We get this question almost daily: "Can't I just get the cheaper trailer?" Sometimes, yes. Sometimes it'll cost you a scraped bumper or a trailer that can't legally carry what you loaded onto it. Here's the actual difference.
The Core Difference: Capacity & Width
Our 20' x 102" car hauler is built specifically to carry vehicles: extra-wide deck, dual 5,200 lb axles, a 12,000 lb winch, and 7,400 lbs of total capacity. Our 16' x 77" utility trailer is lighter duty — 4,400 lbs capacity, narrower deck, no winch — and priced accordingly at $80/day versus $120/day for the car hauler.
Car Hauler — Choose This For
- Hauling a sedan, small truck, or non-running vehicle
- Loads over 4,400 lbs
- Anything that needs winching on
- Extra-wide loads that need the 102" deck
Utility Trailer — Choose This For
- Yard debris, furniture, appliances
- Motorcycles or ATVs (with the optional chock)
- Loads under 4,400 lbs
- Budget-conscious weekend projects
Why the Winch Matters
The car hauler's 12,000 lb winch isn't just a nice-to-have — it's the only realistic way to load a non-running vehicle or anything too heavy to push up a ramp by hand. The utility trailer has no winch, so if a vehicle can't drive onto the deck under its own power, it needs the car hauler.
What About the Equipment Trailer?
If you're moving something heavier than a car hauler can handle — like a skid steer, small tractor, or a heavier truck — our 20' x 83" equipment trailer steps up to 11,000 lbs capacity with a 13,000 lb winch, for the same $120/day rate as the car hauler.
If you're unsure which one your load needs, call us with the weight and dimensions. It's a 30-second answer for us and saves you from booking the wrong trailer.
The Bottom Line
Renting the cheaper utility trailer for a job that needs a car hauler doesn't just risk damage — most of the time it simply won't work, since the load will exceed the axle rating or need a winch that isn't there. Match the trailer to the weight and loading method first; the $40/day difference is cheap insurance against a wasted trip.