If your business has outgrown a pickup bed, you are probably weighing two options: an enclosed cargo trailer pulled by a truck you already own, or a box truck. Both keep cargo dry and locked up. They differ in cost, flexibility and how they fit into your day.
Here is how an enclosed cargo trailer compares with a box truck, so you can decide which one fits the way you work.
The Quick Comparison
| Factor | Enclosed Cargo Trailer | Box Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and drivetrain | None; uses your truck | Its own engine and drivetrain |
| Flexibility | Unhitch it and use the truck alone | One vehicle for everything |
| Maintenance | Tires, bearings, brakes, lights | All of that plus engine and transmission |
| Driving | Requires towing and backing skills | Drives like a large truck |
| Customization | Doors, shelving, electrical, A/C and more ordered from the builder | Usually up-fitted after purchase |
| Fleet growth | One truck can move several trailers | Each box needs its own driver and engine |
Upfront Cost
An enclosed cargo trailer has no engine, transmission or cab, so it generally costs less to buy than a box truck of similar cargo space. The catch is that you need a capable tow vehicle. If you already own a pickup, a trailer is usually the lower-cost way to add enclosed space. If you would need to buy a tow vehicle too, compare the two total costs side by side.
Flexibility
This is where trailers stand out. Drop the trailer at the jobsite and use the truck for parts runs. Leave it loaded overnight in your yard, ready for the morning. Add a second trailer later and swap between them with one truck.
A box truck is one vehicle. If it is in the shop, your cargo space and your ride are both out of service.
Maintenance and Downtime
A trailer's maintenance list is short: tires, wheel bearings, brakes, lights, wiring, the floor and the doors. A box truck adds an engine, transmission, cooling system and everything else that comes with a powered vehicle. When a trailer needs work, you can keep using your truck. When a box truck needs work, the whole unit is parked.
Driving and Parking
A box truck is easier for drivers who have never towed. There is no hitch to manage and no trailer to back up. A trailer takes practice, especially in reverse. On the other hand, once you unhitch a trailer, your truck parks like any other truck. A box truck goes everywhere at full size.
Licensing and Commercial Rules
Weight ratings drive the rules for both. The Georgia Department of Public Safety explains that vehicles and combinations rated at 10,001 lb GVWR or more and used in business are generally commercial motor vehicles under the safety regulations, which can bring a USDOT number, a medical card and inspections. A commercial driver's license comes into play at higher weights, such as combinations rated 26,001 lb or more. A box truck's GVWR is fixed. With a trailer, the combined rating of truck and trailer is what counts, so check both before you buy.
Customization
Enclosed trailers can be ordered with the door layout, height, framing, shelving, electrical, ventilation and A/C your business needs. That makes them popular for contractors, mobile service businesses and mobile shops. Box trucks typically need an upfitter after purchase. See our enclosed trailer size guide to match a trailer to your cargo.
When a Box Truck Makes More Sense
- Your drivers have no towing experience and turnover is high.
- You make many short stops in tight urban areas.
- You do not own, and do not want, a pickup that can tow.
When an Enclosed Trailer Makes More Sense
- You already own a capable truck.
- You want to leave the cargo at a jobsite and keep the truck free.
- You want a custom interior built in from the start.
- You plan to grow by adding trailers, not drivers.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
- Do I already own a truck rated to tow what I would carry?
- Will I need my cargo space and my vehicle in different places during the day?
- Who will drive, and are they comfortable towing and backing a trailer?
- How much maintenance downtime can my business absorb?
- What combined weight rating will my setup have, and which rules come with it?
- Do I want the interior built for my trade from day one?
Write down your answers and the right choice usually becomes clear. If several answers point toward a trailer, come look at a few in person and picture your gear inside.
Sizes Businesses Choose
Many small businesses work out of a 7x14 or 7x16 enclosed trailer. For box-truck-sized cargo space, an 8.5-wide trailer such as our 8.5x24 enclosed trailers gives you a large, tall interior with the flexibility of a trailer. Browse all of our enclosed trailers for sale to compare current units.
Paying for It
Paying over time? We offer traditional trailer financing, no credit check rent to own on new standard trailers with 15% down for Georgia buyers (and buyers in 20 other states), and lease-to-own options through ClickLease, which starts with a soft credit pull and is available in all 50 states. Call or text us and we will walk you through each one.
Come see us at 8834 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236, just south of Atlanta. We are open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM. Call (770) 603-8511 or text (404) 383-8194 and tell us what you need to haul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an enclosed trailer cheaper than a box truck?
An enclosed trailer has no engine, transmission or cab, so it generally costs less to buy than a box truck with similar cargo space. You do need a vehicle that can tow it.
What size enclosed trailer is similar to a box truck?
An 8.5-wide enclosed trailer, such as an 8.5x20 or 8.5x24, gives you a large, tall interior comparable to many box trucks. Compare interior measurements before you choose.
Do I need a CDL to pull an enclosed trailer?
Most people towing an enclosed trailer with a pickup do not need a CDL. CDL requirements generally start at higher combined weight ratings, such as 26,001 lb. Business use at 10,001 lb or more can bring other commercial vehicle rules.
Is a box truck easier to drive than a truck and trailer?
For drivers who have never towed, yes. There is no hitch to manage and no trailer to back up. Towing a trailer takes some practice, especially in reverse.
Can I customize an enclosed cargo trailer for my business?
Yes. Enclosed trailers can be ordered with custom doors, extra height, upgraded framing, shelving, electrical, ventilation and A/C.