Trailer Tongue Weight & Proper Loading Guide
The doors on an enclosed trailer affect much more than appearance. Your door configuration determines how easily you can load equipment, motorcycles, vehicles, tools, pallets and other cargo.
A trailer can have the correct length, width and weight capacity but still be inconvenient if the doors are too small or positioned incorrectly.
Before choosing a trailer, consider:
- What will be loaded?
- How wide and tall is the cargo?
- Will the cargo be rolled, driven or carried inside?
- Will you need access after the trailer is loaded?
- How much room will be available behind the trailer?
- Will the trailer be used as a mobile workspace?
- Could a fender or trailer wall prevent a vehicle door from opening?
Southern Trailer Depot offers enclosed trailers with many different door configurations, including rear ramp doors, barn doors, side-entry doors, double side doors, escape doors, concession doors and custom openings. If you are still narrowing down the right size, our Best Enclosed Trailer Sizes guide and Cargo Trailer Buyer’s Guide are good places to start.
Call 1-888-403-1902 or submit our Quick Trailer Quote form to discuss the best configuration for your needs.
Rear Ramp Doors
A rear ramp door is one of the most popular enclosed-trailer door options. When lowered, the door becomes a ramp that allows wheeled cargo to be rolled or driven inside.
Ramp doors are commonly used for:
- Motorcycles
- ATVs and UTVs
- Golf carts
- Lawn mowers
- Toolboxes
- Carts
- Small equipment
- Cars and race vehicles
- Mobile work trailers
A ramp door can make loading significantly easier because a separate portable ramp may not be required.
Advantages of a Rear Ramp Door
- Convenient for rolling or driving cargo inside
- Creates a wide rear entrance
- Works well for motorcycles, vehicles and equipment
- Can be equipped with spring or cable assistance
- May be paired with a ramp flap for a smoother transition
Consider Before Choosing a Ramp Door
A ramp door needs enough space behind the trailer to open completely. This may be inconvenient when parking close to a building, fence, another vehicle or loading dock.
The ramp’s load rating must also be appropriate for the equipment being loaded. Do not assume every ramp door can support every vehicle or machine.
Always verify:
- Ramp-door capacity
- Rear-door opening width
- Rear-door opening height
- Ramp angle
- Ground clearance
- Cargo width and height
- Manufacturer loading instructions
Important
The advertised trailer width and height are not necessarily the same as the usable rear-door opening. See our Enclosed Trailer Dimensions & Measurements Guide for how to measure correctly, and check the GVWR Explained and Trailer Weight Chart guides before assuming a ramp can handle your load.
Rear Barn Doors
Barn doors are two doors that swing outward from the center of the rear opening. They are a practical choice for general cargo, delivery work and situations where there is not enough room to lower a full ramp.
Barn doors work well for:
- Boxes and packaged cargo
- Furniture
- Contractor tools
- Shelving and storage
- Pallets loaded with appropriate equipment
- Delivery trailers
- Mobile workshops
Advantages of Barn Doors
- Require less rear clearance than a ramp
- Provide convenient access to stored cargo
- Can be opened one side at a time
- Work well when backing near a dock or building
- Avoid the weight of raising and lowering a large ramp door
Consider Before Choosing Barn Doors
Barn doors do not provide a built-in loading ramp. Motorcycles, mowers, carts and equipment may require a separate ramp or loading platform.
The doors also need enough side clearance to swing outward fully.
Ramp Door vs. Barn Doors
The better choice depends on how the trailer will be used.
Choose a Ramp Door When:
- Cargo will be rolled or driven inside
- You transport motorcycles, ATVs or mowers
- You are building a car or race trailer
- You want an attached loading surface
- You regularly move wheeled equipment
Choose Barn Doors When:
- Cargo will mostly be carried inside
- The trailer will be used for deliveries
- You frequently park near loading docks
- Rear clearance is limited
- You prefer opening only one side of the rear entrance
For mixed use, discuss your cargo and loading conditions with the trailer dealer before ordering.
Side-Entry Doors
A side-entry door allows you to enter the trailer without lowering the rear ramp or unloading cargo from the back.
