Average ATV Trailer Weight (With 10 Examples)

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Whether you need a trailer to tow your ATV out to the trails or you’re looking to get a trailer to tow behind your ATV, it’s good to know approximately how much they weigh. In this post, I have gathered the weight of some of the most common types so that it’s easier to compare. 

So how much does an ATV trailer weigh? An average ATV trailer (ATV hauler) weighs from 600 to 1500 lb empty and about 3000 lb, including the maximum allowable cargo weight. An average ATV tow-behind trailer weighs 400 – 800 lb empty and has a 2000 to 3000 lb payload capacity.

Comparing the weight of 10 ATV trailers (ATV haulers)

In this table, you find the most important weight ratings of ten typical trailers used for towing ATVs.

Trailer
Name and Model
Bed Size (W x L)Capacity
(ATVs)
Empty WeightPayload CapacityGross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
Echo Ultimate 10′76″ x 122″1900 lb2775 lb3300 lb
Echo Elite 11′63″ x 132″2575 lb2145 lb2710 lb
Echo Elite 24′73″ x 288″41600 lb4400 lb6000 lb
Sure-Trac
Tube Top ATV 14′
81,5″ x 168″21450 lb1540 lb2990 lb
Aluma A8816 90.5″ x 250″4775 lb3625 lb4400 lb
Aluma 7810 101.5″ x 175″1750 lb2240 lb2990 lb
Big Tex 30SA-10 60″ x 120″1723 lb2272 lb2995 lb
Big Tex 35SA-RSX 83″ x 168″21220 lb1775 lb2995 lb
Mission
MU80x14WR-2.0
80″ x 168″2982 lb2008 lb2990 lb
Carry-On Trailer
6X12GWATV
76″ x 144″2980 lb2010 lb2990 lb

Comparing the weight of 10 ATV Tow-Behind trailers

In this table, you find the weight rating of ten typical ATV tow-behind trailers.

Trailer
Name and Model
Bed Size (W x L)Empty WeightPayload Capacity
Bosski 800 UT45″ x 49″323 lb800 lb
Bosski 1600 UT45″ x 73″539 lb1100 lb
The Super Explorer XL446″ x 85″250 lb2000 lb
Woodland Mills
T-Rex ATV Trailer
42″ x 79″934 lb2000 lb
King Kutter Dump Trailer50″ x 70″864 lb3300 lb
Cabela XT150050″ x 85″150 lb1500 lb
Workman XL45″ x 73″550 lb1050 lb
Bannon Utility Trailer30″ x 60″379 lb1600 lb
Iron Baltic IB 16563″ x 47″330 lb1100 lb
Iron Baltic
Offroad Pro 1000
78″ X 43″375 lb2200 lb
ATV trailer weight compared.

Understanding the different weight ratings of ATV trailers and towing capacities of your towing vehicle (car, truck or ATV)

ATV trailers are listed with various weight ratings that each tell a different story. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for safe towing.

  • Empty weight, also known as trailer weight, is the weight of the trailer when empty.
  • Payload capacity, also known as carry-weight or load capacity, is the maximum cargo weight the trailer can carry. This number does not include the empty weight of the trailer itself.

If you know the empty weight of your trailer, you can find the payload capacity by subtracting the trailer weight from the GVWR:

Payload capacity = GVWR – Trailer weight

  • GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum operating weight of the trailer. The same term is used for most vehicle types and describes how heavy a vehicle can be, including the vehicle itself, all cargo, all passengers, all fluids, etc. For ATV trailers, the GVWR indicates the trailer’s maximum combined weight, and all cargo can be. You will find the GVWR on your trailer’s VIN-plate.

