A tow behind lift is a boom on a trailer chassis, hired at roughly $200 to $400 a day for the common 34 to 50 ft working heights. The reason people choose one over a self propelled boom is that they can collect it themselves, which makes the tow vehicle and the hitch the first thing to check rather than the last.
Can your vehicle legally tow it?
Check three numbers before booking: the loaded trailer weight against your vehicle's tow rating, the coupler size against your ball, and whether the trailer has brakes your vehicle can operate. A half ton pickup handles most 34 ft units; the larger 50 ft machines are heavier than people expect and some states require a brake controller.
Working height against reach over an obstacle
Working height is how high the basket floor gets plus a standing allowance. What usually matters more is horizontal outreach, because a tree, a conservatory roof or a flower bed keeps the chassis away from the wall. Measure the obstacle first and ask the yard for the reach at your working height rather than the headline number.
Setting it up takes longer than towing it
These machines work from four outriggers on level, firm ground, and they will not raise the boom until the level sensor is satisfied. Soft verges, a cambered driveway and buried services all matter. Carry pads or heavy timber for the feet, and expect setup to be the slow part of a short job.
The harness is not optional
Federal aerial lift rules require a body harness with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket anchor, and the fall protection standard is what sits behind that. Ask whether harnesses are included in the hire, because many yards charge them separately and a job that stops for want of one is an expensive afternoon.
Questions people ask about tow behind lift rental
Do I need a special driver's licence to tow a lift?
For the common trailer mounted units on a pickup, a normal licence covers it in most states, but weight thresholds and brake requirements vary. Check your own state's rules on trailer brakes and combined weight before you hitch up, since the yard will not do that for you.
Tow behind lift or scissor lift for exterior work?
A scissor only goes straight up and needs firm level ground under the wheels, so it suits interior slabs and open flat exteriors. A tow behind boom reaches up and over, which is what you want against a house, a tree or anything with a garden bed in front of it.
Can one person operate a towable boom safely?
The machine is designed for a single occupant, but working alone at height with nobody at ground level is a bad idea. Most yards will tell you to have a second person present who knows how to use the ground controls to bring the basket down.
How long can I keep it for?
Day, week and month rates all exist and the week is typically near three to four days. For a painting or tree job that may stretch, booking the week and returning early is usually cheaper than extending a day hire twice, but confirm the early return policy first.