If you intend to tow a car in Texas, you have to know the weight of a car hauler trailer! Knowing the weight information is important for safe towing and for complying with the state’s weights when on the road, whether it’s for personal use or for a business.
To assist you in making wise choices, we’ll look at every facet of car hauler trailer weight, including the weight when loaded and when empty.
Let’s get into the specifics now!
A Car Hauler Trailer: What Is It?
We’ll start with the foundation concepts before moving on to the numbers. The type of flat trailer that is built for transporting cars is called a car hauler trailer. These car hauler trailers are designed for different types of vehicle changes and different vehicle tow requirements, and they come in various sizes, styles and weight capacities.Two common types are:
- Open trailers for car hauling: These trailers are cheap, light, and flexible but they are exposed to the weather and road debris.
- Trailers for enclosed car haulers: These trailers are good for valuable or vintage car hauling as they are heavier (more protective) and keep your car out of the weather.
What Is the Weight of a Car Hauler Trailer?
The weight of a car hauler trailer will depend on its size, type and material.
On average:
- When empty, open car hauler trailers weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds.
- Enclosed car hauler trailers are made of additional materials and weigh between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds when empty.
What does this signify for tow capacity, then? The combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and towing capacity of your car are directly impacted by the weight of your trailer.
The Main Factors Affecting the Weight of Car Hauler Trailers
Material:
- Steel trailers are robust but heavier than aluminum trailers. However, they can withstand more reckless use than aluminum.
- Aluminum trailers are lighter and more expensive than steel trailers.
Size:
- A 16 foot car hauler trailer will weigh less than a 20 foot car hauler trailer.
Type of Trailer:
- Enclosed trailers weigh significantly more than open trailers, due to more materials used for protection.
Additional item:
- More features will increase the weight, such as ramps, tool boxes, and winches.
GVWR Car Hauler Trailer: What You Need to Know
In simpler terms, the maximum weight of the trailer, and all of the cargo, is referred to as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR.
Open Car Hauler GVWR And Enclosed Car Hauler Trailer GVWR:
Open Car Hauler Trailer GVWR typically falls between 7000 to 14000 lbs.
Enclosed Car Hauler Trailer GVWR usually runs between 10000 to 20000 lbs.
It is recommended to know GVWR, to avoid any overload issues that can cause mechanical breakdowns or safety issues.
What’s the Difference Between Trailer Weight and Payload?
Although it is easy to mix trailer weight with payload, the two are not the same thing.
- How much maximum weight the trailer can safely hold is referred to as payload.
- The weight of the trailer is its weight when not hooked to anything, its empty weight.
In simple example, if your payload capacity is 8,000 pounds and your trailer weighs 2,000 pounds with that it has a GVWR of 10,000. Always consider these numbers to have a safe towing.
Open vs Enclosed Car Trailer Weight
Open Car Hauler Trailer Weight:
- In general, lighter and easy to tow.
- Fuel efficient.
- Between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds is the average weight.
Weight of an Enclosed Car Hauler Trailer:
- Heavier due to an enclosed protective enclosure.
- improves security and weather protection.
- Between 3,000 to 5,000 pounds is the usual weight.
The primary factors influencing your choice will be your needs, financial status, and towing capacity.
How Much Does a Car Hauler Trailer Weigh Fully Loaded?
The totally loaded weight relies on the trailer’s GVWR and the car being hauled. Let’s say you’re utilizing an enclosed trailer with a GVWR of 12,000 pounds, the empty trailer loads 4,000 pounds, and your car weighs 6,000 pounds. So, the total weight is 10,000 pounds, meaning you have a 2,000 pound safety buffer.
The Importance Of Tongue Weight In Towing?
The amount of downward force exerted on the hitch by the trailer is known as tongue weight. Generally it is recommended a balanced tongue weight that is from 10 to 15 percent of the total weight. It makes it easier for safe towing.
- In easy words, if the total trailer weight is 10,000 pounds then the tongue weight would be 1,000 to 1,500 pounds.
Trailer sway and steering problems can be avoided by being aware of the tongue weight limits.
Important Information On Taxes Car Trailer Capacity
Texas has towing regulations and laws. Exceeding towing limits can put you in danger as well as may result in penalties. Make sure that your vehicle’s towing capacity is not exceeded by the combined weight of your trailer and any cargo you are towing.
Pro Tip: Always read your vehicle owner’s manual! Owner manuals state the towing capacity for your vehicle, so you can follow Texas laws.
Car Hauler Trailer Weight Chart
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight | GVWR Range | Payload Capacity |
| Open Car Hauler | 1,500-2,000 lbs | 7,000-14,000 lbs | 5,000-12,000 lbs |
| Enclosed Car Hauler | 3,000-5,000 lbs | 10,000-20,000 lbs | 5,000-15,000 lbs |
Use this chart as a reference to plan your towing setup effectively.
Car Hauler Trailer Towing Guidance
Distributing weight evenly.
Loading and distributing all weight evenly across both axles will help prevent trailer sway.
Check tire pressure.
Having low tire pressure can result in tire blowouts and instability while towing.
Secure the load.
Straps and chains will keep the vehicle firmly in place.
Inspect the hitch.
Always make sure it is secured and matches the trailer’s tongue weight.
Drive Safe.
Make sure to steady drive speed as well as give yourself extra time to brake when towing.
Conclusion
Knowing the weight details of car hauler trailers is critical to safe towing. If you are using car hauler trailers whether it be open or enclosed, understanding the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), tongue weight and payload capacity will make a world of difference. Always follow Texas towing regulations and check your vehicle’s manual first.
For reliable and high quality trailer rentals in Texas, consider checking out Apex Trailer Rentals. A professional can help ensure you have the right equipment for your towing needs.
FAQs
When empty, an enclosed trailer can weigh between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds, whereas an open car hauler trailer typically weighs between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds.
While an enclosed trailer of the same size can weigh approximately 3,500 pounds, a 16 foot open car hauler trailer usually weighs about 1,800 pounds.
Payload is the weight of the cargo that the trailer is capable of carrying, whereas trailer weight is the weight of the trailer itself.
The weight of a fully loaded car hauler trailer is determined by the cargo and the GVWR. For example, if the empty weight of a trailer is 2,000 pounds, it can carry up to 8,000 pounds of payload with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds.