4.1 KiB
4.1 KiB
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
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).
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
- 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.)
- Out-the-door price: cash price + Indiana sales tax + delivery to South Bend.
- Confirm coupler ball size (expected 2-5/16") and hitch class needed.
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:
- Engine is 5.7L V8 (not V6).
- Factory tow package (transmission cooler + wiring).
- Add electric trailer brake controller (~$150 + install; Indiana requires trailer brakes >3,000 lb — trailer has them, truck needs the controller).
- Class IV receiver + 2-5/16" ball (confirm coupler size w/ Mid-City).
- 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.
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 8.5x26 (was discussing 8.5x24). Same 7'6" height. Slightly more length/weight; still within the 5,200 lb axles and Tundra tow capacity.