Car trailer hire in Ballarat
Ballarat and the Central Victorian goldfields have a strong classic-car, 4WD and motorsport community, and not a lot of flexible car-trailer hire. Peer-to-peer fills that gap: 16-foot car trailers from around $99 a day, picked up locally at Smythesdale (about 20 minutes south-west of the Ballarat CBD), with a second option up at Bendigo.
Browse Smythesdale car trailers, or see the Maiden Gully / Bendigo option if you're further north.
How much does car trailer hire cost in Ballarat?
Each owner sets their own price, and the listing shows the current one. As a rough starting point:
- 16' car trailer (4.2m): from around $99 a day, with tie-down straps and a 12V electric winch. Suits a sedan, hatch or light 4WD
- 16' beavertail car trailer (4.8m): from around $99 a day. Low beavertail load angle for sports cars, lowered vehicles and machinery, with straps and a 12V winch included
- Car trailer, Bendigo (Maiden Gully): from around $100 a day, the Central Victoria alternative if you're north of Ballarat
Hiring from a local owner can work out cheaper than a commercial yard, and it can save you a drive to Melbourne for a car trailer.
Why hire a car trailer locally
Car transport around Ballarat often goes one of two ways: an expensive tow truck, or a long drive to a Melbourne depot to collect a trailer. A local peer-to-peer car trailer removes both problems. You collect it minutes away, keep it for the day (or the weekend), and return it to the same spot. When the winch and straps come with it, a non-running project car can be a one-person job.
What you can move
- Classic & project cars, the beavertail's low angle suits lowered and non-running vehicles
- Track & motorsport days, Winton, Phillip Island and Sandown runs
- 4WDs & utes, recovery and transport across the goldfields
- Small machinery, ride-on mowers and compact equipment on the flat deck
How it compares
- TrailerConnect (Smythesdale): local pickup, online booking, and the listing sets out what comes with the trailer
- Ballarat commercial yards: rates, pickup hours and conditions vary, so check with the yard
- Tow truck / transport service: convenient, but usually dearer for a short local move
- Melbourne depot: a cheaper daily rate maybe, but the drive each way plus fuel can cancel out the saving
Towing rules in Victoria
- Towing speeds: there are road rules about how fast you can travel when towing, and they differ between states. Drive to the conditions when loaded
- Licences and towing capacity: there are rules about what you can tow on your licence, and your tow vehicle has its own rated towing capacity. Check the owner's manual and the compliance plate
- Trailer brakes: there are rules about when a trailer needs brakes, and your vehicle may need a compatible brake controller. The trailer's compliance plate and the trailer's owner can tell you what that trailer needs
- Securing the load and safety chains: there are rules about tying a load down and about chains. Check the current rules with VicRoads before you tow
How to book
Search Smythesdale (Ballarat) or Maiden Gully (Bendigo) at trailerconnect.com.au. Confirm and pay online, arrange pickup with the owner via in-app messaging, and return to the same spot. Not sure your vehicle can tow it? The size guide and safe-towing guide cover weights and setup.