What an open car trailer is and how it differs from enclosed options

An open car trailer is a flatbed or skeletal frame trailer with no roof or sides, designed to haul one or more vehicles. The cars sit on the deck and are secured with straps or chains. Open trailers are the most common type you see on highways — they're cheaper to buy and rent than enclosed trailers, lighter to tow, and easier to load and unload because there's no door to navigate.

The main trade-off is protection. Your vehicle is exposed to weather, road debris, and dust during transport. An enclosed trailer surrounds the car completely, which costs more but shields it from rain, salt spray, and flying rocks. For most people moving a used car or hauling a vehicle to a mechanic, an open trailer works fine. If you're transporting a classic car, a new luxury vehicle, or something you need to keep pristine, enclosed is worth the extra cost.

Open trailers come in different sizes. Single-car trailers typically weigh 1,200 to 2,000 pounds empty and can haul vehicles up to about 5,000 pounds. Tandem-axle trailers (with two sets of wheels) can carry two cars or one very heavy vehicle. The trailer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) tells you the maximum total weight it can safely carry, including the trailer itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Open trailers cost significantly less to rent or buy than enclosed trailers, but offer no weather protection for the vehicle being hauled.
  • You need a vehicle with enough towing capacity — check your owner's manual for the towing limit and the tongue weight the hitch can handle.
  • Rental companies typically require a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a deposit; rates vary by location and season but usually run lower in winter.
  • Proper securing with straps or chains is essential for safety, and you must follow state regulations about lighting, brakes, and registration if you own the trailer.
  • Insurance coverage for a rented trailer is often not automatic — confirm with your auto insurer or the rental company whether the vehicle and trailer are covered during transport.

Towing capacity and hitch requirements

Before you rent or buy an open trailer, you must know whether your vehicle can tow it. Every car, truck, and SUV has a maximum towing capacity listed in the owner's manual and on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb. This is the heaviest load your vehicle can safely pull, including the trailer's weight plus the cargo weight.

Towing capacity depends on the engine, transmission, suspension, and brakes. A compact sedan might have a 1,500-pound limit; a full-size pickup truck might handle 10,000 pounds or more. If you try to tow beyond your vehicle's rating, you risk brake failure, transmission damage, and loss of control.

You also need the right hitch class. Class I handles up to 3,500 pounds; Class II up to 3,500 pounds; Class III up to 8,000 pounds; Class IV up to 14,000 pounds. The hitch must be rated for both the trailer's weight and its tongue weight — the downward force the trailer's front exerts on the hitch ball. Tongue weight is typically 10 to 15 percent of the trailer's total weight. A 2,000-pound trailer might have a 200-pound tongue weight, which requires a hitch rated for at least that much.

If your vehicle doesn't have a hitch, a shop can install one. Installation costs vary widely depending on the vehicle and hitch class, but expect to pay $200 to $800 for parts and labor.

Renting an open trailer: what to expect

Rental companies like U-Haul, Home Depot, Penske, and local equipment rental shops all offer open car trailers by the day, week, or month. Rental rates depend on the trailer size, your location, and the season. Summer and moving season (May through September) are more expensive than winter. A single-car open trailer might rent for $30 to $75 per day in most markets, though prices in rural areas or during peak season can be higher.

Most rental companies require a valid driver's license, a credit card for the deposit, and proof of insurance. Some ask for a second form of ID. The deposit typically ranges from $100 to $500 and is refunded when you return the trailer in the same condition you rented it. You'll pay extra if the trailer has damage beyond normal wear — a bent frame, broken lights, or torn deck covering will cost you.

When you pick up the trailer, inspect it carefully. Check the tires for proper inflation and damage, test the lights and brakes, look for rust or bent metal, and confirm the safety chains and straps are present and functional. Take photos or video of any existing damage and point it out to the rental agent so you're not charged for it later. Ask the rental company to show you how to connect the trailer to your hitch, how to operate the brakes if it has them, and what to do if something breaks during your rental.

Return the trailer clean and on time. Most companies charge a late fee if you keep it past the agreed return time, and some charge a cleaning fee if the trailer is excessively dirty.

Securing a vehicle on an open trailer

Proper securing is a safety issue, not optional. A vehicle that shifts or falls during transport can cause an accident, injure other drivers, and result in liability for you.

Most open trailers have D-rings or anchor points welded to the deck at the front and rear. You use heavy-duty nylon straps or chains rated for at least the vehicle's weight to tie the car down. The standard method is four-point securing: one strap from each wheel well to an anchor point, creating an X pattern that prevents the car from sliding forward, backward, or side to side.

Ratchet straps are easier to use than chains and are gentler on the vehicle's paint and trim. Chains are more durable for repeated use and are less likely to slip. Either way, the strap or chain must be rated for the load. A 3,000-pound vehicle needs straps rated for at least 3,000 pounds each, and ideally more for safety margin.

Tighten the straps firmly but not so tight that you dent the vehicle's body or bend the frame. The car should not move when you push on it, but the straps should not be cutting into the paint. Check the straps every 50 to 100 miles during transport — vibration and road movement can loosen them.

