Hauling a riding mower to a job in Garland, clearing brush in Plano, or moving a couch across Dallas? An open utility trailer is the cheapest way to do it. In 2026, a utility trailer rental in Dallas–Fort Worth costs about $15 to $60 a day for a small 4x7 to 6x12 trailer from a big-box store. Local rental companies charge about $50 to $120 a day for bigger 12–26 ft trailers with ramp gates.
This guide breaks down utility trailer rental prices by size, compares U-Haul, Home Depot, Tractor Supply and local rental companies, and lists the fees renters often miss. It also covers what you need to tow a utility trailer legally in Texas. For heavier jobs, see our guides to dump trailer rental costs and flatbed trailer rental in Dallas.
Utility Trailer Rental Cost in Dallas–Fort Worth (2026)
We reviewed 17 open utility trailer listings in the Dallas area on a trailer rental marketplace in October 2026. Here's what renters are paying per day:
Trailer size | Typical daily rate | Good for |
|---|---|---|
5x8 to 5x10 single axle | $25–$45 | Furniture, appliances, yard waste bags, a push mower |
6x12 or 12 ft | $30–$50 | A riding mower, small moves, a load of mulch or plants |
14–16 ft tandem axle | $65–$100 | Zero-turn mowers, ATVs and UTVs, landscaping jobs, bigger cleanups |
18–26 ft tandem axle | $50–$120 | Two machines at once, long materials, contractor work |
The median price across those listings was $65 a day. A few owners list very low prices, such as one 5x8 at $10 a day, so read the details before you book. Weekly rentals are often priced at about 4–5 days of the daily rate, according to the BigLoads trailer rental cost guide.
Nationally, HomeGuide puts open utility trailers at $15 to $75 a day. Its 2026 ranges are $15–$40 a day for a small 4x7, $25–$55 for a 5x8 or 5x9, and $35–$75 for a 6x12.
At Mr. Whiz Logistics, our 16 ft utility trailer rents on daily, weekly and monthly terms, with one upfront price that includes sales tax and fees. Call (214) 217-6302 for a quote.
U-Haul vs. Home Depot vs. Tractor Supply vs. Local Rentals
Where you rent decides the trailer size you can get, how long you can keep it, and what the deposit looks like:
Where to rent | Utility trailer sizes | Starting price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
U-Haul | 4x7, 5x8, 5x9 with ramp, 6x12 | About $15–$30 a day in town | Many locations; some trailers can go one way |
Home Depot | Lawn and garden trailer, 5x8 utility | 5x8: $39 for 4 hours, $56 a day, $224 a week | $300–$500 deposit on a credit card; return it to the same store |
Tractor Supply | 6x10 utility | $14.99 for 4 hours, $24.99 for 8 hours, tax included | Participating stores only; first come, first served; 21 or older |
Local rental companies | 12–26 ft, tandem axle, ramp gates | About $50–$120 a day | Bigger decks and weight ratings; daily, weekly and monthly terms |
Sources: HireAHelper's U-Haul trailer guide and Home Depot trailer guide (June 2026), and Tractor Supply's trailer rental page. Store prices vary by location, so confirm before you go.
The short version: big-box trailers are cheap and easy for a few hours, but they're small. A U-Haul 5x8 utility trailer carries up to 1,890 lbs. If you're moving a zero-turn mower, a UTV, or several heavy loads in one day, a 14–16 ft tandem-axle trailer from a local company saves you extra trips.
Utility Trailer Sizes: What Fits?
Pick a trailer by its deck size and how much weight it can carry, not just by its length. Here's how common sizes compare, using U-Haul's published specs for the smaller trailers:
Trailer | Max cargo weight | What it handles well |
|---|---|---|
4x7 with gate | 1,770 lbs | Yard bags, a push mower, a few boxes |
5x8 with gate | 1,890 lbs | A washer and dryer, a sofa, a small load of mulch |
5x9 with ramp | 1,650 lbs | Push mowers, tillers and other equipment you roll on |
6x12 with ramp | 3,710 lbs | A riding mower, a small ATV, a bigger furniture load |
16 ft tandem axle | About 3,000–5,000 lbs, depending on the trailer | A zero-turn plus a trimmer rack, a UTV, landscaping and cleanup jobs |
Specs for the first four rows come from U-Haul's trailer page. For any trailer, you can work out how much cargo it can carry. Subtract its empty weight from its GVWR (the maximum loaded weight), which is printed on the VIN plate on the trailer frame.
What fits on a 16 ft utility trailer?
A 16 ft deck is the sweet spot for most homeowners and small crews. Renters use ours for riding mowers, ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes, as well as furniture, appliances, mulch, plants, pavers and yard cleanups. The fold-down gate works as a ramp, so machines drive straight on, and the low deck makes loading easier on your back.
Watch the weight with dense materials. Pavers, stone and wet soil add up fast, and you can hit the trailer's limit long before the deck looks full. For loose dirt, gravel or demolition debris, a dump trailer is the better tool, because it unloads itself.
Hidden Costs of Renting a Utility Trailer
The daily rate isn't always the full price. Ask about these before you book:
Deposit. Home Depot holds $300–$500 on a credit card, and debit cards aren't accepted. Owners on peer-to-peer marketplaces typically ask for $100–$300.
Damage waiver. Optional damage coverage often runs $15–$30 a day, according to Neighbors Trailer. Check whether your auto policy or credit card already covers a towed rental trailer.
