Looking for a way to move your car to your new home that doesn’t require sitting behind the wheel and driving it yourself? There are several options available to you, ranging from the budget-friendly to the pricey, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the most popular options is to rent a car trailer and tow your vehicle along behind your moving truck—which is a more hands-on (but significantly more affordable) solution than springing for a third-party auto transport service or hiring a professional driver. Okay, now let’s discuss car trailer rental cost, why it might be just the right solution for your move and tips to help you throughout the process.
Benefits of renting a car trailer
When it comes to moving a car, choosing to rent a car trailer could be your best bet.
A car trailer (also called a car carrier or car hauler) is a four-wheel carrier that allows you to tow your car behind your moving truck while keeping all four wheels off the ground. Many moving truck rental companies allow you to tack them on for an additional fee for a package deal that ensures your car arrives at your new location at the same time that you do.
Renting a car trailer is one of a handful of options for moving a car, the others being tow dollies, auto transport, professional drivers, and moving a vehicle by train. So how does it compare? Here are some of the reasons why you might want to rent a car trailer instead of going with one of the other modes of transport:
- Unlike tow dollies, car trailers keep all four wheels of your vehicle off the ground, which can reduce wear and tear during transit
- A car trailer is sufficient for most types of cars, including coupes, sedans, and SUVs
- Car trailers tend to sway less on the road than tow dollies
- Car trailers are much cheaper than hiring a professional car shipper or a private driver
- Because you’re moving your car yourself, you don’t have to wait for your car to get delivered once you arrive at your new home
- Car trailers can handle much heavier weights than tow dollies—U-Haul’s car trailer has a max load of 5,290 pounds, for example, while their tow dollies can only accommodate front-wheel drive vehicles up to 3,450 pounds and rear-wheel drive vehicles up to 3,900 pounds
- Car trailers won’t put any additional mileage on your car
- The cost to rent a car trailer is often cheaper than other options
As far as DIY car transport goes, renting a car trailer may be the easiest way to go—and it can also be the most affordable, particularly if you’re embarking on a long-distance move. There are a couple of disadvantages of using a car trailer too to be aware of. You’ll have to get comfortable with driving your truck with the trailer attached in the back, and you’ll also be limited on what size truck you can rent (more on that below). You may also not be able to rent a car trailer at all depending on your vehicle, so you’ll want to check well in advance so that you know if you need to look into other options.
How much does it cost to rent a car trailer?
Expect to spend between $200 and $400 to rent a car trailer for a standard long-distance move. If you’re moving locally, you may be able to rent a car trailer for around $100 or less.
To get a better idea of the cost of renting a car carrier, we got quotes from three of the major moving truck rental companies based on a long-distance move from Chicago to New York City. Here are the prices that we were given:
- U-Haul: $386
- Budget: $237
- Penske: $375
Keep in mind that there are many price factors at play: the date, time, and location of your move, as well as the make and model of your vehicle. Because supply and demand are big cost determinants with moving gear rentals, you’ll probably spend more to rent a car trailer on a weekend or during peak moving season. Distance is a big factor as well. And as you might expect, the cost to rent a car trailer will go up the further you have to move and the longer you need the carrier for.
As you’re budgeting out your move, other things to keep in mind are that most truck rental companies—including the ones mentioned above—will only rent a car trailer out as an add-on. That means that you can’t rent a truck from one company and a car trailer from another as a means of piecing together the best deal. Likewise, car trailers are only available for rental with certain trucks; usually 16, 22, and 24 footers.
What is the cheapest way to transport a car?
The cheapest car transport option (aside from simply driving the car) is to rent a tow dolly. However, while they may be sufficient if you’re moving locally, tow dollies are not ideal for long-distance moves. That’s because, in addition to swaying on the road, they also make it so that you can’t reverse or back up your truck. That can be quite a hindrance, and it might even be a dealbreaker for your move.
In terms of long-distance car transport options, your options are renting a car trailer or hiring a professional auto transport company or driver. Train transport is available too, but it’s more limited as far as locations. A car trailer will usually be the cheapest of all of these choices.
Follow these tips when using a car carrier
The cost to rent a car trailer is just one factor in optimizing your car’s transport. No matter the method that you choose, it’s important that you take a number of steps to ensure your car arrives at your new home in the same condition it left your old one—and that it’s ready to drive when you need it.
Keep these following tips in mind when you rent a car trailer so that you don’t end up causing any inadvertent issues on or off the road.
Don’t top off your gas tank
Gas is heavy, and there’s no reason to fill up your fuel tank before loading your vehicle onto a car hauler. Try to arrange it so that you have around a quarter tank, which will be enough to get your car to the gas station when you arrive at your new location, but not so much that you’re pulling around unnecessary weight.
Drive up onto the trailer slowly
There’s no need to rush when you’re loading your vehicle onto the car carrier. Take it slow and steady, and if you can, have someone standing at a safe distance who can help you navigate the process.
Put your vehicle in the correct gear
Once your car is loaded onto the trailer, put it in park and engage the parking brake—then proceed with securing it with the proper straps and/or chains.
Maintain a speed of 55 miles or less when you’re on the road
It’s tempting to get your move over with as quickly as you can, but for safety’s sake, you’ll want to limit your speed.
Brake early
Give yourself plenty of room to brake when you’re driving. Most of us don’t have a lot of experience driving a moving truck or hauling a car, so it’s always better to be extra cautious for your own safety and the safety of other drivers.
Give the trailer a once-over at every stop
When you stop for a snack, rest, or bathroom break, be sure to check up on your car trailer too. You’ll want to double check that your car is still fully secured and that all of your loading straps and/or chains are tight and in position.
Planning to rent a car trailer for your move? Think that a professional driver or auto transport company might be the better choice? Check out our guide on moving your vehicle to another state for more information on your options, including what to know about each of your choices.
As always, makes sure to figure out your moving budget in advance so that you can accommodate any expenses like truck rentals and car transport. Cost is almost always going to be a deciding factor in how you move, so you’ll want to know exactly how much you have to spend and how much the various options are going to cost you. Use our moving cost calculator for a quick estimate on how much you might need to set aside for your upcoming relocation.
Resources
- The Best Car Shipping Companies
- AmeriFreight Review
- AutoStar Transport Express Review
- Fidelity Auto Shipping Review
- Montway Auto Transport Review
- Nexus Auto Transport Review
Related Articles:
- How to Ship a Car to Another State
- How to Move a Car to Another State
- What Is the Gas Mileage of a U-Haul Truck Rental?
- Can I Move My Leased Car Out of State?
- How to Ship a Motorcycle
- The 411 on Using a Car Dolly Rental to Move Your Vehicle
- Should You Hire Day Labor to Help You Move?
- Car Trailer vs. Tow Dolly: Which Should You Choose?
- How to Save on Your Truck Rental Fuel Costs
- Lowe’s Truck Rental: Here’s How it Works
