Utility Trailer Rental in Troy, IL: What Can You Haul?
A utility trailer is the most versatile trailer on the lot — and the one I rent more than any other. But just because it's versatile doesn't mean it's the right fit for every job. This guide covers what you can realistically 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 load it from the sides, the back, or over the top. There's no roof, no walls, and no hydraulic lift. What you get in return is easy access, a low deck height, and the ability to haul oversized items that wouldn't 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, requires a 2 inch ball hitch, and accepts either a 4 or 7 pin plug — no brake controller needed. The 20ft has a 7,500 lb capacity, requires a 2 5/16 inch ball hitch and a 4 or 7 pin plug. Straps are available on request for both.
Hauling Furniture and Household Items
A utility trailer works fine for moving furniture, appliances, and bulky household items — especially if you're not worried about weather. Couches, mattresses, dressers, washers, dryers, and refrigerators all fit on an open flatbed without issue. The 14ft handles a one-bedroom apartment's worth of furniture in a single load. The 20ft gives you room for a full household if everything is stacked and strapped properly.
The trade-off is exposure. Everything on a utility trailer is open to the elements. If it's raining or you're hauling something that shouldn't get bounced around uncovered, an enclosed trailer is the better choice. But if you're moving on a dry day and your furniture can handle a short drive down the highway, a utility trailer gets the job done for less money.
Lawn Equipment and Landscaping Materials
Utility trailers are built for the kind of hauling that most homeowners around Troy and the Metro East actually need done. Moving a riding mower to a friend's house, picking up a load of mulch from the garden center, hauling a stack of pavers for a patio project — these are all utility trailer jobs.
The 14ft handles most single-item loads: a mower, a small load of bagged mulch, a few pallets of pavers. The 20ft is the one you want if you're picking up a larger delivery of landscaping material or hauling multiple pieces of equipment at once. Keep in mind that loose material like gravel or dirt is easier to unload from a dump trailer with a hydraulic lift — but if you're only moving a small amount and don't mind shoveling it off, a utility trailer works fine.
ATVs, Motorcycles, and Recreational Vehicles
If you're 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 multiple machines side by side.
For anything approaching or over 2,500 lbs — a large side-by-side, a heavy UTV, or multiple 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 to tie everything down properly.
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 means you can load long lumber without fighting a door opening, and the low sides make it easy to slide heavy materials on from a forklift or by hand.
The 14ft is enough for most material runs — a load of drywall, a stack of lumber, a pallet of shingles. The 20ft is the right choice if you're 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 won't fit in your truck bed — a piano, a large piece of machinery, a stack of pallets, a shed section — a utility trailer is the go-to. The open flatbed gives you flexibility that an enclosed trailer can't match. You're not limited by door height or interior width.
For any load that's heavy, make sure you know the weight before you book. The 14ft is capped at 2,500 lbs. The 20ft handles up to 7,500 lbs. If you're hauling something that exceeds those limits, you need a different trailer — not a bigger utility trailer.
When a Utility Trailer Isn't the Right Call
A utility trailer isn't right for everything. If you're moving furniture and need weather protection or security, an enclosed trailer makes more sense. And if you're 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. A utility trailer flatbed isn't designed to handle a car or a piece of heavy equipment, and trying to make it work is a good way to damage both the trailer and whatever you're 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 requires a 2 inch ball hitch and a 4 or 7 pin plug — no brake controller needed. The 20ft requires a 2 5/16 inch ball hitch and a 4 or 7 pin plug.
If you're 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 know a utility trailer is what you need, head over to our utility trailer rentals page to see current availability and pricing, or call me at 618-414-9857 and I'll help you pick the right size for your load.