Renting the right trailer for your ATV or UTV comes down to two things: how many machines you’re hauling, and where you’re taking them. Get the size and style right, and loading day takes five minutes. Get it wrong, and you’re wrestling ratchet straps in a parking lot while everyone else waits by the truck. This guide walks through our actual trailer lineup, organized by how many ATVs you need to move, so you can pick with confidence and get to the trail faster.
Key Takeway
- 1 ATV: Choose a 5×8 to 6×12 ft flatdeck, or a 5×10 ft enclosed trailer.
- 2 ATVs: A 7×12 ft flatdeck works well, with 7×12 to 7×14 ft enclosed options.
- 3 ATVs: Choose a 7×14 ft flatdeck, with 7×16 ft for more loading and gear space. An 8.5×16 to 8.5×20 ft enclosed trailer works well, and a tilt deck is also a good fit at this size.
- Heavy UTV or 4 ATVs: An 8.5×20 ft flatdeck is suitable, while a 22 ft tilt deck gives easier loading and more flexibility. Enclosed starts at 8.5×20 ft, with 22 to 24 ft for extra room.
- Before renting: Match the trailer to your tow vehicle’s towing capacity, check the hitch ball size and connector type, and confirm your tie-down points line up with your ATV’s frame.
The Trailer Options for Hauling an ATV
When it comes to hauling your off-road machine, you’ve got three real families of trailers to choose from. Here’s what each one does and who they’re for.
Flatdeck Trailer
A flatdeck trailer is an open, walled-off deck with no roof or sides, and it’s the most common way to haul an ATV. Most flatdeck trailers come with steel loading ramps that store underneath the deck when not in use, along with e-track rails or D-rings running along the sides for securing tie-down straps. Because there are no walls, the deck typically sits lower to the ground than an enclosed trailer, and the load stays fully visible from every angle.
Flatdecks come in a few common configurations, including tilt deck, deckover, car hauler, drop deck, and extendable styles, each suited to slightly different loads and lengths.
Rental benefits of a flatdeck trailer:
- More affordable to rent than an enclosed trailer of similar length.
- A great way to show off your ride while you’re out on the road.
- Simple enough that first-time renters won’t need any training.
- One trailer works for ATVs, yard gear, and everyday hauling.
- It’s usually the easiest size to find and book on short notice.
Tilt Deck Trailer
A tilt deck is a type of flatdeck trailer designed to make loading equipment easier. The entire deck pivots and lowers to the ground, allowing you to drive or roll an ATV or UTV directly onto the trailer without using separate loading ramps.
Simply pull the release pin and the deck tilts down to create a gradual loading surface. Once the equipment moves forward onto the deck, its weight shifts the trailer back into the towing position.
No ramps to set up, no narrow rails to line up with, and no extra equipment to wrestle into place. Just release, load, and tow.
Rental benefits of a tilt deck trailer:
- Saves you from renting or hauling around separate loading ramps.
- A much safer pick when you’re loading alone with nobody around.
- Cuts down total loading time across multiple stops in a day.
Takes the guesswork out of ramp angle for first-time renters. - Worth the upgrade for UTVs or side-by-sides near ramp limits.
Check out the flatdeck & tilt deck trailer options to see current sizes.
Enclosed Trailer
An enclosed trailer is fully sided and roofed, closed off on all sides with a lockable door. Unlike an open flatdeck, cargo inside is shielded from weather and out of sight from the road. It’s the right call for higher-value machines, longer tow distances, or overnight trips where the trailer sits unattended between rides.
Rental benefits of an enclosed trailer:
- Worth the extra cost for a higher-value machine you’d rather protect.
- Better suited to multi-day rentals left unattended overnight.
- Lets you lock spare parts and tools inside for the whole trip.
- Keeps your machine clean, with no road salt to wash off after.
- A solid fit for winter trips, since the load stays fully covered.
Check out the enclosed trailer options to see current sizes.
What size trailer do I need to haul 1 ATV?
A 5×8 to 6×12 ft flatdeck is suitable for one ATV. If you prefer an enclosed trailer, choose a 5×10 ft enclosed trailer.
A flatdeck is the simpler choice if you only need to transport the ATV and want easy loading. An enclosed trailer is better if you want to protect the ATV from weather and have a secure space for gear.
What size trailer do I need to haul 2 ATVs?
For two ATVs, a 7×12 ft flatdeck provides enough room for loading and transport. If you prefer an enclosed option, go with a 6×12 ft trailer, or choose a 7×14 ft model for more comfortable loading and extra gear space.
What size trailer do I need to haul 3 ATVs?
A 7×14 ft flatdeck can handle three ATVs, while a 7×16 ft gives you more comfortable loading space and room for gear.
If you prefer an enclosed trailer, go with at least an 7×16 ft enclosed trailer. An 8.5×20 ft trailer gives you more room for comfortable loading and additional gear.
