Car Trailer Hire in Australia: How to Transport Your Vehicle

Why hire a car trailer?

Whether you're buying a project car interstate, relocating for work, taking a vehicle to a mechanic across town, or hauling a non-running car to the wreckers, hiring a car trailer is often the most affordable and flexible way to move a vehicle. Professional car transport services can charge $500–$2,000+ for interstate moves, and you're at the mercy of their schedule. With a hired car trailer, you control the timing, the route, and the cost.

Peer-to-peer platforms like TrailerConnect make it easy to find a car trailer near you, often for a fraction of what traditional hire yards charge. But before you book, you need to understand the different trailer types, towing requirements, and safety considerations involved in transporting a vehicle on a trailer.

Types of car trailers available for hire

Not all car trailers are created equal. The right choice depends on the vehicle you're transporting, your tow vehicle's capacity, and the distance you're travelling.

Open car trailers (flatbed and tilt-bed)

These are the most common car trailers you'll find for hire. They feature a flat deck, typically 4.0–5.0 metres long, with ramps or a tilt mechanism for loading. Most have tie-down points and wheel chocks built in. An open car trailer typically weighs 700–1,200 kg empty (known as the tare weight), which means your tow vehicle needs to handle both the trailer and the car's weight combined.

Best for: Running vehicles, short to medium distances, budget-conscious hirers.

Enclosed car trailers

Enclosed trailers offer full protection from weather, road debris, and prying eyes. They're heavier — typically 1,000–1,800 kg tare — and generate more wind resistance, which increases fuel consumption. These are less common on peer-to-peer platforms but worth seeking out for valuable or classic cars.

Best for: Classic cars, high-value vehicles, long-distance transport, wet weather.

Car carrier trailers with winch

If the vehicle you're transporting doesn't run, you'll need a trailer equipped with a winch. Electric winches can pull a non-running car up the ramps without any drama. Some tilt-bed trailers can also accommodate non-runners using gravity and a winch combination.

Best for: Non-running vehicles, project cars, accident-damaged vehicles.

Tow dollies

A tow dolly lifts only the front (or rear) wheels of the car off the ground, with the other axle rolling on the road. They're lighter and cheaper but aren't suitable for AWD or 4WD vehicles, and they put kilometres on the transported car's drivetrain. They're also less stable at highway speeds.

Best for: Front-wheel-drive vehicles over short distances only.

Car trailer types at a glance

Note: Hire costs vary by location and availability. Prices on TrailerConnect are set by individual owners and are often more competitive than commercial hire yards.

Towing requirements and legal considerations

This is where many people come unstuck. Towing a car on a trailer creates a serious combined load, and Australian road rules are strict about weight limits.

Know your tow vehicle's limits

Every vehicle has a maximum towing capacity listed in the owner's manual or on the compliance plate. For car trailer work, you need to check two figures:

• Gross towing capacity (GTC): The maximum weight the vehicle can tow. For a car trailer carrying a typical sedan (1,200–1,600 kg) plus the trailer itself (800–1,200 kg), you need a tow vehicle rated for at least 2,400–2,800 kg.
• Gross combination mass (GCM): The maximum combined weight of your tow vehicle (fully loaded with passengers, fuel, and cargo) plus the trailer and its load. Exceeding GCM is illegal and dangerous, even if you're under the individual towing capacity.

Most standard family SUVs have a towing capacity of 2,000–3,500 kg, which is adequate for most car trailers. A Toyota HiLux, for example, is rated at 3,500 kg towing capacity, making it a popular choice. A small hatchback rated at 1,200 kg is not going to cut it.

Towball weight

The towball download weight (also called tongue weight) should be approximately 10% of the total trailer weight. Most tow vehicles are rated for 150–350 kg of towball weight. Exceeding this puts dangerous stress on the rear of the tow vehicle and affects steering.

Licence requirements

In all Australian states and territories, a standard car licence (Class C) allows you to tow a trailer with a GVM (gross vehicle mass) up to 4,500 kg, provided the trailer's GVM doesn't exceed the tow vehicle's rated capacity. Most car trailers fall well within this limit. However, if you're hiring a very large enclosed trailer, double-check the GVM on the trailer's compliance plate.

Electric brakes

Australian law requires trailers with a GTM (gross trailer mass) over 2,000 kg to have brakes. Trailers over 750 kg GTM should also have brakes in most states. Most car trailers are fitted with electric brakes, which means your tow vehicle needs an electric brake controller installed. If you don't already have one, expect to pay $150–$400 for supply and installation at an auto electrician. Some trailer owners on TrailerConnect note in their listings whether the trailer has electric brakes, so check before you book.

