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 Weight | Payload Capacity | Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) |
| Echo Ultimate 10′ | 76″ x 122″ | 1 | 900 lb | 2775 lb | 3300 lb |
| Echo Elite 11′ | 63″ x 132″ | 2 | 575 lb | 2145 lb | 2710 lb |
| Echo Elite 24′ | 73″ x 288″ | 4 | 1600 lb | 4400 lb | 6000 lb |
| Sure-Trac Tube Top ATV 14′ | 81,5″ x 168″ | 2 | 1450 lb | 1540 lb | 2990 lb |
| Aluma A8816 | 90.5″ x 250″ | 4 | 775 lb | 3625 lb | 4400 lb |
| Aluma 7810 | 101.5″ x 175″ | 1 | 750 lb | 2240 lb | 2990 lb |
| Big Tex 30SA-10 | 60″ x 120″ | 1 | 723 lb | 2272 lb | 2995 lb |
| Big Tex 35SA-RSX | 83″ x 168″ | 2 | 1220 lb | 1775 lb | 2995 lb |
| Mission MU80x14WR-2.0 | 80″ x 168″ | 2 | 982 lb | 2008 lb | 2990 lb |
| Carry-On Trailer 6X12GWATV | 76″ x 144″ | 2 | 980 lb | 2010 lb | 2990 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 Weight | Payload Capacity |
| Bosski 800 UT | 45″ x 49″ | 323 lb | 800 lb |
| Bosski 1600 UT | 45″ x 73″ | 539 lb | 1100 lb |
| The Super Explorer XL4 | 46″ x 85″ | 250 lb | 2000 lb |
| Woodland Mills T-Rex ATV Trailer | 42″ x 79″ | 934 lb | 2000 lb |
| King Kutter Dump Trailer | 50″ x 70″ | 864 lb | 3300 lb |
| Cabela XT1500 | 50″ x 85″ | 150 lb | 1500 lb |
| Workman XL | 45″ x 73″ | 550 lb | 1050 lb |
| Bannon Utility Trailer | 30″ x 60″ | 379 lb | 1600 lb |
| Iron Baltic IB 165 | 63″ x 47″ | 330 lb | 1100 lb |
| Iron Baltic Offroad Pro 1000 | 78″ X 43″ | 375 lb | 2200 lb |
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 tow–behind 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)