GVWR = Payload Capacity + Trailer Weight

  • GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) is the actual weight of your fully-loaded trailer. This number varies depending on how much weight of the cargo you put in the trailer.
  • Towing capacity, also known as maximum towed load, tells you how much rolling weight your car, truck, or ATV can safely tow on level ground. In this post, we take a closer look at an ATVs actual towing capacity.
  • Tongue weight is the amount of your trailer’s weight that transfers to the trailer hitch (or gooseneck) of your car, truck or ATV.
  • Maximum Vertical Hitch Weight tells you how much tongue weight can be placed on the towing vehicle’s trailer hitch (car, truck, or ATV). ATVs typically have a maximum vertical hitch weight rating of about 1/10th of their towing capacity.
  • GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). Some manufacturers provide the GAWR rating. This rating tells you the maximum allowable weight that can be placed on an individual axle. Note that the GAWR on a trailer is usually higher than the GVWR rating. You should still not exceed the GVWR rating as there can be other factors than the axle capacity that is limiting the maximum allowable weight. Such factors are load placement, brakes, suspension, and more.

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) refers to the total mass of a vehicle, including all trailers.

Which factors determine the weight of an ATV trailer?

As you can see from the comparison tables, the weight of ATV trailers varies quite a bit. There are a few main factors that determine the weight of different models of trailers.

Trailers for hauling an ATV (with a car) or tow-behind trailers designed to hook up to an ATV

Trailers designed to be pulled by an ATV are generally about half the weight of trailers designed to pull behind a car. Even the smallest ATV haulers/ utility trailers exceed the rated towing capacity of some of the smaller ATVs.

As a general rule, you should not use an ATV to pull a trailer designed to be pulled by a car or truck.

The same general rule applies the other way round as well. ATV tow behind trailers is un general, not designed to be pulled by a car.

Trailer construction, and number of axles

Besides the frame, the axle is the heaviest component on a trailer. Adding one more axle does increase the capacity of a trailer, but it does also add weight.

In many cases, you will find that you can tow a smaller amount of cargo in a single axle trailer than a dual axle due to the weight limit of your tow hitch.

Trailer bed size, length, and width

The most common configuration for hauling one ATV is a 10′ to 12′ deck with a single axle. A full-size ATV is around 80 to 85 inches long. You need to make sure you have a large enough deck if you plan on hauling more than one ATV at the time.

Longer and wider trailers are heavier than a smaller trailer with similar construction. But the difference in weight may not as high as you think. The weight of the axle, drawbar, nosewheel, and lighting assembly can be the same even if you go up one size in bed size.

Trailer building material – steel vs aluminum vs plastic

ATV haulers are typically made out of steel or aluminum.

In the early days of ATVs, there were no haulers specifically designed to carry ATVs. Most people just used a basic wood decked, heavy-duty utility trailer made out of solid steel.

Many still prefer using steel utility trailers to haul ATVs due to their robustness. The downside is that they are relatively heavy when empty.

ATVs are relatively lightweight vehicles that do not require the same robustness as a small excavator or other small but heavy machinery. Hardwood floors are needed to protect the trailer from steel excavator tracks, but not necessary for a rubber ATV wheel.

That’s why aluminum trailers have been and still are increasing in popularity for ATV hauling.

Aluminum is much lighter than steel and wood but is still a relatively strong material. A lighter weight trailer will give you better mileage and won’t require such a large car or truck for safe pulling.

With an aluminum trailer like the Aluma A8816, you may be able to tow one extra ATV when compared to a similar size steel trailer while maintaining the same combined weight.

ATV towbehind trailers are often made out of steel tubing and steel sheets or mesh. The goal is to make a lightweight trailer that is still robust enough. In later years, we’ve seen a new type of trailer entering the market.

The frame and axles are still made out of steel, but the box can be made out of plastic or other composite materials. Plastic box trailers are great for camping and other situations where having a lightweight trailer is important.

Related: How Much Weight Can an ATV Carry? (Cargo and Rider)

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Haavard Krislok
Haavard Krislok
I'm an ATV and offroad-enthusiast, an engineer, a farmer, and an avid home-mechanic. I'm also the owner and editor of BoostATV.com. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this article, please feel free to contact me.

Welcome to BoostATV

Hi, I’m Haavard, the guy behind Boost ATV.  I made this site to share what I have learned as an avid ATV owner and enthusiast. I hope it will help boost your ATV experience! Learn More