Find the Right Enclosed Trailer for Your Needs
Compare trailer sizes, axle packages, weight ratings, construction, doors and popular upgrades before you buy.
Helping customers find better trailers since 2007
Choosing an enclosed cargo trailer involves much more than selecting a length and color. The right trailer should match what you plan to haul, the weight of your cargo, your tow vehicle, your storage needs and how you expect to use the trailer in the future.
A trailer that is too small may quickly become crowded. A trailer with insufficient payload capacity may not safely carry your equipment. A trailer that is larger or heavier than your tow vehicle can safely handle may create towing and braking problems.
At Southern Trailer Depot, we have helped customers choose enclosed trailers for work, recreation and business since 2007. This guide explains the most important factors to consider before buying so you can choose the right trailer the first time.
This guide covers:
- Trailer size
- Interior width and height
- Single axle versus tandem axle
- GVWR and payload capacity
- Exterior materials
- Semi-screwless construction
- Ramp doors and barn doors
- Axle and suspension options
- Interior upgrades
- Electrical systems
- Towing considerations
- Financing and rent-to-own options
Quick Buying Checklist
Buy for your realistic future needs, not only what you need today.
Many buyers outgrow their first trailer because they do not account for additional tools, equipment, storage or business growth.
Start With What You Plan to Haul
The first step is identifying everything you expect to carry. Measure the length, width and height of your largest item and include any accessories that increase its size.
For example, a side-by-side may be taller after adding a roof, windshield, light bar or lifted suspension. A race car trailer may need additional space for cabinets, spare tires, fuel cans, a generator and pit equipment.
Motorcycle Trailers
Common considerations:
- Number of motorcycles
- Wheel chocks
- Tie-down points
- Riding gear
- Tool storage
- Fuel cans
- Camping equipment
- Side-door access
Typical sizes:
- 6×12 for one or two motorcycles
- 7×14 or 7×16 for additional equipment and workspace
- 8.5-foot-wide models for multiple bikes or larger custom builds
ATV and Side-by-Side Trailers
Measure the vehicle’s:
- Overall length
- Overall width
- Overall height
- Tire width
- Roof and accessory height
Confirm that the side-by-side will fit through the rear-door opening, not just inside the trailer.
Typical sizes:
- 7×14
- 7×16
- 7×18
- 8.5×16 and larger for multiple machines
Contractor Trailers
Contractors should account for:
- Shelving
- Tools
- Compressors
- Generators
- Material storage
- Ladders
- Workbenches
- Electrical equipment
- Future inventory growth
Typical sizes:
- 6×12 for lighter service work
- 7×14 or 7×16 for organized mobile storage
- 8.5×20 or larger for full mobile workshops
Landscaping Trailers
Consider space for:
- Zero-turn mowers
- Push mowers
- Blowers
- Trimmers
- Fuel storage
- Sprayers
- Tool racks
- Replacement parts
A larger trailer may improve organization and allow the crew to load equipment without unloading other items first.
Car and Race Trailers
Car-hauler buyers should measure:
- Vehicle length
- Vehicle width
- Vehicle height
- Ground clearance
- Door clearance
- Wheelbase
- Track width
Also allow room for:
- Cabinets
- Spare tires
- Generator
- Air compressor
- Fuel jugs
- Tools
- Awning equipment
- Pit supplies
Typical sizes:
- 8.5×20 for compact setups
- 8.5×24 for added workspace and equipment
- 8.5×28 and larger for race-team or commercial use
Choose the Right Trailer Size
These are general recommendations. Actual dimensions, empty weight, payload capacity and door openings vary by manufacturer and trailer configuration.
Trailer Width: 6-Foot, 7-Foot or 8.5-Foot?
