 | Utility Trailer Rental: $15-$45+ Per Day |
|
 | Small Utility Trailer: $200-$600 |
|
 | Large Utility Trailer: $600-$7,500+ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
| A utility trailer is a flatbed or low open trailer box mounted on one or two axles; it can be adapted to haul any type of cargo. With specific additions and/or modifications, a utility trailer frame can become a dedicated boat trailer, cargo trailer, dump trailer or motorcycle-hauling trailer. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Renting a utility trailer can cost $15 -$45 or more a day, depending on size and capacity. U-Haul estimates costs of $15 a day for a low-sided (about 2' high) 4'x7' open trailer and $35 a day for a 6'x12'x5'5" ramp trailer, while Low Price Trailers of San Antonio charges $40 a day for a 6'x16' trailer with high wire mesh sides (about 3.5' tall).
- Utility trailer beds vary from 4'x7' to 8'x20' and on up, but common sizes for residential use are 5'x8', 5'x10', 6'x12' and 6.5'x14'. Single-axle trailers are less expensive, have a tight turning radius and are easy to maneuver by hand, but are less stable when towed and hard to control if a tire goes flat. Dual (tandem) axle trailers typically cost more but can pull heavier weights, tow more smoothly and have better traction on uneven surfaces.
- Small (4'x7' to 5'x8'), lightweight utility trailers start at $200 -$600, depending on weight capacity, materials and tire size. Trailers in this price range typically haul up to 850-1,000 pounds, or less. Many come in kits that can be assembled by those with basic mechanical skills. For example, Amazon ships a 40"x48" utility trailer kit with a flat open frame and 8" tires for $200 and a flatbed Northern Industrial 4'x8' Folding Trailer Kit with 12" tires for $500.
- More rugged and larger single-axle trailers can cost $600 -$1,500 or more, depending on size, materials and weight capacity. It can cost $2,000 -$4,000 or more for commercial-grade materials and features. Selling for $1,000 -$1,200, the 5'x12.5' single-axle North Star Sportstar III WG is a flatbed utility trailer with a heavy-duty mesh floor and 13" wheels; it can hold up to 3,000 pounds and has a full-size rear ramp plus side load ramps. A tandem (dual) axle utility trailer starts at $1,200 -$3,000 depending on size and weight capacity, and it can cost $4,000 -$7,500 or more for commercial-quality utility trailers. For example, the Tandem Axle Sport Warrior with an optional rear ramp gate comes in trailer bed sizes from 6.5'x12' to 6.9'x20' with up to 7,000 pounds of weight capacity for $1,750 -$2,500.
- Prices for used trailers vary significantly. New trailers typically depreciate 15%-20% when they leave the dealer's lot and roughly 10% each additional year, according to traileroutlet.com.
What should be included: | - Many new trailer packages include brakes, legally required lighting, an electric breakaway kit, safety chains and D-rings for tying down cargo. Some also include slide-in or fold-down ramps for loading equipment.
- HitchInfo.com explains how to calculate total towing capacity.
- In most states, trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of 1,500 or more must have brakes on all wheels. These can be surge brakes (illegal in some states), which are activated after the tow vehicle's brakes have slowed the trailer, or electric brakes that are connected to the tow vehicle's brakes. The American Boating Association charts towing laws by state.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists safety tips for driving with a trailer.
Additional costs: | - Installing a standard ball trailer hitch on a tow vehicle can cost $200 -$500 or more. A spare tire typically costs $20 -$200 or more, depending on size and type, a bolt-on spare tire carrier adds $15 -$100 or more.
- An electronic trailer brake controller typically costs $40 -$200 from auto parts stores, trailer dealers or online retailers like Amazon. Installation and wiring in older (non-prewired) vehicles can add $100 -$200 or more.
- A breakaway system to stop a towed trailer or vehicle if it gets loose typically costs $10 -$40 and includes a battery, switch and wiring. They're available from trailer or boat dealers, or from online retailers like Amazon.
- Towing a loaded trailer can reduce the tow vehicle's fuel efficiency by a few miles per gallon or in half or more.
Discounts: | - Building a utility trailer from a kit can be a weekend project; building one from scratch can take several months. Champion Trailers sells a 5'x'8' single-axle trailer kit for $270 -$300 not including the frame steel or tires.
Shopping for a utility trailer: | - New trailer prices are often negotiable. TrailerShopper.com provides tips for choosing the right trailer.
- Utility trailers are also sold on eBay, craigslist and by online retailers like Amazon.
- U-Haul is the only national moving truck company that rents trailers. Trailers are also available from construction rental companies like Hertz Equipment Rental and United Rentals.
|
| |
Article updated January 2011 |
|
E-mail
Post