Semis, tippers, floats and low loaders
Trailer finance for semis, tippers, reefers and low loaders.
Fund a single trailer or a matched set alongside the prime mover. Your broker structures both so the repayments fit the freight task.
What is a trailer finance?
Trailer finance is secured lending used to buy semi-trailers, tipper trailers, refrigerated units, low loaders, dog trailers and plant trailers, secured by the trailer itself over terms up to seven years. Trailers depreciate slowly and hold value well, which supports longer terms than most equipment.
Trailers are among the best security in equipment finance. A well-maintained curtainsider or tipper trailer can work for twenty years with routine maintenance, and its resale market is national and liquid. Lenders reflect that with long terms, competitive rates and a willingness to fund used trailers that would be unfundable in other asset classes. Refrigerated units are the exception — the fridge unit itself dates and is assessed separately from the box.
Most operators finance trailers alongside a prime mover, and there are two ways to do it. A single facility covering both is simpler and sometimes cheaper to establish; separate facilities let you keep a paid-off trailer when you upgrade the truck, which matters because trailers typically outlast two prime movers. Your broker sets out both and explains which suits your replacement cycle.
New-build trailers introduce a timing question, since Australian manufacturers often quote three to six month lead times with a deposit on order. Some financiers fund progress payments to the builder; others settle only on delivery, leaving the deposit to come from your own cash. Confirming which applies before you place the order avoids a working-capital surprise mid-build.
Trailer finance at a glance
| Amount | $15,000 – $1,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Term | 12–84 months |
| Rate type | Fixed |
| Indicative rates (Q3 2026) | 6.9% – 15.5% p.a. · see rate history |
| Security | Secured by the asset |
| Repayments | Monthly, with weekly and fortnightly available |
| Typical speed | 24–72 hours for established operators |
| Best for | Transport, civil and plant operators adding or replacing trailing equipment |
| Consider something else if | Very old or heavily modified trailers with limited resale demand |
| Tax | Interest and depreciation are generally deductible for business use, with GST usually claimable upfront under a chattel mortgage. Confirm with your accountant. |
Advantages
- Long terms supported by slow depreciation
- Used trailers widely financeable
- Can be funded with or separately from the prime mover
Trade-offs
- Refrigeration units are assessed separately and age faster
- Build deposits may not be financed on new orders
- Specialised or modified trailers narrow the lender pool
How to apply for a trailer finance
- 01
Specify the trailer
Type, build specification, axle configuration, year and condition, plus the freight task it will carry.
- 02
Decide combined or separate
Your broker compares funding the trailer with the prime mover against a standalone facility.
- 03
Settle on delivery
The financier pays the builder or seller, with progress payments where the lender supports them.
Documents lenders commonly ask for
- ABN and operator details
- Build quote or sale contract with VIN
- Bank statements or financials depending on the amount
What people finance with a trailer finance
Lenders we compare for this
TruCap, Metro Finance, Angle Finance, Flexicommercial and others on our panel. See the full panel.
Estimate your repayments
- Number of repayments
- 48
- Total interest (est.)
- $15,271
- Total repaid (est.)
- $90,271
This calculator provides an estimate only and does not account for fees, charges or the specific terms a lender may offer. It is not financial advice or an offer of finance.
Key terms
What is trailer finance?
Trailer finance is asset-backed business lending used to acquire semi-trailers, tippers, refrigerated trailers, low loaders and dog trailers. The trailer secures the loan, usually under a chattel mortgage over three to seven years.
Can a trailer and prime mover be financed together?
Yes. Lenders will fund a matched set under one facility, or as separate facilities so each asset can be upgraded independently. Separate facilities suit operators who replace prime movers more often than trailers.
How long can a trailer be financed for?
Terms of up to seven years are common for new trailers, and five to seven years for used units in sound condition, reflecting the long working life and steady resale values of Australian trailer stock.
Trailer finance FAQs
How old a truck will lenders finance?
Most heavy vehicle lenders look at the age of the truck at the end of the proposed term rather than its age today. A common ceiling is around 15 to 20 years at term end for a prime mover, with trailers often treated more generously because they hold value and have fewer mechanical parts. An older unit can still be financed, usually with a shorter term, a deposit or a higher rate, and sometimes with an inspection or valuation required.
Should the truck and the trailer be on the same contract?
They are usually written as separate contracts even when bought together, because the assets have different lives and resale patterns. That lets you set a longer term on the trailer and a shorter one on the prime mover, or pay one out ahead of the other. Some lenders will bundle them under a single master facility with two commitment schedules, which keeps the paperwork simple while preserving separate terms for each asset.