How renting a trailer works
Most rentals are booked in a couple of texts. Here’s how it goes, and what to check on your vehicle before you pick up.
Renting, step by step
- Tell us the job. Text or call (530) 649-5285 with what you’re hauling, the date and how long you need it. Or send a reservation request.
- We match the trailer. If you’re not sure which one you need, we’ll recommend one. We’ll also ask for your tow vehicle so we can check it’s a fit.
- Confirm your dates. You get a text confirming the trailer, the dates and the price.
- Pick up in Yuba City. We hook it up with you, check the lights and brakes, and show you how everything works, from the dump controls to the winch.
- Do the job. Text us if anything comes up.
- Bring it back. Return it on time and empty.
Check your vehicle before you book
Towing capacity. Look it up in your owner’s manual or on the sticker inside the driver’s door. It has to cover the trailer’s weight plus what you’re putting in it. A loaded 7×14 dump trailer can weigh well over 10,000 lb, which is heavy-duty truck territory.
Hitch class. Your receiver hitch has a weight rating too. Most SUVs have a Class II or III. Heavy trailers need a Class IV or V hitch.
Ball size. Usually 2 inch or 2-5/16 inch. The ball has to match the trailer’s coupler, and its rating has to cover the load.
Plug. A 4-pin plug runs the lights on small trailers. Trailers with electric brakes need a 7-pin plug.
Brake controller. Our dump trailers, the car trailer and the deck over have electric brakes. Your truck needs a brake controller to run them. Many newer trucks have one built in. California requires brakes on trailers of 3,000 lb or more.
Towing basics
- Balance the load. About 60% of the weight goes in front of the axle. Too much weight behind the axle causes sway.
- Slow down. California’s speed limit for any vehicle towing a trailer is 55 mph.
- Leave room. You need far more distance to stop with a trailer. Brake early and gently.
- Turn wide. The trailer cuts inside your turn. Swing wider than you think around corners and curbs.
- Cover your load. California requires loads to be covered or secured. Bring a tarp and ratchet straps.
- Check again. Stop after a few miles and check the coupler, chains and straps.
Backing up a trailer
Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. Move your hand the direction you want the back of the trailer to go. Go slow, make small corrections, and if it starts to jackknife, pull forward and start over. A spotter outside helps more than mirrors.
Want more detail?
Read our guide to trailer rental requirements in California or how to choose the right trailer.
Questions
What do I need to bring to pick up a trailer?
Your tow vehicle with its hitch, a valid driver’s license, and the ball mount if it isn’t already on your truck. We’ll confirm anything else when we confirm your rental.
What ball size do I need?
Trailers use either a 2 inch or a 2-5/16 inch ball, and heavier trailers use the larger one. When you book, we’ll tell you which ball the trailer you’re renting uses.
My truck has a 4-pin plug. Is that OK?
For the small utility trailer, often yes. Dump trailers, the car trailer and the deck over have electric brakes, which need a 7-pin plug and a brake controller in your vehicle. Text us a photo of your plug if you’re not sure.
What happens if I’m running late on the return?
Text us as soon as you know. If the trailer isn’t booked right after you, we can usually extend it.