrong. The trailer has to be matched to your tow vehicle, not the other way around. Pull out your owner’s manual and write down four numbers.

1. Maximum towing capacity of your tow vehicle.
2. Gross combined weight rating, the most that your vehicle, trailer and everything in both can weigh together. Nissan’s 2026 towing guide tells owners not to exceed this figure and to keep the manual handy to verify capacity.
3. Hitch rating and the rating of the ball and drawbar.
4. Curb weight of the car you are hauling, found on the door-jamb sticker or in its manual.

Then add up the load. Trailer empty weight plus the car plus anything inside the car must stay under your vehicle’s towing rating and under the hitch rating. The EPA’s trailer, truck and hitch compatibility worksheet puts it plainly: gross trailer weight must be below the vehicle’s maximum towing rating, the hitch capacity and the tow ball rating. If any answer comes back “no,” redistribute the load or choose different equipment before you leave.

A worked example

Suppose your pickup is rated to tow 7,000 pounds. The trailer you are considering weighs 2,200 pounds empty, and the car you want to haul weighs 3,300 pounds.

• Loaded trailer: 2,200 + 3,300 = 5,500 pounds.
• Compare: 5,500 is under 7,000, so the towing rating is fine. Now check the hitch and ball ratings the same way. If either is lower than 5,500, the setup does not work, whatever the truck is rated for.
• Tongue weight at 10 to 15 percent of 5,500 is 550 to 825 pounds. That has to be within what your hitch and drawbar can take.

That 10 to 15 percent range comes from the same EPA worksheet. Too little tongue weight and the trailer can sway; too much and it overloads the rear of your vehicle.

Hitch type

The Oregon Department of Transportation’s towing guide describes three common hitch types: weight-carrying, weight-distributing (also called a load equalizer) and fifth-wheel or gooseneck. It advises following both the tow vehicle and trailer manufacturers’ recommendations when choosing one. For car trailers, most renters use a bumper or receiver hitch with a ball of the size the trailer calls for, so confirm the coupler size before pickup.

Measure the car

Also measure the width across the outside of the tires, the wheelbase and the ground clearance. Low front spoilers and splitters can scrape on ramps, and a car that is wider than the trailer’s deck or fenders will not load safely.

Questions to ask before you book

Nissan’s guide suggests asking the owner or rental company a few specific questions before renting. Put them to anyone you rent from:

• What is the trailer’s empty weight?
• What is its payload, the most it can carry?
• What is the tongue load?
• What kind of brakes does it have, and does it need a brake controller in your vehicle?

Add your own practical questions:

• Are ramps, tie-down straps, wheel chocks and a spare tire included?
• What is the lug-nut size and tire condition?
• What wiring connector does it use, and does your vehicle match it?
• What are the pickup and return times, and what happens if you are late?
• What is the deposit, and when is it released?
• Is the trailer covered by any protection, and what does your own auto insurance say about towing?

Call your auto insurer before the rental. Policies differ on whether they cover a towed trailer and what is on it, and the answer is specific to your policy.

What does it cost to rent a car trailer?

Prices vary by region, season and trailer size. One recent trailer rental guide puts car dollies and car haulers at roughly $50 to $120 per day, basic utility trailers at about $20 to $60 and enclosed cargo trailers at about $30 to $80, with heavy-duty flatbeds above that. Treat that as a range to budget against, then use real listings in your area for the actual figure.

What to include when you add up the cost:

• Daily or weekly rate. Weekly and monthly rates are often discounted, so a long project can cost less per day.
• Deposit. Many renters of heavier equipment ask for a refundable deposit, often in the low hundreds of dollars for smaller trailers.
• Mileage or one-way fees. Some rentals charge by the mile or add a drop-off fee if you return the trailer somewhere else.
• Protection or damage waiver. Optional, but worth pricing in.
• Fuel. A loaded car trailer cuts your mileage noticeably, so budget extra at the pump.
• Extras. Straps, a brake controller or a winch, if they are not included.

A car hauled 300 miles on a $90-per-day trailer over two days costs $180 in rental before fuel and deposit. Compare that with the cost of driving the car yourself, plus a second driver and the wear on the car. Many people find hauling is cheaper once the second driver is counted in.

How to rent a car trailer step by step

1. Confirm your tow rating and hitch. Use the numbers from the section above. If your vehicle cannot safely pull the loaded trailer, you need a different tow vehicle, not a different trailer.
2. Pick the trailer type. Front-wheel-drive car on a short trip: a dolly may do. All-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, non-running or long-distance: choose the full trailer.
3. Search by location and dates. On Life4Rent you can browse the public listing catalog by item, location and dates, and the How to Rent on Life4Rent page explains the booking flow. Availability depends on where you are and the dates you select.
4. Read the listing carefully. Look at weight, deck size, ramps, brakes, hitch size and pickup rules. Message the owner with any question from the checklist above.
5. Book with secure payment. Pay through the platform so the booking, deposit and any optional protection sit in one record. Life4Rent also lists trust and security features that apply to renters and owners.
6. Inspect at pickup. Walk around the trailer with the owner and photograph the tires, deck, lights and any existing damage.
7. Return on time and clean. Return the trailer in the condition you took it, with all straps and ramps.

Load, secure and tow safely

Towing puts extra stress on your vehicle. Both the Oregon DOT guide and the NHTSA towing safety brochure stress pre-trip checks of oil, coolant, tire pressure and lug-nut torque on both the tow vehicle and the trailer. Do these before the day of the trip, not at the pickup lot.

