When it comes to transporting a vehicle long distance, many consumers turn to trailer rental companies like U-Haul for a convenient solution. U-Haul‘s car trailers are a popular choice for both moving and recreational towing, thanks to their versatility and relatively affordable rental rates. However, before you reserve a car trailer for your upcoming trip, it‘s essential to understand how much these trailers weigh—both empty and when fully loaded with precious cargo.
Knowing your trailer‘s total weight is critical for choosing a tow vehicle with appropriate hauling power and avoiding dangerous situations on the road. In this expert guide, we‘ll take a comprehensive look at U-Haul car trailer weight specs, factors that impact total towing capacity, and tips for safe and successful vehicle hauling.
U-Haul Car Trailer Weight Specs
U-Haul offers car trailers in a single standard size, designed to accommodate most passenger vehicles. Here are the key weight ratings and dimensions to know:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Empty weight (curb weight) | 2,210 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) | 7,500 lbs |
| Maximum load capacity | 5,290 lbs |
| Deck dimensions | 79.25" W x 148" L |
| Deck height | 19" |
As you can see, a U-Haul car trailer weighs 2,210 pounds on its own, without any cargo loaded. This empty weight is often called the "curb weight."
The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum total weight the trailer is designed to safely carry, including both its curb weight and any loaded cargo. U-Haul car trailers have a GVWR of 7,500 pounds. To calculate the trailer‘s max load capacity, simply subtract its curb weight from the GVWR:
7,500 lbs (GVWR) – 2,210 lbs (curb weight) = 5,290 lbs
Therefore, the heaviest load a U-Haul car trailer can carry is 5,290 pounds. This is the most a vehicle can weigh when fully loaded onto the trailer. However, even though this is the trailer‘s stated capacity, it‘s strongly recommended to keep your load weight to no more than 80-90% of the max to avoid overtaxing the trailer components.
How U-Haul Compares to Other Trailer Rental Companies
To give you a sense of how U-Haul‘s trailer weight specs measure up to the competition, here‘s a quick comparison chart:
| Company | Empty Weight | GVWR | Max Load Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | 2,210 lbs | 7,500 lbs | 5,290 lbs |
| Penske | 2,150 lbs | 7,000 lbs | 4,850 lbs |
| Budget | 2,600 lbs | 7,500 lbs | 4,900 lbs |
As you can see, U-Haul‘s car trailers are very comparable to other major national rental agencies in terms of size and hauling capacity. Their 2,210 lb empty weight falls right in the middle of the pack, while their 7,500 lb GVWR and 5,290 lb max load capacity are slightly higher than Penske and Budget.
Factors Affecting Total Towing Weight
A car trailer‘s listed empty weight and cargo capacity are important figures to know—but they don‘t tell the whole story when it comes to total weight. There are several additional factors that can impact how much weight your tow vehicle needs to be rated to pull:
Vehicle Curb Weight
The most significant variable in your total towing equation is the curb weight of the vehicle you‘re loading onto the trailer. Curb weight refers to how much a vehicle weighs without any passengers or cargo. This is the starting point for estimating total load weight.
Average curb weights vary widely by vehicle type and model. Here are some general ranges to give you a ballpark idea:
- Compact sedan: 2,600-3,200 lbs
- Mid-size sedan: 3,200-3,600 lbs
- Full-size sedan: 3,400-4,500 lbs
- Compact SUV: 3,000-3,800 lbs
- Mid-size SUV: 4,000-5,000 lbs
- Full-size SUV: 5,000-6,000 lbs
- Compact pickup: 3,000-4,000 lbs
- Full-size pickup: 4,500-7,000 lbs
To find the exact curb weight of your specific vehicle, consult the owner‘s manual or look for a sticker inside the driver‘s side door jamb.
Once you have your vehicle‘s curb weight, add that to the trailer‘s empty weight to estimate total towing weight. For example, if you‘re loading a mid-size SUV onto a U-Haul car trailer, here‘s the math:
4,500 lbs (SUV curb weight) + 2,210 lbs (trailer curb weight) = 6,710 lbs
In this scenario, your tow vehicle would need to have a minimum towing capacity of 6,710 lbs to safely haul the loaded trailer.
Cargo Weight Distribution
How you position the towed vehicle on the trailer can also affect total weight dynamics. Ideally, about 60% of the vehicle‘s weight should be in front of the trailer axle, and 40% behind. This 60/40 split helps distribute the load evenly and prevents too much strain on the hitch.
An unbalanced load with too much weight at the rear of the trailer can cause the trailer to sway or fishtail at highway speeds. Conversely, too much weight at the front of the trailer can overload the tow vehicle‘s rear axle and cause the steering to feel light and unresponsive.
The easiest way to achieve a 60/40 weight distribution is to load the vehicle with its engine over the trailer axle. For most front-engine vehicles, this means the front wheels will be just ahead of the axle, and the rear wheels will be about midway down the trailer bed.
Aerodynamics and Road Conditions
It‘s not just weight that affects towing performance—aerodynamics and road conditions play a role too. A large, boxy vehicle loaded on a car trailer will create more aerodynamic drag than a small, streamlined vehicle. This drag increases the strain on the tow vehicle, especially at higher speeds.
Road conditions like steep hills, strong crosswinds, and rough terrain can also make a trailer feel heavier than its actual weight. When driving through the mountains, for example, your tow vehicle‘s engine has to work much harder to pull the load up inclines. In windy conditions, a trailer can act like a sail and push the tow vehicle around.
