Why hire from a local owner?
Hiring from a local owner can work out cheaper than a hire yard, with more choice and more flexible pickup times. TrailerConnect connects you with local owners who list their trailers when they're not using them.
Step 1: Choose the right trailer type
The most common trailer types available for hire in Australia are:
- Cage trailers: best for garden waste, tip runs, furniture moves, and general hauling. A common type.
- Box trailers: enclosed sides, good for everyday loads. Lighter than cage trailers.
- Enclosed trailers: fully weatherproof and lockable. Ideal for motorcycles, fragile items, or secure storage.
- Car trailers: designed to transport vehicles. Usually include ramps and tie-down points.
- Flat-top trailers: no sides, good for oversized or odd-shaped loads like machinery, building supplies, and boats.
- Camping trailers: off-road capable, designed for weekend adventures with gear storage.
Step 2: Check your vehicle's towing capacity
Before booking, check that your vehicle is set up to tow the trailer. Key specs to check:
- GTM (Gross Trailer Mass): total weight of the loaded trailer. Check it against your vehicle's towing capacity.
- Ball size: tow balls come in different sizes. Check your vehicle's tow bar specification and ask the owner what the trailer uses.
- Trailer plug type: connectors vary between trailers and vehicles. Check what your vehicle has and ask the owner what the trailer has.
Your vehicle's towing capacity is in its owner's manual or on a compliance plate in the engine bay.
Step 3: Do you need electric brakes?
There are rules about when a trailer needs brakes and when the towing vehicle needs a brake controller, and they differ between states. Check with your state road authority. If the trailer you're hiring has electric brakes, your car needs a compatible brake controller, so ask the owner what the trailer has and check your vehicle's owner's manual before you book.
Step 4: Book your trailer
On TrailerConnect, you can use Instant Book to confirm immediately without waiting for owner approval, which is handy for last-minute hire. For trailers without Instant Book, send a request and the owner will get back to you.
Step 5: Pickup and return
Once your booking is confirmed, contact the owner to arrange a pickup time. Take photos of the trailer before you attach it. This protects both parties if there's any dispute about damage. Return the trailer on time and in clean condition.
How much does trailer hire cost in Australia?
On TrailerConnect, trailer hire starts from around $25 a day for basic cage or box trailers. Each owner sets their own price, and the listing shows the current one. Enclosed and specialty trailers usually cost more, and hiring from a local owner can work out cheaper than a hire yard.