Enclosed Trailer Measurements & Dimensions Guide

The trailer industry talks in nominal sizes — 7×14, 8.5×20 — but what you can actually fit inside depends on real interior width, height, ramp door dimensions, and V-nose geometry. Here’s how those numbers really work.

Trailer measurements confuse a lot of buyers, and for good reason. A “7×14” trailer is not seven feet wide on the inside, and a “6’6″” interior height does not give you 6’6″ of clearance everywhere. This guide walks through the real-world dimensions of every common enclosed trailer we sell at Allstar Cargo & RV, so you can pick the right size the first time. If you’d rather just ask, our team in Douglas, GA is happy to talk it through — give us a call or browse the full inventory.

Trailer Widths — What “5-Wide” Through “8.5-Wide” Really Means

The “width” of a trailer refers to the exterior width measured wall-to-wall. Real usable interior width is always a few inches less because of wall thickness. Here’s what to expect inside each common size.

5-Wide Trailers

A 5-wide trailer (typically 5×8 or 5×10) is the smallest enclosed cargo trailer we sell. Real interior width is around 4’10”. They tow easily behind small SUVs and trucks, fit in most garages, and are popular with motorcycle owners hauling a single bike, hobbyists, and small business owners. They are not wide enough for most ATVs or any car.

6-Wide Trailers

6-wide trailers (6×10, 6×12) have an interior width around 5’10”. This is the smallest size that comfortably fits a single-axle ATV setup or a couple of motorcycles. Tongue-load 6-wides are popular with motorcycle clubs and hobby haulers. They are still towable behind a half-ton truck or large SUV.

7-Wide Trailers

7-wide trailers (7×12, 7×14, 7×16) come in around 6’10” of usable interior width. This is the most common size for landscaping crews, contractors, and one-bike or two-bike motorcycle haulers. A 7×14 fits a zero-turn mower with room around it; a 7×16 starts to handle a small ATV plus tools and supplies.

8.5-Wide Trailers

8.5-wide trailers are the standard for car haulers, race trailers, motorcycle trailers, side-by-side haulers, and most premium cargo builds. Real interior width comes in around 8’2″. An 8.5-wide is wide enough to walk around a parked race car, fit two side-by-sides nose-to-tail in a long-enough trailer, or run a full concession kitchen.

If you’re hauling cars, race vehicles, side-by-sides, or running a mobile business, plan on 8.5-wide. The price premium over 7-wide is small relative to the difference in usable space.

Trailer Heights — Standard, Extra, and Race Trailer

• Standard interior height — 6′ 6″. Common on most 7-wide and 8.5-wide cargo trailers. Tall enough for cargo, motorcycles, ATVs, and most stock side-by-sides. Tight if you want to walk around without ducking, and tight on lifted machines.
• +6″ extra height — 7′ interior. The standard upgrade. Gives you headroom to stand and walk, fits most race cars comfortably, and clears most stock side-by-sides with room.
• +12″ extra height — 7′ 6″ interior. The premium spec on race trailers, motorcycle trailers with stand-up storage, and finished interiors. Required for tall lifted side-by-sides, observation deck builds, and trailers with cabinets and TVs where ceiling height starts to matter.
• Race trailer height packages — 7′ 6″ interior is also paired with reinforced roofs for walk-on or observation deck options on 8.5×28 and 8.5×32 race trailers.

One thing to watch: door opening heights are usually a few inches less than interior height. A 7′ interior typically has a 6’8″–6’10” rear ramp door opening, because the door frame eats into the top. If you have something tall to load, ask us for the actual rear opening dimension before ordering.

Ramp Door Measurements

Ramp doors are how cars, side-by-sides, motorcycles, and lawn equipment get into the trailer. Three numbers matter: ramp width, ramp angle, and ramp length when fully deployed.

• Ramp width — the door is a few inches narrower than the trailer width. An 8.5-wide trailer has a ramp opening around 7’10”. A wide entry ramp option extends that further on race trailers.
• Ramp angle — the steeper the angle, the harder it is to load low-clearance vehicles. A standard ramp on a stock-height tandem axle is around 16–20 degrees. Bogey wheels, recessed wheel wells, and longer ramps reduce that angle for low race cars.
• Ramp length — typically 5–6 feet on most trailers. A flap on the end of the ramp adds a couple more feet of taper for low cars.
• Heavy-duty ramps with double spring assist — make a heavy ramp manageable for one person and reinforce the door for cars and side-by-sides.
• Loading race cars — most race cars need a 7′ interior height, an extended ramp with flap, and ideally bogey wheels to reduce ramp angle. Ask us about specific clearance on your car before ordering.
• Loading motorcycles — a standard ramp door is plenty for motorcycles. RTP-covered ramps are easier on tires than bare aluminum or wood.

