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8.5 Foot Wide vs 7 Foot Wide Trailers

August 21st, 2026 | By Brad B

Two enclosed trailers can both be 16 feet long and still feel completely different.

That's exactly what happens when comparing a 7x16 vs. 8.5x16 enclosed trailer.

Both are popular sizes, but that extra width can make a major difference depending on what you're hauling.

Why Buy a 7x16 Enclosed Trailer?

A 7x16 enclosed trailer offers considerably more cargo room than smaller utility-sized enclosed trailers while maintaining a narrower overall profile than an 8.5-wide model.

A 7x16 can be a great choice for:

  • Contractors and tools

  • Landscaping equipment

  • Motorcycles

  • ATVs and recreational equipment

  • Business inventory

  • General cargo

  • Mobile service businesses

For buyers who don't need the additional width, a 7x16 can offer an excellent balance between usable space and overall trailer size.

Why Buy an 8.5x16 Enclosed Trailer?

The major difference is obvious: width.

An 8.5-foot-wide enclosed trailer provides substantially more floor area at the same nominal length.

That additional width can be valuable for larger equipment, commercial applications, vehicles and specialty trailer configurations.

Depending on the application, the extra width can also provide more flexibility when arranging shelving, cabinets, equipment or workspace.

Which Has More Usable Space?

An 8.5x16 provides more overall floor area than a 7x16.

But more space isn't automatically necessary.

If everything you plan to haul comfortably fits inside a 7x16, buying additional width may not provide much benefit. If you're already worried about running out of room, however, moving to an 8.5-wide trailer deserves consideration.

Think About the Door Configuration

Don't compare trailers based solely on exterior dimensions.

Consider:

  • Rear ramp vs. barn doors

  • Rear opening dimensions

  • Side-door location

  • Interior height

  • Wheel-box intrusion

  • Tie-down locations

  • Interior shelving or cabinets

  • Equipment dimensions

The best trailer is the one that allows you to actually load, unload and organize what you're hauling.

Consider Future Needs

One of the most common trailer-buying mistakes is purchasing exactly enough trailer for today.

If you're a contractor or business owner, ask yourself what you'll be hauling a year or two from now.

Adding equipment can quickly turn a trailer that once felt spacious into one that feels cramped.

Sometimes buying additional room initially can prevent you from needing another trailer sooner than expected.

7x16 and 8.5x16 Enclosed Trailers for Sale in Georgia

If you're comparing a 7x16 vs. 8.5x16 enclosed trailer, come see the difference in person.

A&A Center Trailers in Jonesboro, Georgia carries enclosed cargo trailers in multiple sizes and configurations for personal and commercial applications.

Our team can help you compare available trailers based on what you're actually hauling instead of simply selling you the largest trailer.

A&A Center Trailers — family owned and operated since 1973.