Published: 2026-03-02 · Updated: 2026-03-02
DIY Car Hauling: Tips for Trailering Your Own Vehicle
- Your tow vehicle must handle the trailer's curb weight (1,500–3,000 lbs) plus the car's weight (3,000–4,500 lbs) — check the door-jamb sticker for payload and GVWR before you hitch anything up.
- Load 60% of the car's weight forward of the trailer axle to hit the 10–15% tongue weight target and prevent trailer sway.
- Use four DOT-rated ratchet straps or wheel nets with a minimum 3,300-lb breaking strength each, and re-check tension every 100 miles.
- A full car trailer (all four wheels on the deck) beats a tow dolly for AWD, 4WD, lowered, or non-running vehicles — every time.
- Most DIY haulers stay well under the 26,001-lb GCVWR CDL threshold, but licensing rules vary by state.
What Do You Need to Haul a Car on a Trailer?
To haul a car on a trailer, you need a tow vehicle rated for the combined weight of the trailer and car, a Class III or Class IV hitch receiver, a car hauler or flatbed trailer, four DOT-rated tie-down straps or wheel nets, safety chains, functioning trailer lights, and a brake controller if the trailer has electric brakes. Most passenger cars run 3,000–4,500 lbs per NHTSA vehicle weight data, which means your rig's total can easily push 7,000–8,000 lbs before you add fuel and gear.
Start with the door-jamb sticker on the driver's side B-pillar — it lists your GVWR, GAWR front and rear, and payload. That payload number is everything. It's what's left after the truck's curb weight is subtracted from GVWR, and every pound of tongue weight, passenger, fuel, and gear eats into it. If you're not sure your truck can handle the math, use the towing capacity lookup tool to cross-reference your year, make, model, and engine before you commit to a trailer rental.
The Hitch Setup
Verify your hitch receiver is rated for the job. The rating is stamped directly on the receiver tube near the pin hole — look for "Class III" (5,000-lb GTW) or "Class IV" (10,000-lb GTW). Most loaded car trailer setups run 5,500–7,500 lbs, so a Class III gets you there for light vehicles, but go Class IV if you're hauling a full-size sedan, muscle car, or anything with a heavy engine swap. Our tow hitch types guide breaks down receiver ratings in detail if you need a refresher.
You'll also need a 4-pin or 7-pin trailer connector. If your trailer has electric brakes — and any trailer over 3,000 lbs should — you need a 7-pin plug and a compatible supplemental braking system or brake controller wired to your tow vehicle.
What Size Trailer Do I Need to Haul a Car?
The right car trailer size depends on the vehicle you're hauling. Most standard sedans and coupes fit on a 16-foot open car hauler; full-size trucks, vans, and SUVs need an 18- to 20-foot deck. Deck width of 80–83 inches handles most passenger vehicles, including cars with wider aftermarket wheels.
The trailer's GVWR must exceed the weight of the car — leave a margin. A 7,000-lb GVWR trailer is the baseline for sedans; step up to a 10,000-lb GVWR unit for heavier vehicles or anything with extra gear stowed inside. Trailer curb weight runs 1,500–3,000 lbs for open trailers and 3,500–5,500 lbs for enclosed units, so an enclosed trailer dramatically shrinks your remaining payload.
Open vs. Enclosed: The Honest Trade-Off
Open trailers are lighter, cheaper to rent ($100–$180/day vs. $150–$250/day for enclosed), and easier to load because you can see the tires clearly. Enclosed trailers protect the vehicle from road debris, weather, and theft — worth it for collector cars or cross-country moves in winter. But that extra shell weight means your tow vehicle needs more capacity. A half-ton truck that comfortably pulls an open hauler with a sedan may be right at its limit with an enclosed setup carrying the same car.
| Trailer Type | Curb Weight | GVWR (Common) | Typical Rental Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open car hauler (16 ft) | 1,500–2,200 lbs | 7,000 lbs | $100–$140/day | Sedans, coupes, project cars |
| Open car hauler (20 ft) | 2,200–3,000 lbs | 10,000 lbs | $140–$180/day | Trucks, SUVs, muscle cars |
| Enclosed car hauler | 3,500–5,500 lbs | 10,000–14,000 lbs | $180–$280/day | Collectors, long-distance, weather protection |
| Tow dolly | 600–800 lbs | 3,500–5,000 lbs (car weight) | $50–$80/day | Short-distance FWD vehicles only |
Sources: U-Haul published rental rates; manufacturer GVWR specs from Chevrolet and RAM trailer guides; NHTSA
Can Your Vehicle Safely Haul a Car Trailer?
Before you load anything, you need to confirm your tow vehicle's numbers actually clear the combined weight. Enter your truck or SUV specs into RevFrenzy's interactive tool below to see whether your setup is in the safe zone.
A Worked Example with Real Numbers
Say you're driving a 2023 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI and the factory Class IV Trailer Tow Package (option code TG). That package adds a transmission oil cooler, upgraded radiator, heavy-duty flasher relay, and 7-pin wiring harness — without it, Ram's published 12,750-lb max rating doesn't apply to your truck. Payload on a typical crew cab 4x4 version runs about 1,680 lbs.
You're hauling a 2019 Honda Accord sedan at 3,300 lbs on a 16-foot open hauler that weighs 1,800 lbs. Total trailer weight: 5,100 lbs. Tongue weight at 12%: 612 lbs. Add yourself (190 lbs), a passenger (160 lbs), and 60 lbs of gear. That's 1,022 lbs against a 1,680-lb payload — you're at 61% capacity with room to spare. This setup works cleanly. Swap that sedan for a 4,500-lb muscle car and the math gets tight fast.