6-Foot-Wide Trailers
Best for:
- Motorcycles
- Lawn equipment
- Household cargo
- Smaller tools
- Light business use
Advantages:
- Easier to tow and maneuver
- Less wind resistance
- Easier to store
- Often lighter and more affordable
7-Foot-Wide Trailers
Best for:
- Side-by-sides
- Contractors
- Landscaping businesses
- Mobile service companies
- Larger recreational equipment
Advantages:
- More floor space than a 6-foot-wide trailer
- Still easier to tow than many 8.5-foot-wide models
- Useful for shelving and organized storage
8.5-Foot-Wide Trailers
Best for:
- Cars
- Race vehicles
- Multiple motorcycles
- Large UTVs
- Commercial equipment
- Custom builds
Most 8.5-foot-wide trailers have interior wheel boxes. Confirm that your vehicle, equipment and planned cabinets will fit around them.
Choose the Correct Interior Height
Common interior heights include:
- 6 feet
- 6 feet 6 inches
- 7 feet
- 7 feet 6 inches
Additional height may be useful for:
- Taller side-by-sides
- Comfortable standing room
- Shelving
- Cabinets
- Contractor storage
- Concession builds
- Mobile workshops
- Air-conditioning installations
Increasing trailer height adds interior room but may also increase wind resistance, trailer weight and fuel consumption.
Measure your tallest equipment with all installed accessories before ordering.
Single Axle vs. Tandem Axle
Choose the Right Axle Rating
Common axle ratings include:
- 3,500 lb axles
- 5,200 lb axles
- 7,000 lb axles
For a full breakdown of axle weights, configurations, and how to choose the right one for your trailer, see our Trailer Axle Guide.
3,500 lb Axles
Common for:
- General cargo trailers
- Lawn-care equipment
- Contractors
- Motorcycles
- Lighter side-by-sides
5,200 lb Axles
Common for:
- Car haulers
- Race trailers
- Commercial equipment
- Heavier custom builds
- Buyers wanting increased capacity
7,000 lb Axles
Common for:
- Heavy-duty equipment
- Large commercial trailers
- Heavy race-trailer builds
- Specialized cargo
Torsion vs. Leaf-Spring Suspension
Torsion Axles
Potential advantages:
- Smoother ride
- Lower maintenance
- Independent wheel movement
- Lower trailer deck in some applications
Leaf-Spring Axles
Potential advantages:
- Common and widely serviceable
- Proven heavy-duty design
- Components are often easier to source
- Equalizers help distribute weight on tandem setups
The best choice depends on trailer use, budget and preferred ride characteristics.
Exterior Materials: Aluminum, Polycore and Steel
Traditional Aluminum Exterior
Advantages:
- Familiar trailer appearance
- Available in many colors
- Commonly used throughout the industry
Considerations:
- Exposed screws may be visible
- Thinner panels may show waves or dents
- Seams and fasteners require periodic inspection
Polycore Exterior
Polycore panels provide a smooth, modern exterior appearance and are commonly selected by buyers who want an upgraded finish. See our Polycore vs. Aluminum Trailer Exterior guide for a full side-by-side comparison.
Potential advantages:
- Smooth appearance
- Available in attractive colors
- Reduced visible waviness
- Easy-to-clean surface
- Premium appearance
Actual construction and thickness vary by trailer model.
Steel Components
Most enclosed trailers use a steel frame for structural strength. Buyers should review:
- Main-frame size
- Crossmember spacing
- Wall-post spacing
- Tongue construction
- Undercoating
- Moisture barrier
For a deeper look at how frame, crossmembers, floor, walls, roof and axles all work together, see our Enclosed Trailer Construction Guide.
What Is a Semi-Screwless Exterior?
A semi-screwless trailer uses fewer visible exterior fasteners than a traditional screwed exterior. Adhesive or concealed fastening methods are commonly used across larger panel areas, while screws remain in selected structural or trim locations. Learn more about how this compares to traditional construction in our Polycore vs. Aluminum Trailer Exterior guide.
Potential benefits include:
- Cleaner appearance
- Fewer visible screws
- Modern styling
- Reduced exterior panel distortion
- Easier graphics or business-wrap installation
Semi-screwless does not necessarily mean completely screw-free. For a full breakdown of what semi-screwless construction means and how it compares with screwed and screwless exteriors, see our Semi-Screwless Enclosed Trailers Guide.
