What Trailers We Accept

Trailer donations cover a broader spectrum than most donors realize. Utility trailers, enclosed cargo trailers, flatbeds, goosenecks, dump trailers, equipment trailers, car haulers, livestock and horse trailers, and boat trailers are all accepted. Condition is rarely a disqualifier — trailers that need work, trailers that are not currently road-worthy, and trailers that have been sitting for years all have real value at auction.

This guide walks through the main types, what to expect within each, and the small number of situations that fall outside the program.

Utility Trailers

Utility trailers are the most common trailer donation. Open-deck trailers in a range of lengths, with mesh sides or solid rails, single or tandem axle — landscape trailers, homeowner utility trailers, small equipment haulers, and rental-market single-axle trailers all fall in this category. Ramp gates, tailgates, and drop-down loading gates are common.

Well-represented brands in the utility category include Carry-On, Big Tex, PJ Trailers, Load Trail, Sure-Trac, Diamond C, and a wide range of regional manufacturers. Homemade and shop-built utility trailers are also common in this category.

Enclosed and Cargo Trailers

Enclosed cargo trailers with hard sides, roof, and rear cargo doors are a major donation category. V-nose and flat-front styles, single-axle small trailers up through tandem-axle 20- to 30-foot cargo trailers, race trailers, contractor trailers, and mobile-workshop trailers are all accepted.

Well-known brands include Wells Cargo, Haulmark, Continental Cargo, Cargo Mate, Pace American, Look Trailers, ATC, and Featherlite (aluminum). Interior finish varies widely — bare wall trailers, insulated trailers with plywood or vinyl walls, race-hauler trailers with built-in cabinets and wiring, and everything in between.

Flatbed and Deck-Over Trailers

Flatbed trailers — with a flat deck sitting either between the wheels or above the wheels (deck-over) — are used for heavier loads, wider equipment, and cargo that would not fit on a lower-profile utility trailer. Standard flatbeds, deck-over flatbeds, and tilt-deck trailers all fall in this category.

Common brands include Big Tex, PJ Trailers, Load Trail, Diamond C, and Sure-Trac. Both bumper-pull and gooseneck flatbeds are accepted.

Gooseneck Trailers

Gooseneck trailers — which connect to a hitch mounted in the bed of a pickup truck rather than to a receiver hitch at the bumper — are used for heavier loads, larger equipment, and longer trailers where a bumper-pull configuration would not provide adequate stability. Gooseneck flatbeds, gooseneck equipment trailers, gooseneck livestock and horse trailers, and gooseneck car haulers are all accepted.

Big Tex, PJ Trailers, Load Trail, Diamond C, Featherlite, and Sundowner are commonly seen in the gooseneck category.

Dump Trailers

Dump trailers — flatbeds or utility trailers with a hydraulic dump mechanism — are used by contractors, landscapers, small excavation operations, and property owners with recurring dirt, gravel, or debris hauling needs. Single-cylinder, dual-cylinder, and telescoping-cylinder dump trailers are all accepted, in both bumper-pull and gooseneck configurations.

Common brands include Big Tex, PJ Trailers, Load Trail, Bri-Mar, Diamond C, and Sure-Trac.

Equipment Trailers

Heavy-duty equipment trailers — designed for skid steers, mini excavators, small tractors, and other equipment loads — are a distinct category. Longer deck lengths, higher weight ratings, heavier axles, and features like tilt decks or hydraulic beavertails distinguish equipment trailers from standard flatbeds.

Car Haulers

Car haulers — both open (flat deck with slide-out ramps) and enclosed (fully covered with rear doors) — are accepted. Open car haulers are common in the two- and four-car classes. Enclosed car haulers, particularly in the racing and collector-car segments, are heavily built and often have significant value on the secondary market.

Featherlite is a major aluminum car-hauler brand. Steel car haulers from Big Tex, PJ Trailers, Load Trail, and Sure-Trac are widely represented. Race trailers and stacker trailers with interior tie-downs, ramps, and lighting fall in this category.

Livestock and Horse Trailers

Livestock trailers (cattle, hog, and mixed-livestock hauling) and horse trailers (from two-horse straight-load bumper pulls up through multi-horse living-quarters goosenecks) are accepted. Steel and aluminum construction, straight load and slant load configurations, stock combos, and living-quarters horse trailers are all in scope.

Featherlite, Sundowner, Exiss, Trails West, and Titan are well-known in the aluminum horse and livestock segment. Steel trailers from a range of regional manufacturers are also common. Older horse trailers, and trailers that have been sitting through multiple seasons, are workable — worn floors, aged tires, and cosmetic issues are typical and not disqualifying.

Boat Trailers

Boat trailers — single-axle for smaller boats through triple-axle for larger center consoles, pontoons, and cabin cruisers — are accepted. Roller trailers, bunk trailers, aluminum trailers, and galvanized steel trailers are all in scope. Boat trailers that have seen salt-water use often show corrosion, but structural condition rather than surface rust is the deciding factor.

Condition Standards

Trailer condition is evaluated across a wide range:

• Road-worthy trailers in current use
• Trailers that need minor prep (tires, lights, wiring) before towing
• Trailers with cosmetic damage, rust, or worn decking
• Non-towable trailers — flat tires, seized bearings, damaged coupler — that require alternate pickup
• Project-condition trailers that have been sitting for years
• Trailers with damaged decking, worn walls, or aged sides

Structural condition of the frame is the primary consideration. Frames with severe rust-through, bent or twisted main rails, or major weld failures require case-by-case evaluation.

What About Travel Trailers and Campers?

Travel trailers, fifth-wheel campers, pop-up campers, and toy haulers with living quarters — trailers built for recreational use with beds, kitchens, or bathrooms — are not covered by this hub. Those donations belong to the RVs and Motorhomes section. If you have a travel trailer or camper to donate, see the RV donation page for the appropriate process and program details.

What's Typically Not Accepted

A few situations fall outside the standard program:

• Trailers with debt or liens that exceed the trailer's value
• Trailers with unresolved title or ownership disputes
• Trailers with severe structural damage that cannot be safely moved
• Trailers stored in locations that cannot be reached with a tow vehicle

If your situation is unusual, describe it when reaching out. Many donations that look questionable on the surface turn out to be workable once the specifics are understood.

Ready to Donate

Learn more about the process and start a trailer donation at /donate-trailer.html. A coordinator will confirm what's accepted and walk through the specific steps for your trailer.