Pre-drive checklist

The NHTSA brochure lists items to check every time. Use them as your routine:

• Tire pressures and lug nuts on the vehicle and the trailer.
• Hitch, coupler and drawbar are secure, and safety chains are attached.
• Wiring is connected and all lights work, including brake lights and turn signals.
• Both the vehicle’s and the trailer’s brakes work.
• The trailer jack is raised and locked.
• Mirrors are adjusted so you can see along both sides of the trailer.
• Wheel chocks and jack stands are on board.
• You know about any bridge or tunnel restrictions on your route.

The Oregon guide notes that safety chains are required in that state. Rules differ by state, so check the transportation department or DMV in each state you plan to drive through.

Loading the car

• Park the trailer on level ground, hitched, with the trailer brakes and chocks set.
• Drive the car up the ramps slowly and straight, with a spotter if you have one.
• Keep the car’s weight forward on the trailer, so tongue weight lands in that 10 to 15 percent range.
• Set the parking brake, put the car in park or first gear, and secure it with straps at all four wheels or at the points the trailer provides.
• Check the load again after the first few miles, because straps can settle.
• Keep loose items out of the hauled car, since they add weight and can shift.

On the road

• Leave far more following distance. A trailer adds weight and lengthens stopping distances. New Zealand’s transport agency explains the reason: the more the trailer weighs compared with the tow vehicle, the longer the combination takes to stop. That is a New Zealand guide, but the physics applies everywhere.
• Take wide turns, brake early and avoid sudden steering.
• Slow down on downhill grades and in crosswinds.
• Practice backing up in an empty lot before you need to do it in a tight spot.

Renting a trailer for a move

If you are moving rather than hauling a car, the question changes from “what carries the car” to “what carries my household.” You have a few options, and you can mix them.

• Enclosed cargo trailer. Keeps furniture and boxes dry and out of sight. Pick the size by the number of rooms. A small trailer works for a studio or a few pieces, while a larger one suits a one- or two-bedroom home. Weigh the load, because furniture adds up fast and must stay under your tow rating.
• Open utility trailer. Good for yard equipment, lumber, or bulky pieces, with a tarp and tie-downs. Not great for anything that must stay dry.
• Car hauler plus cargo. If you are bringing a second vehicle, the car goes on the hauler and you load boxes in the tow vehicle, paying attention to the total weight.

Moving tips that save money and stress:

• Load heavy items, such as appliances and dressers, over the trailer axle and toward the front, and lighter items behind and above.
• Tie everything down and stop to check straps after the first few miles.
• Book for the days you really need. A slow packing day can cost extra rental time.
• If you have items that will not fit or need to wait between homes, a temporary storage space can bridge the gap, and if you need somewhere to leave the trailer or your car near the new place, look at parking space rentals.

Our perspective

Renting a trailer is a short job with a lot riding on small details: the right rating, the right hitch, a trailer in good shape and clear terms on pickup and return. That is why we built Life4Rent as a place where renters search by item, location and dates, and where listings sit in a catalog of 17 categories, including vehicles and tools and equipment.

For renters, the benefit is a broad, location-based catalog and secure payment handling, with identity verification and optional protection available. For owners, it means a trailer that sits in the driveway most of the year can earn income when a neighbor needs it for a weekend. Both sides get tools to manage the booking, and owners can track what they earn.

Local sharing works best when everyone knows what they are agreeing to. We encourage renters to ask questions before booking, and owners to describe their equipment clearly: weight, hitch size, brakes, what is included.

the author

Find a trailer near you on Life4Rent

If you need a trailer for a car, a move or a weekend project, start by searching Life4Rent by location and dates. Life4Rent is a peer-to-peer marketplace with 17 rental categories, secure payments and identity verification, plus optional protection. What you find depends on where you are and when you need it.

Browse the public listing catalog to see what is available, or read how renting works first. If you own a trailer and want to earn from it between your own trips, you can list it on Life4Rent too.

FAQ

Can I rent a trailer to haul a car?

Yes. Car trailers come as tow dollies, auto transport trailers and flatbed or enclosed car haulers. Pick based on your car’s drive type and weight and on what your tow vehicle can pull. Search by location and dates on Life4Rent to see what is available near you.

What size vehicle do I need to tow a car trailer?

Your vehicle’s towing rating must be higher than the weight of the trailer plus the car on it, and your hitch and ball must be rated for that weight as well. A full-size pickup or a large SUV with a tow package is typical, but check your owner’s manual for your exact numbers. A compact car usually cannot pull a loaded car hauler.

How much does a car trailer rental cost?

Budget roughly $50 to $120 per day for a dolly or car hauler, depending on region, trailer type and season. Add any deposit, protection, extras and fuel. Weekly rates are often lower per day, so compare them if your trip is long.

Do I need trailer brakes?

Heavier trailers usually have their own brakes, and you should ask about brake type before renting, as Nissan’s guide suggests. Check the rules in your state for when brakes are required, and ask the owner whether your vehicle needs a brake controller to work with them. Test both brake systems before you leave.

Can I rent a trailer for a move and a car at once?

Yes, if your tow vehicle’s rating covers the total weight. Add the empty trailer weight, the car and any cargo, and keep the total under the towing rating, hitch rating and gross combined weight rating. If it does not, split the job into two trips or two tow vehicles.

Sources

• HireAHelper: Trailer rental guide, types and costs
• Nissan 2026 Towing Guide
• EPA: Trailer, truck and hitch compatibility worksheet
• Oregon Department of Transportation: Towing a trailer in Oregon
• NHTSA: Towing safety brochure
• NZ Transport Agency: Guide to safe loading and towing for light vehicles

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