Maximize Your Haul: Your Essential Guide to 8.5x20 Double Axle with Extra Height

Whether you’re a contractor hauling tools, a motorsports enthusiast transporting your prize vehicle, or a business owner creating a mobile workshop, the challenge is the same: finding a transportation solution that is secure, spacious, and versatile. The standard options often fall short, forcing compromises on what you can carry and how you can use the space. This guide delves into the ultimate solution for those who refuse to compromise: the 8.5x20 double axle enclosed trailer, specifically one enhanced with extra height. We will explore how this specific configuration doesn’t just meet hauling needs—it transforms them, unlocking a new level of efficiency, security, and potential for a wide range of applications.

Introduction: Unlocking Unmatched Hauling Potential

The enclosed cargo trailer is a cornerstone of modern transport, serving countless industries and hobbies. Its growth reflects a clear demand, with the overall trailers market size valued at US$ 37.87 Bn. in 2024 and expected to grow. Within this expansive market, the 8.5x20 tandem axle configuration emerges as a leader in balancing substantial capacity with manageable towing. It’s the go-to choice for serious hauling, offering a robust platform for protecting valuable assets from weather and theft.

Introduction: Unlock Your Unmatched Hauling Potential

Moving beyond the standard, this guide focuses on a specific, high-capability variant: the 8.5x20 double axle enclosed trailer with extra height. This isn’t just a bigger box on wheels; it’s a strategically designed tool engineered for maximum utility. By combining a generous footprint with the stability of a tandem axle and the vertical freedom of added height, this trailer provides a solution that adapts to your most ambitious projects, from a dedicated car hauler to a fully equipped mobile command center.

What “Extra Height” Means for Your Cargo and Convenience

“Extra height” is the critical upgrade that elevates this trailer from a standard cargo hauler to a multi-functional space. Typically, this means increasing the interior ceiling from a standard 6’6″ to 7′ or even higher. This seemingly small change has a massive impact, enabling you to load taller vehicles like UTVs with roll cages, stack equipment more efficiently, and work comfortably inside without crouching, transforming the trailer into a usable workspace.

Why the 8.5x20 Double Axle Enclosed Trailer is Your Ultimate Solution

The combination of features makes this enclosed trailer a powerhouse. The 8.5-foot width accommodates most vehicles and wide equipment. The 20-foot length provides ample room for multiple items or longer materials. The double axle (also known as a tandem axle) system ensures superior weight distribution and road stability, a crucial safety factor for heavy loads. When you add extra height, you create a cavernous, secure, and mobile space that is unmatched in its class.

What “Extra Height” Truly Means for Your Cargo and Convenience

The advantage of extra height extends far beyond simply fitting taller items. It fundamentally changes how you can utilize the internal volume of the trailer. This vertical dimension maximizes your investment by allowing for more efficient packing, creating room for permanent fixtures like shelving, and providing a more comfortable and ergonomic environment for anyone working inside the unit. It’s a feature that pays dividends in both capacity and usability.

Who Benefits Most from This Specific Trailer Configuration (e.g., Car Hauler, contractors, motorsports enthusiasts)

This trailer’s design is particularly beneficial for several key users. Motorsports enthusiasts and classic car collectors use it as a premier car hauler, easily accommodating vehicles without worrying about clearance. Contractors and landscapers transform it into a mobile tool crib, storing tall equipment and materials securely. Mobile businesses, from food vendors to pop-up retailers, leverage the height to create an inviting and functional space for customers and staff.

The Power of Double Axles: Enhanced Stability, Superior Load Capacity, and Safer Towing

A double axle configuration is non-negotiable for serious hauling. By distributing the trailer’s weight across four tires instead of two, it significantly improves stability, reducing sway at highway speeds and during crosswinds. This design inherently offers a higher load capacity and provides a critical safety redundancy; if one tire fails, the other on the same side can temporarily support the load, giving you more control to pull over safely.

The Foundation of Your Haul: Dimensions, Axles, and GVWR

Understanding the core specifications is key to maximizing your trailer. The 8.5x20 dimensions define the footprint. The double axles—often robust Torsion Axles for a smoother ride—provide the load-bearing capability. Finally, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) dictates the maximum legal weight of the trailer plus its cargo. These three elements work together to define the trailer’s fundamental capacity and performance on the road.