How to safely load a car onto a trailer

Loading is the most dangerous part of the process. Follow these steps carefully:

1. Park on flat, firm ground. Never load a car onto a trailer on a slope or soft surface. The trailer must be level and the handbrake firmly applied on the tow vehicle.
2. Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle first. An unconnected trailer can tip backwards when you drive a car onto it, even with a prop stand.
3. Deploy ramps fully. Make sure ramps are locked in place and sitting flat on the ground. If using a tilt-bed, ensure the latch mechanism is released and the bed is tilted.
4. Drive on slowly and straight. Use a spotter if possible. Keep the wheels centred on the ramps. First gear or low-range is your friend.
5. Position the car correctly. The heaviest part of the vehicle (usually the engine) should be towards the front of the trailer, over or slightly ahead of the axle. This ensures proper towball weight distribution.
6. Secure the vehicle. Use a minimum of four ratchet tie-down straps — two at the front and two at the rear. Strap over the tyres or through the wheels, or use designated recovery points. Never strap to suspension components, steering arms, or plastic body parts.
7. Engage the handbrake and leave the car in gear (or Park for automatics).
8. Stow the ramps and double-check all connections before driving.

Tips for towing a car trailer on the road

Towing a loaded car trailer is a different driving experience. The combined length can be 9–11 metres, and total weight often exceeds 3,500 kg. Here's how to stay safe:

• Reduce your speed. Most states set a maximum towing speed of 100 km/h, but 80–90 km/h is often safer with a heavy load, especially in crosswinds.
• Increase following distance. Allow at least 4–5 seconds of gap. Your braking distance with a loaded trailer can double.
• Brake early and gently. Sudden braking can cause the trailer to jack-knife. If the trailer starts to sway, ease off the accelerator — don't brake hard.
• Watch your mirrors constantly. If you don't have towing mirrors, buy or hire clip-on extenders. You need clear rearward vision past the trailer.
• Plan your fuel stops. Expect fuel consumption to increase by 30–50%. A vehicle that normally uses 10 L/100 km might use 14–16 L/100 km while towing a loaded car trailer.
• Stop and check every 100 km. Walk around the trailer, check tie-down straps, tyre pressures, wheel nuts, and coupling. Heat-check the wheel hubs by hovering your hand near them — excessive heat can indicate bearing failure.

How much does car trailer hire cost in Australia?

Commercial hire yards typically charge $120–$200 per day for an open car trailer, with weekend and weekly rates offering slight discounts. One-way hires (picking up in one city and dropping off in another) often attract significant surcharges of $200–$500+.

On TrailerConnect, car trailer owners set their own prices, and you'll often find competitive rates starting from around $80–$150 per day. Because you're hiring from a local owner, you can also negotiate multi-day rates directly. The platform handles insurance and secure payments, so both parties are protected.

When comparing costs, factor in:

• Daily hire rate
• Security deposit (often $200–$500, refunded after return)
• Additional fuel consumption for towing
• Electric brake controller installation (if you don't have one)
• Tie-down straps (some owners include them; others don't)

What to check before hiring a car trailer

Before you confirm a booking, verify the following with the trailer owner:

• Deck length and width: Ensure your vehicle fits. Measure bumper-to-bumper and mirror-to-mirror. Most car trailers suit vehicles up to 4.8 m long, but longer utes or SUVs may need a larger trailer.
• Weight capacity: Check the trailer's ATM (aggregate trailer mass) or GTM on its compliance plate. It must exceed the combined weight of the trailer plus your car.
• Ramp style: Fold-down ramps, slide-out ramps, or tilt-bed? If your car has low ground clearance, a tilt-bed or beaver-tail design reduces the ramp angle.
• Winch availability: Essential for non-running vehicles.
• Tyre and light condition: Inspect tyres for wear and check that all lights (brake, indicator, tail) work before leaving.
• Coupling type: Most car trailers use a standard 50 mm ball coupling, but some heavier trailers may use a different hitch type.

Final thoughts

Hiring a car trailer doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With the right preparation — checking your tow vehicle's limits, choosing the correct trailer type, and loading the vehicle safely — you can transport a car across town or across the country with confidence. TrailerConnect makes it straightforward to find a car trailer near you, compare options, and book directly with the owner. Just remember: safety first, and always double-check your numbers before you hit the road.