Utility Trailer Rental in Troy, IL: What Can You Haul?

If you're comparing utility trailer rental near me options, this guide covers what you can actually haul on an open utility trailer so you can decide if it's the right call before you book.

What Makes a Utility Trailer Different

A utility trailer is an open flatbed with low sides or no sides at all. You can load it from the sides, the back, or over the top. There is no roof, no walls, and no hydraulic lift. What you get instead is easy access, a low deck height, and room for oversized items that would not fit through the door of an enclosed trailer.

At KD Trailer Rentals, we run two utility trailer sizes. The 14ft has a 2,500 lb capacity, needs a 2-inch ball hitch, and accepts either a 4 or 7 pin plug. No brake controller is needed. The 20ft has a 7,500 lb capacity, needs a 2 5/16-inch ball hitch and a 4 or 7 pin plug. Straps are available on request for both.

Need utility trailer dimensions before you book? The size and hitch notes below should help.

Hauling Furniture and Household Items

A utility trailer works well for moving furniture, appliances, and bulky household items, especially if weather is not a concern. Couches, mattresses, dressers, washers, dryers, and refrigerators all fit on an open flatbed without trouble. The 14ft can handle a one-bedroom apartment's worth of furniture in one load. The 20ft container provides enough space for a full household when everything is stacked and strapped properly.

The trade-off is exposure. Everything on a utility trailer is open to the weather. If it is raining or you need more security, an enclosed trailer makes more sense. But if you are moving on a dry day and your furniture can handle a short highway trip, a utility trailer gets the job done for less money.

Lawn Equipment and Landscaping Materials

Utility trailers are built for the kind of hauling most homeowners around Troy and the Metro East actually need. Moving a riding mower to a friend's house, picking up mulch from the garden center, or hauling pavers for a patio project are all good utility trailer jobs.

The 14ft handles most single-item loads: a mower, a small load of bagged mulch, or a few pallets of pavers. The 20ft is the better choice if you are picking up a larger delivery of landscaping material or hauling several pieces of equipment at once. Loose material like gravel or dirt is easier to unload from a dump trailer with a hydraulic lift, but if you only need a small amount and do not mind shoveling it off, a utility trailer works fine.

ATVs, Motorcycles, and Side-by-Sides

If you are hauling a single ATV, a motorcycle, or a side-by-side, a utility trailer is the simplest option. The 14ft has enough deck space for one machine. The 20ft gives you room for a side-by-side or for multiple machines side by side.

For anything approaching or over 2,500 lbs — like a large side-by-side, a heavy UTV, or several machines — step up to the 20ft utility trailer. It has the 7,500 lb capacity to handle the weight safely. Just make sure you have the straps you need to tie everything down.

Building Materials and Equipment

Picking up drywall, lumber, roofing materials, or a pallet of concrete bags from the supply yard? A utility trailer handles it. The open deck lets you load long lumber without fighting a door opening, and the low sides make it easy to slide heavy materials on with a forklift or by hand.

The 14ft is enough for most material runs — a load of drywall, a stack of lumber, or a pallet of shingles. The 20ft is the better choice if you are picking up materials for a larger project or hauling equipment that needs the extra deck space and higher weight capacity.

General Hauling and Bulky Items

If you just need to move something big that will not fit in your truck bed — a piano, a large piece of machinery, a stack of pallets, or a shed section — a utility trailer is the go-to. The open flatbed gives you flexibility that an enclosed trailer cannot match. You are not limited by door height or interior width.

For any heavy load, check the weight before you book. Cap the 14ft at 2,500 lbs. The 20ft handles up to 7,500 lbs. If your load goes over those limits, you need a different trailer — not a bigger utility trailer.

When a Utility Trailer Is Not the Right Call

A utility trailer is not right for everything. If you are moving furniture and need weather protection or security, an enclosed trailer makes more sense.

If you are hauling a vehicle, a skid steer, or heavy machinery, you need a tilt or equipment trailer. Our car hauler and equipment trailers are built for that kind of weight. If you want the tilt deck for easier loading, our tilt trailer rentals cover both the 22ft and 24ft options.

A utility trailer flatbed is not designed to handle a car or a piece of heavy equipment. Trying to make it work is a good way to damage both the trailer and whatever you are loading onto it.

Utility Trailer Pricing and Tow Requirements

The 14ft utility trailer is $60/day weekdays, $70/day weekends, and $350/week. The 20ft is $80/day weekdays, $100/day weekends, and $500/week. The 14ft needs a 2-inch ball hitch and a 4 or 7 pin plug — no brake controller needed. The 20ft needs a 2 5/16-inch ball hitch and a 4 or 7 pin plug.

If you are not sure whether your vehicle is set up to tow, our towing requirements guide covers hitch sizes, brake controllers, and tow ratings in detail.

If you want to rent utility trailers, head over to our utility trailer rentals page to see current availability and pricing, or call me at 618-414-9857 and I will help you pick the right size for your load.