ATV Trailer Rentals: How To Pick The Right One

You've got an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or utility task vehicle (UTV) to move, and the marketplace is full of trailer types. You know your machine. What's less obvious is which deck, width and loading method actually fit it.

Pick the wrong one and the problem shows up at the worst possible moment — a UTV too wide to sit between the fenders, a ramp too steep for a low-slung sport quad, or a machine that rides home loose at highway speed.

Choosing the right ATV trailer rental comes down to matching the trailer to the machine. This guide walks through weight, width, loading and securing so you book the right trailer the first time.

Start With Your Machine's Weight and Width

Two specs drive every decision that follows: how much your machine weighs and how wide it is. Get those numbers before you start scrolling through listings.

Know Your Loaded Weight

Weight is rarely the constraint for a single ATV, but it matters once you add a second machine or move up to a UTV. Most ATVs run 400 to 800 lbs. UTVs run 1,000 to 2,000 lbs — heavier than people expect.

Every listing shows the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Compare your machine's weight against that number, and leave room for gear, fuel and a second rider's worth of cargo if you're loading more than the machine itself.

Measure Your Widest Point

Width is the spec that trips people up, especially with UTVs. Most ATVs are roughly 48 in wide. Many UTVs run 60 to 65 in or wider once you account for fender flares and mirrors.

Measure the widest point of the machine, not the tire track. That single number decides whether a standard trailer deck works or you need full deck width — which we'll get to below.

The Trailer Types That Work for ATVs and UTVs

Four trailer types cover almost every ATV and UTV haul. The right one depends on how many machines you're moving, how wide they are and how much protection the load needs.

Utility Trailer — The Default

For a single ATV, an open utility trailer is the most practical and affordable choice. It loads easily, lets a muddy machine drain and dry, and costs the least to rent.

Look for a ramp gate and at least four tie-down points. A 5x8 or 5x10 handles one ATV comfortably, and a 6x10 or 6x12 fits two. This is the right starting point for standard-width ATVs, though wide UTVs are a different story. Browse utility trailer rentals for ATVs to see what's available near you.

Enclosed Cargo Trailer — Protection and Security

An enclosed cargo trailer is worth the step up for long hauls, expensive machines or any time you want to lock everything out of sight. It shields the load from weather and road debris, and it gives you a secure space for overnight stops.

A 6x12 enclosed trailer fits one ATV with room for gear. Size up to a 7x14 or larger for two. The tradeoff is weight and cost — enclosed trailers tow heavier and rent for more. See enclosed trailer rentals for ATVs if security or weather protection is the priority.

Deckover Trailer — Full Width for Wide UTVs

A deckover trailer puts the deck above the wheels instead of between them, so there are no wheel wells eating into usable width. That makes it the answer for wide side-by-sides that won't fit a standard utility deck.

If your UTV measures wider than the gap between a utility trailer's fenders, look at deckover trailer rentals for ATVs first. You get the full deck width with nothing in the way of the tires.

Equipment Trailer — Multiple Machines or a Side-by-Side Plus Gear

An equipment trailer makes sense when you're hauling more than one machine, or a UTV alongside other equipment. The longer decks and higher capacity give you the room a single utility trailer can't.

For one quad, this is more trailer than you need. For two or more machines, or a loaded side-by-side, check equipment trailer rentals for ATVs.

A UTV's Width Matters

Here's the catch that surprises UTV owners: a standard utility trailer is measured fender to fender, but the usable space between the fenders is narrower than the trailer's overall width. A wide machine has to clear that gap or ride up on the fenders, and neither works.

Many utility trailers have only 4 to 5 ft of clear width between the fenders. A 60 to 65 in UTV can exceed that gap entirely. When it does, you have two ways out: a deckover trailer with the deck mounted above the wheels, or a wide flat deck with no fender intrusion.

The fix is simple in practice. Measure your machine's widest point, then compare it to the trailer's usable deck width — not its overall width. Some narrower side-by-sides fit a wide utility deck fine. The wider ones need a deckover. Measure first, then decide.

When to Rent a Tilt Deck Trailer for a Low-Clearance ATV/UTV

Sport quads and lowered UTVs sit low to the ground, and that changes how they load. A standard fold-down ramp creates a steep approach angle that can high-center the machine — the skid plate or front bumper drags right where the ramp meets the deck.

Why Ramp Angle Matters

A short, steep ramp forces a sharp break-over angle at the top of the climb. Low-clearance machines catch their belly or bumper at that transition. Longer ramps reduce the angle, but they aren't always included with the trailer, so don't assume.

How a Tilt Deck Solves It

A tilt deck trailer pivots the entire bed down to near ground level, then locks flat for towing. The load angle stays shallow the whole way up, so there's no break-over hump to hang up on. It also removes the separate question of whether a ramp gate is rated for your machine's weight.

If you're moving a low-slung machine, look at tilt deck trailer rentals for ATVs before settling on a standard ramp.

How to Secure an ATV or UTV for Transport

Picking the right trailer gets the machine loaded. Securing it properly keeps it there. A loose ATV shifts under braking and cornering, and that's how machines and trailers get damaged.

Use the Right Straps and Anchor Points

Use ratchet straps or cam buckle straps rated for the machine's weight — never bungee cords. Plan on at least four straps, one for each corner. Soft loops protect the frame and finish where the straps attach.

Anchor points vary by trailer. D-rings, stake pockets and E-track are all common, and the listing tells you what's on the deck. Confirm the trailer has solid tie-down points before you book, not after you've loaded.

The Four-Corner Method

Pull the machine forward against the front of the deck or a wheel chock so it can't roll. Run a strap from each corner of the machine out and down to an anchor point, pulling at opposing angles so the machine can't shift side to side.

Compress the suspension slightly as you cinch each strap. That keeps the straps tight as the machine bounces over bumps instead of going slack the first time the suspension settles.

Before You Pull Out

A few final checks make the difference between a clean haul and a roadside scramble:

• Chock the wheels in addition to strapping the machine down
• Set the parking brake and leave the machine in gear or park
• Shut off the fuel valve if the machine has one
• Remove or secure loose items — coolers, tools, helmets
• Recheck every strap after the first few miles, since they loosen as the suspension settles

What About Insurance and Damage Protection?

Before towing a rented trailer, contact your auto insurance provider to ask whether your policy covers liability and towing-related damage claims.

Eligible rentals booked through Big Rentals also include Basic Rental Protection at checkout. This added protection can help limit your financial responsibility for certain damage or theft events during the rental period.

For full details on how Basic Rental Protection works, including deductibles, exclusions and renter responsibilities, review our FAQ and platform terms.

Match the Trailer to the Machine

The right ATV trailer rental isn't about finding the biggest deck or the cheapest listing. It's about matching deck width, loading method and tie-downs to the specific machine you're moving. Measure your ATV or UTV, check the trailer's usable width and capacity, and confirm the loading method works for your ground clearance before you book.

Browse utility trailer rentals near you.