Shopping an 8.5×20 cargo trailer against an 8.5×24 is the question we hear most from car guys, UTV owners, and contractors who have outgrown a 16 footer. Same width. Same tandem axles. Four feet of difference. Those four feet decide whether your car fits with the gear, or the gear rides in the truck bed.
Here is a straight comparison so you can pick the box that actually fits the job.
Quick answer
- Choose the 8.5×20 if you haul one compact or mid-size car, one side-by-side, or a contractor load and you want the easier tow and the lower price.
- Choose the 8.5×24 if you haul a full-size car, a long-bed UTV with gear, a car plus a workbench and cabinets, or you think you will add a second toy later.
Size at a glance
| Spec | 8.5×20 tandem | 8.5×24 tandem |
|---|---|---|
| Box length | 20 ft | 24 ft |
| Typical interior width | About 8 ft 1 in to 8 ft 2 in | About 8 ft 1 in to 8 ft 2 in |
| Typical interior height | 6 ft 3 in standard, 7 ft 6 in option | 6 ft 3 in standard, 7 ft 6 in option |
| Typical empty weight | About 3,000 to 3,600 lbs | About 3,400 to 4,200 lbs |
| Common axles (TA) | Two 3,500 lb axles | Two 3,500 lb axles |
| Common axles (TA3) | Two 5,200 lb axles | Two 5,200 lb axles |
| Best for | One car or UTV, contractors, moving | Full-size cars, car plus gear, race setups |
| Renown pricing (Oct 2026) | From $7,275 (TA cargo), $9,150 (TA3 car hauler) | From $8,175 (TA cargo), $8,999 (car hauler w/ 5,200 lb axles) |
Weights are typical industry ranges and change with brand, height, and options. We confirm GVWR and payload on every unit before it leaves the yard. Prices are as listed on our site on October 13, 2026 and change with inventory. Call for current pricing.
What the extra 4 feet actually buys you
Most passenger cars run about 14 to 17 feet long (typical). On paper both trailers swallow that. In real life you need room to open a door, strap all four corners, and walk around the car without squeezing.
- Compact and mid-size cars: An 8.5×20 fits most of them with a little room in front for a tire rack or toolbox.
- Full-size cars, trucks, and long muscle cars: The 8.5×24 is the safer pick. You get room to balance the load over the axles and space up front for a cabinet or a generator.
- UTVs and side-by-sides: Most two-seaters fit a 20. Four-seaters and long-bed UTVs with a cooler, fuel cans, and spare tire are happier in a 24.
- Motorcycles: A 20 handles three to four bikes with gear (typical). A 24 lets you add a workbench or a small lounge area.
- Contractor gear and moving: A 20 holds a typical one to two bedroom move or a full crew’s tools. A 24 handles a larger move, or two zero-turns plus a trimmer rack.
Towing and truck match
Width and axles are the same on both, so the difference is weight and length behind your truck.
- An 8.5×20 tows with a properly rated half-ton for light cargo. Add a car and you are close to the limits of many half-tons, so check your numbers.
- An 8.5×24 with a car inside is a three-quarter-ton job for most buyers. It is longer in a turn, catches more wind, and weighs more empty.
Check three numbers on your door sticker before you buy either size: towing capacity, payload, and hitch rating. Payload is the one people miss. Tongue weight, passengers, and a toolbox in the bed all count against it.
TA vs TA3: what the axle code means
At Renown, TA means a standard tandem axle trailer, usually two 3,500 lb axles. TA3 means tandem axle with two 5,200 lb axles. It is still two axles, not three.
If you are hauling a car, a heavy UTV, or a loaded race setup, the 5,200 lb axles give you more capacity on both sizes. For furniture moves or light contractor tools, standard 3,500 lb axles are usually plenty.
Price and what you get for it
Here is what we had listed on renowncargotrailers.com on October 13, 2026:
- 8.5×20 TA enclosed cargo trailers from $7,275 (J&C Cargo, on sale) and $7,375 (Titanium)
- 8.5×20 TA3 enclosed cargo trailer from $8,999 (Rock Solid Cargo)
- 8.5×20 TA3 enclosed car hauler from $9,150 (Deep South)
- 8.5×24 TA enclosed cargo trailer from $8,175 (Rock Solid Cargo)
- 8.5×24 TA enclosed car hauler from $8,999 (Deep South, with 5,200 lb axles, 7 ft 6 in height, escape door, blackout package)
- 8.5×24 TA3 enclosed car haulers at $9,299 and $9,499 (Deep South)
Notice the gap is smaller than most people expect. Depending on the build, a loaded 24 can come in close to a 20 with the same upgrades. If the price is close and your truck can handle it, most buyers never regret the extra 4 feet. Prices change with stock, so call for current pricing.
Which one we sell more of
Contractors and one-car owners who want an easy tow usually leave in an 8.5×20. Car guys, race teams, and UTV families usually leave in an 8.5×24, because it fits the car and the gear without playing Tetris.
What to spec on either size
- 5,200 lb axles (TA3) if you haul a car or a heavy UTV
- 7 ft 6 in interior height if you stand up and work inside
- Escape door so you can climb out after you drive in
- Rear ramp with spring assist and extension flap for low cars
- E-track or D-rings on the floor for tie-downs
- .080 Polycore exterior and a blackout package for a finished look that lasts
Want it set up as a race trailer? Our race package (ATP floor cover, white metal walls and ceiling, base and overhead cabinets, LED lights, and electrical) starts at $4,599 on 16 ft to 24 ft trailers.
In stock in South Georgia
Renown Cargo Trailers keeps 8.5×20 and 8.5×24 enclosed trailers and car haulers in stock in Douglas, GA. Ready now. No custom wait. We finance, offer rent-to-own, and deliver nationwide. Purchase orders accepted for government and business buyers.
- Call 888-287-3954
- Text 912-325-3578
- Email quotes@renowncargotrailers.com
- Message us on Facebook: https://m.me/1536682019781890
Or come walk both sizes the same day. Bring the truck you will tow with. That answers the question faster than any chart.
FAQ
Will a car fit in an 8.5×20 enclosed trailer?
Most compact and mid-size cars fit in an 8.5×20. Full-size cars and trucks are a better fit in an 8.5×24, which leaves room to strap the car and walk around it.
Is an 8.5×24 much harder to tow than an 8.5×20?
It is longer and heavier, typically a few hundred pounds more empty. Width is the same. With a car inside, most buyers tow an 8.5×24 with a three-quarter-ton truck.
What does TA3 mean on a Renown trailer?
TA3 means tandem axle with two 5,200 lb axles. TA means a standard tandem axle trailer, usually two 3,500 lb axles. Both have two axles.
How much more does an 8.5×24 cost than an 8.5×20?
Less than most people think. On October 13, 2026 our Rock Solid Cargo 8.5×24 enclosed trailers started at $8,175 and our 8.5×20 trailers at $7,835. Prices change with brand and inventory, so call 888-287-3954 for current pricing.
Can I use an 8.5×24 as a race car trailer?
Yes. It is one of the most popular race trailer sizes because it fits a car plus cabinets and tools. Our race package starts at $4,599 on 16 ft to 24 ft trailers.