What Size Enclosed Trailers Does Penske Have? A Comprehensive Guide to Penske’s Offerings and Your Best Moving Solutions

What Size Enclosed Trailers Does Penske Have? A Comprehensive Guide to Penske’s Offerings and Your Best Moving Solutions Typestruck.Guidemechanic.com

Moving can be one of life’s most challenging endeavors, and securing the right equipment is paramount to a smooth transition. When it comes to reliable truck rentals, Penske is a name that consistently comes up. Many individuals and businesses naturally wonder about their trailer options, specifically asking: "What size enclosed trailers does Penske have?"

This question, while seemingly straightforward, often leads to a common misconception. As an expert in the moving and logistics space, let me clarify Penske’s direct trailer offerings and guide you through the best solutions for your enclosed transport needs. This in-depth guide will not only detail Penske’s specific trailer sizes but also explore viable alternatives, ensuring you make an informed decision for your next move or haul.

What Size Enclosed Trailers Does Penske Have? A Comprehensive Guide to Penske’s Offerings and Your Best Moving Solutions

Understanding Penske’s Core Focus: Trucks and Vehicle Transport

Penske Truck Rental is renowned for its extensive fleet of moving trucks, ranging from small cargo vans to large 26-foot vehicles. Their primary business model centers on providing these well-maintained, reliable trucks for both personal and commercial use. When it comes to trailers, Penske’s direct rental offerings are specifically designed for vehicle transport, meaning they primarily provide options for moving cars.

It’s crucial to understand this distinction from the outset. Unlike some other rental companies that offer a wide array of enclosed cargo trailers for hauling household goods or equipment, Penske’s direct trailer rentals focus on auto transport. This doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your enclosed transport goals, but it does mean we need to look at Penske’s offerings and potential strategies creatively.

Why the Confusion About "Enclosed Trailers" from Penske?

The search for "Penske enclosed trailers" often stems from a desire for protected transport. People want their belongings shielded from weather, road debris, and prying eyes. They seek security and peace of mind, which enclosed trailers traditionally provide.

However, because Penske is such a dominant player in truck rentals, many assume they offer a full suite of trailer options, including enclosed cargo trailers. Based on my experience in the moving industry, this is a very common assumption, and it’s essential to set the record straight to help you plan effectively.

Penske’s Direct Trailer Offerings: The Reality of Their Sizes

Penske primarily offers two types of trailers for rent, both designed for transporting vehicles. Neither of these is an "enclosed cargo trailer" in the traditional sense, but they are crucial components of Penske’s vehicle transport solutions.

1. Penske Auto Transport Trailer (Open Car Carrier)

The Penske Auto Transport trailer is an open, sturdy trailer specifically designed for hauling a car behind your Penske rental truck. It’s an ideal solution if you need to move your vehicle along with your household goods, which would be inside a Penske moving truck.

Dimensions and Capacity

While specific dimensions can vary slightly by model year and manufacturer, the typical Penske Auto Transport trailer is built to accommodate most standard cars, SUVs, and light trucks.

• Deck Dimensions: Approximately 14-16 feet in length, with a width suitable for standard vehicle tracks.
• Weight Capacity: These trailers are robust, designed to carry vehicles weighing up to around 4,000-5,000 lbs (approximately 1,800-2,270 kg). Always verify the exact capacity with Penske for your specific rental.
• Total Length (with vehicle): When hitched to a Penske moving truck, the combined length can be significant, often exceeding 50-60 feet depending on the truck size.

Ideal Use Cases

• Moving Multiple Vehicles: If you’re moving across state lines and need to transport your primary vehicle along with your belongings in a Penske truck.
• Relocating a Non-Driving Vehicle: Perfect for moving a car that isn’t operational or that you prefer not to drive long distances.
• Saving on Fuel and Wear: Instead of driving two vehicles, you can consolidate the trip, potentially saving on fuel and reducing wear and tear on your car.

Why It’s Not "Enclosed"

It’s important to reiterate that this is an open trailer. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements, road grime, and potential debris. While secure, it doesn’t offer the same protection as an enclosed trailer.

2. Penske Tow Dolly (Open Vehicle Mover)

The Penske Tow Dolly is a smaller, more compact option for moving a front-wheel-drive vehicle. It lifts the front wheels of your car off the ground, allowing the rear wheels to roll behind the rental truck.

Dimensions and Capacity

Tow dollies are designed for lighter vehicles and offer a more economical way to transport a car.

• Wheel Base Compatibility: Designed for vehicles with a maximum tread width of around 76 inches.
• Weight Capacity: Typically capable of handling vehicles up to 3,500-3,900 lbs (approximately 1,590-1,770 kg). Always confirm the exact weight limits with Penske for your specific tow dolly.
• Compact Size: Being smaller than an auto transport trailer, it adds less overall length to your truck and makes maneuvering slightly easier.

