5 Things to NOT Do While Towing an Enclosed Trailer

Neighbors Trailer

Sep 13, 2023
300
6 min read
trailer towing mistake

Renting an enclosed trailer looks simple: pick the size, hook up, drive away. The reality is that small mistakes, especially for first-time renters, can turn into expensive damage, lost deposits, and a stressful trip. This guide walks through the mistakes that cost enclosed trailer renters the most, and exactly how to avoid each one.

Why Enclosed Trailer Rentals Need Extra Care

An enclosed trailer protects your cargo from weather, road debris, and theft, but that protection comes with higher height, more weight, and more wind resistance than an open trailer. Every mistake in loading, towing, or driving gets amplified. A single miscalculation at a drive-through, a low bridge, or a tight turn can rack up repair costs in the thousands.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Height Clearances

Most enclosed trailers sit between 7 and 9 feet tall once loaded. Drive-throughs, parking garages, old bridges, and tree canopies are the most common strike points. Before you head out, confirm your total rig height and plan a route that avoids any overhead obstruction lower than your clearance plus 6 inches of margin.

2. Skipping the Pre-Trip Inspection

Walking around the trailer for two minutes before every trip can save a four-figure repair. Check lights, tires, ramp latches, cargo tie-downs, and the door latch. A cargo door that pops open at highway speed spills your load and damages the trailer at the same time.

3. Overloading the Front or Rear

Enclosed trailers sway badly when cargo is loaded wrong. Aim for 60 percent of the weight in the front half of the trailer and roughly 10 to 15 percent of total trailer weight on the tongue. Too much rear weight causes dangerous fishtailing. Too much tongue weight strains the rear suspension of the tow vehicle.

4. Forgetting Trailer Brakes

Most enclosed trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWR have electric brakes. If your tow vehicle does not have a brake controller, you either need to rent one, install one, or pick a smaller trailer that falls under the brake requirement. Towing a loaded enclosed trailer with no brakes doubles your stopping distance and often violates state law.

5. Underestimating Wind

Enclosed trailers act like sails. A 30 mph crosswind can push the whole rig across a lane. Slow down in windy conditions, keep both hands on the wheel, and avoid towing during active storm warnings.

6. Renting the Wrong Size

Too small and your cargo will not fit. Too large and you pay more, fight tighter turns, and struggle to park. Measure your cargo twice before you choose a trailer size. For a deeper look at size selection, our beginners guide to choosing the best enclosed trailer rental walks through the most common sizes and their use cases.

7. Forgetting to Double-Check the Hitch

A loose hitch pin, an unlatched coupler, or crossed safety chains create serious road hazards. Every pre-trip inspection should include a physical tug on the coupler and a visual check on the latch lock.

Frequency of Common Rental Mistakes

The chart below shows how often each mistake shows up in enclosed trailer rental incident reports, based on aggregated marketplace data. The numbers are a rough guide to where attention pays off most.

Bar graph showing frequency of enclosed trailer rental mistakes per 100 rentals

NeighborsTrailer.com

Quick Reference: Mistake vs. Fix

Mistake	Why It Matters	How to Avoid
Hitting a low clearance	Roof damage, cargo crush	Confirm height, route GPS
Skipping pre-trip check	Blown tires, lost cargo	2 minute walk-around
Bad weight distribution	Fishtailing, loss of control	60/40 front load, tongue 10-15%
No brake controller	Long stopping distance, illegal	Rent or install a controller
Crosswind surprises	Lane drift, rollover risk	Slow down, delay trip
Wrong trailer size	Cargo does not fit, wasted cost	Measure cargo, confirm dims

Smart Loading Habits That Prevent Most Problems

Walk the cargo into the trailer heaviest item first, placed against the front wall. Strap every load down to anchor points, not just the walls. Use non-skid material under light cargo to keep it from sliding. Leave a small aisle through the middle so you can inspect cargo at rest stops. Finally, close and latch the rear door, then check it again after the first mile. Loose latches work themselves open more often than people realize.

Driving Habits That Save You Money

Slower is almost always better with an enclosed trailer. Keep speeds at 60 to 65 mph, avoid sudden lane changes, leave 5 to 6 seconds of following distance, and use lower gears on downhills so your truck brakes stay cooler. Wide turns are mandatory. For a deeper look at enclosed-specific handling, see our complete guide to tiedowns in enclosed trailer rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special license to tow an enclosed trailer?

In most US states, a standard driver's license is enough as long as the combined vehicle and trailer weight stays under 26,000 lbs GVWR. A few states require a special endorsement above that threshold. Always confirm with your state DMV before renting a very large enclosed trailer.

What happens if I bring the trailer back with damage?

Expect the owner or marketplace to deduct documented repair costs from your security deposit. Severe damage can exceed the deposit, so treat the trailer as you would your own vehicle. Take date-stamped photos at pickup and return to document pre-existing issues.

Can I tow an enclosed trailer with an SUV?

Yes, if the SUV's tow rating meets or exceeds the loaded trailer weight and if the SUV has the right hitch class. A typical mid-size SUV can handle a 5x10 or 6x12 enclosed trailer with light cargo. Larger enclosed trailers really need a full-size truck.

How much does it cost to rent an enclosed trailer?

Daily rates typically run $50 to $150 depending on size, region, and demand. Peer-to-peer marketplaces often come in below rental chain pricing because you rent directly from an owner.

Should I get a single or tandem axle enclosed trailer?

Single axle trailers are easier to maneuver and less expensive. Tandem axles are more stable at highway speed, carry more weight, and survive a blown tire better. For any trip over 200 miles or any cargo over 3,000 lbs, tandem is the safer choice.

Final Thoughts

Most enclosed trailer rental problems come from a short list of preventable mistakes. Confirm the trailer height, do the pre-trip walkaround, load for balance, make sure the brake system is working, and drive slower than you think you need to. Do those five things and the rest of the trip is usually uneventful.

Content updated April 2026