Moving large furniture in Fond du Lac usually comes down to two choices: rent a box truck from U-Haul or Penske, or rent a trailer from Fondy and pull it with the pickup you already own. For local moves — across town, across the county, or up to Sheboygan or Oshkosh — the trailer wins on flexibility, cost, and the ability to drop off and unload on your own schedule. This guide walks through when to pick an enclosed vs open trailer, how to load a sofa, dresser, or headboard so nothing shifts or gets damaged in transit, and why a same-day rental beats a U-Haul reservation for most local moves.
Enclosed vs Open Trailer for Furniture
The 6x12 Enclosed Cargo Trailer
For furniture moves within Fond du Lac County, the 6x12 enclosed cargo trailer is Fondy's most rented unit for a reason. Enclosed means:
- Rain-safe: nothing gets ruined by an unexpected Wisconsin shower mid-move.
- Wind protection: no strap wear-through, no blowing tarps, no exposed foam sofa cushions catching wind at 55 mph.
- Hidden loads: covered furniture doesn't tempt theft at gas station stops.
- Cleaner tie-downs: D-rings on interior walls give you strap angles you can't get on an open trailer.
What fits in a 6x12: a full sectional (three-piece), a queen mattress plus box spring, a dresser and armoire, a dining table with legs off, several dining chairs, a coffee table, and a few boxes of small items. Roughly the contents of a small apartment or one-bedroom in a single load.
The Open Utility for Big Single Pieces
Sometimes you're moving a single oversized piece — an L-shaped sectional too tall for a box truck's interior, an oversized armoire, an outdoor sectional or teak dining set. For those, an open utility trailer with proper blankets and straps is often easier because you can access the load from every side while strapping.
Trailer vs U-Haul Truck: The Honest Comparison
Cost
Fondy's 6x12 enclosed rents around $60-80 per day depending on the specific unit. U-Haul's smallest local move truck (10-foot box) is $19.95 base but climbs quickly with mileage ($0.99-$1.19/mile), environmental fees, and taxes — a 30-mile move often lands at $80-120. For a local move in a pickup you already own, Fondy is cheaper.
Flexibility
Trailer wins here. You can drop the loaded trailer at your destination and use the tow vehicle for a lunch run, hardware store trip, or dump run. A U-Haul truck means everything you're not moving stays in your driveway until you return the truck.
Loading Height
U-Haul trucks have a deep step-up from the ground to the box floor. Trailer decks are lower and closer to a natural lift height, which matters when four people are carrying an antique dresser up the ramp.
Driving
Towing a trailer is different from driving a box truck. If you're not comfortable with a trailer, the box truck is the easier choice. If you tow regularly, the trailer is easier because you're driving your own vehicle.
Rule of thumb: local moves under an hour of drive time, and any move using your own pickup, favors a Fondy trailer. Long-distance moves and moves without a tow vehicle favor U-Haul.
Preparing Furniture for a Trailer Move
Wardrobe Boxes and Moving Blankets
Wardrobe boxes (12x24x48 inches) let you hang clothes without folding or unpacking hangers. Get them from Home Depot or a moving supply store. Moving blankets are non-negotiable for furniture — a $30 stack of 6 blankets pays for itself the first time you don't scratch a dresser corner. Wrap every piece with a moving blanket, secure with stretch wrap or bungees.
Disassemble What You Can
Bed frames come apart. Dining tables usually have removable legs. Sectional couches typically split into modules. Two extra minutes of disassembly at load saves half an hour of struggle unloading.
Drawer Removal (or Not)
Small dressers: remove drawers to lighten the piece and prevent them from sliding open in transit. Large solid-wood dressers: leave drawers in but stretch-wrap the whole piece so they can't open. Antique or delicate pieces: remove drawers regardless.
Tie-Down Technique for Furniture
Sofas and Sectionals
Sofas ride best on their side against a trailer wall, cushions removed and boxed or bagged. Strap across the frame with padding under the strap so it doesn't compress the arm or bite into the wood frame. Two straps minimum: one across the base, one across the back.
Dressers, Armoires, and Bookshelves
These ride upright against a wall, straps across the top and middle to prevent tipping. Moving blankets between the wall and the piece. If tall enough that the piece could tip over an angled turn, use a third strap low.
Mattresses and Box Springs
Stand upright against the longest interior wall. Use a mattress bag ($10 from a moving store) to protect the fabric. Strap across the top.
Small Items and Boxes
Load into the trailer last, forward of the axle, so they act as a wedge preventing larger pieces from shifting. Box weight forward = correct tongue weight.
Pricing and Fondy's Options
- 6x12 Enclosed Cargo: most popular for furniture moves
- 6x12 Open Utility: $40 / 4 hr, $60 / 24 hr — for oversized single pieces
- 18-ft Utility: for full-house moves in one trip
Pickup at W4637 Lakepark Drive, Fond du Lac, WI. No mileage limits. Fully equipped with tie-down straps. Text Nick at (920) 381-9770 with your dates and what you're moving.
FAQ
Do I need help loading?
Fondy doesn't provide labor — the trailer is the rental. For furniture moves, plan on 2-3 helpers. Local labor services like TaskRabbit, HireAHelper, or Facebook groups have movers for hire in Fond du Lac.
Can I fit an entire apartment in one load?
A small studio or one-bedroom apartment fits in a 6x12 enclosed if you pack tightly. Two-bedroom apartments usually take two loads or an 18-foot utility.
What about a same-day rental?
Text Nick — same-day is often available on weekdays and shoulder seasons. Peak summer weekends fill 3-5 days ahead.
Do you have furniture pads?
The trailer comes with tie-down straps. Moving blankets and pads are your responsibility — get them from Home Depot, Lowe's, or Menard's.
Can I load furniture on the Air Tow?
You can, but there's rarely a reason to. The Air Tow is expensive for a furniture move that fits on a $60 utility. Save it for loads that need ground load.
What if it's raining?
Enclosed cargo is the answer. Open utility with a tarp is a fallback, but the enclosed trailer eliminates the weather variable entirely.
Where do most furniture-move renters go?
Local Fond du Lac moves, plus trips to Sheboygan, Oshkosh, Beaver Dam, and the surrounding towns. Long-distance moves usually rent a U-Haul or Penske truck because of one-way drop-off options that Fondy doesn't offer.