Best Used Enclosed Trailer Models in Missouri

1. 8.5' x 24' Enclosed Car Hauler, Spread Torsion Axle

The 8.5' x 24' spread axle build is one of the top all-around used buy, because tandem 5,200 lb torsion axles give 9,990 lb GVWR while the spread layout steadies the trailer at highway speed under a loaded car. Interior height runs 7' to 7'6", and race-spec builds add a 54" x 48" escape door.

Payload lands at 6,190 lb on a roughly 3,800 lb empty weight, enough to cover a full-size car with tools and spares aboard. That combination is why racers, hotshot movers, and contractors hauling a skid steer plus tooling all end up in this size. A used 2025 Anvil 8.5' x 24' with spread torsion axles and an escape door is the current example on our lot.

2. 8.5' x 20' Tandem Axle Cargo

20’ buys four more feet of aisle without pushing you into a longer tow rig or a different insurance conversation. GVWR stays at 9,990 lb, so payload is unchanged while cube capacity rises by roughly a quarter. Movers, flooring crews, and cabinet installers prefer this length because a 20' box swallows long material and still parks in a standard commercial bay.

Check the axle spacing on used 20' units before you commit, since standard tandem spacing handles general freight while spread axles suit heavier point loads. Construction on an 8.5' x 20' with 7' interior and polycore exterior shows what a sound example of this class looks like.

The 8.5' x 20' tandem axle cargo trailer offers roughly 25% more cube capacity while keeping GVWR at 9,990 lb. 

3. 8.5' x 16' Tandem Axle Cargo

This is the volume seller and the easiest size to find used, built on two 5,200 lb electric brake axles for 9,990 lb GVWR, with 7' interior height, .080 polycore exterior, 3/4" plywood floor, and 3/8" plywood walls. Framing runs 16" on center at the crossmembers and wall posts, with 24" roof bows over a 4" tubular main frame.

Sixteen feet is the sweet spot for tradesmen who need a rolling job box, not a mobile shop. Rear door opening is the spec to check, since a comparable Anvil 8.5' x 16' with 7' interior uses a ramp door, while spread-axle builds such as the United 8.5' x 16' with 7'4" interior run an 82" rear opening.

The 8.5' x 16' tandem axle cargo trailer is the most popular size, ideal for tradesmen needing a rolling job box. 

4. 7' x 14' Tandem Axle Cargo

Seven-foot-wide tandems are the practical floor for commercial work. A 7' x 14' tandem axle build carries the same 9,990 lb GVWR as the 8.5' sizes on two 5,200 lb axles, with 7' interior height and a slant V-nose. The narrower box tows easier behind a half-ton and fits residential driveways, which matters for lawn crews and mobile service operators working suburban routes around St Louis.

Used 7' x 14' units often surface as former vendor or concession conversions, since that size is the standard base for food and event builds. Those work well if the electrical was installed properly, though buyers who want a plain cargo box should budget time to strip out the interior fitments.

Used Enclosed Trailer Prices in Missouri

The clearest live example is the used 2025 Anvil 8.5' x 24' car hauler at $9,998 cash against $12,995 retail, where a scratch and dent down the passenger side accounts for the full $2,997 markdown while the running gear and frame stay sound.

That leaves two rules worth applying to any listing you find. A used enclosed trailer priced within 15% of retail rarely pays off once you account for the missing warranty, and because these units sell as-is and where-is with no warranty expressed or implied, the discount has to cover any deferred maintenance you inherit. 

So if the price difference between a used unit and a new one is small, say only a few hundred dollars, the savings won't offset the warranty you give up and the repairs you take on. In that case, buying new is usually the better value. The used unit only makes sense when the discount clearly outweighs the cost of the defect and any maintenance behind it. 

Where to Buy Used Enclosed Trailers in Missouri

Poplar Bluff Trailer, at 135 Hwy T Suite B in Poplar Bluff, is the most reliable source for used enclosed stock in the state, and the reason comes down to supply, since used cargo trailers only reach a lot when new ones leave it. 

We move 100 to 120 trailers a month, which generates the trade-ins, and we take used units from Big Tex, PJ, Rice, Bwise, Doolittle, East Texas, Horizon, Sure Trac, Spartan, Ironbull, Featherlite, Eby, Wilson, and Lamar.

Our pre-owned inventory is updated daily, so a listing means a trailer that is physically on the lot. For anyone driving in from St Louis, Memphis, Cape Girardeau, Paducah, or West Plains to see one specific unit, that accuracy is the difference between a purchase and a wasted day.

Work the buying process in this order:

1. Check the pre-owned inventory page for what is on the lot today.

2. Cross-check the cargo trailer and enclosed car hauler categories, since some used units are filed by body style rather than condition.

3. Scan clearance units, where scratch-and-dent and demo trailers often price close to used money with more life left.

4. Call (573) 686-7273 with the stock number to confirm the unit and its condition notes before committing.

5. Sort financing or rent-to-own in advance, then book free pickup or paid delivery.

Best Used Enclosed Trailer Models Compared

Buying Used Enclosed Trailers Through Poplar Bluff Trailer

Across all four sizes, capacity is nearly identical, so length, door opening, and axle spacing set them apart. Once you match those three specs to the load you haul, the choice comes down to the unit's condition and whether the discount is worth what an as-is sale asks you to take on.

That last part is where buying from us takes the risk out. We inspect and note the condition on every trade-in, so you know exactly what a discount reflects before you commit, and our team can talk you through financing or rent-to-own on the spot. Tell us the size class and axle setup you have settled on, and we will show you what is on the lot today. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do used enclosed trailers need a title in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri requires all trailers to be titled regardless of weight, with only cotton trailers, tow dollies, and certain hay trailers exempt, so every enclosed cargo trailer size covered here needs a title. Confirm the seller holds a clean title in their own name and that the VIN on the tongue plate matches the paperwork before money changes hands.

Can a half-ton truck tow a used enclosed trailer?

A 9,990 lb GVWR tandem loaded to capacity sits at or beyond most half-ton ratings once tongue weight and passengers are counted. Half-ton owners usually run 7' x 14' units, or keep an 8.5' box loaded well under its maximum rating.

Is a scratch-and-dent enclosed trailer worth buying?

Often yes, since damage to exterior skin does not affect frame integrity, axles, or braking, and the discount can be substantial. Ask which panels are affected, confirm the damage has not broken the seal, and check the unit is watertight before agreeing on a price.

Why buy a used enclosed trailer from Poplar Bluff Trailer?

Poplar Bluff Trailer moves hundreds of trailers monthly, so trade-ins land on our lot constantly and used enclosed stock stays fresh. We list only what is physically here, updated daily. Financing and rent-to-own are online, pickup is free, and we deliver across the Midwest.

 

*Note: Prices shown are estimates based on current market conditions at the time of writing and may change without notice. Confirm trailer availability, specifications, and final pricing directly with Poplar Bluff Trailer.