9 Best Pull Behind Yard Carts (November 2026)
The best pull behind yard carts include the Gorilla Carts 6 Cu Ft 1200 lb Poly Dump Cart for most yards, the Yard Commander 400LB Heavy Duty Tow Behind ATV for tight turns on a small property, and the VEVOR Steel ATV Tow-Behind Dump Cart for long tows behind an ATV.
On this page (8 sections)
- Best pull behind yard carts for different jobs
- How these pull behind yard carts were compared
- How much load rating do you need on a tow cart?
- Which hitch type fits your mower or ATV?
- Poly or steel bed for a tow-behind cart?
- Pneumatic vs no-flat tires on a yard cart
- Which pull behind yard cart works best on hills?
- Pull behind yard cart verdict
The best pull behind yard cart for most yards is the Gorilla Carts 6 Cu Ft 1200 lb Poly Dump Cart, because it works as a hand cart and as a towed trailer, and its quick-release dump saves shovel work. Pick a steel trailer if you tow long distances behind an ATV or mower, or a no-flat poly cart if gravel and thorns chew through pneumatic tires.
The main split in this category is between four-wheel carts you pull by hand and two-wheel trailers built to ride behind a machine. A four-wheel cart turns tighter and stays level on slopes, which matters around garden beds and gates.
A two-wheel trailer tracks behind a mower and dumps faster, so it suits long runs across open ground.
Capacity matters, but so does what your mower can safely tow. A 1500 lb cart hitched to a light lawn tractor still has to stop and turn on the mower's limits.
If you're still weighing cart styles, our guide to types of wheelbarrows and our wheelbarrow vs wagon comparison explain when a two-wheel barrow beats a four-wheel cart.
Our picks at a glance
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1
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2
Best for tight turns on a small propertyYard Commander 400LB Heavy Duty Tow Behind ATV
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for long tows behind an ATVVEVOR Steel ATV Tow-Behind Dump Cart
8.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itSekey 7.7 Cu Ft Steel Garden Cart
Best for oversized flat loads - 5
Check itVIVOHOME 900 lb 4.5 Cu Ft Steel Garden Wagon
Best for hilly ground - 6
Check itBILT HARD 1200 lb 2-in-1 Poly Dump Cart
Best for thorny or gravel ground - 7
Check itVEVOR 1500 lb 2-in-1 Poly Dump Cart
Best for hauling heavy loads by hand - 8
Check itSekey 1000 lb Steel Garden Cart
Best for garden corners and tight paths - 9
Check itBILT HARD 1500 lb 11 Cu Ft ATV Dump Cart
Best for big cleanup jobs
Best pull behind yard carts for different jobs
The top pick covers hand pulling and light towing in one cart, while the others earn their place on specific ground or specific loads. Match the cart to how you'll move it before you compare bed sizes.
Gorilla Carts 6 Cu Ft 1200 lb Poly Dump Cart: Best for most yards
- 6 cu ft poly bed
- 1200 lb rating
- 13-inch pneumatic tires
- 2-in-1 pull or tow handle
- quick-release dump
A rust-free poly tub that works as a hand cart or a towed trailer, with a quick-release dump for soil and mulch.
Pros
- Rust-free poly bed
- Quick-release dump
- Pulls by hand or hitches to a tractor
Cons
- Smaller bed than the steel trailers here
Gorilla Carts earns the top spot because it covers the two ways most people move yard material. Pull it by hand around beds and gates, then hitch the same handle to a lawn tractor or ATV for longer runs.
The patented handle is what makes that switch possible.
The 6 cu ft poly tub holds soil, gravel, compost, plants, mulch and firewood, and the 1200 lb rating covers full loads of most of them. Because the bed is poly, it won't rust and cleans out with a hose, which matters for compost and wet mulch.
A powder-coated steel frame carries the tub.
The quick-release dump mechanism tilts the bed so you unload without shoveling. Four wheels and 13-inch pneumatic tires keep the load controlled on grass, dirt and gravel.