Ramp Door vs. Barn Doors
Rear Ramp Door
Best for:
- Motorcycles
- ATVs
- UTVs
- Lawn equipment
- Cars
- Rolling equipment
Advantages:
- Creates a loading surface
- Easier for wheeled equipment
- Spring assist may reduce lifting effort
Confirm:
- Ramp-door width
- Ramp-door height
- Weight rating
- Transition flap
- Dovetail requirements
- Ground clearance
Double Rear Barn Doors
Best for:
- Palletized cargo
- Forklift loading
- Delivery businesses
- Storage use
- Dock access
Advantages:
- No ramp extending behind trailer
- Useful in tight loading areas
- Convenient for freight and deliveries
Combination Options
Some custom trailers can include specialty openings, escape doors, concession doors or oversized side doors.
Side Doors and Escape Doors
Standard Side Entry Door
Useful for:
- Accessing cargo without lowering the rear ramp
- Contractor tools
- Motorcycle equipment
- Personal entry
Common widths may include:
- 32 inches
- 36 inches
- 48 inches
- 60-inch double doors
Escape Door
An escape door allows the driver to exit a vehicle after it is loaded.
Important considerations:
- Door size
- Interior wheel-box location
- Vehicle door height
- Removable wheel box
- Escape-door step
- Trailer-floor height
Car-hauler buyers should confirm the escape door lines up with their vehicle’s driver-side door.
Interior Flooring and Wall Options
Common flooring choices include:
- Plywood
- Rubber coin
- RTP flooring
- Aluminum tread plate
- Vinyl
- Finished race-trailer flooring
Common wall options include:
- Plywood
- White vinyl
- Aluminum
- Insulated and finished panels
Consider durability, cleaning, moisture resistance and intended use.
Contractor Use
Plywood interiors make it easier to attach:
- Shelving
- Tool holders
- E-track
- Cabinets
- Ladder racks
Race Trailer Use
Finished interiors may include:
- Cabinets
- Workbenches
- Coin flooring
- Aluminum trim
- Insulation
- Air conditioning
- Electrical outlets
- Interior lighting
Tie-Downs and Cargo Control
Popular cargo-control options include:
- Recessed D-rings
- Surface-mounted D-rings
- E-track
- Wheel chocks
- Floor-mounted tie-downs
- Wall-mounted E-track
- Cabinet storage
- Tool racks
Always choose straps and anchors rated for the weight of the cargo.
Position heavy cargo over or slightly forward of the axle area while maintaining proper tongue weight.
Electrical and Lighting Options
Common upgrades include:
- LED interior lights
- Exterior loading lights
- LED strip lighting
- 110-volt electrical package
- 12-volt battery system
- Shore-power connection
- Electrical outlets
- Breaker panel
- Generator compartment
- Air conditioner
- Roof vent
- MaxxAir fan
- Electric awning
Important Planning Tip
Decide where cabinets, equipment and electrical components will be installed before ordering outlets, lights and switches.
Popular Trailer Upgrades
Choose upgrades based on how the trailer will be used. Decorative upgrades improve appearance, while structural, electrical and cargo-control upgrades may improve functionality and long-term value.
Match the Trailer to Your Tow Vehicle
Before buying, verify:
- Maximum trailer-tow rating
- Receiver-hitch rating
- Maximum tongue weight
- Tow-vehicle payload
- Gross Combined Weight Rating
- Brake-controller requirements
- Engine and axle ratio
- Cab and bed configuration
- Weight of passengers and cargo in the truck
Warning
Do not rely only on the vehicle’s advertised maximum towing capacity.
Tow ratings may vary significantly by engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, cab, bed length and installed towing equipment.
New vs. Custom-Built Trailer
In-Stock Trailer
Advantages:
- Available sooner
- Can be inspected before purchase
- No production wait
- Often competitively priced
- Ready for immediate use
Custom-Built Trailer
Advantages:
- Select dimensions
- Choose color and exterior
- Add doors and windows
- Choose axle package
- Add cabinets and electrical systems
- Configure interior for specific work or recreational needs
A custom trailer may be worthwhile when standard inventory does not meet your cargo dimensions or workflow
Trailer Financing and Rent-to-Own
Southern Trailer Depot offers multiple ways to purchase a trailer.