Ideal Use Cases

• Towing Smaller Vehicles: Best for compact cars, sedans, and some smaller SUVs that are front-wheel drive.
• Budget-Conscious Moves: Generally less expensive to rent than an auto transport trailer.
• Shorter Distances: While capable of long distances, some prefer the full auto transport for cross-country moves.

Why It’s Not "Enclosed"

Like the auto transport trailer, the tow dolly is an open system. The vehicle being towed is completely exposed to weather and road conditions. It provides no enclosure or protection from the elements.

The Quest for Enclosed Cargo Trailers: Why Penske May Not Be Your Direct Provider

Given that Penske’s direct trailer offerings are exclusively for open vehicle transport, what does this mean if you need an enclosed trailer for your cargo? It means you’ll need to adjust your strategy.

Based on my experience in commercial and residential moving, Penske’s business model is highly optimized for their truck fleet. They maintain and rent out thousands of moving trucks, and their trailer offerings complement this by allowing customers to move their vehicles simultaneously. Providing a diverse range of enclosed cargo trailers would require a different inventory, maintenance, and logistics infrastructure that doesn’t align with their current core focus.

Understanding the Difference: Enclosed Cargo Trailers vs. Open Vehicle Carriers

• Enclosed Cargo Trailers: These are typically box-shaped trailers with solid walls, a roof, and a rear door (ramp or barn-door style). They are designed to protect items from weather, theft, and damage during transport. Common sizes range from 5×8 to 8×20 feet.
• Open Vehicle Carriers (like Penske’s): These trailers have an open deck or ramps, designed specifically to secure and transport a vehicle. They offer no protection from the elements for the item being carried.

This distinction is key to understanding why Penske doesn’t offer traditional enclosed cargo trailers.

What to Do If You Need an Enclosed Trailer for Cargo (and are considering Penske Trucks)

If your primary need is to transport household goods, furniture, equipment, or other cargo in an enclosed space, and you’re thinking of Penske, you have two main strategies:

Option 1: Renting an Enclosed Cargo Trailer from Another Provider

This is the most common and practical solution if you specifically need an enclosed trailer to tow behind a vehicle. You can still leverage Penske’s excellent truck services, but you’ll need to source the enclosed trailer elsewhere.

Common Enclosed Cargo Trailer Sizes from Other Rental Companies

While Penske doesn’t offer these, other major rental companies (like U-Haul or local trailer rental businesses) do. Here are the typical sizes you might find:

• 4×8 Enclosed Trailer:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, with interior height around 4-5 feet.
  • Capacity: Roughly 150-200 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: Small moves, dorm rooms, carrying tools, luggage, or a few pieces of furniture. It’s the smallest enclosed option.
• 5×8 Enclosed Trailer:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 5 feet wide by 8 feet long, with interior height around 5-6 feet.
  • Capacity: Roughly 200-250 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: Studio apartments, small offices, transporting ATVs, motorcycles, or bulky items not suitable for an open bed.
• 6×12 Enclosed Trailer:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 6 feet wide by 12 feet long, with interior height around 6 feet.
  • Capacity: Roughly 300-350 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: 1-bedroom apartments, small house moves, hauling lawn equipment, small business inventory, or multiple motorcycles. This is a very popular size for general cargo.
• 7×14 Enclosed Trailer:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 7 feet wide by 14 feet long, with interior height around 6.5-7 feet.
  • Capacity: Roughly 500-600 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: 2-bedroom apartments or small homes, larger equipment, multiple ATVs, or professional use requiring more space and protection.
• 7×16 Enclosed Trailer:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 7 feet wide by 16 feet long, with interior height around 6.5-7 feet.
  • Capacity: Roughly 600-700 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: Medium-sized homes (2-3 bedrooms), larger business inventory, or specialized equipment that needs extra length.
• 8×20 Enclosed Trailer:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 8 feet wide by 20 feet long, with interior height around 7 feet.
  • Capacity: Roughly 900-1000 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: Larger home moves (3-4 bedrooms), commercial hauling, or transporting vehicles (if designed as an enclosed car hauler). These are less common for standard consumer rental but available from specialized companies.

Compatibility with Penske Trucks

If you choose to rent an enclosed cargo trailer from another company, you’ll need to ensure your Penske rental truck is capable of towing it.

• Hitch Requirements: All Penske rental trucks (12 ft and larger) come equipped with a hitch receiver. You’ll need to verify the class of the hitch and ensure it matches the trailer’s tongue.
• Towing Capacity: Each Penske truck has a maximum towing capacity. It’s vital not to exceed this. For example, a 12-ft Penske truck might tow up to 3,500 lbs, while a 26-ft truck could tow up to 10,000 lbs. Always check the specific truck’s rating.
• Lighting Connections: Ensure the Penske truck has the correct electrical connector (usually a standard 4-pin or 7-pin connector) for the trailer’s lights.

Pro tips from us: Before renting an enclosed trailer from a separate company, confirm with Penske the exact towing capacity and hitch specifications of the truck you plan to rent. This prevents last-minute headaches. Also, consider the weight of your cargo plus the trailer itself when calculating total towed weight.

