5 Best Trailer Rentals for Moving (Updated Review)

If you plan to go the DIY route rather than use professional movers for your move, you’ve likely looked into trailer rentals or moving trucks. Trailer rentals are a great option for smaller moves, as they tend to be a more affordable moving option and can be towed behind your own vehicle or a moving truck.

However, finding a reliable company where you can get a trailer rental can sometimes be a challenge in and of itself. With our picks for the best trailer rentals for moving, you can have confidence that you’ll get the right trailer for your move.

Best trailer rentals for moving

Here are our picks for the top trailer rental companies for moving:

• Best overall: U-Haul
• Best for car towing: Penske Truck Rental
• Best for moving containers: U-Pack
• Best for discounts: Budget Truck Rental
• Best for local moves: Home Depot

Best overall: U-Haul

We chose U-Haul as best overall because of its widespread availability, variety of trailer options, and ease of use.

U-Haul is best known for its affordable moving truck rentals, but it also offers several types of trailers to cater to the needs of DIY movers. U-Haul cargo trailer rental options include 4 feet x 8 feet, 5 feet x 8 feet, and 6 feet x 12 feet, while utility trailers are available in sizes ranging from 4 feet x 7 feet to 6 feet x 12 feet. These trailers can be rented in addition to or separately from its moving trucks.

All U-Haul trailer options come with unlimited miles, so you can use them for local or long-distance moves. One-way rentals and in-town rentals are both available for trailer rentals. With availability in all 50 states, it’s easy to find a pickup location and/or drop-off location near you for a convenient rental experience.

Read our full U-Haul review.

Best for car towing: Penske Truck Rental

Penske Truck Rental is another moving truck rental company that offers additional trailer options. While it doesn’t offer enclosed trailers or utility trailers like U-Haul, it is a great choice if you need a car carrier in addition to your moving truck rental.

When you rent a 16-, 22-, or 26-foot truck with Penske, you also have the option to rent a car trailer or tow dolly so you can tow your vehicle. This way, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll transport your car. Penske’s car trailer can be used for long-distance moves, while tow dollies are limited to local moves.

With one-way truck rentals, you don’t have to worry about how to return the truck and trailer afterward. While Penske’s prices tend to be higher than others, they generally get better customer service reviews.

Read our full Penske Truck Rental review.

Best for moving containers: U-Pack

If you’re looking for a rental trailer experience but don’t want to do any driving, U-Pack is the company for you. That’s because U-Pack is a moving container company. You choose either a moving trailer or the company’s ReloCube moving containers, which are delivered to your property at an agreed-upon date. You then have three business days to load the trailer or container, after which U-Pack will pick it up and transport it to your destination.

Though more expensive than a DIY trailer rental, this is a very convenient solution for long-distance moves. What really sets U-Pack apart is its approach to flexible pricing. Their moving trailer offers more space than a 26-foot moving truck and a 10-foot rental truck combined, but you only pay for the space you use. Use what you need and you won’t have to pay for the unused space.

Read our full U-Pack review.

Best for discounts: Budget Truck Rental

While Budget Truck Rental is limited to car carriers and tow dollies for trailer rentals, it is a great pick if you’re looking for discount prices on these rentals. These trailers must be rented as an add-on to the truck rental, and are only available with the 16-foot and 26-foot truck sizes.

As the name implies, what really sets Budget Truck Rental apart are its low prices. In addition to lower base prices, they also offer discounts for students, military service members, AAA members, and more. This helps make up for the added hassle of needing to make a phone call to find out how much a trailer add-on will cost for your move.

Read our full Budget Truck Rental review

Best for local moves: Home Depot

Home Depot isn’t just for renting heavy-duty tools — you can also rent trailers and moving equipment. Home Depot offers rental services for pickup trucks, cargo vans, box trucks, and utility trailers, making them a great choice for local moves. Home Depot’s utility trailers are available in sizes ranging from 3’ x 5’ to 5’ x 8’.

These utility trailers are available at a flat hourly, daily, weekly, or even four-week rate for local work, so you can rent them for the exact length of time you’ll need. Their smaller size means they are better suited for smaller moves or moves where you’re okay doing multiple loads.

