Moving with an enclosed trailer vs a moving truck
An enclosed trailer makes sense when you already own a vehicle that can tow it and your move fits. Our 6x10 holds about 380 cubic feet and 1,790 lb, roughly a studio, for $60 a day. The 8x20 holds about two and a half times the floor space but needs electric brakes and a capable truck. Bigger moves, or no tow vehicle, point to a moving truck.
Key takeaways
- 6x10 enclosed: about 380 cu ft and 1,790 lb payload; 2-inch ball; no brakes needed under 3,000 lb in Maryland.
- 8x20 enclosed: tandem axle, about 160 sq ft of floor, electric brakes, so you need a brake controller.
- Rates: 6x10 $60/day ($63.60 with tax); 8x20 $150/day ($159.00 with tax).
- Load about 60% of the weight in the front half to keep tongue weight at 10–15%.
- A moving truck under 26,001 lb GVWR needs no CDL, and you don't need a tow vehicle.
Which is better for my move: an enclosed trailer or a moving truck?
The trailer wins if you have a capable tow vehicle and a smaller move. The truck wins if you don't, or if you're moving a full house.
| Question | Enclosed trailer | Moving truck |
|---|---|---|
| Need a tow vehicle? | Yes, with a hitch and the right ball | No |
| Driving | Your own vehicle, plus backing a trailer | An unfamiliar box truck |
| Space | ~380 cu ft (6x10) or about 160 sq ft of floor (8x20) | Check the listed cu ft on your quote |
| Keep it for storage or staging? | Yes; weekly from $225 ($238.50 with tax) for the 6x10 | Usually priced per day plus miles; check the quote |
| License | Your regular license for these sizes | No CDL under 26,001 lb GVWR |
When comparing quotes, add up everything: rental, mileage, fuel, insurance and tax. Our enclosed trailer rates are $60 a day for the 6x10 ($63.60 with tax) and $150 a day for the 8x20 ($159.00 with tax), and pickup and return run 24/7.
Where the trailer pulls ahead: you can leave it at the old place overnight, load at your own pace on a weekly rate, and drive your own vehicle the whole time. Where the truck pulls ahead: no hitch or tow vehicle needed, more space in one trip for a full house, and no backing up a trailer into a tight townhouse lot. If you've never towed, practice in an empty lot first; our guide to backing up a trailer walks through it.
How much fits in an enclosed trailer?
A 6x10 holds about a studio's worth of boxes and furniture. The 8x20 has about two and a half times the floor space.
| Spec | 6x10 enclosed | 8x20 enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Interior (L × W × H) | 11'2" × 5'9" × 5'11" | About 20' × 8' |
| Floor area | ~64 sq ft | ~160 sq ft |
| Rear door | Double doors, 4'11" × 5'5" | Ramp door |
| Payload | ~1,790 lb | Ask us |
| Ball / brakes | 2 in / none | 2-5/16 in / electric |
| Day rate | $60 ($63.60 with tax) | $150 ($159.00 with tax) |
The 6x10 specs are for the Cargo Mate E-Series 6x10 V-nose model. Check the door height against your tallest item, like a dresser or fridge. A 5'5" door opening won't take a standard upright fridge standing up.
Rent the 8x20 Enclosed
$150/day · $249 weekend · $549 week. Total with tax shown before you book.
See prices and bookCan my vehicle tow it?
A 6x10 is within reach of many SUVs and pickups. The 8x20 is a truck job and needs a brake controller.
- 6x10: Rated under 3,000 lb GVWR with a 2-inch ball and no brakes. Maryland requires brakes only on trailers over 3,000 lb (Transportation Art. § 22-301). Loaded to its rating, it puts roughly 300 to 450 lb on the hitch.
- 8x20: tandem axle with electric brakes. You'll need a brake controller and a vehicle rated for the weight; a loaded 8x20 can put several hundred pounds or more on the hitch.
- Payload counts. Tongue weight comes out of your vehicle's payload, along with passengers and anything in the cargo area.
Check your vehicle in the tow checker, and see do I need a brake controller. Your vehicle's manufacturer ratings and manual always win.
The 8x20's brakes need a working brake controller in your vehicle and a 7-way plug at the hitch. If your vehicle has only a 4-pin plug, it can't run the trailer's brakes. Pick the 6x10, or have a controller installed before moving day.
How do I load an enclosed trailer for a move?
Load the heaviest items first, against the front wall. Aim for about 60% of the weight in the front half.
- Appliances, dressers and boxed books against the front wall, centered side to side.
- Mattresses and sofas stood on edge along the walls, strapped to the E-track or tie-downs.
- Medium boxes stacked tight, heavy on the bottom.
- Light, fragile items last, near the door.
- Strap every row so nothing shifts under braking.
That front-heavy layout keeps tongue weight in the 10–15% range, which helps prevent sway. Read what tongue weight is and how to check it. Your vehicle's manufacturer ratings and manual always win.
What does a local move cost with an enclosed trailer?
For a weekend move inside the county, expect the enclosed weekend rate plus any delivery you choose. The worked example below uses our published rates.
| Line | Base | With 6% tax |
|---|---|---|
| 6x10 enclosed, weekend (any 2–3 days) | $99 | $104.94 |
| 8x20 enclosed, weekend | $249 | $263.94 |
| Optional delivery in Howard, each way | $75 | $79.50 |
| Optional delivery in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll or Laurel, each way | $125 | $132.50 |
| Example: 6x10 weekend, pick up and return yourself | $99 | $104.94 |
For a moving truck, get a written quote that shows the daily rate, mileage, fuel policy, insurance and tax, and compare the total. Then count trips: if a 6x10 means three round trips and the truck means one, the truck may cost less once you count your time and gas.
Bring these: moving blankets, ratchet straps or E-track straps, a hand truck, stretch wrap for drawers, and a padlock for overnight stops. Our 10-point Road-Ready Guarantee check covers lights, tires and doors before you leave. See how it works for pickup steps and the $250 card hold, which is released within 24 hours after check-in.
What local rules matter on moving day?
Check your HOA and county rules before you park a trailer overnight.
- Columbia covenants vary by village. Oakland Mills, for example, bans storing trailers in the open.
- Sykesville limits on-street trailer parking to 48 hours.
- Howard County limits commercial vehicles on residential streets to 6 hours (Code § 21.232).
We deliver: $75 each way in Howard ($79.50 with tax), and $125 each way in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Carroll counties and the City of Laurel ($132.50 with tax). Returns after 6pm carry a $25 late drop-off fee, and a trailer not back by 7am the next morning is charged another day. Text OFF to stop billing when you're done.
Questions
Can I keep the enclosed trailer a week while I move in stages?
Yes. The weekly rate is $225 ($238.50 with tax) for the 6x10 and $549 ($581.94 with tax) for the 8x20, and it's lockable storage in your driveway if your HOA allows it.
Is a utility trailer cheaper for a move?
It costs the same as the 6x10 enclosed, $60 a day ($63.60 with tax), but it's open. Use it for yard gear or furniture you can tarp, not boxes in the rain.
How old do I have to be to rent?
18 or older.