The short answer

Choose an enclosed hauler when the car is high value, rare or going far. Choose an open aluminum hauler for shorter, fair-weather runs where a lighter trailer is an advantage. At Atlas the daily rates are close ($150 and $145), so the decision should be about your car, not the price.

Protection and privacy

An enclosed body shields the car from rain, sun, road debris and from being seen. For classic, exotic and show cars, that is usually the deciding factor. An open trailer leaves the car exposed to everything on the road.

Climate control

Our enclosed 8.5x20 trailer has air conditioning, which matters in South Florida heat when a car, its interior or its finish is sensitive to temperature. Open trailers have no climate control at all.

Towing weight and handling

Enclosed trailers are heavier and taller than open aluminum haulers, so they need a stronger tow vehicle and more care with wind, clearance and parking. Our enclosed trailer is rated at 14,000 lb GVWR and needs a heavy-duty truck. An open aluminum trailer is lighter and easier to maneuver.

Loading

Both need a plan for how the car gets on. Our open hauler has an electric winch; our enclosed trailer has a manual ramp and no winch, so a car that does not run needs arrangements before pickup. Tell us the vehicle and we confirm what is needed.