Iron CapitalTrailer RentalsComparison
Flatbed vs. Enclosed: Which Rental Protects Your Load (and Wallet)?
In Colorado Springs, a flatbed rents for $100/day and an enclosed trailer for $150/day. Pick the flatbed for anything weather-proof, oversized, or forklift-loaded — lumber, pallets, machinery, vehicles. Pay the extra $50 when the cargo is furniture, tools, or anything that must stay dry, unseen, and locked. For multi-day jobs the security alone usually decides it.
What's the real difference for the money?
| Flatbed | Enclosed | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily rate | $100 (20 ft / 22 ft) | $150 (20 ft Load Runner) |
| Weekly rate | $600 | $900 |
| Deck | 102" wide, 20–22 ft, open | 20 ft box, lockable doors |
| Capacity | 9,900–9,990 lb GVWR | Household & shop loads |
| Weather | Tarp it yourself | Sealed against rain, hail, snow |
| Security | Straps only | Locks overnight |
| Loading | Any side, forklift-friendly | Rear doors, included ramps |
When does the flatbed win?
When the load doesn't care about weather and the loading method does. A 102-inch-wide open deck takes pallets off a forklift from any side, swallows 20-foot lumber and steel that would never clear an enclosed door, and hauls dirty loads — landscaping rock, demo debris, equipment — you'd never put inside a box. It's also $50/day cheaper, and for a same-day haul across town in dry weather that's money for nothing. Wide or wheeled equipment goes on with the included ramps and winch; see the flatbed rental page for the full spec.
When is the enclosed trailer worth $50 more per day?
Whenever the cargo is worth more than the difference. Furniture and mattresses on a Front Range afternoon are a hailstorm away from ruin; tools left on an open deck overnight are an invitation. The enclosed box locks, hides, and keeps everything dry from Colorado Springs to wherever you're headed — which is why movers and contractors book it for multi-day jobs even when a flatbed would technically fit the load. Motorcycles ride inside out of the rock spray. Details on the enclosed rental page.
What about wind — doesn't the box catch more of it?
Yes. An enclosed trailer has more sail area, and an empty one in a chinook gust demands respect and lower speed. A loaded flatbed with a low center of gravity is the calmer tow on a windy day; a loaded enclosed trailer sits in between. If your dates line up with a wind advisory, read our Front Range towing checklist before you choose — sometimes the right answer is the flatbed plus good tarps, sometimes it's waiting a day.
What we tell renters at the yard
The question we ask back is always the same: "What happens if it rains on it, and where does the trailer sit overnight?" If both answers are "doesn't matter," take the flatbed and keep the $50. If either answer makes you wince, the enclosed pays for itself the first bad afternoon. We're family-owned, we tow these trailers ourselves, and either one leaves the yard with the winch, straps, and ramps included.
How do I book one?
Reserve at bookings with a $50 booking fee that applies to your total, or call or text 719-661-3946 seven days a week. Compare all seven trailers and rates on the fleet page.
Quick answers before you book
Is an enclosed trailer harder to tow than a flatbed?
Slightly. The box adds wind surface, so you'll feel gusts more, especially empty — plan 5–10 mph slower on windy Front Range days. Loaded, both tow predictably with proper tongue weight. If your haul dates hit a high-wind advisory, a loaded flatbed is the more forgiving tow.
Can I haul a vehicle on the flatbed?
For cars, trucks, and UTVs, book the 18 ft car hauler ($100/day) — it has slide-in ramps and a dovetail built for exactly that. The flatbeds are better for equipment, materials, and palletized freight. Both come with the winch and straps included.
Do I need to bring my own tarps for a flatbed load?
Yes — tarps are the one thing not on the trailer. The winch, straps, and ramps are included free, but weather protection on an open deck is yours to bring. If tarping the load sounds like more work than it's worth, that's usually the sign to book the enclosed trailer instead.
What do both rentals require at pickup?
The same three things: a valid Colorado driver's license, current auto insurance, and a credit card for the refundable deposit. A $50 booking fee reserves either trailer and is applied to your rental total. We're open seven days a week in Colorado Springs.