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The Ultimate Car Hauler Guide for Buying and Renting

Car haulers are a necessary part of life for car enthusiasts, small business owners, rental fleet managers and many others. But it’s not always easy to decide if a car trailer rental or purchase is better for you. The former can mean you don’t have a trailer when you need one, but the latter may not be worth it financially if you’re only using the trailer a couple times a year.

In this car trailer buying guide, we’ll help you figure out which approach is best for you. We’ll also show you how the FlatTrak car hauler works and the value it can provide, whether you’re renting or buying.

The Basics and Dimensions of the FlatTrak Car Hauler

The FlatTrak car hauler is a premium option. It is highly durable and functional, and can accommodate a wide range of applications. It’s stable enough to protect collectible sports cars and tough enough to handle heavy machinery. It can even handle wide-body vehicles that other haulers can’t, thanks to its 83″ × 18′ deck.

Some of the FlatTrak car hauler’s premium features include:

  • Extremely low ground clearance: The FlatTrak car hauler trailer has a hydraulic knuckled design. This means that the deck can be lowered completely to the ground, allowing sports cars and other low-clearance vehicles to roll onto it with ease. There is no need for ramps, which makes loading and unloading much faster.
  • A specialized decking material: The hauler’s deck is made of specially designed aluminum planks, which cut down on empty weight without sacrificing any strength or toughness. The FlatTrak car hauler has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds.
  • Independent wheel suspension: Each hauler comes equipped with rubber torsion axles instead of traditional leaf springs. This allows each wheel to move vertically independent of the others, which minimizes vibration transfer to the hauler’s cargo.

Other features include:

  • A 12K hydraulic jack, which can lift cars, heavy machinery and more.
  • Dexter self-adjusting electric brakes, which provide reliable braking that protects you, the hauler and its cargo.
  • Grommet-mounted LED lights, which ensure that everyone can clearly see the hauler and know when it’s stopping or turning.
  • A pro-grade wireless remote, which allows you to operate the hauler from a distance.
  • A front rock guard, which shields your cargo from gravel and other debris kicked up by the tow vehicle.
  • A two-year structural warranty, which minimizes your financial risk and ensures the hauler’s quality.

The Pros of Renting a Car Hauler

There are two main upsides to renting.

First, it’s extremely cost-effective if you use a car hauler once or twice a year. The total cost will be lower, and you can pay for it all at once instead of spreading the payment across the next year or two. If you use the hauler more often, though, these costs can really mount up.

Second, you have zero maintenance liability for a car hauler trailer rental. You don’t have to worry about servicing the torsion axles, replacing the tires or finding a place to store the hauler. So, as long as you don’t damage the hauler, you’ll only pay up front.

The Cons of Renting a Car Hauler

Renting comes with two main limitations.

First, high-quality car haulers are often in high demand at rental yards, which means you may not be able to find one that meets your needs if you don’t book well in advance. So, if you plan to rent, it’s best to do it early. Otherwise, you may risk damaging your cargo or not being able to move it at all.

Second, repeated rentals take more time than a single purchase. For each rental, you’ll have to find and purchase a hauler that meets your needs. You’ll also need to arrange pickup and drop-off. These tasks will complicate your already busy hauling schedule each time you need to rent a hauler.

 

The Pros of Buying a Car Hauler

There are two main reasons to buy.

First, buying a car hauler can result in significant savings if you’re a regular renter. When your purchase plan ends, all you have to worry about is maintenance. With rentals, though, you have to pay each time you rent. If that carries on for years, the costs of renting will surpass the cost of buying by a pretty large margin.

Second, owning a car hauler is extremely convenient, especially if you regularly need to haul vehicles or equipment. It’s always there whenever you need it. You don’t need to fill out any paperwork or arrange pickups and drop-offs. You also don’t have to worry about not being able to find a hauler that can keep your cargo safe.

The Cons of Buying a Car Hauler

There are two main downsides to buying.

First, you need somewhere to store the hauler. They can be quite large, so you need a sizable garage or secure parking space to put them in. If you don’t have one of these storage solutions, you may need to invest in one, which further increases your total expenses.

Second, you are responsible for keeping the hauler healthy. That means replacing the tires, adjusting the brakes and checking the hydraulics when necessary. These maintenance practices will also increase your total cost of ownership and take up some time every so often.

Other Considerations When Browsing Car Trailers for Sale or Rent

Not all car haulers are created equal. Many don’t have a low enough clearance for certain types of vehicles and equipment. Others aren’t strong enough to haul what you need them to. Or, maybe they don’t have enough safeguards in place to keep your cargo safe from scratches and debris. In cases like these, it doesn’t really matter whether you rent or buy.

So, before making your decision, evaluate the quality of the car hauler you’re considering. Is it compatible with your cargo? Will it make sure your cargo gets to its destination safely? Will it be easy for you to use? Make sure the car hauler ticks all these boxes before committing to a rental or purchase.

The FlatTrak car hauler is purpose-built to address many of these considerations and stands out for its quality, safety and ease of use. Its hydraulic knuckled design means there are no cables to fail. The true independent suspension minimizes road vibrations for a smooth, quiet ride. With redundant safety lockouts, you have 100% confidence when hauling your vehicles. All these features make the FlatTrak the safest and simplest drop deck trailer to rent or own.

 

Where to Find the FlatTrak Car Hauler

Between 2015 and 2021, our team at Belmont Trailers was hard at work perfecting our latest prototype. It was a car hauler designed to offer premium transportation to vehicles with even the lowest of clearances. Now, that prototype, the FlatTrak car hauler, is available for purchase at dealers across the U.S. It is also available for rent in select locations. 

Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, the FlatTrak car hauler gives you the peace of mind that your vehicle is safe in transit. With its hydraulic operation, independent suspension and redundant safety lockouts, this is the safest and simplest drop deck trailer on the market. 

To learn more, fill out our contact form or call us at 717-523-9484.