If you're renting a trailer for the first time, or you just need to grab some stuff and go, the 6'×12' utility trailer is almost certainly the one you want. It's the smallest and cheapest unit in our fleet at $40 for 4 hours, the easiest to tow, and it handles the overwhelming majority of "I need a trailer for the weekend" jobs without overkill. Here's everything that fits, what doesn't, and how to think about whether this is the right rental for you.
What Is a 6'×12' Utility Trailer?
It's an open-deck trailer measuring 6 feet wide by 12 feet long. Open sides, drive-up ramp at the rear, no roof. Built for jobs where weather isn't a concern and you want a simple, light, easy-to-tow trailer to move stuff from point A to point B. Our unit comes with a drive-up ramp, 8 ratchet straps, a tool kit and gloves, full-size spare tire, bottle jack, and lug wrench. Fully equipped — you don't show up needing to bring your own gear.
What makes the 6'×12' the right starter trailer:
- Light enough for a half-ton truck or a midsize SUV with a proper hitch and brake controller
- Short enough to maneuver — backing up is much easier than with the 18-foot utility or the 20-foot car hauler
- Open design means you can load tall, awkward, or oversized items that won't fit inside an enclosed trailer
- Cheapest entry point in our fleet at $40 / 4 hours
Every Common Use Case
Hauling Lawn Equipment
This is the #1 reason this trailer gets rented. A riding mower, a push mower, a string trimmer, a leaf blower, and a couple gas cans all fit comfortably. Landscape professionals running a small operation use this exact setup. Drive the mower up the rear ramp, strap it down with two ratchet straps across the deck, and you're rolling to the next yard.
If you're a homeowner moving a riding mower between properties — say, helping a parent with their place or moving a mower from a garage sale — this trailer is sized exactly for that. No need to rent a full landscape trailer.
ATVs and Smaller UTVs
A single ATV fits easily on the 6'×12' deck. Most quads — Polaris Sportsman, Honda Foreman, Yamaha Grizzly, Can-Am Outlander — are well under 6 feet wide and around 7-8 feet long, leaving room for gear or a second smaller machine. For a side-by-side, check the width spec. A Polaris RZR 800 or Honda Pioneer 500 fits. Wider side-by-sides like a full-size RZR XP or Maverick X3 do not — those need the 18-foot utility or the tilt deckover.
Wisconsin trail season runs roughly April through October for ATV trails, with snowmobile/ATV combo trails extending the use case into winter. This is a popular weekend rental for trips to the Northwoods or local riding areas like Pike Lake and Long Lake.
Yard Waste, Brush, and Landscape Debris
For a typical spring or fall cleanup that doesn't need the dump trailer's hydraulic unloading, the 6'×12' is plenty. Load brush, branches, raked leaves, bagged yard waste, old garden debris. Drive to your municipal yard waste site, unload by hand or by tipping individual bags out. You won't get the dump trailer's "tilt and walk away" convenience, but you'll save on the rental.
Tip: Wisconsin prohibits yard waste in landfills, so your destination is always a county yard waste site or compost facility. Check your local site's hours and accepted materials before you load up — many sites are open only on weekends or specific weekdays.
Lumber and Building Materials
Picking up a load of lumber from a big-box store or local lumberyard? The 12-foot deck handles 12-foot-and-under lumber inside its footprint, and longer boards (16-foot framing lumber, 16-foot deck boards) can ride with overhang and a red flag tied to the end. The open deck means a forklift at the lumberyard can drop pallets directly on it.
For a deck build, a shed project, a small fence job — the 6'×12' carries the materials in one or two trips. For larger framing projects with serious lumber volume, step up to the 18-foot utility.
Moving Day (Small Loads)
For a college move, a studio apartment, or a single room — couch, mattress, dresser, boxes — the 6'×12' handles a surprising amount. Pad your furniture, strap it well, and tarp the load if rain is forecast. For a full apartment or house, you want the 6'×12' enclosed trailer (which keeps everything dry and secure) or the 20-foot car hauler with a U-Haul on top of it. But for a small move with good weather, the open utility is the cheap and easy option.
Mulch, Soil, and Garden Bed Materials
For a few cubic yards of bulk mulch or topsoil for garden beds, the 6'×12' works fine. Have the supplier drop the load directly onto the trailer bed — they'll measure cubic yards and load it with a bucket. Drive home, shovel or fork into your beds. For larger projects (whole-yard mulch refresh, multiple beds, driveway gravel), the dump trailer saves your back. But for a weekend garden refresh, this trailer does the job.
Furniture and Marketplace Pickups
If you bought something on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or at a yard sale and it doesn't fit in your truck bed — couch, dresser, dining table, exercise equipment — the 6'×12' is the rental sweet spot. The 4-hour rate at $40 is cheaper than most delivery fees. Strap with the included ratchet straps and you're home in an hour.
Junk Hauling and Transfer Station Trips
Cleaning out a garage, basement, or attic? Load the 6'×12' with old furniture, broken appliances, boxes of stuff for the landfill or transfer station. Wisconsin counties charge by weight at most transfer stations, so this is a one-trip-and-done job for most household clean-outs. The open deck makes loading easier than tossing things over the side of an enclosed unit.
