Car Hauler Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Car Trailer
When transporting vehicles, the right car hauler can make all the difference in safety and cost-effectiveness. Whether you're relocating a vehicle, showcasing at car shows, or delivering cars to clients, open or enclosed car haulers are indispensable assets. They’re designed to shield your vehicle from damaging road debris and unpredictable weather conditions. Using a car hauler is also a smart financial decision. Traveling long distances on the road can lead to significant wear and tear on your vehicle, resulting in depreciation and potential repair costs. A car hauler preserves your vehicle’s value and appearance.
But with so many options in the market, how do you choose the right one for your needs? Dive into this guide to learn the essential considerations to find the best trailer for your car hauling requirements.
What is a car hauler trailer?
A car hauler is any trailer designed to transport smaller vehicles, either a single vehicle or multiple at a time. When you hear someone use the phrase “car hauler trailer,” they could simply be referring to any trailer used to move a car. In other cases, they could be referring to a wedge car hauler, a specific trailer style that can carry several cars at once.
What to look for in the best trailer for car hauling
Selecting the right trailer for car hauling involves understanding the specific features and qualities best suited to your needs. Let’s delve into the key attributes that elevate a car hauler from good to the best.
Open car hauler vs. enclosed car hauler
Both open trailers and enclosed trailers work well for hauling vehicles. Open car trailers are a great choice if you’re on a budget or only need a car hauler infrequently. An open car trailer is easy and quick to load and unload. Your vehicle will be open to the environment, but that shouldn't be an issue if you're only transporting it a short distance.
On the other hand, enclosed trailers are a good fit for people who regularly transport vehicles and/or transport more expensive, valuable cargo. The best enclosed car trailer will protect your vehicle(s) from the elements and potential theft.
Car hauler size
Some car haulers can hold a dozen vehicles at once. Others can only hold one. Make sure you know how many cars you anticipate needing to haul simultaneously — and how large those vehicles are. An 8.5’ x 20’ trailer can carry one car. For a little extra space on a single-vehicle car trailer, opt for a 24’ car hauler length. 8.5’ x 20’ and 8.5’ x 24’ are the average car hauler sizes and have plenty of room to hold a single car.
Car hauler weight
To help you figure out what size trailer you need to haul a car, you should also think about the trailer's weight and the weight of the vehicle(s) you’ll be hauling. The weight of your trailer will limit how much weight it can safely hold. You shouldn’t try to transport a car over this weight limit — if you do, you might damage your trailer, your tow vehicle, and the car you’re attempting to haul.
Figure out the car's weight or type of car you want to haul. Then, look into your car hauler trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This term represents the maximum weight that a vehicle (such as a trailer) is designed to carry safely. It’s often found listed on the trailer.
You can find your trailer’s total load capacity (how much you can carry) by running the following simple equation:
Trailer GVWR - trailer empty weight = safe tow weight
Your safe tow weight represents the amount of weight you can safely tow. Make sure it matches the weight of the car(s) you need to transport.
Tow vehicle for car hauler
The car you’ll be hauling or transporting isn’t the only vehicle you need to consider. It’s also important to consider your tow vehicle — the truck or other vehicle you’ll use to pull your new car hauler trailer.
Use the truck owner’s manual to find its GVWR. Your truck needs to be able to pull the weight of your trailer and the weight of whatever car(s) are on your trailer.
Car hauler materials
In most cases, car haulers are made from either aluminum or steel.
You might benefit from an aluminum car hauler if:
- You want a more lightweight trailer.
- You want something that will resist rust and isn’t difficult to maintain.
On the other hand, a steel trailer could be a better choice if:
- You want a heavy-duty & durable product
- You’re looking for a sturdy, durable, and long-lasting option.
- You make sure that you’re buying a coated steel product to minimize rust.
Types of enclosed car haulers
Keep your car(s) safe and protected on long drives by choosing an enclosed car hauler, such as one of the options below.
- Standard enclosed car trailer: Looking for something simple and basic, with no extra frills? Opt for a standard enclosed car trailer. This is simply a flatbed trailer with an enclosed box to protect your items.
- Multi-car enclosed trailer: If you need to hold multiple cars simultaneously, choose a multi-car trailer that can hold two or more cars. Multi-car trailers are a good fit for dealerships or auto transport companies.
- Gooseneck enclosed car trailer: A gooseneck trailer uses a gooseneck hitch. Gooseneck trailers are easier to tow and do a better job of weight distribution — especially helpful for heavier loads.
- Fifth-wheel enclosed car trailer: This type of trailer uses a fifth-wheel hitch. Similar to a gooseneck trailer, it’s also more stable and flexible.
Learn more: Types of Trailer Hitches Explained
Types of open car haulers
An open car hauler is easy to work with and great for short or infrequent drives.
- Standard open car trailer: Keep things affordable with a standard open car trailer that offers a simple flatbed space to store your car.
- Multi-car open car trailer: Open car trailers also come in sizes that can hold more than one car. Some are designed to hold just two. Others can accommodate half a dozen or even more.
- Wedge open car trailer: A wedge open car trailer makes it easier to load vehicles thanks to the wedge-shaped bed. This bed slants upward toward the back of the trailer and down at the front.
- Tilt deck open car trailer: An open car trailer with a tilt deck uses a hydraulic lift to tilt and move the bed, helping you load and unload a car. We recommend this kind of trailer for anyone working with low-clearance vehicles, or vehicles that cannot be driven onto the trailer.
The best car hauler trailers
Here are a few of our favorite car haulers from top trailer brands:
1. Homesteader 8.5x20 Enclosed Car Hauler
If an enclosed car hauler is right for you, look into the Homesteader 8.5x20. With plenty of space to safely transport a vehicle, this durable, high-quality option includes a ramp to make loading easy and painless.
2. Sure-Trac 7x20 Open Car Hauler Trailer
The Sure-Trac 7x20 is an open car hauler that provides a simple way to transport a car or other vehicle. The trailer is made of powder-coated steel and has slide-in ramps. The heavy-duty diamond plate fenders and aerodynamic bulkhead combine to create a quality car hauler that will last you for years.
3. Sundowner 8x24 Open Deckover Car Hauler
Another open car hauler option is the Sundowner 8x24. A little larger than other models, this trailer is entirely aluminum with stake pockets, a rub rail, a front bump rail, and an interlocking aluminum plank floor. Use it to transport vehicles like motorcycles or ATVs.
Takeaway
A car hauler trailer is a great way to safely and efficiently move a vehicle from one location to another. Make sure you select the right trailer size and weight for the items you need to move. You’ll also need to choose whether an open or enclosed trailer is best for you and which material best fits your needs.
If you'd like to learn how to safely haul your motorcycle, watch our video on how to load and strap your motorcycle to a trailer.
If you’re shopping for a car hauler trailer in Asheville or Greenville, SC, we’re right down the road in Campobello, SC. Come visit us, or give us a call–we’re always happy to help.
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