Comparing Blackout Trailer Finishes Across the 6×12, 7×14, and 7×16 Models

A guy pulled into the lot last month dead set on a 6×12, then walked out with a 7×16 Blackout Enclosed Trailer instead, and honestly, that happens more than you’d think. Blackout trailers have become the thing everyone points at first when they walk the row, and once you actually stand next to a 6×12, a 7×14, and a 7×16 side by side, the differences in how that blackout finish reads on each size start to make a lot more sense.

This blog walks through what changes across those three sizes, what stays the same, and which one actually fits your hauling situation instead of just looking good parked in the driveway.

Why Blackout Finishes Caught On

Blackout packages swap the shiny trim, the white trim strips, the polished corner caps, all that stuff, for matte black or charcoal versions instead. It’s not paint. It’s usually a different trim package altogether, sometimes combined with tinted windows and black wheels. The look reads more aggressive, more built for work, even on a trailer that’s just going to haul lawn equipment on weekends.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront. The blackout treatment does not change size, axle rating, or interior space. It changes the exterior finish. So, a 6×12 blackout is still a 6×12 underneath the finish, and a 7×16 blackout is still a 7×16. The finish is cosmetic. The math on what you can actually haul stays the same.

The 6×12 Blackout: Small, Sharp, Limited

The 6×12 is the entry point into blackout trailers, and it looks fantastic for what it is. Single axle usually, sometimes tandem depending on the build. Good for motorcycles, small equipment, a modest amount of yard tools.

Where it falls short is anything bigger than a UTV or a couple of bikes. Interior height on a 6-wide is tighter too, so if you’re over six feet tall, walking around inside gets old fast. It’s a great starter blackout trailer if your hauling needs are modest and you mostly just want something that looks sharp behind the truck.

The 7×14 Blackout: The Middle Ground

Step up to a 7×14 and the room inside opens up noticeably. Wider by a foot, longer by two, and most builds come tandem axle standard at this size. This is where a lot of small business owners land, mobile detailers, landscapers who want the blackout look on something that can still carry real equipment.

The blackout finish on a 7-wide reads a little different than on the 6×12. There’s more surface area for it, flatter panel to show off the mat black, so the finish actually looks more dramatic here than on the smaller trailer. Funny how that works out.

The 7×16 Blackout: Where It Gets Serious

Now here’s where things get interesting. The 7×16 Blackout Enclosed Trailer is the size where the finish and the function finally line up completely. You’ve got enough length for a car hauler setup, enough width for two motorcycles side by side with room to walk around, and the blackout package on a 7×16 genuinely looks like a factory-built race hauler, because a lot of race teams do run exactly this size.

We’ve built several of these for racers hauling a single car plus spare tires and tools, and the blackout finish holds up well on the road too. Matte finishes hide road grime a little better than gloss white, which nobody mentions until you’ve driven one 500 miles and pulled up looking cleaner than the guy in the standard white trailer next to you.

What Actually Changes Between Sizes

A few things shift as you move up in size, and it’s worth being straight about them:

• Tow vehicle requirements: a 6×12 can usually ride behind a half ton no problem, but a loaded 7×16 with a vehicle inside starts asking questions of your transmission, especially if you’re not running a 3/4 ton.
• Axle configuration: single axle on the smallest size, tandem becoming standard by the time you hit 7×14 and 7×16.

Beyond that, the core blackout package itself, trim color, wheel finish, and window tint, stays consistent across all three. What changes is how much trailer that finish is wrapped around.

Which Size Actually Fits You

If you’re hauling motorcycles or light equipment on weekends, the 6×12 does the job and saves money. If you’re running a small business and need real storage plus curb appeal, the 7×14 hits that middle spot well. And if you need to haul a vehicle, race car, or a full set of tools and equipment while still looking like you mean business on the highway, the 7×16 blackout is the one that earns its price tag.

Conclusion

Whichever size you land on, the blackout finish holds up the same way across the lineup; it just looks different depending on how much trailer it’s covering. If you want to see the 6×12, 7×14, and 7×16 blackout builds in person before deciding, Collins Custom Cargo has all three on the lot ready to walk through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the blackout package cost more on larger trailers like the 7×16?
Usually a bit, yes, since there’s more surface area and trim involved, but the percentage increase over the base trailer price stays fairly consistent across sizes.

Is a 7×16 Blackout Enclosed Trailer harder to tow than a standard 7×16?
No, towing weight and difficulty come from the trailer’s build and cargo, not the finish. A blackout 7×16 tows the same as a standard one loaded the same way.

Can I add a blackout package to an existing 6×12 or 7×14 trailer?
Sometimes, depending on the manufacturer and trim compatibility, but it’s usually easier and cheaper to order it built in from the start.

What size blackout trailer is best for hauling a race car?
Most racers land on a 7×16 or larger, since it gives enough length for the car plus tie downs, tools, and spare parts without cramming everything in.