If you did not have a specific need, what size utility trailer would you think would be ideal for most uses?

Cost and storing it start to become factors when you would only use something like this once or twice per year.

I originally thought 5x10 2k lb capacity to easily transport sheets of plywood. Then I started thinking 6x12 to transport lumber with the gate up. Now I'm at 8x16 double axle car hauler ... you know, in case I ever need to haul one. If it rains, I might regret that it's not enclosed.

You see where this goes.


Most likely uses - transport a mower a time or two, dump a bucket of mulch on it, maybe some of those landscape blocks - all random and infrequent.

Dad went through the same dilemma. Figured he would use it once or twice a year. But, he went big, and got a 20 ft. car hauler.

That thing gets used at least twice a month, if not by him, by me, or his friends. We both have lots of land, so storage isn't a problem, like it may be with you.

In my experience, the little rinky dink harbor freight type trailers are good for light yard work, and don't stand up to loading/unloading, and rigors of the road.

I would go with a car hauler, if you can swing it. Good luck in your search!

Make friends with those who own various trailers.

You forgot:
Dump trailer (mulch/rock/etc)
Something with a winch
etc.

Better to have options, so have many friends.
Within a mile, there is 4x6, 6x12 owned by family that I can just hook up to.
expand out ~10mi & I have everything you mentioned & what I typed above covered.

I have 2 utility trailers. One is a 6x16 Tandem Axle Black Utility Trailer with gate.
The other is a 6x10 Single Axle Black Utility Trailer with gate. I use the 6x10 all the time. It's large enough to handle most of my needs and very easy to tow. If I could only own one, the 6x10 would be it.




I removed the spot welds from the cross piece and replaced with bolts. Now it's easy to replace boards when needed.

6x12
N&N tandem axle dump

All the boxes get checked, no regrets , great resale $ when you choose to sell it.

https://www.thumbtrailerandaut...-n-trailers-for-sale

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

I have a 5x10 3500 lb capacity. If I did it over again would go with 6x10 3500 lb capacity. A 2000 LB capacity is not much on a bigger trailer. My 5x10 weight is around 700 lb something with no load.

I have a 5x10 and it is too small. Not to mention a gigantic pain to back up.

I bought a 7-1/2'x 16' Diamond C utility trailer... tandem axle with electric brakes not really knowing what I was going to haul. So far it seems to be the perfect size for what I need to drag around.

For me it's 5x8. Any size of lumber I might need will fit easily. When any age-related balance issues arise I'll sell my 250 dual-sport and get a small quad which will also fit. So will a full size mattress for camping. Having the lightest trailer possible was a priority.

My favorite general small-use trailer is a surplus WW2 Bantam. A few small mods on mine, & it carries well a full yard of dirt/gravel. Highly maneuverable in back-up due to my 4' tongue, I was reduced for a over a decade from pick-ups to whatever my various JKs could tow, so the Bantam was a natural.

The really nice thing about the Bantam, it was tough and agile. The originals were a watertight box designed to actually float "500#" across any water obstacle the Willys could tow it thru. Mine has a tail gate. Easy to move by hand, as it weighs under 600 and has great balance for hitching up.

Very handy for home chores, as I can satisfy my Sweet Bride in her garden needs with easy efforts. It will carry just over a full yard with a flat load, or more with a bit of a hump in the middle. If that's not enough I can go back for more. If it's too much of the wrong thing, I can easily hand unload what amounts to a dozed or so wheel barrow loads.

While a bit under 4' wide it won't carry plywood sheet flat, but it does lay cross-side easily. I don't carry big lawn mowers in it as their deck is too wide.

My next favorite trailer is now 5 years old. It is a single axle 3500# dump with 3' sides. Bed is about 7'x 9', just right for my projects.

What do you plan to haul?
What is pulling it?