The bed measures 40 x 25.6 inches, enough room for bagged soil and plant trays in one trip. The cart weighs 54 lb, light enough for one person to wheel across a lawn when empty.
The trade-off against the trailers here is bed size: 6 cu ft is smaller than the 11 and 15 cu ft steel trailers. For a normal suburban yard that's the right size.
For acreage and repeated loads, go bigger.
Yard Commander 400LB Heavy Duty Tow Behind ATV: Best for tight turns on a small property
- 10 cu ft steel bed
- 400 lb rating
- 13-inch pneumatic tires
- single-lever dump
- removable tailgate
A light steel trailer that pivots well behind a riding mower for mulch, firewood and yard cleanup.
Pros
- 45-degree dump angle
- Removable tailgate
- Universal hitch
Cons
- Lower load rating than the poly carts here
Yard Commander suits a small property where the mower makes tight turns between beds and fences. The steel trailer is compact, 40.5 inches long by 30.7 inches wide in the bed, so it follows a riding mower through gaps a long trailer can't manage.
The full length from tailgate to hitch tongue is 58 inches.
The 10 cu ft steel bed carries mulch, firewood and gravel. A single-lever release tips the bed to a 45-degree dump angle, and the removable tailgate makes loading and unloading easier.
A foot pedal release adds a second way to dump.
The 400 lb rating is the lowest in this roundup. That's the real trade-off: plenty of volume for light material like mulch and leaves, less weight capacity for gravel and wet soil.
Four 13-inch pneumatic tires with off-road tread handle grass and dirt. At 72 lb it is heavier than the poly carts here despite the lighter rating.
The universal hitch connects to garden tractors and ATV or UTV machines. Steel construction with a rust-resistant powder coat holds up outdoors.
Choose it for maneuverability and light bulk loads, not for dense material by the ton.
VEVOR Steel ATV Tow-Behind Dump Cart: Best for long tows behind an ATV
- 15 cu ft steel bed
- 1500 lb rating
- 16-inch pneumatic tires
- four-side railings
- hand-pull or foot-step dump
A big steel trailer for hauling soil and wood in fewer trips, with railings that keep loose yard waste in place.
Pros
- Large 15 cu ft bed
- 1500 lb rating
- Railings on all four sides
Cons
- Heavy at 112 lb
- Two wheels only
VEVOR's steel trailer is built for buyers who tow behind an ATV and want fewer trips. The 15 cu ft bed is the largest in this group, with railings on all four sides so leaves and yard waste stay in.
That's roughly two and a half times the top pick's volume.
The 1500 lb rating matches the big bed. VEVOR says the pipe wall is 0.07 inch thick, the trailer rod is 2 x 2 inches and the side rods are 1 x 1 inch, which it credits for the load-bearing strength.
A 0.8-inch base adds to that.
Dumping works two ways: a hand-pull or a foot-step, plus a rear gate that opens quickly. That dual-mode release is handy when you're alone on a big cleanup.
The Q195 steel frame gets an extra rust-proof coating for outdoor storage.
The 16 x 8-7 inch pneumatic tires absorb shock on rough ground. At 112 lb, this is a heavy cart to move when empty, and two wheels mean it needs a hitch to go anywhere.
Pick it when you tow long distances and haul bulky yard waste in volume.
Sekey 7.7 Cu Ft Steel Garden Cart: Best for oversized flat loads
- 7.7 cu ft steel bed
- 1200 lb frame
- removable sides
- 2-in-1 tow handle
- 13-inch pneumatic tires
A steel cart whose sides fold down into a flatbed for fence posts and plywood, then tow behind a tractor when loaded.
Pros
- Removable sides for flatbed use
- Heavy steel frame
- 13-inch tires
Cons
- Heavier to drag by hand than a poly cart
Sekey suits loads that don't fit in a box bed. The four steel mesh sides remove or fold down in seconds, turning the cart into a flatbed for fence posts, plywood and long branches.
The 7.7 cu ft bed and 1200 lb frame cover hay, mulch and equipment in one run. A patented 2-in-1 handle converts from a hand pull to a tow hitch for an ATV or lawn tractor.
Oversized axles and a carbon steel frame back the rating.
The 13-inch pneumatic tires absorb shock and hold traction in muddy fields and on rocky trails. The extra-wide bed makes the cart easier to load with a pitchfork or by hand from both sides.
The item dimensions run 53.15 inches deep by 24.8 inches wide, so the footprint stays modest for the volume.
The trade-off is weight and bulk. A steel frame this size is heavier to drag by hand than a poly cart, and the wide bed needs more clearance at gates.
Choose it when awkward or oversized material is your main haul.
VIVOHOME 900 lb 4.5 Cu Ft Steel Garden Wagon: Best for hilly ground
- 4.5 cu ft iron mesh bed
- 900 lb rating
- 10-inch pneumatic tires
- 2-in-1 handle
- removable sides
A four-wheel steel wagon with a handle that swivels 180 degrees, so you can steer it by hand or tow it behind a mower.
Pros
- Four-wheel stability
- Handle turns 180 degrees
- Removable sides
Cons
- Smaller bed than the top pick
- 10-inch tires
VIVOHOME suits hilly and uneven ground. Four wheels with 10-inch pneumatic tires and a 180-degree rotating handle keep the load level and let you steer in any direction.
The 38 x 20 inch iron mesh bed carries 900 lb of tools, wood or patio blocks. Crossbars between the tires improve stability and load-bearing.
The handle works as a hand pull or tows behind a lawn tractor or ATV.
The removable mesh sides convert the wagon to a flatbed for larger items. The tires are fixed with lug nuts for stability, and VIVOHOME notes they arrive not fully inflated for safe transport, so pump them up before the first heavy load.
VIVOHOME also advises against long-term heavy loading to prolong cart life, so treat 900 lb as a peak, not an everyday figure.
Against the top pick, the bed is smaller at 4.5 cu ft and the rating is lower at 900 lb. The payback is a lighter 40 lb cart and steadier handling on slopes.
Choose it for hills and tight, uneven paths rather than maximum volume.
BILT HARD 1200 lb 2-in-1 Poly Dump Cart: Best for thorny or gravel ground
- 7 cu ft poly bed
- 1200 lb rating
- 13-inch no-flat tires
- quick-release dump
- 2-in-1 handle
A poly dump cart with solid tires that won't go flat on gravel, nails or thorny brush.
Pros
- No-flat tires
- Quick-release dump
- Poly bed won't rust
Cons
- Solid tires ride firmer than pneumatic ones
BILT HARD suits yards with gravel, nails and thorny brush. The 13-inch no-flat tires won't puncture or leak, so the cart keeps rolling where pneumatic tires would go soft.
That's a real difference on a driveway or a brush pile.
The 7 cu ft poly bed carries 1200 lb and has a 42 x 23 inch floor. A quick-release system with a front-handle dumping frame tips the bed to unload soil and compost without shoveling.
The poly won't rust and wipes clean.
The 2-in-1 handle hitches to a lawn tractor or ATV for towing and works by hand for lighter loads. A steel frame under the poly tub holds the shape.
The four wheels give it the stability of a wagon rather than a two-wheel barrow.
The trade-off is ride quality. Solid no-flat tires transmit more vibration over roots and ruts than pneumatic ones.
If your ground is smooth or covered in thorns, that's a fair trade for never fixing a flat. Pick it for rough surfaces over plush rides.
VEVOR 1500 lb 2-in-1 Poly Dump Cart: Best for hauling heavy loads by hand
- 1500 lb rating
- poly bed
- 13-inch all-terrain wheels
- 2-in-1 convertible handle
- mesh cover and cushion
A four-wheel poly dump cart with the highest load rating in this group and a cover to keep small items in the bed.
