A utility trailer is one of the hardest-working things a homeowner, landscaper or small contractor around Atlanta can own. It hauls the riding mower to a side job in Fayetteville, brings pine straw home from the garden center, and carries lumber for the deck project you keep putting off. But "utility trailer" covers a lot of ground, and the wrong size or axle setup can leave you short on room or fighting a trailer that is more than your vehicle should pull.
Here is how the common sizes compare, how axles differ, and what to check in person.
Start With What You Haul, Not the Trailer
Before you look at a single listing, write down the two or three things you will haul most. Measure the largest one, then add a little room so you can strap it down and walk around it.
Next, check your tow vehicle. Your owner's manual lists a towing capacity and a hitch rating. The loaded trailer, meaning the trailer plus everything on it, needs to stay under those numbers.
Common Utility Trailer Sizes
Utility trailers are listed width first, then length, so a 6x12 is about 6 feet wide and 12 feet long. Here is how the sizes we keep on our Jonesboro lot tend to get used.
5x10: Compact and Easy to Store
A 5x10 suits push mowers, yard waste, bags of mulch and small home projects. It is light and easy to back into a driveway or tuck beside the house.
6x10: A Little More Width
The extra foot of width on a 6x10 matters more than people expect. It gives you room for a riding mower or a single ATV without the wheels sitting right at the edge of the deck.
6x12: The All-Around Size
The 6x12 utility trailer is a popular choice for good reason. It is long enough for a riding mower plus a push mower and a trimmer rack, wide enough for most lawn tractors, and still easy to tow and park. Lawn care crews, weekend DIYers and folks with a few acres outside the perimeter all put one to work.
7x16: For Bigger Machines and Heavier Loads
A 7x16 utility trailer is built for bigger jobs: zero-turn mowers with hand equipment, side-by-sides and UTVs, a pair of ATVs, or a full load of building materials. Most ride on tandem axles, and many come with brakes. A half-ton pickup or larger is a common pairing.
Single Axle vs. Tandem Axle
- Single axle: lighter, simpler and easier to move by hand or back into a tight spot. Most 5x10, 6x10 and 6x12 utility trailers ride on one axle, and many SUVs and pickups pull them comfortably.
- Tandem axle: two axles share the load, so the trailer can carry more weight and rides steadier at highway speed. If you run I-75 or I-285 daily with a heavy mower or a UTV, the extra stability is worth it.
A simple rule: if your heaviest load is close to what a single-axle trailer is rated for, step up to a tandem.
Understand GVWR Before You Buy
GVWR stands for gross vehicle weight rating. It is the maximum the trailer can weigh fully loaded, including the trailer itself. To find how much you can actually put on it, subtract the empty trailer weight from the GVWR. Every listing on our site shows the trailer's weight rating, so you can compare units side by side.
Two trailers can be the same size and carry very different ratings depending on the axles, tires and frame. If you haul dense material such as gravel, block or wet dirt, pay more attention to GVWR than to deck length.
What to Check in Person
Photos only tell you so much. When you walk the lot, look at these:
- Gate or ramp: a ramp gate makes loading mowers and ATVs easy. Check how heavy it feels and whether it has spring assist.
- Side rails: standard rails work for equipment. Mesh sides help keep leaves, brush and loose material on the trailer.
- Floor: look at the decking and how it is fastened to the frame.
- Tie-down points: make sure there are enough places to strap your load properly at all four corners.
- Lights and wiring: hook up and check every light before you leave the lot.
- Tires and spare: ask whether a spare tire mount is available. A flat on the shoulder of I-285 is a lot easier to handle with a spare.
Thinking About Georgia Use
Around metro Atlanta, a utility trailer often does double duty: weekday work and weekend projects. Red clay and wet grass can make loading slippery, so a sturdy ramp gate and good tie-downs earn their keep. If the trailer will sit outside between jobs, consider where you will park it and how easy it is to hook up and back in, especially on a sloped driveway.
Paying for Your Utility Trailer
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. See our trailer financing options for the details.
New trailers from A&A also come with our Gold Seal Guarantee. Ask us how it works when you visit.
See Utility Trailers in Person
A&A Center Trailers has been selling trailers from Jonesboro since 1973, and we would rather help you pick the right size than sell you the wrong one. Browse our utility trailers for sale near Atlanta to see what is on the lot with real photos and stock numbers, then come compare them side by side.
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
What size utility trailer do I need for a riding mower?
A 6x10 handles a single riding mower, and a 6x12 gives you room for a riding mower plus a push mower and hand tools. For a zero-turn with a full set of equipment, many buyers step up to a 7x16. Bring your mower's measurements and we will show you units that fit.
Should I get a single axle or tandem axle utility trailer?
Single-axle trailers are lighter and easier to maneuver, and they suit mowers, yard work and lighter loads. Tandem-axle trailers carry more weight and ride steadier on the highway, which helps if you haul heavy equipment or tow often.
What does GVWR mean on a utility trailer?
GVWR is the maximum the trailer can weigh fully loaded, including the trailer itself. Subtract the empty trailer weight to find how much cargo you can carry. Each listing on our site shows the trailer's weight rating.
Can I finance a utility trailer?
Yes. We offer traditional financing, no credit check rent to own with 15% down for buyers in Georgia and 20 other states, and lease-to-own options through ClickLease, which uses a soft credit pull.
Where can I see utility trailers for sale near Atlanta?
Our lot is at 8834 Tara Blvd in Jonesboro, GA, just south of Atlanta. We are open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM.