How Do You Measure A Utility Trailer?

Thanks. Expert Reply: In fact, a trailer’s width is determined by its broadest point. If the trailer’s wheels are outside of the frame, the width is measured from the outside of one fender to the outside of the other fender on the other side of the trailer.

How is a utility trailer’s length determined?

When deciding on the size of a trailer, most people want to know the dimensions. The industry standard is to measure Width first, then Length on the outside rectangular area of the trailer. A 6x12sa trailer, for example, is 6′ broad by 12′ long and has a single axle (sa). If the trailer has a V-nose, the space is considered extra and might range from a few inches to several feet depending on the model or extended tongue option. As a general rule, trailer height is determined by trailer size; however, additional height can be added or eliminated. 5-wides, for example, are 5′ tall, 6 & 7 wides are 6′ tall, and 8.5′ wides (car haulers) are 6′-6″ tall. Again, this is the outside measurement; the inside is a little shorter and has some impediments such as supports or cross member studs, dome lights, and possibly ceiling liners.

Trailer openings /doors sizes

Side doors are commonly available in 24″, 32″, and 36″ widths, depending on trailer size. Step wells are common on car haulers (8.5′ wide) because the trailer frame is made up of 6″ to 8″ I-beams or channel, which raises the trailer off the ground. Optional features include larger doors, front doors, side doors, escape doors, concession windows, and front and side ramps. The top and sides of the back Barn Door(s) or Ramp normally have a 6″ to 7″ frame for the door(s) to close against. For instance, an 8.5′ wide car carrier will have roughly 6″ on each side, bringing the aperture closer to 7′-6″ wide (keep in mind there is a guide wire for the ramp spring assist that is about an inch inside each side of the opening). A “no-show” 4′ Beaver Tail is used by many vehicle haulers, where the inside of the trailer slopes down a couple inches and meets the ramp. This prevents low-profile, low-clearance vehicles from bottoming out when they enter the trailer. This also raises the trailer’s opening height by a couple of inches. 8.5x16ta and larger trailers, for example, are normally 6′-6″ tall. With the 6″ drop from the roof before the opening begins, it should leave about a 6′-0″ opening for accessing the trailer’s back; however, the Beavertail adds a couple of inches. (Note that a Beavertail is not recommended for concession trailers or some equipment trailers since the floor slopes down for about 4′ in the back, making it difficult to level equipment.)

Trailer Load Capability

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight that a trailer can carry when fully loaded. Many factors can influence load distribution, limiting the amount of weight that can be loaded into the trailer; nevertheless, a basic general guideline is that if you have (2) 3500 lb axles, the trailer’s GVWR is 7000 lb. The load capability is determined by subtracting the weight of the trailers themselves. For instance, a 7x16ta with (2) 3500Lb axles weighs roughly 2150 Lbs and has a GVWR of 7000 Lbs, thus you can load it with about 4850 Lbs of freight (7000 Lbs 2150 Lbs = 4850 Lbs). You can always increase the axle size if a heavier weight is required. If your cargo will have a tiny footprint and the load will not be distributed over a large area, you may choose to shorten the distance between the cross member supports under the floor. If you’ll be driving off-road or on bumpy roads, torsion axles may be preferable to leaf springs for a smoother ride and better handling. (See Brakes for further information.)

Tongue load

The trailer’s weight is transferred to your hitch in this amount. The most frequently accepted estimates range from 9 to 15% of the loaded trailer weight, with 10% being the most widely accepted figure. For example, a trailer weighing 1800 pounds with 1000 pounds of cargo is deemed to be 2800 pounds. 280 lbs of tongue weight is 10% of 2800 lbs. Keep in mind that this number is affected by a variety of circumstances, such as whether the trailer is loaded from the front or the back. On the Internet, people utilize a variety of approaches to measure this.

Truck Bed length

If you’re considering a gooseneck trailer, the length of your vehicle bed is crucial. For enough space between the trailer and the cab of your truck, an 8′ bed length is recommended. People sometimes purchase trailers without considering whether or not their truck has a short-bed, spare fuel tank, or extended cab. For particular questions, contact your sales representative.

What methods are used to determine the dimensions of trailers?

The length of the trailer unit only is included in the measurement information provided by travel trailer manufacturers; the tongue, hitch, and tow vehicle are not included. As a result, multiple measurements are required to determine the overall length of the entire setup: inside, exterior, and overall length.

  • The internal length of a trailer determines how much living space it has, and it is one of the most straightforward measures to obtain. It’s merely the distance between the trailer’s front and back walls.
  • The overall length refers to the total length of the trailer. You should know how long the trailer is without the hitch and how long it is with the hitch and tow vehicle attached. When looking for a parking spot or a campsite, the second measurement will come in handy.

The marketed length should equal the floor plan length, according to the RV Industry Association (RVIA). The tongue and rear bumper are not included in this measurement. As a result, the length measurement you see when you buy your travel trailer may not truly reflect how much space you have, especially when it comes to parking.

State-run campgrounds, on the other hand, measure the length of the unit because the tow vehicle is normally parked separately.

Finally, take as many measurements as possible to get a clear picture of how much space you’ll need for both the trailer unit and the rest of your setup. Because knowledge is power, the more information you have, the better!

What is the standard width of a utility trailer?

Single-axle utility trailers are available in sizes ranging from 60 inches wide and 8 feet long to 77 inches wide and 20 feet long. Ramps such as slide-in ramps, fold-up ramps, ramp gates, fold-up gates or ramps, bi-fold, and split gates can be added to your trailer. The majority of single axle trailers will be between 8 and 14 feet long.

What is the width of a 7-foot trailer?

The total length. Fender to fender, a 7-footer and an 8-footer are both 8.5 feet wide.

This is due to the fact that both trailers have the same width axles, which are normally twin 3500 pound axles or more.

While a 7 foot wide trailer may appear to fit in smaller areas and provide better agility, this is only partially true. For a 7′ wide trailer, the rear swing will be smaller, and you may have slightly more clearance between the front corners and the back of your truck. This, however, varies depending on the manufacturer.

What are the different sizes of trailers?

The US Department of Transportation’s standard semi-trailer dimensions allow for lengths of 48 to 53 feet. The federal government has established this as the standard length for use on highways across the country.

Length and height variations are common, although breadth is more consistent. Semi-trailers have the following standard dimensions:

The most popular trailer types used in freight shipping and logistics are described in detail below.

How big of a utility trailer should I get?

The first question to ask yourself while deciding on a utility trailer is what you’ll use it for.

Of course, it’ll wind up serving more purposes than you anticipated, especially if your friends see it and ask you to assist them with their relocation.

However, the most important factor to consider is the type of burden you’ll be carrying on a regular basis. A 5 by 8 should suffice for simple needs such as carrying a lawnmower or conducting household trash runs.

A 7 x 16 or 7 x 18 equipment trailer may be required for larger jobs such as carrying tractors or bobcats. The basic practice is to order a size larger than you think you’ll need.