Chattel mortgage
Your business owns the trailer from day one and the lender holds security over it. The most common choice for trailers kept for many years.
Hitch up sooner
Trailer Finance for Australian Businesses
From a tandem box trailer to a set of B-double tippers, fund the trailer your work depends on without draining your cash.
Why finance a trailer
Why do businesses finance trailers instead of paying cash?
A trailer is easy to underestimate until you need one. For a landscaper it is how the bobcat gets to site. For a transport operator it is half of every load. And when one fails a roadworthy or gets written off, the work behind it stops quickly.
Paying cash for a trailer can tie up money you need for wages, fuel and supplier bills. Trailer finance spreads the cost over a term that matches the working life of the asset, so the trailer can help pay for itself while your bank balance stays healthy.
Because trailers carry a VIN and have a ready resale market, lenders generally treat them as solid security. That helps make trailer finance one of the more straightforward types of equipment finance to arrange quickly.
Trailer finance is a secured business loan or lease used to buy new or used trailers, from small plant and box trailers to semi-trailers and B-doubles. The trailer itself is the security, so approval can be quick. With the invoice, ID and bank statements ready, next-business-day settlement is possible for straightforward applications.
Pick your structure
Ways to finance a trailer
Most trailer purchases use one of three structures, each with a different approach to ownership.
Finance lease
The lender owns the trailer and leases it to you, with a residual at the end. Can suit fleets that rotate gear on a set cycle.
Bundled with the prime mover
Buying a truck and trailer together? They can often be financed as one deal, which keeps paperwork and approval simple.
What types of trailers can be financed?
Most road-registered trailers used for business can be considered, whether new from a manufacturer, from a dealer or, in many cases, from a private seller.
- Plant, tilt and beavertail trailers for machinery
- Tipper and dog trailers
- Box, cage and tradie trailers
- Refrigerated and pantech trailers
- Flat-top, drop-deck and extendable semi-trailers
- Car carriers, livestock crates and tankers
How fast can trailer finance be approved?
Quickly, when the paperwork is in order. Approval and settlement can move fast when the tax invoice or quote, your ID and recent bank statements are ready, and next-business-day settlement is possible for straightforward applications.
Imagine an earthmoving contractor who has just been asked to mobilise two machines to a regional job on Monday, but only owns one plant trailer. With the dealer's invoice and statements sent through on Thursday, there is a real chance of collecting the second trailer on Friday. If that sounds like your week, start the 60-second enquiry now.
Can I finance a used or privately sold trailer?
Yes. Used trailers are financed all the time, and many lenders will also fund private sales. They may ask for the VIN, a recent photo, proof the seller owns it and confirmation there is no money owing on it.
Older trailers can still qualify, though some lenders set age limits at the end of the term. Our guide to used equipment finance explains what lenders look for when an asset has a few years on it.
Apply today… cashed up tomorrow!
Need the gear on site this week?
Start the 60-second enquiry now. When your documents are ready and the deal is straightforward, being cashed up as soon as tomorrow is possible for eligible applicants.
Should I finance the truck and trailer together?
Often it makes sense. One application, one set of documents and one settlement can be quicker than two separate deals, and a lender may view a matched combination favourably because it is a complete earning unit.
If you are building a fleet, it is also worth thinking about terms. Trailers often outlast prime movers, so some operators prefer a longer term on the trailer. See truck finance and transport business loans for more on funding the whole operation.
What about registration, stamp duty and GST?
Registration and any stamp duty are set by your state or territory and are usually paid at purchase. Some lenders allow certain on-road costs to be included in the amount financed, so ask when you enquire.
On GST and tax, a registered business may be able to claim GST on the purchase and deduct related costs, but treatment depends on the structure you choose and your circumstances. Check with your accountant before you commit.
Can I get trailer finance with bad credit or no tax returns?
Often, yes. Trailers hold their value well, which gives lenders comfort even when the rest of the file is not perfect. Defaults, past arrears and ATO debt are considered case by case, and steady recent bank statements go a long way.
If your returns are behind, some lenders will assess you on bank statements and an income declaration instead. See low doc equipment finance and bad credit equipment finance for how those applications usually work.
Either way, the quickest path is honesty. Tell us about any issues at the start so we can go straight to lenders who will genuinely consider your trailer purchase.
Ready to get the trailer on the road?
Tell us what you are buying, who is selling it and when you need it. There is no credit check at the enquiry stage, and a real person reviews your situation rather than blasting it to every lender in the country.
Please fill in the details accurately so we can line up the right lender first time. All finance is subject to lender approval, but a complete picture gives you the best shot at a fast answer.
Trust and process
Clear, secure finance enquiries
Loanster keeps the enquiry process straightforward: no credit check to enquire, a real person looks at your situation, and your details are not sprayed out to a pile of lenders.
Secure online enquiry
Personal details are submitted through a secure form and are not sent through URL query strings.
Australian business context
Enquiries can include ABN, BAS, ATO, bank statement and asset details where relevant.
Lender criteria apply
Approval, pricing, loan amounts and funding times depend on lender assessment.
Clear next steps
Loanster helps identify what information may be needed before a lender can make a decision.
Common questions
Trailer Finance FAQs
Can I get finance on a small box trailer?
Yes, smaller business trailers can be financed, though for very low-cost trailers some owners find it simpler to bundle the purchase with other equipment. Ask us what makes sense for your amount.
Do I need a deposit for trailer finance?
Not always. Established businesses with good credit can sometimes borrow the full price, while newer businesses or those with credit issues may be asked for a deposit.
Can I finance a custom-built trailer?
Often, yes. Lenders may need the builder's invoice and specifications, and some will pay in stages during construction or on delivery.
Can a sole trader get trailer finance?
Yes. Sole traders with an ABN can apply, subject to lender approval. Recent bank statements help show the business can meet repayments.
How long can a trailer finance term be?
Terms vary by lender and asset age. Many terms run for several years, and a balloon can lower repayments if that suits your cash flow.
What slows trailer finance down?
Missing invoices, unclear ownership on private sales and incomplete bank statements are the usual culprits. Have them ready and settlement can be very quick.
Related finance options
Explore connected Loanster pages
Truck Finance for Owner-Drivers and Transport Businesses
A truck off the road is income off the books. Get a replacement or extra unit financed quickly, whether it's a prime mover, rigid or tipper.
Commercial Vehicle Loans
Finance eligible business vehicles such as cars, utes, vans and trucks with options suited to Australian business use.
Construction Equipment Finance for Builders and Civil Contractors
Won the tender, now you need the machine on site Monday. Construction equipment finance gets excavators, loaders and plant paid for fast.
Chattel Mortgage for Australian Businesses
Buy the vehicle or machine in your business name, take it home straight away and pay it off over a term that suits your cash flow.
All equipment loan options
See every equipment loan page on Loanster in one place.
Start your enquiry
See what you may qualify for
Tell Loanster what kind of finance you are looking for and the team will guide you through the next step. Please fill in the form accurately so we can match you first time. Finance is subject to lender approval, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions.
Prefer to talk? Call 03 9999 7370.
Last reviewed: 24 October 2026
Equipment finance enquiry
What are you buying?
Pick one to start. A real person reviews every enquiry.