V-Nose Measurements

A V-nose is exactly what it sounds like — instead of a flat front wall, the front of the trailer comes to a point like an arrowhead. V-nose trailers are the standard on enclosed cargo trailers today and offer three real benefits.

• Added storage — most V-noses add roughly 2 feet of additional usable interior length, often described as “+2” beyond the nominal length. A “7×14 with V-nose” is roughly 16 feet of usable interior floor.
• Tongue length — the trailer tongue itself sits forward of the V-nose, typically 4 to 5 feet long on standard builds and 60 inches (5 feet) on race trailers with triple-tube tongues.
• Aerodynamic benefits — V-noses cut wind resistance compared to a flat-front trailer, which translates to better fuel economy at highway speed.

The “+2” V-nose space is real interior floor — you can store gear there, mount cabinets, or use it as a workbench. On race trailers, the V-nose is a common spot for the base cabinet and toolbox.

Common Trailer Lengths and What They Fit

6×12

Single-axle compact cargo trailer. Real interior is roughly 5’10” wide by 12 feet of floor (plus V-nose). Fits one motorcycle, a couple of ATVs end-to-end, lawn equipment, or contractor tools. Tows easily behind half-ton trucks and most SUVs.

7×14

The most common landscape and contractor trailer. Tandem axle, around 6’10” wide by 14 feet plus V-nose. Fits a single zero-turn mower with room to walk around, a couple of motorcycles, or contractor tools and small equipment. Popular as a small motorcycle hauler.

7×16

One step up from the 7×14. Same width, two more feet of floor. Common for two-mower landscaping crews, two-bike motorcycle haulers, and contractor crews carrying ladders, ATVs, or small skid-steer attachments.

8.5×20

The entry-point race trailer and standard car hauler. Real interior is roughly 8’2″ wide by 20 feet plus V-nose. Fits a full-size race car (drag, dirt, asphalt), a stock side-by-side with chase quad, two motorcycles plus gear, or a small concession setup. Tandem 5,200 lb axles standard, 7,000 lb optional.

8.5×24

The most popular race trailer size we sell. Roughly 8’2″ wide by 24 feet plus V-nose. Comfortably fits a race car with cabinets, tire storage, and tool box. Ample room for a side-by-side and chase machine. Strong enough for full concession setups with hood, sinks, generator, and refrigeration. The most common size for the Allstar Qualifier and Velocity series.

8.5×28

Full-team race trailer. 28 feet of floor plus V-nose. Fits a race car with full cabinetry, lounge area, generator, and tool storage. Big enough to add observation deck packages and walk-on roof systems. Common for premium race teams and upper-tier concession builds.

8.5×32

The flagship size. 32 feet of floor plus V-nose, typically on triple axles. Fits the most premium builds — observation deck, full lounge area, generator compartment, mini-split A/C, finished interior with TV and entertainment. The size used for Allstar’s Platinum series and similar luxury race trailer builds.

Exterior Dimensions and Towing Notes

• Total length including tongue is typically 4–5 feet longer than the nominal trailer length on standard builds, and 5–6 feet longer on race trailers with triple-tube tongues.
• Exterior width is the nominal width — an “8.5-wide” trailer is 8’6″ exterior, the legal maximum for highway use without permits in most states.
• Exterior height with extra-height upgrades and rooftop A/C runs about 9’6″–10’2″. Watch overpasses, gas station canopies, and garage doors.
• Loaded weight is the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) printed on the tag, which is the sum of the trailer weight (empty) and the cargo weight. On tandem 5,200 lb axles, GVWR is typically around 9,990 lb. On 7,000 lb tandem axles, around 14,000 lb.
• Make sure your tow vehicle’s hitch class and rated tow capacity exceed the loaded GVWR with a comfortable margin.

Still Sizing Up Your Trailer?

Our team in Douglas, GA has been spec’ing trailers for racers, businesses, and weekend haulers for years. Tell us what you need to fit and we’ll point you to the right size.

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