Traditional Financing
Financing may be available for qualified buyers, including options with competitive payments and flexible terms.
Rent-to-Own
Rent-to-own may be available on qualifying trailers and can provide an alternative for buyers who prefer a simple approval process.
Common Trailer-Buying Mistakes
Avoid These Common Mistakes
❌ Buying the smallest trailer that fits today
❌ Ignoring empty weight and payload capacity
❌ Assuming axle capacity equals certified GVWR
❌ Failing to measure the rear-door opening
❌ Forgetting the height of UTV accessories
❌ Underestimating storage needs
❌ Ignoring tow-vehicle payload and tongue-weight limits
❌ Choosing too few tie-down points
❌ Adding heavy upgrades without recalculating payload
❌ Buying without considering future needs
❌ Failing to inspect tires, brakes and bearings
❌ Not comparing warranty and construction details
Questions to Ask Before Purchasing
Use this as a printable checklist.
- What is the actual exterior size?
- What are the usable interior dimensions?
- What is the rear-door opening?
- What is the interior height?
- What is the certified GVWR?
- What is the actual empty weight?
- What is the available payload?
- What axle rating is installed?
- Are brakes installed on all axles?
- What tire size and load range are included?
- What is the frame and tongue construction?
- What is the spacing of floor crossmembers and wall posts?
- Is the exterior screwed or semi-screwless?
- What warranty is included?
- Are financing or rent-to-own options available?
- What optional equipment is already installed?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular enclosed trailer size?
The 6×12 and 7×16 are among the most versatile sizes. The best choice depends on the cargo, tow vehicle and expected future needs.
Should I buy a single-axle or tandem-axle trailer?
Single-axle trailers work well for lighter loads and occasional use. Tandem-axle trailers generally provide greater capacity and stability for frequent, commercial or heavier hauling.
How much payload capacity do I need?
Add the weight of everything you expect to load, including tools, fuel, accessories and permanently installed equipment. Leave a safety margin rather than selecting a trailer whose capacity barely covers the expected load.
Is an 8.5-foot-wide trailer required to haul a car?
Most enclosed car haulers are 8.5 feet wide because this width provides enough room for the vehicle and interior wheel boxes. Always measure the vehicle and door opening before purchasing.
Is Polycore better than traditional aluminum?
Polycore provides a smooth, premium appearance and may resist visible waviness better than some traditional aluminum exteriors. The best material depends on budget, appearance and trailer construction.
What does semi-screwless mean?
Semi-screwless construction reduces the number of visible exterior fasteners. Screws may still be used around seams, trim and selected structural locations.
How much tongue weight should a trailer have?
Proper tongue weight is commonly around 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight, although the correct amount depends on the trailer and manufacturer guidance.
Can a half-ton truck tow an enclosed trailer?
Many half-ton trucks can tow certain enclosed trailers, but capability depends on the exact vehicle configuration, trailer weight, tongue weight and cargo. Confirm the truck’s ratings before towing.
Should I choose torsion or leaf-spring axles?
Torsion axles may provide a smoother ride and independent wheel movement. Leaf-spring systems are common, serviceable and proven for heavy-duty use. The better choice depends on application and preference.
Is it better to buy a larger trailer?
A slightly larger trailer can provide flexibility and prevent an early upgrade. However, it must remain within your tow vehicle’s safe towing and payload limits.
Let Us Help You Choose the Right Trailer
Southern Trailer Depot has helped customers find enclosed trailers for work, recreation and business since 2007.
Our team can help you compare:
- Trailer size
- Payload capacity
- Axle packages
- Exterior options
- Doors and loading features
- Custom upgrades
- Tow-vehicle requirements
- Financing and rent-to-own options
Once you've chosen the right trailer, proper loading is the next step. See our guide on how to properly load an enclosed trailer for tongue weight and weight distribution tips.
Looking at a specific size? Our 8.5×20 Enclosed Trailer Guide covers dimensions, weight, axle options and car-hauler setups for one of our most popular configurations.