This 2026 8.5×20 enclosed car trailer is a black steel, tandem axle model with a rear ramp door, 84 inches of interior height and a 10,141 lb GVWR. It’s built for moving cars, side-by-sides or a lot of cargo while keeping everything locked, dry and out of sight.

What you get with this enclosed car trailer

At 8.5 ft wide and 20 ft long (about 2.6 x 6.1 m), the box has room for most cars with space left over for tools, spares and a tire rack. The 84-inch (about 2.1 m) height clears most cars and many SUVs, and you can walk around inside without ducking.

The rear ramp door folds down so you can drive or winch a vehicle straight in. When it’s up, it closes the back like a solid door. Two axles carry the 10,141 lb (about 4,600 kg) rating, and the trailer stays steady at highway speed.

Enclosed car trailer, 8.5x20 black steel with rear ramp

Who it suits

Classic car and race car owners
Car dealers and collectors moving vehicles
Side-by-side and ATV owners
Small businesses that need a big mobile workshop
Anyone who wants a car moved without road chips or weather

Enclosed car trailer specifications

Year	2026
Size	8.5 ft x 20 ft (2.6 x 6.1 m)
Axle	Tandem
Rear door	Ramp
Interior height	84 in (2.13 m)
Construction	Steel
Color	Black
GVWR	10,141 lb (4,600 kg)

For the exact inside width between the wheel wells, side door details, tie-downs or empty weight, ask us and we’ll check this unit.

Why use an enclosed car trailer

An open trailer works, but your car is out in the rain, the sun and the stones thrown up by every truck. An enclosed car trailer keeps all of that off. It also hides the car from view, which matters if you’re parking overnight at a hotel or a track.

Most car haulers like this are a type of car carrier trailer, just built for one vehicle and closed in. You get a garage on wheels, and it doubles as dry storage when you’re not using it.

Towing an enclosed car trailer

The 10,141 lb GVWR is the most the trailer and everything inside should weigh. That includes the trailer itself, so subtract its empty weight to find your real payload. If you need a refresher, read up on gross vehicle weight rating.

You’ll need a tow vehicle rated for the full loaded weight, plus a brake controller. A 3/4-ton pickup is the common choice. A tall, long enclosed car trailer catches a lot of wind, so allow more braking distance and slow down in strong crosswinds.

Loading a car

Lower the ramp on level ground. Drive in slowly with someone outside guiding you, or use a winch for cars that don’t run or have very little ground clearance. Position the car so its weight sits just ahead of the axles. Strap it down at all four wheels with wheel nets or axle straps, never through suspension parts.

Low cars may need ramp extensions or a beavertail so the bumper doesn’t scrape. Ask us about the ramp angle on this unit if your car is lowered.

Setting up the inside

Owners often add E-track or D-rings for tie-downs, a cabinet or two at the front, a tire rack and interior lights. Some fit a winch, a work bench and power outlets. An enclosed car trailer set up well becomes a pit garage at the track.

Looking after it

Check roof seams and door seals once or twice a year so water stays out. Grease the bearings, check tire pressure before every long trip and keep the brakes adjusted. Oil the ramp hinges and keep the ramp spring assist clean. A coupler lock and a good door lock are worth having.

Mistakes to avoid

Parking the car too far back is the big one. Too much weight behind the axles makes the trailer sway. Get the car’s weight forward of the axles.

Strapping through the suspension is another. The car moves on its springs and the straps go slack. Strap the wheels or the axles instead.

The third is forgetting height and length. An enclosed car trailer this size needs care at fuel stations, car parks and tight corners.

How owners use it

Racers use it as a pit garage. Collectors move cars to shows and storage. Dealers deliver cars without putting miles on them. Side-by-side owners carry machines plus gear for a weekend. Some businesses use an enclosed car trailer as a rolling workshop or display unit.

Compare other large enclosed trailers

Need more length? The 8.5×24 cargo trailer with rear ramp gives you four extra feet. The 8.5×20 cargo trailer with a 90-inch ramp offers more height. On a budget, the used 8.5×16 cargo trailer is a good start.

For open options, see our equipment trailers.

Accessories worth adding

The most useful upgrades for an enclosed car trailer are wheel nets or axle straps, a winch, and E-track or D-rings in the floor. After that, people usually add interior LED lights, a cabinet at the front for tools and spares, a tire rack and a fire extinguisher. A battery-powered or 12V winch is worth it if you ever move cars that don’t run. A coupler lock and a wheel clamp keep the trailer and car safe when parked.

Pre-trip checklist

Coupler latched and pinned, chains crossed, breakaway cable attached
Brakes tested at low speed
All lights working
Tire pressures right on trailer and truck
Car strapped at all four wheels
Ramp closed and latched, side door locked

Take a minute to walk around before you leave. It’s much easier to fix a light in your driveway than on the motorway.

Tips for track days and shows

Pack the night before so the car goes in last and comes out first. Keep heavy spares and toolboxes at the front, just ahead of the axles. A folding table, a few chairs and an awning turn your enclosed car trailer into a pit area. At shows, a clean trailer with good lighting makes the car look even better when the ramp drops. Bring wheel chocks for parking on slopes.

Storing an enclosed car trailer

An enclosed car trailer makes a good garage. If you store a car inside, leave a window or vent cracked so moisture doesn’t build up, and use a battery tender for the car. Park the trailer on level, firm ground with the jacks down and the tires off soft dirt. Check the roof seams before winter, and move the trailer every few weeks so the tires don’t flat-spot.

Trailer terms explained

Here are a few terms you will see when you shop for an enclosed car trailer.

GVWR: the most the trailer and its load can weigh together.
Payload: the GVWR minus the trailer’s empty weight. This is what you can actually carry.
Tongue weight: the downward weight on your hitch, usually around 10 to 15 percent of the loaded weight on a bumper pull trailer.
Tandem axle: two axles, one behind the other, that share the load and make the trailer more stable.
Breakaway cable: a cable that applies the trailer brakes if it ever comes off the hitch.
Brake controller: the unit in your vehicle that runs the trailer’s electric brakes.
Coupler: the part on the front of the trailer that locks onto your hitch ball.

Before you buy

Measure the car you plan to carry, including mirrors, and check its ground clearance. Confirm your truck can tow the loaded weight and that you have space to park a trailer this long. Then ask us for the door opening and inside width so you can be sure it fits.

Common questions

Will my car fit in this enclosed car trailer?

Most cars do. Measure your car’s width at the wheels and mirrors and its height, and ask us for the exact door and inside measurements.

Can I carry a side-by-side?

Usually yes, if it fits through the door opening and stays under the GVWR.

Do I need a special licence?

Rules vary a lot by country and region. Some require an extra licence class above a certain combined weight, so check locally.

Can it be used for storage?

Yes. Many owners keep the car in the trailer between events.

Can a half-ton pickup tow it?

Usually not when loaded. At this rating you want a 3/4-ton truck or a vehicle with a matching tow rating.

What to check when it arrives

Lower and raise the ramp, open any side door, and check seals, floor, lights and brakes. Set tire pressures and check wheel nuts. Ask for the brake and bearing service schedule.

Buy this enclosed car trailer

This enclosed car trailer is for sale now. Add it to your cart, or contact our team to check car fit, ask about brakes or arrange delivery. You can also browse every enclosed trailer or the full shop.

8.5×20 enclosed trailer

2026 8.5X20 CARGO TRAILER, TANDEM AXLE, REAR RAMP, 84″, REAR RAMP, STEEL, BLACK, 10141GVWR