Cargo Trailers For Sale

Cargo trailers are built for freight and equipment hauling, so the interior dimensions and payload capacity are the most important specs. Standard pallets are 48x40 inches — if you plan to haul pallets, make sure the interior width is at least 80 inches (a 7-foot trailer) to fit two side by side. For single pallets, a 6-foot trailer works. Interior height matters for tall loads: 6 feet is standard, but 6.5 or 7 feet gives you room for shelving and standing.

The ramp door is the most-used component on a cargo trailer, so check its quality. A cam-lock ramp door with spring assist opens and closes smoothly and seals tightly. Cheap ramp doors without spring assist are heavy and can sag over time. If you will load wheeled cargo (carts, dollies, pallet jacks), a ramp door is essential — barn doors require a lift gate or manual loading.

Payload capacity on a cargo trailer is lower than you might expect because the enclosed body itself is heavy. A 7x16 tandem-axle cargo trailer might weigh 2,200 lbs empty with a 7,000 lb GVWR — leaving 4,800 lbs of payload. Always calculate payload as GVWR minus empty weight, and never assume the GVWR is the payload.