Side doors are useful for:
- General cargo trailers
- Motorcycle trailers
- Contractor trailers
- Race trailers
- Mobile workshops
- Concession trailers
- Trailers with cabinets or shelving
Common side-door options may include:
- Standard personnel doors
- Wider side-entry doors
- Double side doors
- RV-style doors
- Doors with windows
- Doors with flush locks
- Doors with bar locks
Why Door Position Matters
A side door should be positioned around the trailer’s intended interior layout.
Before ordering, consider the location of:
- Cabinets
- Shelving
- Electrical panels
- E-Track
- Toolboxes
- Workbenches
- Air conditioners
- Generator compartments
- Interior walls
- Equipment being transported
A poorly positioned door can interfere with storage or make the trailer harder to use. Our Trailer Upgrades page covers many of the cabinet, shelving and E-Track options worth planning around before the door location is finalized.
Double Side Doors
Double side doors create a wider side opening than a traditional personnel door.
They can be especially useful for:
- Contractor equipment
- Large tools
- Mobile workstations
- Vending or event equipment
- Wide cargo
- Specialty commercial trailers
Southern Trailer Depot frequently offers custom contractor trailers with wide or double side-entry doors, including configurations similar to a 60-inch double side door.
Actual sizes and availability vary by trailer manufacturer and model.
Escape Doors
An escape door is a large side opening commonly installed on car haulers and race trailers. It allows the driver to exit the vehicle after it has been loaded into the trailer.
Without an escape door, the trailer’s interior walls or fenders may prevent the vehicle door from opening far enough for the driver to get out.
Escape doors may also improve access for:
- Securing the vehicle
- Reaching tie-down points
- Inspecting the vehicle
- Entering or exiting around the trailer fender
- Loading low-clearance cars
Escape-Door Planning
The escape door must be properly positioned for the vehicle being transported.
Consider:
- Vehicle wheelbase
- Driver-door location
- Vehicle-door height
- Trailer fender height
- Interior wheel-box position
- Vehicle ground clearance
- Escape-door width and height
- Removable or drive-over fender requirements
A large escape door, such as a 4-foot-by-8-foot opening, can provide excellent access, but the correct configuration depends on the vehicle and trailer design.
Measure the actual vehicle before finalizing a custom car-hauler order. Reviewing our Trailer Tongue Weight & Proper Loading Guide is also worthwhile once the vehicle is positioned inside the trailer.
Ramp Flaps and Transition Flaps
The point where a rear ramp meets the trailer floor can create a raised transition. This can be a problem for low-clearance cars, motorcycles, carts and certain equipment.
A ramp flap helps create a smoother transition between:
- The ground and ramp door
- The ramp door and trailer floor
A Ramp Flap May Help With:
- Low-profile race cars
- Motorcycles
- Tool carts
- Dollies
- Golf carts
- Small wheels
- Low-clearance equipment
For very low vehicles, additional solutions may include:
- Extended ramp flaps
- Reduced loading angles
- Longer ramps
- Beavertail or dovetail flooring
- Rear loading extensions
- Steel transition plates
- Trailer-positioning adjustments
Confirm the vehicle’s ground clearance, wheelbase and approach angle before ordering.
Concession and Serving Doors
Concession doors create a large opening for serving customers, displaying merchandise or operating a mobile business.
They may include:
- Lift-up serving doors
- Gas struts or support arms
- Serving counters
- Sliding or screened windows
- Exterior lighting
- Electrical outlets
- Awning protection
The concession-door location should be planned together with the interior layout.
Consider:
- Counters
- Cabinets
- Appliances
- Plumbing
- Electrical service
- Customer flow
- Equipment placement
- Ventilation
- Local health and building requirements
A concession trailer should be designed around the business rather than adding equipment after the trailer is completed.
Rear-Door Opening Measurements
A trailer advertised as 7 feet or 8.5 feet wide will not necessarily have a rear opening equal to the full exterior width.
The usable opening can be reduced by:
- Wall thickness
- Door framing
- Hinges
- Ramp-door structure
- Interior trim
- Flooring transitions
- Roof and header construction
Before buying, measure the cargo at its widest and tallest points. Our Enclosed Trailer Construction Guide covers how wall, floor and header construction affect these measurements in more detail.
