Buying a car at auction or from a private seller usually means it is sold as-is, and often it does not start, does not have a title in hand yet, or is not something you want to drive on the highway. A rented car hauler gets it home on all four wheels with the miles it had when you bought it.
Which Trailer
The right tool is one of our two 20 ft car haulers: a 102-inch-wide deck, 7,400 lb load capacity, dual 5,200 lb axles, driver-over fenders, a 12,000 lb winch, tie-down straps, and a lockable toolbox — all included at $120/day or $630/week. That width and length covers most cars, pickups, and SUVs.
- Unit 1 has an all-steel deck — shrugs off chains, jacks, and dropped tools
- Unit 2 has a wood deck — slightly more tire grip and a little kinder to low front ends
For a heavier vehicle or a dually, look at the 20 ft equipment trailer (11,000 lb capacity, 13,000 lb winch). Call us to match the trailer to the vehicle before you bid.
Loading a Non-Running or No-Key Car
The winch is the whole point. Position the trailer on level ground, chock the trailer wheels, and run the winch line to a solid factory recovery point or the frame — never a bumper or tie rod. Winch slowly. If the car rolls and steers, have a second person inside on the brake to keep it straight and stop it at the front stop. Once it is positioned, set the parking brake if it works and chock at least one wheel.
Can Your Tow Vehicle Handle It?
The car hauler weighs about 2,600 lbs empty. Add a typical car at 3,500 to 4,500 lbs and you are towing 6,000 to 7,500 lbs; a full-size truck on the deck puts you near the 10,000 lb range. Match that to:
- A tow vehicle rated for the loaded weight, with headroom on payload for tongue weight
- A 2-5/16" ball rated for the load
- A working electric brake controller and a 7-pin connection
- Correctly adjusted mirrors — a loaded car hauler is wide
Tie It Down Right
Use four wheel straps — the basket or lasso style that go over the tire — rather than frame chains on a finished car. They flex with the suspension, will not chafe paint, and will not back off on rough road. Ratchet each one snug, cross the fronts if your anchor points allow, and re-check all four after the first few miles and again at your first stop.
What to Bring to the Pickup Lot
- The rented car hauler with its included straps and winch
- Your driver's license and proof of full-coverage insurance on the tow vehicle
- Your own wheel chocks and a pair of work gloves
- Patience — auction and impound lots often have tight lanes and a line
Wheel straps over the tires move with the suspension and stay tight. Frame chains can rub paint and loosen on a washboard road — fine for a project hulk, not for a car you just paid for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I haul a non-running car on a rental trailer?
Yes. Both of our 20 ft car haulers come with a 12,000 lb winch and tie-down straps included, so a car that will not start or steer can be pulled onto the deck. Have a helper on the brake and wheel if the car rolls and steers, and chock the wheels once it is positioned.
Will a full-size truck fit on the car hauler?
Usually yes. The deck is 102 inches wide and 20 feet long, which fits most cars, pickups, and SUVs. Full-size trucks and most sedans load without issue. Dually pickups and extra-long vehicles are tight, so call 405-925-2006 to confirm before you bid.
Steel deck or wood deck for a car?
Either works. The wood-deck car hauler gives tires slightly more grip and is a little easier on low front ends during loading. The all-steel deck shrugs off chains, jacks, and dropped tools. For a finished or classic car, many renters prefer the wood deck.
What tow vehicle do I need?
The car hauler carries up to 7,400 lbs and weighs about 2,600 lbs empty, so plan for a loaded weight around 10,000 lbs behind the truck. A half-ton pickup rated for that, or a three-quarter-ton, with a 2-5/16 inch ball and a working brake controller is the right setup.