7×16 vs 8.5×20 Enclosed Trailer Comparison

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There’s no doubt that both the 7×16 and 8.5×20 are tough cargo trailers. Each enclosed trailer can carry thousands of pounds of whatever you need to transport and each are solid workhorses, built for years of faithful service. So when considering which enclosed cargo trailer is right for your situation, how do you know which is the better option? Here, we’ll highlight the unique aspects of both the 7×16 and the 8.5×20 to help you gain a better understanding of which trailer would best suit your needs.

How These Enclosed Cargo Trailers Measure Up

Knowing the dimensions of your cargo trailer is an important first step in considering which trailer options are right for you. After all, you need to make sure that the cargo you have in mind for transporting will adequately fit within the enclosed trailer space. Later, we’ll discuss how the cargo’s weight should be factored in but here we’ll focus strictly on measurements. Let’s look at both the 7×16 and the 8.5×20 trailer specifications.

7×16 Enclosed Cargo Trailer 

With Renown’s 7×16, you get the convenience of two different choices: the 7x16TA or the 7x16TA Blacked Out Edition. All of these enclosed trailers have the same measurements. However, please note that the measurements we provide below can vary somewhat depending on the manufacturer and different options. Always be sure you have the final measurements for the trailer you are focusing on before making your purchase. 

You might think that figuring out the width and height are easy, right? I mean this is a 7×16 trailer after all. Well, some of the features of the trailer add some extras here you should account for in your purchasing decision. 

Let’s look over the specifications of our 7×16’s:

7×16 Enclosed Cargo Trailer Measurements:

• Total Exterior Length: 19’6” (16’ trailer + 3’6” standard tongue length)
• Total Exterior Width: 102” including the exterior fenders  
• Total Exterior Height: 93”
• Ramp Entry Opening Height: 69.5”
• Ramp Entry Opening Width: 75”
• Interior Height: 75” (6’3”)
• Interior Length of V-Nose: 24”
• Interior Width of Trailer: 80”
• Ground Clearance: 12-14” from ground to bottom of frame
• 7×16 Enclosed Trailer Weight: 2,260 pounds (empty)
  

8.5×20 Enclosed Cargo Trailer

With Renown’s 8.5x20TA trailer, you get beauty and brawn all in one. The trailer’s obvious length and width advantage translates into being able to safely carry more cargo increased distances over the 7×16 but there are some potential sacrifices like maneuverability that we’ll cover in greater detail later on.

For now, let’s cover the measurements of our 8.5×20’s:

8.5×20 Enclosed Cargo Trailer Measurements:

• Total Exterior Length: 23’6” (20’ trailer + 3’6” standard tongue length)
• Total Exterior Width: 102”  
• Total Exterior Height: 96”
• Ramp Entry Opening Height: 75.5”
• Ramp Entry Opening Width: 89.5”
• Interior Height: 78” (6’6”)
• Interior Length of V-Nose: 27”
• Interior Width of Trailer: 96″ wall-to-wall on interior and 84″ between the wheel wells
• Ground Clearance: 12-14” from ground to bottom of frame
• 8.5×20 Enclosed Trailer Weight: 3,200 pounds (empty)
  

With a side-by-side comparison of the 7×16 vs the 8.5×20, the obvious difference is size. With the 8.5×20, you have more cargo room, more head room, and a bigger enclosed trailer in general. However, bigger isn’t always better. For driving the busy streets of a town, parking, and generally maneuvering around, the 8.5×20 is a much bigger trailer to have to contend with. If you need to get your trailer in and out of tight places, like in a bustling urban environment, the 7×16 is far easier to maneuver. Of note, both of these trailers have drop leaf spring axles with electric brakes on both axles – making it easier on the tow vehicle to stop. 

Next, we’ll look at some reasons why size shouldn’t be your only consideration when deciding between these two cargo haulers.