Elevate Your Capabilities: The Undeniable Advantage of Extra Height

Adding vertical space is the single most effective way to multiply a trailer’s utility. An enclosed trailer with extra height is not just a transport vehicle; it’s a mobile garage, a workshop, or a warehouse. This feature unlocks potential that standard-height trailers simply cannot offer, directly addressing the limitations many owners face when trying to haul bulky, awkwardly shaped, or tall cargo.

Understanding the 8.5x20 Footprint: Interior Space and Maneuverability

An 8.5-foot wide, 20-foot long trailer offers approximately 170 square feet of floor space before accounting for wheel wells. This provides enough room for most passenger cars, multiple motorcycles or ATVs, or a significant amount of equipment and supplies. While its size requires a capable tow vehicle and mindful driving, its maneuverability is surprisingly manageable for experienced drivers, making it a practical choice for both long-distance travel and local job sites.

The Power of Double Axles: Enhanced Stability, Superior Load Capacity, and Safer Towing

Revisiting the double axle system, its benefits in terms of braking are paramount. Most tandem axle trailers are equipped with electric brakes on both axles, providing substantially more stopping power than a single-axle setup. This increased braking efficiency reduces the strain on your tow vehicle’s brakes and shortens stopping distances, which is critical when hauling a heavy load. The improved stability also minimizes tire wear, extending the life of your Radial Tires.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Explained: What You Can Really Carry (e.g., 9990# GVW, 5200# AXLES)

GVWR is the maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded trailer. For an 8.5x20 trailer, a common configuration is a 9990# GVWR, often achieved with two 5200# axles. To calculate your payload capacity, you subtract the trailer’s empty weight (curb weight) from the GVWR. For example, if the trailer weighs 3,000 lbs, a 9990# GVWR allows for 6,990 lbs of cargo. Exceeding this limit is unsafe and illegal.

Specific Use Cases Amplified by Extra Height (e.g., UTVs with roll cages, mobile workshops)

The extra height is a game-changer for specific applications. Side-by-sides (UTVs) with aftermarket roll cages and lift kits can be driven directly in without modification. For contractors, the height allows for vertical storage racks, keeping the floor clear. For mobile workshops, it provides the headroom needed to install machinery and workbenches, creating a comfortable and efficient operational environment on any job site.

Elevate Your Capabilities: The Undeniable Advantage of Extra Height

This enhancement goes beyond simple convenience; it is a strategic investment. By opting for extra height, you future-proof your trailer, ensuring it can adapt to changing needs. Whether your next vehicle is taller or your business requires new, larger equipment, the added vertical clearance provides the flexibility to accommodate those changes without needing to purchase a new trailer.

The Backbone: Superior Frame and Chassis Design for Long-Term Durability

A trailer is only as good as its foundation. Look for frames constructed from tube steel main rails and crossmembers, which offer superior strength and rigidity compared to C-channel or I-beam designs. This robust skeleton is the key to the trailer’s longevity, ensuring it can withstand the dynamic stresses of heavy loads and years of service without flexing or cracking.

Accommodating Taller Cargo: From Classic Cars to Equipment and Furniture

Extra height removes the limitations of standard trailers. It allows for the safe transport of classic cars with high rooflines, palletized freight stacked two-high, large furniture items like armoires, and tall commercial equipment. This versatility makes the enclosed cargo trailer an invaluable asset for movers, event companies, and anyone dealing with dimensionally challenging cargo.

Increased Internal Volume: Stack More, Store More, Maximize Every Inch of Your Enclosed Trailer

With an extra foot of height in a 20-foot long trailer, you gain approximately 170 cubic feet of additional volume. This space allows for intelligent storage solutions. You can install overhead cabinets or E-track systems higher up the walls, allowing you to secure more cargo without cluttering the floor. This efficient use of space is crucial for maximizing every haul.

Enhanced Walk-Around Space and Comfort Inside the Trailer (e.g., “7′ HEIGHT”)

A common upgrade to a 7′ interior height makes a profound difference in user experience. For anyone who needs to work inside their trailer—organizing tools, detailing a car, or running a mobile business—the ability to stand and move around comfortably is essential. This ergonomic benefit reduces fatigue and increases efficiency, turning the trailer from a simple container into a functional workspace.

Specific Use Cases Amplified by Extra Height (e.g., UTVs with roll cages, mobile workshops)

The demand for capable transport solutions continues to grow, with over 18.4 million cargo trailers in use worldwide. The 8.5x20 extra-height model serves a specialized niche within this market. It’s the perfect solution for race teams needing space for a car plus pit equipment, mobile pet groomers with tall tubs and tables, and trade show exhibitors with large, vertical displays that cannot be transported lying down.