Pros
- 1500 lb rating
- Mesh cover included
- Four wheels
Cons
- Heavier to pull than the smaller poly carts
VEVOR's poly dump cart carries the highest rating in this roundup at 1500 lb. That's the number to note if you move dense material like wet soil or stone by hand.
Four wheels and 13-inch all-terrain tires keep it stable under that weight.
The poly bed resists rust and cleans easily. A 2-in-1 convertible handle works as a hand pull or connects to an ATV, UTV, tractor or mower for towing.
The handle turns 180 degrees to help with maneuvering.
A mesh cover and a cushion come in the box. The cover keeps small items from bouncing out during transport, which matters when you tow over bumpy ground.
VEVOR says the metal frame is 1.2 inch thick. The overall length is 78 inches, so the cart needs room to swing behind a mower.
The trade-off against the top pick is weight: at 69 lb this cart is heavier to pull by hand, and its advantage shows up only when you load it near the rating. Choose it for dense, heavy hauls.
For everyday mulch and leaves, the lighter Gorilla Carts is easier to live with.
Sekey 1000 lb Steel Garden Cart: Best for garden corners and tight paths
- 1000 lb steel frame
- removable sides
- 10-inch rubber tires
- 180-degree handle
A compact steel cart with a tight turning circle for narrow garden paths and raised beds.
Pros
- Tight turning circle
- Removable sides convert to flatbed
- Powder-coated steel
Cons
- Lower capacity than the 1200 lb poly carts here
Sekey's steel cart suits narrow garden paths and raised-bed work. A 180-degree handle and a compact footprint let it pivot in tight corners where wider carts get stuck.
The 10-inch rubber tires roll over grass, gravel and dirt.
The 1000 lb carbon steel frame takes logs, rocks and equipment. Mesh sides remove in seconds to turn the cart into a wide flatbed for fence posts or lumber.
A deep mesh bed holds more loose material than a standard box wagon.
The powder-coated steel resists corrosion and scratches for all-season outdoor use. At 41 inches long and about 20 inches wide, the footprint is smaller than most carts here, which is the point.
The mesh design also lets air and water drain, so wet leaves and washed gravel shed moisture.
The trade-off is capacity: 1000 lb is the lowest rating among the four-wheel steel carts in this group. That's fine for garden work and light equipment, less so for repeated gravel loads.
Pick it when tight access matters more than maximum tonnage.
BILT HARD 1500 lb 11 Cu Ft ATV Dump Cart: Best for big cleanup jobs
- 11 cu ft steel bed
- 1500 lb rating
- 16-inch pneumatic tires
- one-pull dumping
- universal hitch
A large steel trailer that empties with a single pull of the dumping handle, built for repeated loads across big properties.
Pros
- 11 cu ft bed
- One-pull dumping
- Universal hitch
Cons
- Trailer only
- No hand-pull handle
BILT HARD's ATV trailer suits big cleanup jobs on large properties. An 11 cu ft steel bed with railings on all four sides collects more wood, soil and debris in a single trip.
One pull of the dumping handle empties it.
The 1500 lb rating matches the volume. BILT HARD says the pipe wall is 0.05 inch, the main frame is 2 x 2 inches and the side rails are 1 x 1 inch to limit deformation under load.
A swivel joint on the tow bar lets the trailer pivot for smoother unloading.
The 16 x 8-7 inch pneumatic tires absorb shock over rough terrain. The universal hitch attaches to a tractor, mower, ATV or UTV without special tools.
The powder-coated frame resists rust for long-term outdoor storage.
This is a trailer only: no hand-pull handle for light loads around the beds. That's the trade-off against the four-wheel carts.
Pick it when most of your hauling happens behind a machine and the loads are large.
How these pull behind yard carts were compared
We compared the carts on load rating, bed volume, wheel count and tire type, then weighed how each one hitches and dumps. Prices were left out because the same cart's price moves around.
The first filter was towing: does the cart have a real hitch and a handle or tongue that connects to a mower or ATV? Carts without one were dropped.