To account for these variables, it‘s wise to choose a tow vehicle with a capacity rating that exceeds your estimated total weight by at least 1,000-2,000 lbs. This extra capacity gives you a safety buffer for challenging towing scenarios.
Risks of Overloading a Car Trailer or Tow Vehicle
Exceeding the weight ratings of your trailer or tow vehicle is never a good idea. Here are some of the serious risks of overloading:
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Brake wear and failure: The heavier the trailer load, the harder the tow vehicle‘s brakes have to work to slow down and stop. Overloading can cause accelerated brake wear and increase the risk of brake fade or failure, especially on long downhill grades.
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Trailer sway: An overloaded trailer is more prone to swaying or fishtailing, particularly in windy conditions or when passing large vehicles on the highway. Trailer sway can quickly lead to a loss of vehicle control and a serious accident.
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Tire blowouts: Exceeding a tire‘s weight rating can cause it to overheat and fail, potentially leading to a dangerous blowout on the highway. This is especially true for older tires or those with preexisting damage.
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Suspension and frame damage: Overloading puts excessive strain on a vehicle‘s suspension components and frame. Over time, this can lead to premature wear, damage, and even catastrophic failure.
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Legal liability: In most states, it‘s illegal to exceed the posted weight ratings of your vehicle and trailer. If you‘re involved in an accident while overloaded, you could be held liable for any damages or injuries that result.
Bottom line: it‘s simply not worth the risk to overload a car trailer or tow vehicle. Always err on the side of caution and stay within the manufacturer‘s weight ratings to ensure a safe and successful towing experience.
Tips for Towing a U-Haul Car Trailer Safely
In addition to choosing a tow vehicle with adequate hauling power, there are several steps you can take to make towing a U-Haul car trailer as safe and stress-free as possible:
Double-check the hitch and electrical connections.
Before hitting the road, walk around the trailer to verify:
- The coupler is securely locked onto the hitch ball
- Safety chains are crisscrossed and attached to the tow vehicle‘s frame
- The wiring harness is plugged in and trailer lights are functioning
- Tires are properly inflated and free of damage
- The trailer ramps are lifted and locked in the stowed position
Use caution when loading and unloading.
Loading a vehicle onto a car trailer requires a steady hand and good spatial awareness. To prevent accidents:
- Use a spotter to guide you as you drive the vehicle up the ramps
- Drive slowly and straighten the wheels as you approach the trailer bed
- Center the vehicle between the fenders and stop when the front wheels are just past the trailer axle
- Put the vehicle in park, set the parking brake, and turn off the engine
- Secure the vehicle with the provided chains and ratchet straps, keeping the straps away from sharp edges and suspension components
Plan ahead for a safe ride.
Towing a car trailer is not quite like everyday driving. Some extra precautions to take include:
- Checking your route for low bridges, weight restrictions, and steep grades
- Avoiding busy urban areas and rush hour traffic when possible
- Anticipating slower acceleration and increased stopping distance
- Keeping your speed under 55 mph, per U-Haul‘s recommendation
- Making wider turns to avoid clipping curbs or other vehicles
- Allowing extra space when changing lanes or merging
- Pulling over at a rest stop every 2-3 hours to check the load and take a break
Pack an emergency kit.
Even if you take every precaution, unexpected issues can arise on a long towing trip. Be prepared for anything by packing a towing emergency kit with:
- High-visibility reflective triangles or road flares
- A spare tire and jack for both the trailer and tow vehicle
- Jumper cables and a portable jump starter
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Basic hand tools like wrenches, pliers, and a utility knife
- Work gloves and a raincoat
- First aid supplies
- Bottled water and non-perishable snacks
- A fully charged cell phone and charger
Alternative Ways to Transport a Vehicle
Not everyone is comfortable towing a car trailer—and that‘s okay. There are several other options for getting a vehicle from point A to point B:
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Tow dolly rental: A tow dolly is a smaller, two-wheeled trailer that lifts just the front wheels of a vehicle off the ground. Tow dollies are generally easier to maneuver than car trailers and can be towed by a wider range of vehicles. However, they‘re not suitable for all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicles.
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Professional auto transport: You can hire a licensed car shipping company to transport your vehicle on a specialized trailer. This is a good option if you‘re uncomfortable with towing or need to move a luxury or classic car. Prices vary by distance and vehicle type but typically range from $500 to $1,500 for a cross-country shipment.
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Drive away service: Another option is to have a professional driver transport your personal vehicle to its destination. Drive away services are a convenient alternative to towing, though they tend to be more expensive than car shipping. Expect to pay around $1 per mile for a professional driver, plus fuel costs.
The Bottom Line on U-Haul Car Trailer Weight
Towing a vehicle with a U-Haul car trailer can be a convenient and cost-effective solution for long-distance moves or seasonal relocations. But with great towing power comes great responsibility. It‘s crucial to understand your trailer‘s empty weight, max load capacity, and total weight with cargo to ensure a safe journey.
By choosing a tow vehicle with appropriate hauling specs, loading the vehicle with care, and following best practices for safe trailering, you can greatly reduce the risks of towing and enjoy a smooth ride. And if you ultimately decide that towing isn‘t right for you, remember that professional auto transport and drive away services offer a hands-free alternative.
Regardless of which option you choose, we hope this expert guide has given you the knowledge and confidence to make an informed decision about transporting your vehicle. Here‘s to a safe and successful road trip!
