Quick answer
Trailer finance lets a tradie buy a work trailer, such as a plant trailer, box trailer, tipper or enclosed trailer, without draining cash. The tow vehicle's rating, the trailer's mass and the work it will do all matter. Loan Finder Store arranges trailer finance as part of vehicle finance, and can sometimes package a trailer with the ute that tows it.
Key points
- A trailer must be matched to the tow vehicle's rating.
- Plant, box, tipping and enclosed trailers suit different trades.
- Trailers can often be financed alongside the ute.
- Loan Finder Store arranges the finance.
- Common types
- Plant, box, tipper, enclosed, car carrier
- Check first
- Aggregate trailer mass and the tow vehicle's rating
- Used by
- Landscapers, earthmovers, mowing crews, scaffolders
- Arranged by
- Loan Finder Store
Half of the trade yard is held together by a trailer. The mower trailer behind the landscaper’s ute, the plant trailer taking a mini excavator to site, the enclosed box that serves as a mobile workshop. A trailer rarely makes headlines, yet it quietly decides what jobs you can take.
What kinds of trailer do tradies use?
Different trades need different shapes.
| Trailer | Who uses it | What it carries |
|---|---|---|
| Plant trailer | Earthmovers, landscapers, concreters | Mini excavators, skid steers, compactors |
| Box or cage trailer | Handymen, fencers, general trades | Materials, tools, green waste |
| Tipper trailer | Landscapers, builders, demolition | Soil, rubble, spoil |
| Enclosed trailer | Painters, sparkies, HVAC | Locked tools and stock |
| Scaffold or ladder trailer | Scaffolders, roofers | Long and bulky equipment |
Decide what you carry most often and buy for that, not for the occasional odd load. A trailer that does 90 percent of your work well is better than one that does everything badly.
How do I match a trailer to my tow vehicle?
This is the question that matters most. A trailer is only as good as the vehicle pulling it.
- Braked towing capacity of the tow vehicle, found in the manual and on the plate.
- Towbar rating, which may be lower than the vehicle’s.
- Aggregate trailer mass, the fully loaded weight of the trailer.
- Ball weight, the downward load on the towbar, which affects stability.
If you are weighing up a new ute and a trailer together, the dual cab ute finance page covers payload and towing on the vehicle side. Heavy trailers behind a ute are often a sign that a truck is the better tool, which light truck finance addresses.
Should I bundle the trailer with the ute?
Often it works well. A single finance package keeps the paperwork neat and lets you plan one set of repayments. The downside is that if the trailer is cheaper and shorter-lived than the ute, you may still be paying for it long after it has worn out.
An illustrative example, not a real business: a mowing contractor buys a ute and a trailer together on one structure. The ute is a six-year asset and the trailer will be tired in four. Splitting them into two shorter agreements lets the trailer finish early, instead of being carried inside a seven-year term.
New or used: what is the difference?
Used trailers are plentiful and cheaper, but condition varies enormously. Look at axle wear, tyre age, brake components, wiring, bearings and the state of the deck and body. A trailer that has hauled wet concrete or corrosive material for years can be a project.
Buying from a dealer typically comes with clearer paperwork. Private sales are common, but you must check identification, registration and that there is no money owing on the trailer.
What about registration and compliance?
Trailers need registration, plates, lights and, above certain masses, brakes. Rules differ by state and territory, so check with your local road authority. Heavier combinations may cross into rules covered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, so check where your setup sits before buying. Compliance is the sort of thing a good dealer deals with for you, but the responsibility remains with the owner.
How do I finance a trailer?
Trailer finance is arranged through Loan Finder Store, who can work with a trailer on its own or as part of a vehicle package. Have the quote, your ABN details and recent business bank statements ready. If the trailer is really a piece of plant, for example a purpose-built machinery carrier, the equipment finance hub may be a better fit.
What does a trailer cost beyond the purchase price?
Not much compared with a ute, but it is not nothing. Registration, insurance, tyre replacement, bearing service, brake checks and lighting repairs all come up over a trailer’s life. Trailers that carry heavy plant also wear their decks and tie-down points.
Insurance deserves a second look. Many policies cover a trailer only when it is attached to the tow vehicle, and the contents may need separate cover. If you carry a mini excavator on a plant trailer, check that the machine, the trailer and the tow vehicle are all covered for business use.
When is a trailer the wrong answer?
If you are towing at the limit of your vehicle every day, a trailer is stretching a ute beyond what it was built for. Heavy, frequent hauling wears out clutches, transmissions and brakes faster. That is the point where a truck, or a van and a lighter trailer, makes more sense. It is also worth considering whether a hire arrangement for occasional heavy loads costs less than owning something that sits idle most of the month.
How long should the finance term be?
Match the term to the trailer’s working life, not to the lowest repayment. A hard-worked plant trailer might be tired in five or six years, while a well-kept enclosed trailer can go a decade. Ask for the term that finishes while the trailer still has resale value, so you are not paying off something you are about to replace.
Hook up and go
A trailer should earn its place by letting you do more work with less fuss. Pick the type for your trade, match it to the vehicle in front, and choose a term that finishes before the trailer is worn out.
When you are set, begin your trailer finance enquiry with Loan Finder Store. Enquiring is not a full application, your details are not scattered to a stack of lenders, and a real person works on your file. Be accurate with your answers and the right match is easier to find.
How it works, step by step
- 1
Weigh the load
Add the trailer's tare and the heaviest thing you will put on it.
- 2
Match the tow vehicle
Check braked towing capacity and towbar rating.
- 3
Choose the type
Pick plant, box, tipper or enclosed for the work you do.
- 4
Apply
Enquire through Loan Finder Store, ideally with the tow vehicle in the picture.
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance a trailer on its own?
Yes, trailers can be financed separately, though many tradies bundle them with the tow vehicle. Which is better depends on the price, your deposit and how you want the repayments to sit.
What is aggregate trailer mass?
It is the maximum loaded mass of the trailer, including its own weight and the load, set by the manufacturer and shown on the compliance plate. It must sit within your tow vehicle's rated capacity.
Do I need brakes on my trailer?
Larger trailers are generally required to have brakes, and the threshold is set by state and territory road rules. Check with your road authority before buying so the trailer suits your tow vehicle.
Is a trailer treated as plant or a vehicle?
It depends on how it is used and classed. Your accountant can advise on depreciation and claims. For finance, a trailer is generally treated as a vehicle asset.
Is a second-hand trailer harder to finance?
Age and condition affect terms, and private sales need extra paperwork. A trailer with clear identification and a good history is easier to assess.