Next we checked the load rating against the bed volume. A big bed with a low rating suits leaves and mulch, not gravel.
A small bed with a high rating suits dense loads but means more trips.
Wheel count decided the rest. Four-wheel carts steer by hand and stay level on slopes.
Two-wheel trailers track behind a machine and dump faster. We scored each cart on how well its design fit a real buyer's job, from a small suburban lot to acreage.
| Product | Best for | Capacity | Load rating | Tires | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Carts 6 Cu Ft 1200 lb Poly Dump Cart | most yards | 6 cu ft | 1200 lb | 13-inch pneumatic | 9.1 |
| Yard Commander 400LB Heavy Duty Tow Behind ATV | tight turns on a small property | 10 cu ft | 400 lb | 8.9 | |
| VEVOR Steel ATV Tow-Behind Dump Cart | long tows behind an ATV | 15 cu ft | 1500 lb | 16-inch pneumatic | 8.4 |
| Sekey 7.7 Cu Ft Steel Garden Cart | oversized flat loads | 7.7 cu ft | 1200 lb | 8.3 | |
| VIVOHOME 900 lb 4.5 Cu Ft Steel Garden Wagon | hilly ground | 4.5 cu ft | 900 lb | 10-inch pneumatic | 8.1 |
| BILT HARD 1200 lb 2-in-1 Poly Dump Cart | thorny or gravel ground | 7 cu ft | 1200 lb | 13-inch no-flat | 8.0 |
| VEVOR 1500 lb 2-in-1 Poly Dump Cart | hauling heavy loads by hand | 1500 lb | 13-inch all-terrain | 7.9 | |
| Sekey 1000 lb Steel Garden Cart | garden corners and tight paths | 1000 lb | 10-inch rubber | 7.6 | |
| BILT HARD 1500 lb 11 Cu Ft ATV Dump Cart | big cleanup jobs | 11 cu ft | 1500 lb | 16-inch pneumatic | 7.2 |
How much load rating do you need on a tow cart?
Match the rating to your heaviest regular load, not your average one. A cart rated for 1200 lb handles a full load of wet soil or gravel.
One rated for 400 lb suits mulch, leaves and branches.
Think in weight per cubic foot. Dry mulch and leaves are light, so a big bed with a modest rating still works.
Gravel, wet soil and stone are heavy, so a 10 cu ft bed rated for 400 lb fills up long before it fills the volume. Load those carts about a third full of dense material.
Your mower or ATV also has a towing limit. A 1500 lb cart hitched to a light lawn tractor is limited by the tractor, not the cart.
Check the machine's rating before you buy the biggest cart here.
Which hitch type fits your mower or ATV?
Almost all the carts here use a universal pin hitch that fits garden tractors and ATV or UTV machines. Yard Commander, VEVOR and BILT HARD all state a universal connection.
That means a standard hitch pin drops through the mower's drawbar and the cart's tongue.
The one detail to check is the tongue height. A cart tongue that sits much higher or lower than your mower's drawbar will drag or lift.
Measure your drawbar height before ordering, and keep the first load light until you see how the cart tracks.
Two-wheel trailers vs four-wheel carts for towing
Two-wheel trailers like the VEVOR steel cart follow the mower and pivot at the hitch. Four-wheel carts like the Gorilla Carts and the VIVOHOME wagon roll on their own wheels and steer with a hand handle.
Trailers are easier to back up in a straight line. Four-wheel carts turn tighter in a garden and stay level on a slope.
For long runs across a field, a trailer tracks better. Around beds and gates, a four-wheel cart wins.
Dump mechanism: lever, foot pedal or hand pull
Dumping is where the carts differ most in daily use. The Gorilla Carts, BILT HARD poly and Sekey carts tilt the bed with a quick-release mechanism, so you unlatch and tip.
The Yard Commander and VEVOR steel trailer add a foot pedal or foot step that frees both hands. The BILT HARD 11 cu ft empties with a single pull of a dumping handle.
