Enclosed Cargo Trailers for Moving: Size, Weight, and Towing Basics

The best enclosed cargo trailer for moving is one your tow vehicle can legally and safely pull, with enough interior length and a rear ramp door to load furniture easily. Most household moves fit in a trailer roughly 6×12 to 7×16 feet, but the right size depends on your belongings and, more importantly, your vehicle’s towing capacity. Start with towing limits, then work toward the trailer.

Start with Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity

Look in the owner’s manual for the maximum towing capacity, hitch class, tongue weight limits, and gross combined weight rating. A trailer’s empty weight plus your cargo must stay under those limits. Many people forget that cargo adds up quickly: furniture, boxes, and appliances can weigh more than expected. Check the trailer’s GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) as well as its empty weight.

You also need a correct hitch, ball size, wiring connector, and, for many trailers, a brake controller. Electric brakes are required on heavier trailers in many places. Consult the vehicle manufacturer, your state rules, and a professional hitch installer if you’re unsure, because towing mistakes are dangerous.

Choosing the Right Size

A rough guide is to match trailer size to the size of the home you’re moving. Always confirm with an inventory of your belongings, because bulky items matter more than total number of boxes.

Features That Make Loading Easier

• Ramp door: a rear ramp with spring assist makes loading appliances easier; barn doors give wider openings but no ramp.
• Interior height: about 6 feet or more lets you stand and stack comfortably.
• Tie-down points: D-rings or E-track let you secure furniture.
• Interior lighting: useful for night loading.
• Side door: helpful for access without opening the rear ramp.
• Roof vent: reduces moisture buildup.

Good tie-downs are essential. Quality heavy-duty ratchet straps and moving blankets prevent shifting and damage. A hand truck or furniture dolly saves your back.

Buy, Rent, or Borrow?

If you move once, renting is usually cheaper and easier. Renting also takes away storage and registration headaches. If you move often, haul equipment, or can resell the trailer afterward, buying may make sense. A used trailer can hold value, but inspect the frame, floor, tires, axles, wiring, and roof for rust and leaks.

When buying new or used, verify the title, VIN, and registration rules for your state. Insurance coverage varies, so check how your auto policy treats trailers and cargo. If you plan to buy, browse trailer coupler locks and other security gear too, since cargo trailers are a theft target.

Loading and Driving Safely

Place heavier items low and slightly forward of the axle, aiming for about 10 to 15 percent of the trailer weight as tongue weight; check your trailer’s recommendation. Distribute weight evenly side to side, and tie everything down so nothing shifts. Check tire pressure on both the tow vehicle and trailer, test the lights and brakes, and make sure safety chains are crossed and connected.

• Drive slower than usual, allow extra braking distance, and take wide turns.
• Avoid sudden lane changes, which can start trailer sway.
• Use tow mirrors if the trailer is wider than your vehicle.
• Practice reversing in an empty lot before the move.

Inspecting a Trailer Before You Buy

Walk around the trailer in daylight. Look at the frame welds, the floor from underneath, the roof seams, and the corners for rust or water stains. Check tire age (a four-digit date code on the sidewall) and tread, because trailer tires often age out before they wear out. Test the lights, brakes, coupler latch, jack, and ramp door. Open and close every door to confirm it seals well, since leaks ruin furniture and boxes.

Ask for paperwork, including the title, the manufacturer’s certificate of origin for a new unit, and any service records. Compare the VIN on the paperwork with the plate on the trailer. Finally, think about resale and storage: a trailer that fits in your driveway or storage lot and holds its value is cheaper in the long run than a larger one you rarely fill.

Insurance deserves a call too. Your auto policy may cover liability for a trailer you tow, but physical damage and contents are often separate, so ask your agent about moving-day coverage before you load.

Plan the route before moving day. Check for low bridges, steep grades, tight turns, and toll or weight restrictions, and allow extra time for fuel stops. Trailers are also affected by crosswinds, so if the forecast is rough, consider delaying. Pack a basic roadside kit with a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, wheel chocks, and a flashlight, and make sure the spare fits the trailer, not just your truck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special license to tow?

Many standard trailers do not need a special license, but rules vary by state and weight. Check local regulations.

Is a tandem axle better?

It can provide more stability and capacity, but it’s heavier and harder to maneuver. Match it to your load and vehicle.

Can a car tow an enclosed trailer?

Some small cars can tow lightweight trailers, but most are limited. Follow the manufacturer’s stated capacity and use proper equipment.