The Air Tow is the trailer that Wisconsin renters call about when nothing else has worked. It's an air-suspension flatbed utility that drops its entire deck to ground level for loading, then raises back to travel height once the load is strapped down. If you've ever fought a mower, a golf cart, a scissor lift, or a lowered vehicle up a standard trailer ramp, the Air Tow is the answer to why you were fighting. This guide covers everything about Fondy's Air Tow — the specs, the loads it's designed for, tow vehicle needs, pricing, and how it stacks up against the trailers most people compare it to.
What Is an Air Tow?
An Air Tow is a flatbed utility trailer with an air-bag suspension system that raises and lowers the entire deck. You control the height with a wireless remote. Full down, the deck sits flat on the ground — no ramps needed, zero approach angle. Full up, the deck sits at typical trailer travel height, roughly 22 inches. In between, you can adjust ride height for specific loading or towing situations.
Compare that to a tilt deckover, which drops the tail of the deck via hydraulic tilt while the nose stays elevated. The tilt gets close to ground level but not all the way. The Air Tow goes all the way. That difference matters most for hard-tire loads (mowers, golf carts, pallets) and for anything with under 4 inches of ground clearance.
Fondy's Air Tow Specs
- GVWR: 13,535 lbs
- Trailer empty weight: 3,650 lbs
- Usable payload: 9,885 lbs
- Deck size: approximately 6.5 x 14 feet of flat load area
- Brakes: electric brakes on all axles
- Ball size: 2 5/16"
- Wiring: 7-way plug
- Air pump: 12V, runs off tow vehicle electrical
- Control: wireless remote for suspension raise/lower
- Deck surface: non-skid with tie-down points spaced along the perimeter
- Included gear: wheel nets, ratchet straps, chains, chocks, spare tire
Best Fits for the Air Tow
Zero-Turn Mowers
Commercial 60" and 72" zero-turns are the flagship use case. Ground load eliminates ramp scraping, caster catch, and blade-height issues. See the zero-turn guide.
Golf Carts
EZ-GO, Club Car, Yamaha — all fit comfortably. Hard tires and weak brakes are a non-issue when the deck is at ground level. See the golf cart guide.
Scissor Lifts
Genie GS-1930, JLG 1930ES, Skyjack SJIII 3219 — low-mounted platform decks that would drag on a ramp roll on flat.
Pallet Loads and Trade Equipment
Portable generators, compressors, welders, trade-show gear on pallets. Pallet jacks push straight onto the ground-level deck with no forklift required at the pickup.
Non-Running Cars and Motorcycles
Two helpers can push a dead motorcycle or a light non-runner onto a flat Air Tow deck. Faster and less risky than winching up a ramp.
Safes, Vending Machines, Top-Heavy Loads
Anything tall and heavy that you don't want to hoist. See the safe moving guide and the vending machine guide.
Tow Vehicle Requirements
- 2 5/16" ball rated for at least the loaded trailer weight.
- 7-way trailer plug wired and functioning. The air suspension pump runs off the tow vehicle's 12V system.
- Working brake controller. Wisconsin law requires trailer brakes on any trailer over 3,000 lbs gross weight, and the Air Tow's electric brakes need a controller. If your truck doesn't have one, Fondy rents a Bluetooth brake controller that pairs with a phone app.
- Half-ton pickup minimum for typical loads. 3/4-ton or larger for loads approaching the 9,885-lb payload.
- Adequate hitch weight capacity. Loaded tongue weight typically runs 10-15% of gross trailer weight.
Fond du Lac Pickup and No Mileage Limits
The Air Tow is picked up at W4637 Lakepark Drive, Fond du Lac, WI, by appointment. Nick walks through the air suspension control, ball hitch, safety chains, brake controller pairing, and loading procedure at pickup.
No mileage limits is a genuine advantage for the Air Tow specifically because it's the trailer people drive furthest for. Fox Valley renters come from Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, and Kaukauna because there's no comparable ground-load rental in that market. Milwaukee and Madison renters drive an hour or more. No matter where you're going, you're not paying per mile.
Pricing
- $250 / 4 hours — local jobs, single load, in and out
- $300 / 24 hours — the most popular window, gives you a full day
- $720 / 3 days — multi-day contractor use or longer trips
- $1,260 / 1 week — seasonal moves, extended jobs
Bookings fill fastest in summer. The Air Tow is Fondy's most-requested trailer during mowing and cottage season. Text Nick at least a few days in advance for weekend windows in June through August.
Air Tow vs Other Fondy Trailers
Air Tow vs Standard 6x12 Utility
6x12 is cheaper ($40/4hr vs $250/4hr) and easier to tow. Air Tow is the answer when your load can't handle a ramp. Match trailer to load, not to price.
Air Tow vs Tilt Deckover
Tilt deckover is wider (8.5' vs 6.5'), longer (24' vs 14'), and cheaper ($120/4hr). Air Tow has the true zero-degree ground load. Both are excellent — tilt deckover for larger or wider loads, Air Tow for compact ground-load-required loads. See the tilt deckover guide.
Air Tow vs Enclosed Cargo
Enclosed cargo is rain-safe and secure but loads via ramp. Air Tow loads better but is open. Pick based on weather sensitivity and cargo value.
Why the Air Tow Is Rare in Wisconsin
Air-suspension trailers are more expensive to build and maintain than standard flatbeds, so most rental fleets don't carry them. Fondy invested in one because Fond du Lac and the surrounding Wisconsin communities have a real need — dairy country with mowers, lake country with golf carts, farm country with equipment moves, and industrial customers with pallet loads. If you drive an hour from Fond du Lac in any direction, this is often the only ground-load rental available.
FAQ
How long does the air suspension take to raise and lower?
About 30-45 seconds full travel each direction. Faster if the tow vehicle is running at full alternator output. Slightly slower in extreme cold.
What happens if the air system fails?
The system has manual overrides and the trailer is safe to tow in the raised position regardless. If anything goes sideways during your rental, call Nick.
Can I use my own straps?
Sure. The Air Tow comes fully equipped, but you can bring your own gear if you prefer.
Is the deck the same width as an 8-foot sheet of plywood?
Close, at 6.5 feet wide. Full 8-foot sheet goods hang over slightly. For pure sheet-goods hauls, the tilt deckover's 8.5-foot deck is a better fit.
Does the trailer come with a brake controller?
The trailer's brakes need a controller in your tow vehicle. Fondy rents Bluetooth brake controllers as an add-on if you don't have one.
Can I book overnight?
Yes. 24-hour rentals are the most common booking type. Pick up in the afternoon, return the next afternoon.
Where do most Air Tow renters come from?
Fond du Lac locally, plus Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, Beaver Dam, and lake-country cottages within an hour's drive. No mileage limits means the range extends much further for renters who need it.