Before you pick an enclosed trailer, you need two numbers: what the trailer weighs empty and what it can weigh fully loaded. Those numbers decide whether your truck or SUV can tow it, how much you can carry and whether the trailer needs brakes. Here is how much common enclosed trailer sizes weigh, using the listed specs from new trailers on our lot.
Enclosed Trailer Weights by Size
The table below shows the listed empty weight and GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) for recent new enclosed trailers we have stocked. Weights vary by brand, wall height, door style and options, so always check the listing or the VIN sticker for the exact trailer you are buying.
| Size | Axles | Listed empty weight | GVWR | Approximate payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5x12 | Tandem | 1,300 lb | 7,000 lb | 5,700 lb |
| 6x12 | Single | 1,200 lb | 2,990 lb | 1,790 lb |
| 6x12 | Tandem | 1,800 lb | 7,000 lb | 5,200 lb |
| 7x14 | Tandem | 2,120 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,880 lb |
| 7x16 | Tandem | 2,260 lb | 7,000 lb | 4,740 lb |
| 8.5x24 | Tandem | 3,600 lb | 7,000 lb | 3,400 lb |
Approximate payload is simply GVWR minus the listed empty weight. Add any options you install, such as shelving, a spare tire or a generator, to the empty weight before you do the math. A trip across a certified truck scale gives you an accurate empty weight for your own trailer.
Empty Weight, GVWR and Payload Explained
- Empty weight (also called dry or curb weight) is what the trailer weighs with nothing in it.
- GVWR is the most the trailer is rated to weigh with cargo. It is set by the manufacturer based on the axles, tires, frame and coupler.
- Payload is the difference between the two, which is how much cargo you can actually load.
Notice that a bigger trailer does not always carry more. In the table, the 8.5x24 has the same 7,000 lb GVWR as the 7x14, but because the larger box weighs more, it leaves less room for cargo. If you haul heavy items, compare payload, not just floor space.
How Much Does a 6x12 Enclosed Trailer Weigh?
A 6x12 is one of the sizes buyers ask about most, and it comes in two common setups. A single-axle 6x12 on our lot lists about 1,200 lb empty with a 2,990 lb GVWR. A tandem-axle 6x12 lists about 1,800 lb empty with a 7,000 lb GVWR. The tandem version is heavier, but it carries roughly three times the payload. Browse current 6x12 enclosed trailers to see both setups.
How Much Does a 7x16 Enclosed Trailer Weigh?
A tandem-axle 7x16 enclosed trailer on our lot lists about 2,260 lb empty with a 7,000 lb GVWR, leaving about 4,740 lb of payload. That makes it a popular choice for contractors and small businesses that need floor space and still carry a solid load. See current 7x16 enclosed trailers.
What Adds Weight to an Enclosed Trailer
Two trailers with the same footprint can differ by hundreds of pounds. Common reasons include:
- Taller walls. A 7-foot interior uses more material than a 6-foot interior.
- Ramp door vs. barn doors. A ramp door is built to carry weight and adds some pounds.
- Axles and tires. Tandem axles, brakes and bigger tires add weight but raise the rating.
- Interior upgrades. Finished walls, shelving, cabinets, E-track, A/C and electrical packages.
- Frame and roof style. Heavier tube frames and extra crossmembers add strength and weight.
Can Your Vehicle Tow It?
Your vehicle's towing capacity must cover the loaded trailer, not the empty one. A simple check:
- Find your vehicle's towing capacity and payload in the owner's manual or on the door jamb sticker.
- Add the trailer's empty weight to the weight of everything you will load.
- Make sure that total is below both the trailer's GVWR and your vehicle's towing capacity.
- Estimate tongue weight at roughly 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight, and make sure your vehicle's payload and hitch can carry it.
For example, a 7x14 that weighs 2,120 lb empty and carries 2,500 lb of tools and material weighs about 4,620 lb loaded. At 10% to 15%, that puts roughly 460 to 690 lb on your hitch.
When Does an Enclosed Trailer Need Brakes?
In Georgia, a trailer whose gross weight, trailer plus load, is more than 3,000 lb needs brakes, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety motor carrier FAQ. A single-axle 6x12 rated at 2,990 lb stays under that line. Tandem-axle trailers rated at 7,000 lb are typically built with brakes, and your tow vehicle will need a brake controller to run them.
Pick the Right Size for Your Load
If you are still deciding on dimensions, our what size enclosed trailer do I need guide matches common loads to trailer sizes. You can also compare every size we carry on our enclosed trailers page. Regular trailers are picked up at our Jonesboro lot, and payment is made in person.
Paying over time? We offer traditional trailer financing, no credit check rent to own on new standard trailers with 15% down for buyers in Georgia and 20 other states, and lease-to-own through ClickLease, which starts with a soft credit pull and is available in all 50 states. Call or text 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 we will help you match a trailer to your tow vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 6x12 enclosed trailer weigh?
On our lot, a single-axle 6x12 lists about 1,200 lb empty with a 2,990 lb GVWR, and a tandem-axle 6x12 lists about 1,800 lb empty with a 7,000 lb GVWR. Exact weights vary by build.
How much does a 7x16 enclosed trailer weigh?
A tandem-axle 7x16 enclosed trailer on our lot lists about 2,260 lb empty with a 7,000 lb GVWR, which leaves roughly 4,740 lb of payload.
What is the difference between empty weight and GVWR?
Empty weight is what the trailer weighs with nothing in it. GVWR is the maximum it is rated to weigh with cargo. The difference is your payload.
Does a bigger enclosed trailer carry more weight?
Not always. Many sizes share a 7,000 lb GVWR, so a larger, heavier box can leave less payload than a smaller one. Compare payload, not just floor space.
Where do I find my trailer's exact weight?
Check the VIN or certification sticker on the trailer and the listing details. For an exact number, weigh the trailer on a certified scale.