Trailer sizes at a glance
In Australia, trailer dimensions are typically quoted as length × width in feet or metres. The most common sizes for cage and box trailers are 6×4, 7×4, 8×5, and 10×5. Here's what each size is good for.
6×4 trailer (approx 1.8m × 1.2m)
The smallest common trailer size. Good for:
- Small tip runs (one load of green waste or rubbish)
- Moving small furniture — one or two armchairs, a small bookcase
- Carrying bags of soil, mulch, or sand (limited payload)
Typical ATM: 500–750kg. Suitable for small cars and SUVs.
7×4 trailer (approx 2.1m × 1.2m)
Slightly larger, still easy to manoeuvre. Good for:
- Medium tip runs
- One to two pieces of flat-pack furniture
- Small motorbikes or ride-on mowers
Typical ATM: 750–1,000kg.
8×5 trailer (approx 2.4m × 1.5m)
The most popular hire size in Australia. Good for:
- Bedroom or lounge room moves
- Large tip runs
- Fridge, washing machine, couch — most household appliances and furniture
- Ride-on mowers and small ATVs
Typical ATM: 750–1,500kg. Works with most SUVs and utes. The 8×5 hits the sweet spot of capacity and tow-ability.
10×5 or 10×6 trailer (approx 3m × 1.5m+)
Large trailer for big jobs. Good for:
- Full household moves
- Large garden clean-ups
- Carrying multiple large items in one trip
Typical ATM: 1,500–2,000kg+. Requires a vehicle with adequate towing capacity.
Choosing by job type
| Job | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Small tip run | 6×4 or 7×4 |
| Bedroom furniture move | 8×5 |
| Full house move | 10×5 or 10×6 |
| Single motorbike | 6×4 enclosed or 7×4 |
| Car transport | Dedicated car trailer |
| Building materials | 8×5 flat-top or cage |
A tip on height
For cage trailers, the cage height matters too. Standard cage height is around 300–600mm. If you're loading bulky, light items (furniture, packing boxes), a higher cage keeps items contained. For heavy, dense loads like soil or rubble, lower sides are often easier to load over.