A 45-degree dump angle like the Yard Commander's sheds loose material cleanly; a shallower tilt may need a shake. Check the release style against how often you'll dump per session.
Poly or steel bed for a tow-behind cart?
Poly beds won't rust, clean out with a hose and shrug off wet compost. Steel beds hold their shape under sharp or heavy loads and take gravel and logs without flexing.
That's the basic choice.
Poly suits soil, mulch and compost, and the carts here with poly tubs all use a steel frame underneath. Steel suits stone, branches and repeated rough loads.
A powder coat protects steel from weather, but a scratch can start rust, so touch up chips. The Sekey and VIVOHOME carts use mesh steel beds, which drain and let small debris fall through.
If your cart sits outside all year, poly needs less upkeep. If you haul sharp debris and want the bed to stay flat, steel holds its shape better.
Our best garden carts guide covers more bed types.
Pneumatic vs no-flat tires on a yard cart
Pneumatic tires ride smoother and grip better on grass, dirt and gravel. No-flat tires never puncture or go soft, which matters on gravel drives and brush piles.
Pick by your ground.
Pneumatic tires need air now and then. VIVOHOME notes its tires arrive partly deflated for transport, so check pressure before the first heavy load.
A soft tire rolls hard and can pinch the tube. Keep a pump handy.
No-flat tires like those on the BILT HARD poly cart ride firmer and pass more vibration through the load. On smooth or thorny ground that's a good trade.
On roots and ruts, pneumatic is kinder. Tire size matters too: 16-inch tires like the VEVOR trailer's roll over rough ground more easily than 10-inch ones.
The 10-inch tires on the VIVOHOME and Sekey 1000 lb carts are the smallest here and suit smooth lawns best.
Which pull behind yard cart works best on hills?
A four-wheel cart with a hand handle is the safer choice on slopes. It stays level and you can hold it back on the way down.
A two-wheel trailer pushes the mower when the load shifts forward on a descent.
Load low and light on hills. A full 1500 lb cart on a slope is hard to stop even with brakes.
Keep the heaviest material over the axle and make two trips rather than one. The VIVOHOME wagon, with its 40 lb frame and 180-degree handle, is the easiest of these carts to steer by hand on uneven ground.
When towing downhill, use a mower or ATV with working brakes and a low gear. A cart without a brake of its own relies entirely on the machine to stop it.
If your slope is steep, hand-pull the four-wheel cart instead.
Pull behind yard cart verdict
For most yards, the Gorilla Carts 6 Cu Ft 1200 lb Poly Dump Cart is the best pull behind yard cart: it pulls by hand, hitches to a tractor and dumps without a shovel. Pick the VEVOR steel trailer for long tows and big volume, or the Yard Commander for tight turns behind a small mower.
Choose the Sekey 7.7 cu ft when flat loads matter, the VIVOHOME wagon for hills, and the BILT HARD no-flat cart for gravel and thorns. If you haven't settled on a cart style yet, start with our yard cart guide.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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1
-
2
Best for tight turns on a small property
Yard Commander 400LB Heavy Duty Tow Behind ATV
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for long tows behind an ATV
VEVOR Steel ATV Tow-Behind Dump Cart
8.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Can any yard cart be towed behind a riding mower?
Only carts with a tow hitch and a 2-in-1 or trailer-style handle. A plain wheelbarrow or hand-pull garden cart has no hitch, so it can't be towed.
Check for a hitch and a stated tow rating before you buy.
How much weight can a pull behind yard cart carry?
The carts here range from 400 lb to 1500 lb. Match the rating to your heaviest regular load, and keep in mind that your mower or ATV also has a towing limit that can be lower than the cart's rating.
Do pull behind yard carts work on hills?
Yes, with care. Four-wheel carts with a hand handle stay steadier on slopes than two-wheel trailers.
When towing on a hill, keep the load low and light, and use a mower or ATV with brakes rated for the slope.