State regulations for trailers you own

If you buy an open trailer rather than rent one, you must follow your state's regulations for trailer registration, lighting, and brakes.

Most states require a trailer to be registered if it weighs more than a certain threshold — often 750 pounds or 1,500 pounds, depending on the state. Registration involves a title transfer and an annual registration fee, similar to registering a vehicle. You'll receive a license plate or registration sticker to display on the trailer.

Lighting requirements vary by state but typically include tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals that mirror your tow vehicle's signals. The trailer's lights must be wired to your vehicle's electrical system, usually through a connector at the hitch. If the trailer weighs more than a certain amount (often 3,000 pounds), it must have its own brakes — either surge brakes that set up when the tow vehicle brakes, or electric brakes controlled by a brake controller inside the tow vehicle.

Check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website for the specific rules in your area. Requirements differ significantly between states, and violating them can result in fines or a citation during a traffic stop.

Insurance and liability when transporting a vehicle

Insurance coverage for a vehicle being transported on a trailer is not automatic and depends on your policy and the rental company's coverage.

If you own the trailer and are using your own vehicle to tow, your auto insurance typically covers damage to the tow vehicle but may not cover the trailer itself or the vehicle being transported. You may need to add a trailer rider to your policy or purchase separate coverage for the trailer. The vehicle being transported is usually covered under its own insurance policy, but only if it's being transported for a covered reason — moving, repair, or storage. Some policies exclude coverage for vehicles in transit on a trailer.

If you're renting a trailer, the rental company's liability coverage usually covers damage to the trailer but not to your tow vehicle or the vehicle on the trailer. Your own auto insurance should cover your tow vehicle. For the vehicle being transported, confirm with your insurer whether it's covered while on a rented trailer. Many policies do cover it, but you need to verify before you rent.

Before you transport any vehicle, call your insurance company and ask specifically: "Is my vehicle covered if I transport it on a rented open trailer?" Get the answer in writing if possible. If you're renting the trailer, also ask the rental company what their liability coverage includes and whether you can purchase additional coverage.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is underestimating the tow vehicle's weight and overloading the trailer. People add fuel, tools, and other cargo to the vehicle on the trailer and forget to account for that weight. Always add the vehicle's weight, the trailer's weight, and any cargo weight together and confirm the total is within your tow vehicle's capacity.

Another mistake is using the wrong hitch or failing to find the hitch ball properly. The ball must match the coupler size — a 2-inch ball on a 2-inch coupler, a 1 7/8-inch ball on a 1 7/8-inch coupler. A mismatched ball and coupler can separate during transport. Always use a safety chain as a backup, even if the hitch connection is tight.

Failing to check tire pressure and condition is also common. Trailer tires wear differently than vehicle tires and can fail suddenly if underinflated or overloaded. Check the pressure before you leave and inspect the tires for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear.

Finally, many people don't account for the trailer's length and width when planning their route. An open trailer with a car on it can be 30 to 40 feet long and 8 to 9 feet wide. Some parking areas, low-clearance bridges, and narrow roads won't accommodate that size. Plan your route in advance and avoid downtown areas, residential streets, and roads with height restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special driver's license to tow a trailer?

Most states do not require a special license for towing a trailer, but a few states require a commercial driver's license (CDL) if the combined weight of the tow vehicle and trailer exceeds a certain threshold — often 26,000 pounds. Check your state's DMV website for the specific rules. Even if you don't need a CDL, you should practice towing in an empty parking lot before you transport a vehicle on a public road.

Can I tow an open trailer with a car, or do I need a truck?

Many cars can tow an open trailer if the trailer and cargo are light enough. A sedan with a 3,500-pound towing capacity can tow a single-car trailer if the total weight stays under that limit. However, towing puts stress on the transmission and brakes, so check your owner's manual and confirm your vehicle is rated for towing before you attempt it. SUVs and trucks are generally better suited to towing than sedans.

What should I do if the trailer starts to sway while I'm driving?

Trailer sway usually happens when you're going too fast, the load is unbalanced, or the tires are underinflated. Slow down gradually — do not brake hard, which can make the sway worse. Reduce speed to 45 to 50 mph and pull over at a safe location. Check the tire pressure, inspect the straps to confirm the vehicle is still find, and verify the load is balanced. If the sway continues, pull over and call for roadside help.

Can I rent an open trailer if I don't have a hitch on my vehicle?

No, you need a hitch installed before you can rent a trailer. Most rental companies will not rent to you without one. If your vehicle doesn't have a hitch, you can have one installed at a shop or dealership before you rent, or you can rent a different vehicle that already has a hitch. Some rental companies offer tow vehicles for rent as well, though that adds to the total cost.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy an open trailer?

Renting is cheaper if you need the trailer only once or occasionally. Buying makes sense if you plan to use it regularly — typically after 20 to 30 rental days, the purchase price breaks even. A used single-car open trailer costs $1,500 to $3,500; a new one costs $3,000 to $6,000 or more. Factor in registration, insurance, maintenance, and storage when deciding whether to buy.