Late returns. Four-hour and eight-hour rentals add charges quickly if you run long. Book a full day if the job might stretch.
Cleaning fees. Mulch, dirt and grass clippings left on the deck can trigger a cleaning charge. Sweep it out before you return it.
Tolls. On NTTA roads like the Dallas North Tollway, the George Bush Turnpike and the Sam Rayburn Tollway, a vehicle with more than two axles pays a higher rate. A pickup towing a tandem-axle trailer rolls on four. Check NTTA's toll rates for towing or stay on free roads.
Tax and fees. Sales tax in most DFW cities is 8.25%, and some companies add a card processing fee. Ask whether a quote is all-in.
Gear. You may need ratchet straps, a 2" hitch ball or a wiring adapter if your truck doesn't already have them.
What You Need to Tow a Utility Trailer in Texas
A hitch and ball that match. Most rental utility trailers use a 2" ball. Your hitch receiver should be frame-mounted, not a bumper hitch.
Working trailer lights. Most small utility trailers plug into a 4-way flat connector. Test the tail lights, brake lights and turn signals before you pull out.
Safety chains. Texas law requires safety chains when a passenger car or light truck tows a trailer (Transp. Code §545.410). Cross them under the tongue and keep them off the ground.
Brakes on heavy loads. Texas requires brakes on trailers whose gross weight is over 4,500 lbs when towed faster than 30 mph (§547.401). Small utility trailers usually stay under that line. A loaded 14–20 ft tandem trailer can go over it, so ask before you load heavy.
A regular license. A standard Class C license covers a pickup or SUV pulling a utility trailer. See our Texas trailer laws guide for when a Class A license applies.
ID, insurance and a card. Bring a valid driver's license, proof of current auto insurance and a credit card. Home Depot rents to drivers 18 and older. Tractor Supply and Mr. Whiz Logistics require renters to be 21 or older.
Load about 60% of the weight in front of the trailer's axle and strap everything down. Too little weight on the tongue is a common cause of trailer sway on I-635 and I-30. Leave extra room to stop, and take wide turns so the trailer wheels clear the curb.
How to Choose the Right Utility Trailer
List what you're hauling and its heaviest single item. For a machine, check the weight in the owner's manual.
Measure the widest item. A riding mower deck or a UTV has to fit between the fenders or rails.
Decide gate or ramp. Anything with wheels loads more safely up a ramp or a fold-down ramp gate.
Check your truck's towing capacity against the loaded trailer's weight, not just the cargo.
Pick the rental length. Use four or eight hours for a single store run, a day for a weekend project, and a weekly rate for landscaping season or a remodel.
Should You Rent or Buy a Utility Trailer?
Renting makes sense if you need a trailer a few times a year. Owning one comes with registration (the Texas base fee is $45 a year for trailers up to 6,000 lbs, under §502.254), plus tires, bearings, lights and somewhere to park it. Many HOAs also limit trailer parking in driveways. If you're hauling every week, buying can pay off. For occasional jobs, a rental with daily, weekly or monthly terms is usually cheaper and easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rent a utility trailer in Dallas?
Small 4x7 to 6x12 utility trailers from big-box stores start around $15–$60 a day in 2026. Bigger 12–26 ft trailers from local Dallas–Fort Worth rental companies run about $50–$120 a day, and the median across 17 Dallas-area listings was $65.
How much is a utility trailer rental per day?
Nationally, open utility trailers rent for about $15 to $75 a day. In DFW, a 14–16 ft tandem-axle utility trailer usually costs $65–$100 a day, and weekly rates often work out to about 4–5 days of the daily price.
How much does Home Depot charge to rent a utility trailer?
Home Depot's 5x8 utility trailer starts at about $39 for 4 hours, $56 a day or $224 a week, with a $300–$500 deposit on a credit card. Prices vary by store, and you return the trailer to the store you rented it from.
Does Tractor Supply rent utility trailers?
Yes, at participating stores. Tractor Supply rents a 6x10 utility trailer for $14.99 for 4 hours or $24.99 for 8 hours, tax included, for up to 7 days. Renters must be 21 or older, and trailers are first come, first served.
Do I need insurance to rent a utility trailer?
Most rental companies require proof of current auto insurance. Your policy's liability coverage may extend to a trailer you tow, but it often doesn't cover damage to the rented trailer itself. Call your insurer, or ask the rental company about a damage waiver.
Does a utility trailer need brakes in Texas?
Only if its gross weight is over 4,500 lbs and it's towed faster than 30 mph. Most small utility trailers stay under that, but a heavily loaded 14–20 ft tandem trailer can go over it and then needs working brakes.
What size utility trailer do I need for a riding mower or ATV?
A 6x12 trailer with a ramp handles one riding mower or a small ATV. For a zero-turn mower, a UTV or two machines at once, rent a 14–16 ft tandem-axle trailer with a ramp gate, and check that its cargo rating covers the total weight.
Rent a 16 ft Utility Trailer in Wylie and DFW
Mr. Whiz Logistics rents a 16 ft x 77" utility trailer with a 5,000 lb GVWR, a fold-down gate ramp, tie-down loops and a low deck for easy loading. It hooks up to a 2" ball. Pick it up in Wylie, TX, close to Garland, Murphy, Sachse, Rowlett and Plano, on daily, weekly or monthly terms. Need something bigger? See our 20 ft flatbed, 16 ft enclosed trailer and all trailer rentals. Call +1 (214) 217-6302 or request a free quote.