Option 2: Using a Penske Moving Truck for Enclosed Transport

This is often the most straightforward solution for enclosed cargo transport directly through Penske. Their entire fleet of moving trucks acts as enclosed cargo spaces. If your primary goal is to protect your items from the elements and secure them, a Penske moving truck itself serves this purpose perfectly.

Penske Moving Truck Sizes (All Enclosed)

Penske offers a range of truck sizes, all of which are enclosed, secure, and weatherproof.

• 12-Foot Truck:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 12 ft long x 7.5 ft wide x 6.5 ft high.
  • Capacity: Roughly 450 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: Studio or 1-bedroom apartment moves, small office relocations. Can typically hold 1-2 rooms of furniture.
• 16-Foot Truck:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 16 ft long x 7.5 ft wide x 7 ft high.
  • Capacity: Roughly 800 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: 1-2 bedroom apartment or small home moves. Can hold 2-3 rooms of furniture.
• 22-Foot Truck:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 8 ft high.
  • Capacity: Roughly 1,200 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: 2-3 bedroom homes. Suitable for larger furniture, appliances, and a substantial amount of boxes.
• 26-Foot Truck:
  • Dimensions: Approximately 26 ft long x 8 ft wide x 8.5 ft high.
  • Capacity: Roughly 1,700 cubic feet.
  • Ideal Use: 3-5+ bedroom homes, large office moves, or commercial hauling. This is Penske’s largest consumer rental truck.

Advantages of Using a Penske Truck for Enclosed Cargo

• All-in-One Solution: No need to rent two separate pieces of equipment.
• Ease of Driving: Driving a large truck, while different from a car, can be less cumbersome than driving a truck and towing a long trailer, especially for inexperienced towers.
• Penske Reliability: Their trucks are well-maintained, offering peace of mind.
• Security: All your belongings are locked inside the truck’s cargo area.
• Weather Protection: Your items are completely shielded from rain, snow, dust, and sun.

Common mistakes to avoid are: underestimating the amount of space you need. It’s always better to get a slightly larger truck than to run out of space and have to leave items behind or make multiple trips. Use Penske’s online space estimator tools. For a deeper dive into choosing the right truck, consider reading our guide on .

Key Considerations When Choosing Any Trailer or Truck for Your Move

Whether you go with a Penske truck, a Penske auto transport trailer, or an enclosed cargo trailer from another provider, several factors should guide your decision.

1. Total Weight and Capacity

Never exceed the stated weight capacity of any trailer or truck. Overloading is dangerous, can cause damage to the equipment, and is illegal. Factor in the weight of the trailer itself (if applicable) and all your cargo.

2. Driving Experience

Towing a trailer, especially a large enclosed one, requires a different skill set than just driving a truck. You’ll need to account for increased length, wider turns, reduced visibility, and longer braking distances. If you’re new to towing, start with a smaller trailer or opt for a larger Penske truck instead.

3. Hitch Class and Connections (If Towing)

If you’re combining a Penske truck with a third-party trailer, ensure the hitch class on the truck matches the trailer’s requirements. Also, verify that the electrical connectors for trailer lights are compatible. For more information, check out our article on .

4. Fuel Efficiency

Towing a trailer, especially a large, heavy, enclosed one, will significantly reduce your fuel economy. Larger trucks also consume more fuel. Factor this into your budget.

5. Insurance Coverage

Check your personal auto insurance policy to see if it covers rental trucks or trailers. Penske offers various protection plans that can cover damages to the rental equipment and potential liabilities. It’s always wise to have adequate coverage.

6. One-Way vs. Round Trip

Penske excels at one-way rentals for their trucks. If you rent an enclosed cargo trailer from another company, ensure they also offer one-way rentals if you’re not returning to your origin point. This can sometimes be more expensive or limited.

7. Cost Analysis

Compare the cost of renting a larger Penske truck versus a smaller Penske truck plus a separately rented enclosed cargo trailer. Factor in fuel, insurance, and the convenience factor. Sometimes, a larger truck is more economical and simpler.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Enclosed Transport Needs

While Penske doesn’t offer traditional enclosed cargo trailers for rent, they provide excellent solutions for both enclosed cargo transport (via their trucks) and open vehicle transport (via their auto transport trailers and tow dollies). The key is understanding their specific offerings and aligning them with your needs.

If you need to transport items in an enclosed space, a Penske moving truck is often your best and most straightforward option. If you specifically require an enclosed trailer to be towed behind a vehicle (perhaps your own, or a Penske truck if compatible), you’ll need to look to other reputable rental providers for those specific sizes.

By clarifying Penske’s direct trailer sizes – the Auto Transport and Tow Dolly – and outlining the robust enclosed capacity of their moving trucks, we hope this comprehensive guide empowers you to make an informed, efficient, and stress-free decision for your next move. Always plan ahead, confirm specifications, and prioritize safety.

External Link: For the most up-to-date information on Penske’s rental options and specifications, always refer to their official website: Penske Truck Rental