How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Trailer? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights:
  • Trailer rentals cost between $20 and $100 per day, depending on your trailer type, size, and duration.

  • One-way rentals raise your total because you pay for different pickup and drop-off locations and longer travel.

  • You should budget for add-ons like a trailer hitch at $190, plus straps and a brake controller.

  • Hiring a local moving company provides reliable loading and unloading help, protecting your back and your belongings.

In 2026, the national average cost to rent a trailer is $70 per day. Typical rentals fall between $50 and $50 per day, with the spread driven by trailer size, type, and rental duration. If you need add-ons like a hitch, straps, or a brake controller, budget for those extras on top of your base rental rate.

Trailer Rental Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Cargo trailer being pulled with garbage and debris
Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images

The overall cost of a trailer rental depends on several variables, with trailer type, size, and rental duration being the primary drivers of what you pay.

Type of Trailer

5 trailer types compared visually, including open utility, dump, and livestock
Photos: Joe_Potato / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, AnnekeDeBlok / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Dorin_S / E+ / Getty Images, Brittany Schauer Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images

Trailers come in many forms to suit different hauling needs. Not all providers offer all trailer types. The table below lists average price ranges for some common trailer types:

Trailer TypeBest ForPrice Range (per Day) in 2026
Open utility trailerLarge or oddly shaped items that won’t fit in an enclosed trailer$30–$50
Enclosed cargo trailerProtecting items from the outdoor elements$20–$100
Dump trailerTransporting and unloading heavy material loads$60–$130
Livestock trailerTransporting livestock such as horses, cattle, pigs, or sheep$50–$140
Flatbed trailerHeavy or oversized loads such as vehicles or equipment$30–$190

Size

Trailer sizes vary widely across the rental industry with no universal standard, so the size you need will directly shape your daily rate. Larger trailers generally cost more per day, though trailer type also plays a role, a 5x8 dump trailer, for example, typically costs more than a larger 6x12 enclosed carrier. Costs vary by size, as the breakdown below shows.

Trailer Size (Feet)Price Range (per Day) in 2026
4x8$20–$40
5x8$20–$90
6x10$30–$50
6x12$30–$80
7x14$70–$100
8.5x24$70–$180

Duration

Trailer rentals are typically priced by the half day, full day, or week, and costs increase with longer rental periods, as the breakdown below shows.

Rental DurationAverage Price Range in 2026
Half day$20–$80
Full day$20–$190
One week$70–$420
Four weeks$240–$880

Truck Rental

If you don't own a vehicle capable of towing your trailer, renting a pickup truck will add $20 to $115 per day to your total, plus $0.40 to $1.10 per mile depending on your rental company's terms. Some providers include a set number of free miles before the per-mile rate applies, so it's worth comparing terms before booking. Choosing a trailer rental provider that also offers truck rentals can simplify the process by keeping both transactions in one place.

Type of Rental Service

Most trailer rental providers offer local service only, where you pick up and return the trailer at the same location, with pricing typically set per day. Larger national providers may offer one-way rentals with different pickup and drop-off locations, which is useful for long-distance moves but generally costs more depending on trailer size, travel distance, and haul dates.

Security Deposit

Some trailer rental providers require a security deposit at pickup, which is refunded once you return the trailer and settle your rental charges.

Why You Should Hire a Moving Pro

Renting a trailer will almost always be more affordable than hiring a moving pro, which costs an average of $1,700. However, hiring a moving company near you will save time and energy, and depending on what you're moving, leaving the work to a professional can reduce stress and help avoid damage to personal items and furniture in the case of a relocation.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a moving pro

Whether you'd be using the trailer to haul debris to a dumping site or to move furniture and belongings to a new home, there are a few important upsides to hiring a pro that you should consider that could make the higher cost worthwhile.

  • Hiring a pro reduces the risk of personal injury, especially when it comes to moving large or bulky items.

  • An expert will often load and unload materials for you, which dramatically reduces stress and saves you time and energy.

  • In the case of a move, professionals will wrap, prep, and secure your belongings to reduce the risk of damage during the relocation.

  • Pros have equipment that makes the job safer and faster, like dollies, hand trucks, lifting braces, and tie-downs.

  • Pros have a better understanding of local dumping regulations and can ensure everything is dumped properly or recycled, if possible.

Cost of Common Trailer Rental Add-Ons

Renting a trailer often means budgeting for accessories to secure it to your vehicle and your load, including hitches, balls, mounts, tie-downs, and a trailer brake controller that mounts inside your cab. A trailer hitch runs $190, while a hitch ball costs $10 per day to rent or $40 to own outright. Ratchets and straps or ropes and tie-downs each run about $10, and a trailer brake controller can be rented for $20 per day.

Tips to Save Money When Renting a Trailer

To save money on a trailer rental, consider the following tips:

  • Compare providers and book at least eight weeks early for the widest trailer selection.

  • Rent a trailer large enough to complete your haul in one trip to avoid high mileage fees.

  • Choose a rental that includes necessary add-ons such as straps and hitches in the cost.

Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
  • If you’re relocating, ask your pro if they’ll handle organizing and packing or if you should tackle those tasks yourself.

  • Discuss a clear timeline for your move or junk hauling services to make sure you stay on schedule.

  • For moving, discuss any particularly large or heavy items, and for junk hauling, discuss any potentially hazardous materials.

  • Make sure you’re clear about whether your pro charges by the project or by the hour to avoid surprises.

  • Ask about add-on services you might need, including demolition, packing, and unpacking.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are sometimes hidden costs when hiring a moving company. These can include fees for packing, handling, and assembling specific large items, fees for packing materials used, and charges for trips over a certain mileage. To avoid hidden fees, always request a detailed quote before booking or paying a deposit.

It is not difficult to drive a U-Haul truck or other rental truck, and you don’t need an additional license on top of a standard government-issued driver’s license in most cases. However, those unaccustomed to driving large vehicles may have difficulty adjusting to the maneuverability of a rental truck. Parking can also be more difficult.

The requirements to rent a trailer vary by rental company but typically include a standard government-issued driver’s license. This puts the minimum age to rent a trailer at 16 in most states, although some companies have higher age requirements for specific trailers or trucks, such as 18, 21, or 25 years.

A 5x8 trailer can fit a queen-sized bed plus additional items. It is one of the most common sizes for enclosed cargo trailers, open utility trailers, and dump trailers. U-Haul, a national trailer rental company serving most U.S. markets, claims its 5x8 enclosed trailer can tow up to 1,800 pounds.

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