Why Melbourne Is One of Australia's Busiest Trailer Hire Markets
Melbourne's sprawling suburbs, constant renovation culture, and love of weekend markets make it one of the highest-demand cities for trailer hire in the country. Whether you're moving out of a Fitzroy share house, hauling mulch to a Bayside garden, or picking up a marketplace find from a warehouse in Dandenong South, chances are you'll need a trailer — and you'll need one close by.
The good news? Melbourne's sheer size means there are trailers available in almost every pocket of the city. The challenge is knowing what to expect on price, which trailer type suits your job, and how to navigate Melbourne's unique road conditions. This guide covers all of it.
Typical Trailer Hire Prices Across Melbourne
Melbourne trailer hire prices vary based on trailer type, hire duration, and whether you're renting from a commercial depot or a private owner. Peer-to-peer platforms like TrailerConnect typically offer lower rates because owners set competitive prices and you're not paying for depot overheads.
Here's a realistic snapshot of what Melbourne hirers can expect to pay in 2024–2025:
| Trailer Type | Commercial Depot (per day) | Peer-to-Peer / TrailerConnect (per day) | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6×4 Cage Trailer | $50 – $80 | $30 – $55 | Tip runs, small moves, garden waste |
| 7×5 Box Trailer | $60 – $90 | $40 – $65 | Furniture moves, market stalls |
| 8×5 Tandem Trailer | $85 – $130 | $55 – $90 | Larger household moves, building materials |
| Car Trailer / Tilt Tray | $120 – $200 | $80 – $140 | Vehicle transport, machinery |
| Enclosed Trailer | $100 – $170 | $65 – $120 | Weatherproof moves, equipment |
| Motorbike Trailer | $60 – $90 | $35 – $60 | Bike transport, track days |
Pro tip: Multi-day hires almost always bring the daily rate down. If you're doing a weekend move, booking for two or three days on TrailerConnect is often cheaper per day than a single-day commercial hire.
Suburb-by-Suburb Availability: Where to Find Trailers
Melbourne's trailer supply isn't evenly spread. Here's what availability typically looks like across the city's key regions:
Northern Suburbs (Coburg, Thomastown, Epping, Craigieburn)
High availability of cage and box trailers. The northern corridor has a strong tradesperson population, so you'll often find well-maintained tandem and flatbed trailers listed by owner-operators. Proximity to the Epping tip at 115 Cooper Street makes this a hotspot for weekend waste runs.
Eastern Suburbs (Box Hill, Ringwood, Bayswater, Lilydale)
Good range of general-purpose trailers. The outer east — particularly around Bayswater and Boronia — is popular for car trailers due to the number of home mechanics and car enthusiasts in the area. If you need a trailer for a Yarra Valley winery pickup, hiring from Lilydale or Mooroolbark saves you towing through congested inner roads.
South-Eastern Suburbs (Dandenong, Cranbourne, Berwick, Pakenham)
One of Melbourne's fastest-growing corridors, with strong demand and increasing supply. Dandenong South's industrial precinct means commercial-grade trailers (flatbeds, car carriers) are often available. New estates in Clyde and Officer generate constant moving demand — book early on weekends.
Western Suburbs (Footscray, Sunshine, Werribee, Melton)
Growing availability, particularly in the Werribee–Melton growth corridor. Box trailers dominate here. The West Gate Freeway can be a bottleneck, so if your job is west of the Maribyrnong River, hire from a western suburb rather than towing across the city.
Inner City & Bayside (South Melbourne, St Kilda, Brighton, Moorabbin)
Fewer trailers listed per capita, but still accessible. Parking restrictions and narrow streets in suburbs like Prahran and Richmond can make pickup logistics tricky — always confirm with the owner where you'll collect and return the trailer. Moorabbin and Cheltenham tend to have better availability than the inner-city pockets.
Towing in Melbourne: Local Tips You Need to Know
1. Check Your Towing Capacity Before You Book
This sounds obvious, but it trips up Melbourne hirers constantly. A loaded 8×5 tandem trailer with household goods can easily weigh 1,500–2,000 kg. If you're driving a mid-size SUV like a RAV4 or CX-5, your braked towing capacity is typically around 1,500 kg — you may be right on the limit. Check your vehicle's towing specs in the owner's manual or on the compliance plate.
2. Plan Your Route Around Hook Turns and Tram Tracks
Melbourne's CBD hook turns are not trailer-friendly. If you can avoid driving through the Hoddle Grid with a trailer, do it. Use the CityLink tunnels or skirt around via the inner ring (Punt Road, Alexandra Parade, Flemington Road). Also be cautious on tram tracks in wet weather — steel rails become slippery and can catch trailer tyres at odd angles.
3. Know the Toll Roads
CityLink and EastLink both charge trailers. A standard car and trailer combination on CityLink can cost roughly double the car-only toll. If you don't have a Linkt account, you have three days to pay online after using the road. Factor toll costs into your budget — a round trip on CityLink with a trailer can add $15–$25.
4. Watch for Clearance Heights
If you're towing an enclosed trailer or have items stacked high in a cage trailer, be mindful of Melbourne's lower rail bridges. The Montague Street bridge in South Melbourne (officially 3.0 m clearance) is Australia's most-struck bridge for a reason. Other low-clearance spots include bridges on Racecourse Road in Flemington and several in the inner north.
5. Weekend Timing Matters
Saturday morning is peak hire time in Melbourne. If you can, pick up your trailer on Friday afternoon and return it Sunday — many TrailerConnect owners offer weekend rates that make this cost-effective. You'll also dodge the worst of Saturday morning traffic on the Monash, West Gate, and Eastern Freeways.
What to Look for When Hiring a Trailer in Melbourne
- Current registration: Victorian trailers over 750 kg GVM must be registered. Check the plate and rego sticker.
- Working lights: Test brake lights, indicators, and reflectors before you drive away. VicRoads requires all trailer lights to be functional.
- Tyre condition: Look for adequate tread depth (minimum 1.5 mm across the full width) and correct inflation. Melbourne's potholed roads are hard on trailer tyres.
- Safety chains: Must be crossed under the coupling and short enough to prevent the drawbar hitting the ground if the coupling fails.
- Tie-down points: Make sure there are enough anchor points for ratchet straps. Loose loads are both illegal and dangerous on Melbourne's busy freeways.
How TrailerConnect Makes Melbourne Trailer Hire Easier
TrailerConnect connects you directly with trailer owners in your suburb. Instead of driving 30 minutes to a hire depot, you can often find a trailer within a few kilometres of your home. The platform lets you filter by trailer type, price, location, and availability — so you can compare options and book with confidence.
For Melbourne owners, listing a trailer is a simple way to earn extra income from an asset that's otherwise sitting in the driveway. With demand strong across the city year-round (and peaking during summer moving season from November to February), even a modest 6×4 cage trailer can generate solid returns.
Final Checklist Before You Hire
- Confirm your vehicle's towing capacity and towbar rating.
- Decide on the right trailer size for your load — don't oversize and waste money, or undersize and make two trips.
- Check your route for low bridges, toll roads, and tram-heavy streets.
- Inspect the trailer's rego, lights, tyres, and tie-down points at pickup.
- Photograph the trailer before and after your hire for peace of mind.
- Return it clean — removing debris takes five minutes and keeps the community running smoothly.
Melbourne has no shortage of jobs that call for a trailer. With the right preparation and a smart choice on where to hire, you'll save time, money, and a lot of hassle.