What Doesn't Fit (Or Doesn't Belong)
The 6'×12' is small and open. Here's when you want a different trailer:
- Anything wider than 6 feet — Full-size UTVs, wide equipment, large furniture pieces. Step up to the 18-foot utility (similar width but longer) or the 8.5'×24' tilt deckover (much wider deck).
- Vehicles — The deck is not rated as a car hauler. Use the 20-foot car hauler with winch for that.
- Anything that needs weather protection — If you're moving electronics, mattresses, upholstered furniture, or boxes you can't afford to get wet, rent the enclosed trailer instead.
- Loose dirt, gravel, mulch in large quantities — You can carry small amounts, but if you're moving multiple cubic yards or you want easy unloading, the dump trailer is built exactly for that job.
- Heavy equipment — Skid steers, mini-excavators, bobcats. The 6'×12' is not the right trailer for tracked or heavy wheeled equipment. The tilt deckover is.
Tow Vehicle Requirements
One of the best things about the 6'×12' is that almost any vehicle with a hitch can pull it:
- Half-ton trucks (F-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, Tundra) — No problem, even fully loaded
- Midsize trucks (Ranger, Colorado, Tacoma, Frontier) — Yes, within the truck's tow rating
- Full-size SUVs (Tahoe, Suburban, Expedition, Sequoia) — Yes, with proper hitch
- Midsize SUVs (4Runner, Grand Cherokee, Pilot, Pathfinder) — Usually yes — check your specific tow rating
- Small SUVs and crossovers — Sometimes, depending on the model's tow rating. Don't assume — check your owner's manual.
- Minivans (Pacifica, Odyssey, Sienna) — Most can tow this trailer empty or lightly loaded with a 3,500 lb-rated hitch
You'll need a 2" ball, a 4-flat or 7-pin electrical connection (for the lights), and a working brake controller is recommended if you'll be loading the trailer near its capacity — we rent a Bluetooth brake controller if your vehicle doesn't have one.
First-time renter? The 6'×12' is the easiest trailer in our fleet to learn on. Short wheelbase means backing up is forgiving, the open deck means you can see what's loaded, and the light weight means you won't feel it pushing your tow vehicle around. Nick is happy to give you the basics at pickup.
Pricing
The 6'×12' utility trailer rents at:
- $40 / 4 hours — The cheapest rate in our fleet, perfect for quick local jobs
- $50 / 24 hours — Best value for a single-day project
- $140 / 3 days (7% off)
- $315 / 1 week (10% off)
No mileage limits, fully equipped, by appointment only. Text Nick at (920) 381-9770 to check availability for your dates.
6'×12' Utility vs. 18-Foot Utility — Which Do You Need?
Both are open-deck utility trailers, but the 18-foot is a significantly bigger and heavier rental. Choose the 6'×12' when:
- You have a smaller tow vehicle (SUV, midsize truck, half-ton)
- Your load is under ~12 feet long
- You want the cheaper rate
- You're new to towing and want a forgiving trailer
- You're hauling one ATV or one mower, not multiple machines
Step up to the 18-foot utility when:
- You're hauling longer items (long lumber, multiple kayaks, multiple ATVs)
- You need the extra payload capacity for heavier loads
- You're loading equipment that needs the longer dovetail ramp
FAQ
Is the 6'×12' easy to tow if I've never pulled a trailer before?
Yes. It's the easiest trailer in our fleet for a first-timer. The short wheelbase makes backing up much more forgiving than a longer trailer — you have more time to correct — and the light weight means your tow vehicle won't feel pushed around. Take it easy on your first trip and you'll get the hang of it quickly.
Can I haul my riding mower on this trailer?
Yes — this is one of the most common uses. Drive the mower up the rear ramp, position it centered on the deck, and strap it down with at least two ratchet straps (front and rear). Disengage the parking brake before strapping so the straps do the work of holding it in place.
Will my SUV pull this trailer?
Most midsize and full-size SUVs can. Check your owner's manual for the tow rating — you need at least 3,500 lbs of capacity to safely tow the loaded trailer. If you're unsure, text Nick with your vehicle make and model and he'll tell you straight up whether it'll work.
Can I keep the trailer overnight or for a weekend?
Absolutely. The 24-hour rate is $50, and the 3-day rate is $140. For longer projects, the weekly rate at $315 is the best value. All by appointment — text Nick to lock in your dates.
What if it rains during my rental?
The 6'×12' is open, so weather-sensitive loads (mattresses, electronics, cardboard boxes) need a tarp. Bring your own tarp and bungees, or rent the enclosed 6'×12' instead if rain is in the forecast and your load needs to stay dry.
Do I need a brake controller for this trailer?
Wisconsin requires trailer brakes on any trailer over 3,000 lbs gross weight, so depending on your load, you may need one. For light loads (a single ATV, yard waste, furniture pickups) you'll be under the threshold and a brake controller isn't required. For heavier loads near the trailer's capacity, you'll want one. We rent a Bluetooth brake controller if your vehicle doesn't have one built in — just ask when you book.
Where do most 6'×12' customers come from?
This is our most popular trailer for homeowners across Fond du Lac, Plymouth, Sheboygan, Oshkosh, and the surrounding small towns. Weekend warriors, DIYers, and first-time trailer renters make up the bulk of the bookings. No mileage limit, so take it anywhere in Wisconsin — we don't charge per mile.