Whether you’re a landscaper transporting equipment or an outdoor enthusiast with lots of gear, an enclosed trailer is a durable, secure, and versatile solution for nearly every hauling need. But before you hitch up and hit the road, there are several factors you’ll need to consider first.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know before buying an enclosed trailer, covering dimensions, axles, payload capacity, and more.
What Is an Enclosed Trailer?
Also called a cargo trailer, enclosed trailers have fully enclosed walls and a roof to protect goods from weather damage and provide added security. They are commonly used to haul items like:
- Personal belongings like camping gear or moving boxes
- Tools, machinery, or industrial equipment
- Motorcycles, ATVs, and other small vehicles
- Fragile or valuable goods like electronics, artwork, antiques, and more
Enclosed trailers come in all sorts of sizes, dimensions, designs, and payload capacities to suit a broad range of hauling needs.
Enclosed Trailers vs. Horse Trailers
Enclosed trailers are designed for general cargo transportation, providing a fully enclosed space to haul goods and protect them from the elements.
They often have a solid exterior with no windows, a rear ramp door, and a side entry door
Horse trailers and Livestock trails are specifically designed for transporting horses, and other types of livestock, including cattle, sheep, and pigs. They have features like stalls, ventilation, and ramps to accommodate these animals safely.
They also often have open sides or gates for easy loading and unloading, as well as windows and other features to ensure the animals’ comfort and safety during transport.
4 Considerations for Buying an Enclosed Trailer
Choosing the best enclosed trailer for your needs is essential for ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of your belongings. Below, we explain the key factors to consider when buying an enclosed trailer, to ensure you make an informed decision that meets your specific needs. From intended use and size to payload capacity and different types of axles, we’ve got you covered.
1. Intended Use
The first step to buying an enclosed trailer is determining how you’ll use it. Intended use directly influences which trailer size, axle configuration, and payload capacity will be the most suitable for your specific hauling needs.
Below are some common examples of enclosed trailer uses:
- Construction: Transport construction supplies like materials, tools, debris, and equipment
- Event equipment: Haul tents, tables, chairs, speakers, and supplies for events
- Junk removal: Haul away old furniture, debris, landscaping waste, and other unwanted items as a service
- Landscaping: Store and transport landscaping equipment like leaf blowers, lawnmowers, clippers, saws, and more
- Sports equipment: Transport bicycles, sports gear for the whole team, gym equipment, and more
- Vehicles: Depending on size and payload capacity, you can transport motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and more
By clearly defining how you intend to use your enclosed trailer, you can make informed decisions throughout the buying process to maximize functionality, safety, and value.
2. Size and Dimensions
Once you’ve determined what you’ll be using the trailer for, you can select a size that best suits your needs. Below are some common trailer dimensions and their recommended uses to help guide your decision:
| Size | Dimensions | Recommended Use Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Small Enclosed Trailers | 5×8 | Transporting motorcycles, dirt bikes, or ATVs Moving small furniture or household items Carrying camping gear or sports equipment |
| Medium Enclosed Trailers | 6×10 6×12 7×14 | Hauling larger furniture during a move Transporting construction and landscaping equipment |
| Large Enclosed Trailers | 7×16 8.5×16 8.5×20 | Moving large, bulky, or significant amounts of furniture Transporting multiple small vehicles, or motorized equipment Hauling equipment like tents, tables, and chairs for events |
3. Trailer Axles
Single Axle
Tandem Axle
Most enclosed trailers have either single or tandem axles. The type of trailer axle you choose influences payload capacity, maneuverability, cost, and more. Both variations have different advantages worth considering:
Single Axle Trailers: One axle and two wheels
- Typically lighter and easier to maneuver, especially in tight spaces
- Often used for smaller trailers with lower payload capacities
- Generally more affordable than tandem-axle options of the same size
Tandem Axle Trailers: Two axles and four wheels
- Provides improved stability and greater payload capacity
- Can support larger trailers with heavier loads
- Distributes weight more evenly, reducing tire wear and improving fuel efficiency
Ultimately, which type of axle you choose depends on the specific loads you’ll be carrying. If you need a trailer for occasional use and lighter loads, a single-axle trailer might suffice, while a tandem axle trailer might be more suitable for heavier items and frequent use.
4. Payload Capacity
Understanding payload capacity is a crucial consideration when buying any kind of trailer. Overloading a trailer with cargo it can’t support can damage the trailer and your vehicle and potentially lead to unsafe driving conditions.
A trailer’s payload capacity is the maximum weight of cargo it can safely carry. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is similar, but it also includes the weight of the trailer itself.
To determine how much weight your trailer can really haul, you can distract the trailer’s empty weight from the GVWR to get the payload capacity.
Below is a table of average enclosed trailer payloads based on size1:
| Trailer Size | Length | Length Empty weight range (lbs.) | Average GVWR (lbs.) | Average payload capacity (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Enclosed Trailer | <12’ | 400 – 1,800 | 2,000 – 7,000 | 2,200 |
| Large Enclosed Trailer | ≥12’ | 900 – 5,200 | 3,000 – 10,000 | 4,400 |
Remember, payload capacity will vary from trailer to trailer, so it’s always important to verify the specifications.
Shop Enclosed Trailers for Sale in Sacramento and Santa Rosa
Whether you’re hauling equipment, furniture, or small vehicles, choosing the right enclosed trailer is crucial for safe and efficient transportation. By carefully considering factors like intended use, size, axle types, and payload capacity, you can select the perfect enclosed trailer for your specific needs.
Ready to find the trailer of your dreams? Campways is your one-stop shop for all things trailers, parts, and accessories. Our team is here to help you find the best trailer for your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Visit Campways Sacramento or Truck Tops USA in Santa Rosa to browse our selection today.
References
- A guide to trailer weights by trailer type. (n.d.). Lippert Automotive OrderHub. https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-weight
