Open vs. Enclosed Car Hauler
Open decks are lighter and cheaper; enclosed haulers protect the vehicle and carry your gear. This guide compares weight, cost, security, loading and tow-vehicle demands.
The basic trade
An open car hauler is a flat deck, usually wood or steel, with fenders, a dovetail or slide-in ramps and a set of D-rings. An enclosed car hauler is a box on the same idea of a frame, with a rear ramp door, a side entry door and an interior you can outfit. You pay for the enclosure in money, weight and wind resistance; you get back protection, security and storage.
Side-by-side
| Factor | Open car hauler | Enclosed car hauler |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sizes | 16 ft to 22 ft deck, 82 in. to 83 in. between fenders | 20 ft to 28 ft box, 8.5 ft wide |
| Typical GVWR | 7,000 lb to 9,990 lb | 9,990 lb to 14,000 lb |
| Empty weight | 1,700 lb to 2,500 lb | 3,200 lb to 5,000 lb and up |
| Payload with a 3,500 lb car | Plenty of margin | Adequate, less room for heavy gear |
| Weather and road debris | Exposed | Protected |
| Security | Wheel locks and straps only | Lockable doors, vehicle out of sight |
| Storage for tools, tires, spares | Tongue box at most | Cabinets, E-track, tire racks, overhead shelving |
| Wind drag and fuel use | Low | Significant, especially at highway speed |
| Garage and yard storage | Fits most driveways | Needs height clearance and length |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
When open makes sense
- You haul a daily driver, a project car or a work vehicle a few times a month.
- The tow vehicle is a half-ton pickup or a larger SUV and you want to keep loaded weight and frontal area low. Confirm the vehicle's own ratings on its door-jamb label before deciding.
- You need to carry other things on the deck: a UTV, a small tractor, pallets, building material.
- Storage space at home is tight.
Look for a 2-5/16 in. coupler on 9,990 lb units, a treated wood or steel deck, a dovetail or full-width slide-in ramps, and D-rings or a stake-pocket rail you can strap to. Tandem 3,500 lb axles with brakes on both are common at 7,000 lb; tandem 5,200 lb axles at 9,990 lb.
When enclosed makes sense
- The vehicle is a collector, race or show car and you do not want it exposed to weather, rocks or attention at a fuel stop.
- You travel to events and want tires, tools, fuel jugs, a canopy and spares under one lock.
- You want a vehicle to sit inside overnight at a hotel or track without worrying about it.
- You plan to convert the trailer into a mobile workshop over time.
Useful features to look for: a rear ramp door with a spring assist and beavertail for a lower approach angle, an escape door on the curbside so you can get out after loading a low car, a 48 in. or wider side door, recessed D-rings in the floor, E-track on the walls, 3/4 in. plywood floor, extra interior height, and a 7-way RV plug with electric brakes on both axles.
Loading angle and low cars
Open haulers with a dovetail and long ramps give a shallow approach. Enclosed haulers rely on the ramp door length and a beavertail; a 24 ft trailer with a 6 ft ramp and beavertail loads most cars, but very low vehicles may need ramp extensions or a set of race ramps laid on the door.
Tow vehicle considerations
Enclosed car haulers are taller and heavier. An 8.5 ft wide, 7 ft tall box at highway speed noticeably raises fuel use and is affected by crosswinds. Loaded weights of 8,000 to 12,000 lb are common. Tongue weight at 10 to 15 percent of that is a real number that counts against the truck's payload. These figures live on the tow vehicle's door-jamb label and in its manual; read them before choosing the trailer, not after.
Ownership and upkeep
An open deck needs wood resealed or replaced over time, and the straps and D-rings inspected. An enclosed trailer needs roof seams and door seals checked, plus attention to interior moisture if it sits closed in humid weather. Both need bearings serviced, brakes adjusted and tires checked for age as well as tread.
Summary
Open haulers carry more for less money and tow easier; enclosed haulers protect the vehicle and double as storage and workspace. Decide based on what you haul, how often, how far, and what your tow vehicle's own ratings allow.
See current units in /trailers/open-car-trailers and /trailers/enclosed-car-trailers, or narrow the list in /find-my-trailer.
Questions
Will a car fit between the fenders on an open hauler?
Most open haulers run 82 to 83 in. between fenders, which clears the tires of nearly all passenger cars and light trucks. Measure your vehicle's outside tire-to-tire width and compare to the listing.
What interior height do I need in an enclosed car hauler?
Standard is about 6 ft 6 in. interior. Taller vehicles, roof racks or the desire to walk upright and install overhead shelving usually mean choosing a unit with extra height.
How do I get out of a low car once it is inside an enclosed trailer?
Look for a curbside escape door near the front of the box. Without one you have to climb out a window or load the car so the driver door lines up with the side entry door.
Does an enclosed trailer need more tow vehicle than an open one?
Generally yes. It weighs more, sits taller and catches more wind. Check your vehicle's tow rating, payload and hitch rating on the door-jamb label and in the owner's manual.