What Can You Actually Fit in an 8x5 Trailer?
The ever-popular 8x5 trailer (which measures roughly 2400mm x 1500mm) is one of the best-selling trailers in our range thanks to its versatility, manoeuvrability, and the fact that they can easily be customised with a variety of features to suit specific requirements.
If you need to cart green waste, furniture or household appliances on the weekend, or you use a trailer for work and regularly carry loads like building materials, light plant or worksite waste, the 8 x 5 trailer will provide ample space, easy loading and unloading, as well as on-road safety and stability.
Most single axle 8x5 trailers are rated up to 1400kg ATM, while tandem axle models are engineered to 1900 kg ATM as standard (although this can be increased if you need to carry heavy loads). For peace of mind, it's important to ensure that your 8 x 5 trailer is designed and built to handle the size and types of load you carry most often.
The exact dimensions and capacity of an 8 x 5 trailer
The term 8x5 refers to the size of the trailer deck (8 feet long by 5 feet wide) rather than its total dimensions i.e., it does not include the length of the drawbar or the width of the mudguards.
A single axle trailer of this size provides ample space for hauling a variety of household goods such as mattresses, washing machines, dryers and fridges, as well as kit like pallets, machinery and toolboxes. The robust construction means that an 8x5 trailer is equipped to take on all types of load, and you also have the option to add a cage and gates in order to carry higher loads.
A tandem axle 8x5 trailer will have the same floor space as the single axle version, but the addition of two more wheels and an additional axle means you can safely load and carry more weight, and enjoy greater stability even when towing on poor quality roads or uneven worksites.
What is the real-world capacity of an 8 x5 trailer?
Whether it's for domestic or business use, the 8x5 trailer is an excellent choice for a variety of applications.
It can be used with ease for hauling most common household loads, such as mattresses and bed frames, appliances and furniture. An 8 x 5 trailer with a cage is also ideal for carrying around 1 to 1.5 cubic metres of garden and landscaping waste and materials, including mulch, sand, soil and green waste.
A variety of building materials can also be easily accommodated in an 8x5 trailer, including sheeting, timber, door frames and ladders. For tradies who use a trailer for work, an 8 x 5 trailer can be customised with key features such as toolboxes, cages and gates, or can be fitted with ramps for easy loading and unloading of equipment such as wheelbarrows, mowers and small concrete mixers. Tandem axle trailers can be designed and engineered with an increased ATM to carry heavier plant if required.
Weight limits and regulations when towing an 8x5 trailer
When it comes to the law regarding towing a trailer in South Australia, it is important to understand that it is the weight that matters, not how full the trailer is or what is being carried.
Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) is the combined weight of a fully-loaded trailer when it is not coupled to a vehicle, and in South Australia there are laws in place with regard to ATM and load limits, as well as regulations about trailer braking systems (both electric and mechanical).
The ATM of an 8 x5 trailer will depend on its configuration and determines how much weight you can safely, and legally, tow. Most single axle 8x5 trailers have a 1350 kg ATM, while tandem axle trailers are engineered with a 1900kg ATM. However, the ATM of an 8x5 trailer can be upgraded if you need to carry heavy loads.
Safe loading and axles
Towing a trailer safely requires that the load is well positioned and secure, and that the axles are suitable for what is being carried and how the trailer is being used.
A single axle 8x5 trailer will usually be suitable for occasional use, on relatively short trips on well maintained roads, and for lighter loads such as garden waste, tools and domestic furniture.
Tandem axle 8 x 5 trailers are better suited to regular, daily use and/or travelling over long distances and rough terrain. They are the best choice for business use and provide greater stability when carrying heavy loads including plant, metals, sand and soil. Having two axles means that the weight of the load is better distributed and this helps to reduce trailer sway.
Trailer sway can be highly dangerous and can occur when an 8x5 trailer is not properly loaded. To avoid this, ensure that the majority of the load is positioned forward of the axles, and that the heaviest items are placed centrally, rather than at the rear.
Ensuring items are properly secured will also help to avoid trailer sway. Gates, cages and tie-downs will help to provide sufficient points to secure the load and prevent it from shifting in transit.
Want to find out more about the key features of 8x5 trailers?
At Basic Trailers, we design and build a variety of 8x5 trailers for both domestic and business use.
If you are unsure about whether an 8 x 5 trailer will provide the easy loading and unloading that you require, or has the capacity to carry sufficiently heavy loads for your purposes, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team. We will be happy to advise what type of 8x5 trailer will best suit your needs, and talk you through the key features of our range.
Call our sales team on 1300 770 770 or email sales@basictrailers.com.au and we'll be happy to discuss your specific 8x5 trailer needs, as well as advise you on registration and answer any other questions you may have.