A tilt deck is also a good option at this size because it makes loading and unloading easier. Instead of relying entirely on separate ramps, the deck tilts to create a lower loading angle, making it easier to get ATVs or a UTV onto the trailer.
What size trailer is best for heavy UTVs or 4 ATVs?
For four ATVs, you will want a larger trailer. An 20 ft flatdeck is a suitable choice, while a 22 ft tilt deck gives you additional length and easier loading.
For an enclosed trailer, 8.5×20 ft is a good starting point. If you want more comfortable loading space or need room for riding gear and equipment, consider 22 to 24 ft.
Matching Your Tow Vehicle to the Trailer
Before you book, make sure your tow vehicle can actually handle the trailer. Your vehicle’s towing capacity needs to meet or exceed the trailer’s GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). A half-ton truck is a comfortable match for smaller flatdeck and enclosed sizes, but the larger 22 to 24 ft flatdecks call for a heavier-duty tow vehicle.
Hitch setup matters too. Single-axle trailers use a 2-inch ball, while most tandem-axle units need a 2-5/16-inch ball. You’ll also want a flat 4-pin connector for lighting-only setups, or a round 7-pin connector if the trailer has electric brakes.
How to Match Your Load to the Right Trailer Size
Ramps and Loading Style
Flatdecks use steel ramps that store underneath the deck. Pull them out, hook them onto the back edge, and drive straight up, no tools or extra setup needed. The tilt deck skips ramps entirely, since the bed itself lowers to ground level for a straight drive-on or roll-on load.
Enclosed trailers use a fold-down rear ramp door, which works as the loading ramp on the way in and locks up as the door once the ATV is inside.
Tie-Down Points
E-track rails and D-rings give you multiple angles to strap down your machine. Lighter ATVs actually need more securement points than heavy equipment does, since there’s less weight holding them still on the deck. More anchor points along the rails means a tighter, more even strap pattern.
When you’re choosing a trailer, check that the D-rings or e-track line up with where your ATV’s frame actually sits, since an enclosed trailer and a flatdeck are only as secure as their anchor points are placed.
💡Note: straps aren’t always included with the rental, so you may need to bring your own sled straps to tie down the ATV.
Brake Systems
In Alberta, trailer brakes are required once a trailer’s loaded weight passes 910 kg (roughly 2,000 lbs) and the trailer weighs 50% or more of the tow vehicle’s weight. Both conditions need to be true for brakes to be legally required. If a trailer has electric brakes, your tow vehicle needs a brake controller to activate them.
Our team can confirm exactly which of our trailer sizes call for a brake controller at pickup, since this depends on your specific tow vehicle and trailer combination.
Loading Features
Every trailer in our fleet, regardless of size, comes standard with a free winch, a GPS tracker, and unlimited mileage. That’s true whether you’re renting the 5×8 utility trailer or the 24 ft car hauler.
ATV & UTV Trailer Rentals in Calgary
Hauling one ATV or four? Choose the right trailer size and style for your load, from flatdecks and tilt decks to enclosed trailers. Find a trailer that fits your machines, gear, and tow vehicle.
Alberta Towing Rules to Know Before You Haul
A few rules apply no matter which trailer you choose. Your trailer needs to be attached to the tow vehicle by two separate means of attachment (typically safety chains), set up so that if one fails, the trailer still can’t fully separate from the vehicle.
Trailer brakes become mandatory once the trailer exceeds 910 kg loaded and is 50% or more of your tow vehicle’s weight. And every trailer needs working lights, including brake lights, turn signals, and taillights, so you’re visible on the highway or on a gravel forestry road at dusk. Alberta’s towing rules can be updated, so it’s worth a quick check with Alberta Transportation or our team before a long haul.
See You on the Trail
Whether you’re hauling one quad for a weekend or a trailer full of side-by-sides for a week in the backcountry, there’s a size and style in our fleet built for it. Browse the full lineup, or give us a call and we’ll help you match the right trailer to your trip before you hit the road.
faq
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ATVs fit on a flatdeck trailer?
A 12 to 14 ft flatdeck comfortably hauls two ATVs, loaded end to end or side by side depending on rail spacing. For three or more, step up to a 16 to 20 ft heavy-duty flat deck, car hauler, or tilt deck.
Does a tilt deck trailer work well for ATVs?
Yes, especially for heavier UTVs and side-by-sides. The bed lowers to the ground so you drive or roll straight on with no ramps, which makes solo loading a lot easier.
Do I need a brake controller to tow a trailer in Alberta?
If your trailer has electric brakes, your tow vehicle needs a brake controller to activate them. Whether brakes are required at all depends on the trailer's loaded weight and how that compares to your tow vehicle's weight. Our team can walk you through what applies to your specific setup at pickup.
What's included with a trailer rental?
Every trailer size comes standard with a free winch, a GPS tracker, and unlimited mileage.
