Car trailers

Which trailer to haul a car?

A tilt trailer is often the best choice: the whole deck tilts, the slope is gentle and the car does not scrape. The N&N Lowland, with its deck 21 in off the ground, is made for that.

A flatbed with a beavertail and ramps also works, especially for taller vehicles. It needs enough width between the fenders and enough length to place the car properly over the axles.

For a collector or race car, an enclosed trailer protects it from rain, salt and stones, and keeps it locked up. Ideal Cargo builds EVO CORE enclosed trailers 8.5 ft wide and 20 or 24 ft long, with a ramp door rated for 4,500 lb. We can order one for your car.

The right trailer size for a car

A 7 × 16 ft flatbed is enough for a compact car. For a sedan, SUV or pickup, go with 18 or 20 ft: you can place about 60% of the weight ahead of the axles without the front of the car overhanging. Between the fenders, most cars need about 80 in; our N&N flatbeds offer 82 in.

As for weight, a compact car weighs about 1,300 to 1,500 kg, and an SUV or pickup 2,000 kg or more. Add the trailer’s weight: that total is what your vehicle has to tow. A flatbed with two 5,200 lb axles suits most cars; 7,000 lb axles or more give you margin for pickups and heavy vehicles.

What to check before you buy

Measure your car’s width from tire to tire and compare it with the trailer’s width between the fenders. Note the car’s weight too: the trailer’s axle rating must exceed it, and your vehicle must be able to tow the whole rig.

Plan for four tie-down points and wheel straps. A winch is useful to load a car that does not run. Our advisors go over all of this with you before you buy.

Loading and securing a car

Drive the car on slowly, well centred, and stop when about 60% of its weight is ahead of the trailer axles. Set the parking brake and put the transmission in park. Strap each wheel with a wheel strap, or the frame at all four corners, and check strap tension after the first few kilometres.

A trailer loaded with a car always weighs more than 1,300 kg, so it needs brakes on all its load-bearing wheels, operated by a brake controller in your vehicle. Our N&N flatbeds have electric brakes, and we order the brake controllers and straps that go with them.

Car trailers at Martin Remorques

In stock, our 18 and 20 ft N&N Lowland tilt trailers, with a low 21 in deck and 82 in between the fenders, are made for cars. The 24 ft Deck Over Tilt takes wider vehicles, and our 16 to 22 ft N&N flatbeds suit taller vehicles.

We also sell Weberlane Tilt-N-Load tilt trailers, built for vehicles as well as equipment: the Gravity Tilt lowers on its own as the car drives on, with no battery or button, and the Power Tilt is operated with a button. They can be ordered hot-dip galvanized.

Useful options

An electric winch loads a car that does not run; our tilt trailers have a welded winch plate to mount one. Longer ramps or a beavertail reduce the angle for low cars. Stake pockets with a tie-down rail let you put the straps exactly where they belong, and a box on the tongue keeps straps and chocks within reach.