Mine is a tandem axle, 6x12 hydraulic dump with something like 30” sides. It has ramps and can carry my 7,000 lb. John Deere tractor. Gross weight is 10k lbs. My Dodge Ram with a diesel engine does the pulling. Anything lighter as a pulling vehicle would likely get pushed by the trailer and that could be a bad thing.

Long tongue on a trailer makes it much easier to back up. Something tall enough to see in rear view mirrors is a plus, making backing easier.

For lumber I would get 8’ bed minimum for sheets of plywood and drywall. 10’ or 12’ is better.

Tilt beds or ramps in the back are both good options. Places (rings?) welded on for tying down loads are good. More = better.

A tall, wire mesh gate that is stored straight up is a sail and kills gas mileage. You may not find any other option - I would look to make it removable.

What’s your tow vehicle and how much do you want to spend? My 7x12 was $1,000 about 20 years ago. I think it’s a 3,500 pound axle, so about 2,500 pounds of payload. Anything bigger than the trailer and my truck can’t handle, can be delivered for cheap; a lot cheaper than a more capable trailer.

Once you get above 3,500 pounds (this is a generalization as state laws vary), you’ll be getting trailer brakes and you’ll need a trailer brake controller for your tow vehicle.

If I didn’t have a big garage to park my trailer in, I’d get an enclosed one.

You’ll know if you need a bigger trailer. You’ll buy a tractor, start taking a car to the track, want to take 4 ATVs to the trails, etc.

I have a 16' tandem axle that is good for my compact tractor, my zero turn mower, pallets of mulch, and on occasion two large touring motorcycles. I have a 12 foot single axle enclosed box trailer which is a good size for a lot of things and the box aspect means I dont have to worry about the weather or thieves if I have multiple stops to make. Another advantage is that is serves as a great storage shed for generators and mowers and grills and such when not being used to haul stuff.

Yea. I built a 4x8 years ago. A new ZTR would not fit so I bought a 5x10 tilt bed. Then 6 years later I bought a compact tractor with loader and backhoe… yea trailer number three… a double axle (with brakes) 16 footer with let down ramp.

Pretty well got it covered now… hopefully.

I've had several from a dual axle car hauler to a 5' x 8' tilt bed. My favorite was a 6'x10' dovetail but it's not big enough for a Kawasaki Mule.

I recently bought a 6.5' x 14' dovetail with tailgate that folds in or out and it's a good one.

quote:

Originally posted by snidera:
Make friends with those who own various trailers.

You forgot:
Dump trailer (mulch/rock/etc)
Something with a winch
etc.

Better to have options, so have many friends.
Within a mile, there is 4x6, 6x12 owned by family that I can just hook up to.
expand out ~10mi & I have everything you mentioned & what I typed above covered.

My buddy has a bunch of trailers

Do you need to roll a vehicle on the trailer? If so the ramp length will be important. Too short and the vehicle could scrape the break over point.

Do you need to haul objects like mulch? If so side panels are needed to most easily contain the load.

Bagged mulch on pallets is so much easier to deal with if you don’t own equipment. I take my gate off and get three pallets on the trailer. They put the first one on and use the subsequent ones to push the first then first and second ones forward. I’ll load a fourth pallet in the bed of the truck bag by bag if needed.

Even if you have equipment, unless you have a dump trailer, you are still shoveling loose mulch with a utility trailer. A utility trailer won’t handle the weight of a skid steer, front end loader or tractor with a bucket. Maybe a compact tractor, but two guys and a wheelbarrow can move bagged mulch faster than one guy with a compact tractor.

So far my favorite "around the house trailer" was a 4x8 mesh I frequently towed with my Kawasaki side by side.

5x8, wood floor, mesh gate, 3500 lb axle with 15" tires that I've owned since 1996. Moved me, family, and friends numerous times. I added a spare tire mount to the side and upgraded to LED lights a couple of years ago. A-frame hitch, so it pulls really nice. Made by Lawrimore Trailers in Falkville, AL.