For a deeper look at how payload interacts with towing, the towing capacity guide walks through every number you need to know.
Is a Tow Dolly or Car Trailer Better for DIY Hauling?
A full car trailer is better than a tow dolly for most DIY car hauling situations. A tow dolly lifts only the front wheels, costs $50–$80/day to rent, and works adequately for short-distance moves in front-wheel-drive vehicles. A full trailer supports all four wheels, runs $100–$180/day for an open unit, and is the only safe choice for AWD, 4WD, lowered, or non-running vehicles.
The tow dolly's biggest limitation: rear-wheel-drive and AWD vehicles cannot legally ride on one without drivetrain damage or driveshaft removal. If you try to tow a rear-wheel-drive vehicle on a dolly, the rear wheels spin the driveshaft at road speed with no lubrication — transmission failure is a predictable result. The tow bar vs. tow dolly comparison covers those scenarios in detail. Also check our guide on towing with an automatic transmission before you decide on a method — drivetrain type matters more than most people realize.
How Do You Safely Load a Car onto a Trailer?
Loading a car on a trailer safely means positioning the trailer on flat, level ground with ramps secured and rated for the vehicle's weight, then driving straight and slow up the center of the deck. Place approximately 60% of the car's weight forward of the trailer axle — this is what keeps tongue weight in the 10–15% range and prevents trailer sway.
Here's the step-by-step:
- Level ground only. Even a 2-degree slope changes ramp angle enough to bottom out a lowered car or shift the load on a heavy vehicle.
- Check ramp rating. Ramps should be rated for at least the car's total weight, not split weight per wheel. Most quality ramps are stamped with a capacity near the base.
- Drive straight. Angling the car onto the trailer shifts weight laterally and can bend ramps. Use a spotter standing to the side, never behind the vehicle.
- Stop before the wheel chocks. Don't rely on momentum to position the car — creep the final few feet.
- Set the parking brake before you exit. The car moves during strapping. Keeping the brake set prevents roll while you work.
For more on the loading process, especially for vehicles that can't be driven, our DIY car trailer tips article covers winching and flatbed procedures.
How Do You Properly Strap Down a Car on a Trailer?
Proper tie-down requires four ratchet straps or wheel nets rated to at least 3,300 lbs breaking strength each — that's the minimum per FMCSA cargo securement regulations for vehicles in this weight class. Attach straps to the vehicle's factory tie-down points (usually visible hooks or loops behind the front and rear bumper fascia) or use over-the-wheel basket nets that wrap around each tire.
Pull each strap downward at roughly 45 degrees to the trailer's D-rings. Too steep (near vertical) and you lose horizontal restraint; too shallow and vertical hold drops off. Tighten each ratchet until the strap has zero slack and the suspension compresses slightly — the car shouldn't shift when you push it sideways by hand.
Recheck every 100 miles. Straps loosen as rubber compresses and metal settles. The FMCSA's Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance recommends the first check within 50 miles of departure, then every 150 miles after that. For a recreational DIY haul, every 100 miles is the practical standard. You'll also want to review our tow strap guide to understand working load limits vs. breaking strength — they're not the same number.
How Fast Can You Drive While Towing a Car on a Trailer?
The safe maximum speed for towing a car on a trailer is 55 mph per NHTSA guidance and most trailer manufacturer specs, though several states set their own limits that you must follow. According to the California Vehicle Code (§22406), any vehicle towing a trailer is limited to 55 mph regardless of posted freeway speeds. Texas imposes no such blanket restriction — you can tow at the posted limit on most roads. Check our towing laws by state tool before you leave.
Speed directly affects stopping distance. NHTSA data shows a loaded trailer increases stopping distance 20–40% compared to the unloaded vehicle. At 65 mph on dry pavement, that's a difference of roughly 40–70 feet — enough to matter at a highway off-ramp. Trailer sway becomes self-reinforcing above 55 mph; NHTSA links approximately 34% of towing accidents to improper loading or excessive speed triggering sway.
At altitude above 5,000 feet, naturally aspirated engines lose about 3% of power per 1,000 feet. Your Ram 1500 rated for 12,750 lbs at sea level is effectively working with 15% less power at 7,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies — maintain lower speeds on grades and give yourself extra braking room downhill.
Do You Need a Special License to Haul a Car on a Trailer?
In most U.S. states, a standard Class C or Class D driver's license covers DIY car hauling as long as the combined gross vehicle weight rating stays below 26,001 lbs — the federal CDL threshold set by FMCSA regulations. A half-ton pickup (7,000-lb GVWR) plus a loaded 10,000-lb GVWR car trailer totals 17,000 lbs combined, well under that ceiling for most recreational haulers.
California and Pennsylvania impose additional requirements. California requires trailer registration matching the loaded weight, and some counties require a brake controller for trailers over 1,500 lbs. Pennsylvania mandates a safety inspection sticker on trailers over 3,000 lbs registered in-state. Always verify requirements for every state on your route before departure — fines vary widely and registration issues can hold you at a weigh station.
If your project grows into regular vehicle transport — flipping cars, moving equipment, or hauling for hire — that changes the picture entirely. Commercial for-hire towing triggers DOT number requirements and possibly a CDL depending on weight and compensation. The how much does towing cost guide has more on when professional transport makes more financial sense than DIY.