The Versatility of Ramp Doors and Ramp Flaps for Easy Loading

The heavy-duty Ramp Door is essential for loading wheeled cargo. Its robust construction can handle the weight of a vehicle, while a spring-assist mechanism makes it easy to open and close. A critical accessory is the ramp flap, a transitional piece that bridges the gap between the ramp and the trailer floor, ensuring a smooth entry and preventing small wheels or casters from getting stuck.

Built to Endure: Robust Construction and Quality Materials

Durability is defined by the materials used. High-quality Plywood Floor and wall panels, often with a 6 Ply rating, provide impact resistance from the inside. The exterior aluminum skin, available in various Sample Colors, offers a clean look and protection. Underneath, a coating of asphalt undercoating paint shields the steel frame from moisture and road salt, preventing corrosion.

Securing Your Valuables: Optimal D-Rings and Comprehensive Tie-Down Strategies

Properly securing your cargo is a legal and safety requirement. An effective enclosed trailer will feature multiple heavy-duty, floor-mounted D-rings strategically placed for optimal tie-down angles. For maximum versatility, consider custom options like wall-mounted E-track or L-track systems, which provide nearly limitless attachment points for straps and cargo nets to secure loads of any shape or size.

The Backbone: Superior Frame and Chassis Design for Long-Term Durability

The long-term value of a trailer is directly tied to its structural integrity. A well-built chassis resists torsion and flexing, which not only preserves the trailer’s structure but also provides a more stable towing experience. This robust design ensures that all components, from the axles to the doors, remain properly aligned and functional over tens ofthousands of miles.

Durable Flooring and Walls for Heavy-Duty Use

The interior surfaces of a cargo trailer must withstand constant abuse. A ¾-inch Plywood Floor is the industry standard for its strength-to-weight ratio and ability to hold screws for mounting equipment. Similarly, ⅜-inch plywood walls provide a sturdy surface for securing items and resisting dents from shifting cargo, ensuring the trailer’s interior remains intact and functional.

Protecting Your Investment: Roofing and Undercoating Options

Protection from the elements is a primary function of an enclosed trailer. The roof is the first line of defense. Options like a one-piece Aluminum Roof offer a seamless barrier against leaks, while a Galvalume roof provides excellent corrosion resistance. Underneath, a thick layer of asphalt undercoating paint is crucial for protecting the steel chassis from rust, especially in regions with harsh winters.

Advanced Structural Components: From Tube Studs to Triple Tube Tongues

Superior trailers feature advanced structural elements. Wall studs and roof bows made from tube steel, rather than Z-posts, offer greater strength. The Triple Tube Tongue is a key feature on premium models, providing exceptional reinforcement at the trailer’s highest stress point. This design drastically reduces flex and enhances control and stability during towing and maneuvering.

Crucial Safety Components: 7-Way Round Plugs, Safety Chains, and Aluminum Fenders

Safety components are non-negotiable. A 7-way Round plug is the standard connector for ensuring your trailer’s lights and electric brakes function correctly. Heavy-duty Safety Chains provide a redundant connection to the tow vehicle. Lightweight, rust-proof aluminum fenders protect your trailer and other vehicles from road debris kicked up by the Radial Tires.

Effortless Access and Secure Transport: Doors, Ramps, and Tie-Downs

The functionality of a trailer is often defined by its access points. In addition to a robust Ramp Door, a side door is an essential convenience. A high-quality RV Side Door with a secure latch allows you to quickly enter and exit the trailer to retrieve a small item without having to lower the main ramp, saving significant time and effort on busy job sites or at the track.

Conclusion

The 8.5x20 double axle enclosed trailer with extra height is more than just a cargo container; it is a strategic asset that provides an unmatched combination of space, stability, and versatility. By understanding the “why” behind key features—from the structural superiority of a Triple Tube Tongue and Torsion Axles to the practical benefits of an RV Side Door and an LED light package—you can make an informed investment. The ability to specify custom options during a custom build allows you to work with a production team to create a trailer perfectly tailored to your unique requirements, ensuring it serves as a reliable car hauler, mobile workshop, or all-purpose transporter for years to come. Proper trailer maintenance will protect this investment, ensuring its longevity and readiness for any task. When you’re ready to maximize your haul, this specific configuration stands ready to exceed every expectation.