# Trailer Candidate — 2026 US Cargo 8.5x26 (Mid-City Trailers)

**Status:** Top candidate. Sam to contact Kean later for out-the-door price + serving-window question.
**Captured:** 2026-08-22

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## The Unit

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| **Year / Make** | 2026 US Cargo |
| **Model** | 8.5X26 7'6" INSIDE HEIGHT 9800GVWR (Car/Truck/SXS/UTV Cargo Enclosed) |
| **Stock #** | 26UC98431 |
| **Price** | **$12,999.00** (cash or finance — same price) |
| **Condition** | New, Available |
| **Location** | Mid-City Trailers, Elkhart, IN (~15 mi from South Bend) |
| **Listing** | https://www.midcitytrailers.com/unit/2026-us-cargo-8-5x26-7-6-inside-height-9800gvwr-8-5-x-26-car-truck-sxs-utv-cargo-enclosed-trailer-1178835 |

### Specs
- **Size:** 8.5 × 26 (26' box + V-nose)
- **Interior height:** 7'6" (90") ✅ — the tall spec we wanted
- **Empty weight:** 4,390 lb
- **GVWR:** 9,800 lb
- **Axles:** 5,200 lb (dual = 10,400 lb capacity) ✅
- **Rear door opening:** 89.5" tall × 94" wide (ramp rear door)
- **Exterior:** .080 polycore screwless (premium, wrap-friendly) ✅
- **Construction:** 16" OC floors, walls, AND ceiling (reinforced — good for wall-mounting equipment + window cut) ✅
- **Extras:** Extended A-frame, rear stabilizer jacks, aluminum wheels, 1-piece aluminum roof, LED exterior lights, rear flare w/ loading light, 4 D-rings in floor + 4 on walls

### Pricing notes
- **NO inbound freight fees. NO setup fees.**
- All prices **+ tax** (Indiana resident = ~7% IN sales tax ≈ **$910**) → **~$13,900 out-the-door** before delivery.
- Delivery available for additional fee.
- Financing available through **Sheffield Financial** & **Clicklease** (approved credit, new trailers).

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## Contact — Mid-City Trailers

- **Rep:** Kean
- **Phone:** 574-361-1344 (+1 574 361 1344)
- **Email:** kean@midcitytrailers.com
- **Address:** 51401 State Rte 19, Elkhart, IN
- **Web:** midcitytrailers.com

### Questions to ask Kean
1. **Serving window:** Can you cut and frame a ~3'×4' concession serving window in the side wall, with wall-post reinforcement around it? Or should a converter do that? (16" OC walls are reinforceable.)
2. **Out-the-door price:** cash price + Indiana sales tax + delivery to South Bend.
3. Confirm coupler ball size (expected 2-5/16") and hitch class needed.

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## Towing Analysis

### ❌ 2023 Ford Edge — CANNOT tow this
- Edge max tow rating: **3,500 lb** (best case, ST/tow-package trims; base trims ~2,000 lb or not rated).
- Trailer **empty = 4,390 lb** — already ~890 lb OVER the Edge's max, before any buildout.
- Built out (~7,000–9,000 lb) or at GVWR (9,800 lb) = far beyond. Unibody crossover, not built for it.
- **Do not tow with the Edge at all — not even empty to get it home.** Use Mid-City delivery instead.

### ✅ 2013 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8 — CAN tow this (comfortably)
- Tundra **5.7L V8** tow rating: **~9,800–10,400 lb** → covers built-out trailer with margin.
- (4.6L V8 ~6,400–6,800 lb = OK; **V6 ~5,000 lb = avoid**.)
- **Confirm on the specific truck:**
  1. Engine is **5.7L V8** (not V6).
  2. Factory **tow package** (transmission cooler + wiring).
  3. Add electric **trailer brake controller** (~$150 + install; Indiana requires trailer brakes >3,000 lb — trailer has them, truck needs the controller).
  4. **Class IV** receiver + 2-5/16" ball (confirm coupler size w/ Mid-City).
  5. **Weight-distributing hitch** recommended once built out (~7,000+ lb).
- Upside: tow it home yourself (skip delivery fee), reposition for seasonal moves/events/pump-outs, and it becomes a fleet-phase business asset.

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## Assessment

Strong candidate. Good price for the spec ($12,999 with 5,200 lb axles, polycore exterior, no freight/setup fees). It's "car hauler" trim (rear ramp + D-rings) — the ramp isn't needed for coffee but doesn't hurt; a side serving window gets cut regardless. 26' + V-nose is generous galley (more than the 8.5x24 previously specced), giving room for espresso + prep + service window + power/network gear with aisle to spare.

**Note vs. earlier plan:** this is 8.5x**26** (was discussing 8.5x24). Same 7'6" height. Slightly more length/weight; still within the 5,200 lb axles and Tundra tow capacity.