Measurements to Confirm
- Overall cargo width
- Overall cargo height
- Cargo length
- Wheel or tire width
- Handlebar width
- Mirror width
- Roof or accessory height
- Ground clearance
- Rear-door opening width
- Rear-door opening height
- Interior width between wheel boxes
Leave additional clearance instead of ordering a door that barely matches the cargo. For a full walkthrough of these measurements, see our Enclosed Trailer Dimensions & Measurements Guide.
Choosing Doors by Trailer Use
Every trailer is different, but these starting points can help match a door configuration to the way you haul.
General Cargo
Recommended configuration: rear ramp or barn doors, plus a standard side-entry door. Choose based on whether cargo will be carried or rolled inside. Browse the enclosed cargo trailer inventory.
Motorcycle Trailer
Recommended configuration: rear ramp door, ramp flap and a side-entry door. A side door provides access after motorcycles are loaded. See the motorcycle trailer inventory.
Car or Race Trailer
Recommended configuration: heavy-duty rear ramp, extended ramp flap or transition, a properly positioned escape door and a side-entry door. Verify vehicle width, height, wheelbase and ground clearance. Browse the car and race trailer inventory.
Contractor Trailer
Recommended configuration: rear ramp or barn doors, plus a wide side door or double side doors, with door locations coordinated with cabinets and shelving. Plan the entire workspace before selecting door locations. See the contractor trailer inventory.
Concession or BBQ Trailer
Recommended configuration: a concession or serving door, a personnel entrance, rear access when needed, and a porch or awning configuration based on the business. Browse the concession trailer inventory.
Lawn and Landscape Trailer
Recommended configuration: a rear ramp door and a side-entry door, with ramp capacity appropriate for the mower or equipment being hauled.
Questions to Ask Before Ordering
Ask these questions before choosing your trailer doors:
- What is the exact usable door opening?
- What is the ramp-door weight rating?
- Does the ramp have spring or cable assistance?
- How much space is required behind the trailer?
- Will the cargo clear the door header?
- Is a ramp flap included or optional?
- Where will the side door be positioned?
- Will the door interfere with cabinets or shelving?
- Is an escape door needed?
- Will the escape door align with the vehicle?
- Does the trailer need a drive-over or removable fender?
- Are additional locks or bar latches available?
- Can the door configuration be customized?
Enclosed Trailer Door Checklist
Use this checklist to confirm the details that matter most before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a ramp door or barn door better?
A ramp door is generally better for motorcycles, mowers, carts, vehicles and rolling equipment. Barn doors are often better for boxes, tools, deliveries and locations with limited room behind the trailer.
Does the trailer’s advertised width equal the door opening?
No. The usable door opening is normally smaller than the trailer’s advertised exterior width. Always request the actual opening measurements.
Do I need an escape door on a car hauler?
An escape door is highly useful when the vehicle door cannot open inside the trailer. The correct size and location depend on the vehicle’s wheelbase, door position and height.
What is a trailer ramp flap?
A ramp flap is a transition panel that helps reduce the raised edge between the ground, ramp door and trailer floor. It can make loading low-clearance or small-wheeled equipment easier.
Can the side door be moved?
Many custom trailer orders allow the side door to be repositioned. Placement should be finalized before production and coordinated with cabinets, windows, electrical equipment and other upgrades.
Can Southern Trailer Depot help design a custom door layout?
Yes. Southern Trailer Depot can help buyers compare door styles, opening sizes and custom placements based on the cargo and intended trailer use.
Get Your Trailer Your Way
The right door configuration can make an enclosed trailer easier, safer and more convenient to use every day.
Southern Trailer Depot offers:
- Enclosed cargo trailers
- Motorcycle trailers
- Car and race trailers
- Contractor trailers
- Concession trailers
- BBQ porch trailers
- Custom-built trailers
- Financing for qualified buyers
- Rent-to-own options
- Nationwide delivery options
YOUR TRAILER. YOUR WAY.
Southern Trailer Depot — Call 1-888-403-1902 or submit our Quick Trailer Quote form to discuss your trailer size, cargo, door requirements and available upgrades.