 | Car Trailer Rental: $65-$200+ Per Day |
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 | Open Car Trailer: $2,000-$7,000 |
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 | Enclosed Car Trailer: $6,000-$20,000+ |
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| Car trailers are typically used by automotive enthusiasts, or by people moving long distances. Sometimes called car carriers or car haulers, car trailers can be open or enclosed. Open trailers have one or two axles; enclosed car trailers typically have two or three axles. Single-axle trailers are typically less expensive, easier to maneuver by hand and have a smaller turning radius, but can be hard to control if a tire goes flat. Dual (also called tandem) or tri-axle trailers typically pull heavier weights, tow more smoothly (less sway), have better traction on uneven roads and are easier to control with a flat tire. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Renting a car trailer can cost $65 -$200 or more daily, depending on the size and type (open, enclosed, tandem or tri-axle), and rental length. For example, U-Haul estimates it costs $806 for an 8-day rental of a tandem-axle car trailer from Sacramento, CA, to Chicago, hauling a Toyota Corolla using a one-year-old, 1-ton truck. U-Haul has strict requirements for customer-owned tow vehicles but most rental companies, like Budget Truck Rental and Penske Truck Rental only rent car trailers that will be towed behind a rental truck.
- Buying an open car trailer can cost $2,000 -$7,000; steel trailers typically cost less than aluminum ones, but are heavier to tow. For example, a tandem-axle steel Carry-On 15' open car hauler with slide-in ramps, one brake set and a break-away kit (to stop a runaway trailer) sells for $2,200 -$2,750. And a 14' aluminum Featherlite 3110 Car Trailer costs about $5,000 -$6,000 new.
- Enclosed car trailers sell for $6,000 -$20,000 or more, depending on size, capacity, type of hitch (bumper pull or gooseneck) and materials. Options include special tow mirrors, rear stabilizer jacks (to load or unload while the trailer is unhooked from the tow vehicle), interior lights, ratchet-type tie-down straps, a winch or vents (to reduce heat buildup). A Pace American Rallye Auto Trailer at 22' long (18' inside), 8.5' wide and 8'3" high sells new starting at $14,000 -$16,000 or more, depending on the options chosen.
- Prices for used car trailers vary significantly depending on the age, type, size and condition. New trailers depreciate 15%-20% when they leave the dealership and roughly 10% each additional year, according to traileroutlet.com.
What should be included: | - Most trailers come with D-rings for securing tie-down straps. Exactly what's included in a standard car trailer package varies significantly by manufacturer. A spare tire may be optional equipment for one brand but part of another's standard package. Other necessary items that might not be included are break-away controls and safety chains.
- Open car trailers are typically lighter and easier to maneuver than enclosed models, making towing easier and giving better fuel mileage. However, an enclosed unit protects the towed vehicle better, and is more secure when parked overnight.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists safety tips.
Additional costs: | - State sales taxes of 2%-12% and state vehicle registration fees may increase the total cost.
- Car trailers use two main styles of hitches, a receiver ball mounted on the rear of the tow vehicle or a gooseneck hitch. If the tow vehicle doesn't already have a trailer hitch, it can cost $100 -$850 to add a rear-mounted receiver ball or $400 -$800 for a gooseneck hitch.
- Insurance costs and requirements vary. In some areas a trailer is automatically covered for liability (damages to others) under the tow vehicle's policy when the trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle, but it costs extra to add comprehensive coverage (damage to the trailer such as fire or theft). Trailer tires are often non-standard sizes, so prices vary significantly, and in some areas trailer tires are difficult to replace. Parking a trailer at an outdoor storage facility can cost $20 -$100 a month. See How Much Does RV Storage Cost.
Discounts: | - For those with strong mechanical skills, Circle Track magazine explains how to build a simple race car trailer for $300 plus the cost of wheels.
- Less expensive do-it-yourself towing options include a tow dolly, which raises only the front wheels of the towed vehicle off the ground, or a tow bar, with all of the towed vehicle's wheels riding on the ground.
Shopping for a car trailer: | - HitchInfo.com explains how to calculate the total towing capacity.
- CorvetteFever.com provides guidelines for buying a car trailer, including choosing either an open or enclosed trailer, and off-road.com offers detailed and illustrated tips for selecting a car trailer for an off-road vehicle. These guidelines and tips apply to both new and used car trailers.
- Used car trailers are often posted on craigslist or eBay motors.
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Article updated January 2011 |
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