Landscaping trailers come in a variety of sizes, are of different types, and cater to people with different problems. Narrowing down your options to find the perfect trailer isn’t easy.
We detail all the information you need to know about landscaping trailers below to help you find the right one to rent to own or purchase. We also have a guide on the Best Landscaping Trailers where we offer our top 3 picks.
Types of Landscape Trailers
Landscaping trailers are utility trailers that a manufacturer has modified to meet a landscaper’s needs. They may also be used as a motorcycle trailer and come in three types.
#1 Enclosed Landscaping Trailers
Enclosed landscaping trailers have become more popular in recent years for the range of benefits they offer. Many business owners consider enclosed trailers the best rent to own trailers available on the market since they provide a layer of security against bad weather and thieves.
Most manufacturers enable buyers to add a lock to their enclosed trailer, allowing them to secure their equipment and tools. With an enclosed trailer, you can worry less about damaging or losing your tools and materials to theft.
Another benefit of an enclosed landscaping trailer is that it doubles as weatherproof storage shed that you can park anywhere. If it rains, you can put your gear in the trailer and not worry about it. This is something you cannot do with an open trailer.
If you own a business, you can use the surface area on an enclosed landscaping trailer to advertise your business. But if you need the trailer for personal use, you will have the added benefit of being able to move furniture in it or any other cargo. It certainly works better than an open trailer in this use case.
#2 Open Landscaping Trailers
Most open landscaping trailers come with tailgates that double as ramps, making loading equipment onto the trailer possible. You can also expect the trailer’s frame to have cabinets and tool racks to aid you in storing your tools.
An open landscaping trailer has a low profile, meaning it is low to the ground and hence has a low center of gravity. It makes this kind of trailer easy to see over and reverse. Furthermore, an open trailer won’t be affected by the wind on the highway as much, making for a smooth ride.
Open trailers cost less than other types of landscaping trailers since they use less material to provide the same GVWR as other trailers. These trailers may have a single axle or a tandem axle, and depending on the manufacturer and model, you may also opt for features such as a spring suspension to make your rides smoother.
#3 Compact Landscaping Trailers
A compact landscaping trailer is a smaller dump trailer typically featuring thick polyethylene beds and walls. These trailers are preferred by individuals that need a dump trailer for smaller landscaping jobs.
You can hitch this type of trailer up to your car, making it the right landscaping trailer if you have the space to operate vehicles in the area you are landscaping.
Models are available in varying sizes, but you can expect a compact dump trailer to help you carry between 1,000- and 1,250-pound loads.
For more on dump trailers, check out our Best Dump Trailer Buying Guide.
Landscaping Trailers: Things to Consider
While features like toolboxes and spring suspensions are nice to have, you will mainly need to consider the weight and size of the landscaping trailer you want to buy. Your landscaping equipment needs dictate the size and capacity requirements.
After you’ve decided what type of landscaping trailer is best for you, here is how you determine the right trailer model to buy.
#1 Trailer Weight
Start by totaling the weight of the tools and equipment you want to transport. Ensure you include all your equipment — from leaf blowers and trimmers to fuel storage and spare parts.
Your estimate needs to be more than just a guess. Check your equipment manuals and find the listed weight to get the numbers right. Alternatively, you could look up the model numbers online to find this information.
The mower is typically the heaviest equipment a landscaper carries. You must ensure that your ramps can support the weight of your mower before attempting to load it into the landscaping trailer.
When you’ve worked out the payload weight, add the empty landscaping trailer weight provided by the manufacturer. These two weights combined will give you the gross weight of what you’ll be hauling behind your vehicle. This is referred to as the Gross Total Weight or Gross Vehicle Weight.
You will need to compare the GTW with the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the landscaping trailer you want to buy. You can find the GVWR listed on the product pages. The GVWR should be higher than the GTW; if it isn’t, it indicates that you need a landscaping trailer that can handle a higher GTW.
Alternatively, you can compromise on the tools you carry and make your load lighter to fit it into the landscaping trailer safely.
Besides checking the trailer’s rating, you will also need to check and ensure that the hitch and the towing vehicle are rated to carry your landscaping trailer’s weight.
#2 Trailer Length
Regardless of their type and use case, the best landscaping trailers come in uniform lengths ranging between 10 to 16 feet and beyond. A trailer typically has a five-foot width but can be up to 8 feet wide. A rule of thumb is that the longer the trailer is, the wider it needs to be.
To find the right trailer length and width, take your largest piece of equipment and either measure it yourself or get the dimensions from the manufacturer. It’s important to consider whether the trailer has wheel wells since they can make the trailer bed narrow at points. The minimum bed width must exceed the maximum width of your mower or other equipment.
Conclusion
Bear in mind that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to landscaping trailers. You could get a large trailer to avoid stressing the axles with heavy weights, but your vehicle may struggle to tow the trailer’s weight. Furthermore, buying a large trailer may not be an option if your work involves pulling in and out of tight spots.
And if you have ATVs, your landscape trailer can also double as your weekend ATV hauler. Check out How to Find the Perfect Trailer to Haul ATVs to help you zero in on the best trailer for you. And if you’re interested in financing, read our post on No Credit Check Trailer Financing.