Comparing Enclosed Trailers’ Payload Capacity 

Payload capacity in enclosed trailers is a topic we have written extensively about, and for good reason. Most customers are looking for the best trailer for hauling their desired payloads. Thus, understanding the payload of the trailers you are comparing is critical. Size, too, as we have covered, is an equally important consideration. 

The proper payload needs to be distributed correctly in the trailer in order to maintain safe operation. Payload capacity simply refers to the maximum weight of cargo that a trailer can safely transport. However, this is only part of the consideration when considering your trailer’s cargo capacity. An essential measurement any trailer owner needs to be familiar with is the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes both the payload capacity and the trailer’s weight to arrive at the absolute maximum for the trailer to safely transport cargo from a to b. 

With the 7×16, you have plenty of room to store a mower, equipment, and other tools for a lawn business, but when you have multiple pieces of large equipment, the dimensions of the trailer need to be factored in. In the lawn business example, a crew with a big 60” zero turn mower and say a 36” walk-behind for gated yards would do better to go with the 8.5×20 as there will be more room for both the mowers, as well as the trimmers, blowers, tools, etc. and still give you room to move. Both of these trailers have heavy-duty ramp doors with an E-Z spring assist for easier opening and closing but the 8.5×20 also includes a 4’ no-show beavertail to help with loading and unloading gear. The 8.5×20 also has four recessed 5K D-rings welded right into the frame with steel backing plates so you can secure large and/or heavy gear.

Remember, the 8.5×20 also has a higher amount of headroom at 78”, making it ideal for getting in, grabbing your equipment, and getting out unhindered. That’s not to say the 7×16 isn’t appropriate for a lawn care business, just that this trailer would be more ideal for a smaller operation carrying less equipment. 

Getting honest with yourself as to the exact intentions for your trailer and even measuring out how your equipment will fit inside the internal dimensions is a great way to visualize how this trailer will work for you day in and day out. If you’re having to shuffle around your equipment every day, this costs time and will probably get old pretty fast. Both trailers do offer the convenience of a 36” RV style side door with a flush lock that makes accessing forward gear easier.

Factoring Price into the Trailer Purchasing Decision

Price alone should never really be the main driver behind any purchasing decision but it definitely ranks pretty high on the list for most of us. After considering the trailer’s measurements and payload capacity, the price of the trailer comes into play. 

With our 7×16 vs 8.5×20 comparison, the 7×16 definitely comes out on top in terms of price. Our current pricing for these two enclosed cargo trailers are as follows:

• 7×16 Tandem Axle Enclosed Trailer: $6,485
• 7×16 Tandem Axle Enclosed Trailer Blacked Out Edition: $7,199
• 8.5×20 Tandem Axle Enclosed Trailer: $8,155

Remember, at Renown we always have a monthly special running so be sure to check here for the best deal on the trailer-of-the-month. In fact, this month’s special is for an upgraded 8.5×20 trailer! With an upgraded axle, our 8.5x20TA3 trailer carries an astounding 7,200 lbs of payload. Specials are for a limited time and this pricing won’t last so act quickly if you want this particular cargo hauler. 

Price will also affect your financing options. Apples to apples, with a higher priced trailer at the same interest rate, you will end up paying more in interest over the term of your loan. If your credit is less than stellar, you may even be limited in how much you are able to borrow. However, we work with some of the best trailer financing names in the industry and can help you secure the financing that works with your situation.

That Feeling You Get When You Roll Off Our Lot

At Renown, we want to give our customers the very best trailer buying experience possible so you roll off our lot with a smile on your face, knowing you got a great trailer at a great price. We’ll work hard to earn your business but if we don’t have the perfect set up to meet your needs, we’re just as happy to send you to another dealer that does. Our work is intended to honor God and we demonstrate that by being a trailer dealership of absolute integrity from the top down. 

Contact us now or come on by our home office in the beautiful Southern town of Douglas, GA. We’ll take the time to get to know you and everything you need out of your trailer. Added bonus, we can also ship your trailer most anywhere in the United States!