Comparing the best trailer rentals for moving

Here’s an overview of what each of the best trailer rental companies have to offer. It’s worth getting a free quote from at least three of these companies to find the best option for your move.

Reasons to use a trailer rental for moving

So, why should you use a trailer rental instead of hiring professional moving services or just loading everything into the back of a pickup truck?

Here are some of the top reasons why this might be a good choice for your move:

• Save money: Renting a trailer is going to be significantly cheaper than hiring professional movers. Yes, you’ll have to do the heavy lifting yourself, but if you don’t have a lot of stuff to move, it still shouldn’t take you too long to get everything loaded.
• Flexibility: A trailer rental gives you added flexibility for how you do your move. For example, you can pack at your own pace or transport items between your old and new homes over the course of multiple trips. And with multiple trailer sizes available, it’s easy to find the size that works best for your needs. There are options to hire last-minute movers as well.
• Protect your items: Enclosed trailers offer valuable protection for your items while in transit. You don’t have to worry about a rainstorm getting everything wet, or a bump in the road causing stuff to fall out the back.
• Easy loading: Trailers generally have lower loading decks than moving trucks, making them easier to load. This will make it much easier when carrying heavy boxes.

Tips for packing your trailer rental

While a trailer rental definitely offers many advantages, you should also be sure to use it appropriately. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so that everything goes smoothly on moving day:

• Get the right trailer size. Most trailer rental companies offer multiple trailer options. Remember, the total weight of the trailer must not exceed your own vehicle’s towing limit. Otherwise, it could cause significant damage to your vehicle. While getting a trailer that is big enough to hold all your stuff is handy, your first focus should be making sure your car will be able to handle the load.
• Disassemble furniture. Because trailers are smaller than full-size moving trucks, taking apart your furniture can help ensure everything fits inside. Load large pieces of furniture and other heavy items first. If possible, position furniture on its side so it takes up less space.
• Distribute weight evenly. Try to evenly distribute the weight of your items as you load the trailer. This will make it easier to keep the trailer under control as you drive to your destination. Uneven weight distribution could make it harder to steer, and even cause the trailer to fishtail or roll over.
• Place heavy boxes on the bottom. Just like when you load a moving truck, place the heaviest boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes with fragile items on top. Secure boxes with moving straps, if possible. This will keep items from shifting during transportation and reduce the risk of damage.

Looking for more tips? Check out these moving and packing hacks.

FAQs about choosing the best trailer rentals for moving

Can I use my car to tow a trailer?

You can use your car to tow a trailer — but with precautions. You can tow a trailer with a car, pickup truck, or other vehicle, but only if you have a trailer hitch attachment. Many smaller cars don’t come with a tow hitch and will need one added on. While you don’t need four-wheel drive to tow a trailer, this can improve performance and safety while towing.

You’ll also need to pay attention to your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which represents the total weight your vehicle can haul. If the weight of the trailer combined with the weight of the car is more than your GVWR, attempting to tow a trailer could cause serious damage. For safety, keep your load under 80% of your car’s GVWR.

What type of trailer rental is best for long-distance moves?

Enclosed cargo trailers are generally the best type of trailer rental for long-distance moves. Their sturdy walls and roof offer protection against the elements and potential road hazards. In addition, you can lock their door or gate to protect your items against thieves. This will offer much-needed peace of mind as you drive across the country.

Flatbed or utility trailers, on the other hand, are better suited for local moves or hauling supplies for a home improvement project, as they don’t offer protection against the elements.

If you’re not comfortable pulling a trailer long distances, check out our best long distance moving companies guide. And if you’re going a really long distance and crossing over state lines, refer to our best interstate moving companies guide.

What is a cargo trailer?

Cargo trailers are distinguished by their enclosed design, which includes walls, a roof, and a locking door or gate. With their sturdy steel or aluminum build, cargo trailers offer much-needed protection for your possessions during transportation.

How much can I fit in a 6 x 12 trailer?

A 6-foot x 12-foot enclosed cargo trailer can hold up to 2,500 pounds worth of items, and provide nearly 400 cubic feet of storage space. These trailers can fit larger items like furniture, with space for the full contents of a one- to two-bedroom home or apartment.