Trailers are financed the same way as trucks and other commercial assets — usually via a chattel mortgage, with the lender funding the purchase and you owning the trailer from settlement. Because a trailer is often bought alongside a prime mover, it's easy to assume the two have to be financed together, but that's not the case: a trailer can be its own finance contract with its own term, rate and balloon, which is useful when you're adding a unit to an existing fleet rather than buying a complete new rig.
Flat-tops, tautliners, curtain-siders, tippers, drop-decks and refrigerated trailers are all financeable, new or used. Trailers tend to hold their value well when maintained, which is why longer terms and balloon structures are commonly available — the calculator above lets you model either.
For a trailer used in the business, the interest portion of chattel mortgage repayments is generally tax deductible, and the trailer itself is typically depreciable. Confirm your position with your accountant.
Yes — trailers are commonly financed as a standalone asset, separate from the truck or prime mover pulling them. This is useful when you're adding a trailer to an existing fleet or replacing one unit without touching the rest of your equipment.
Some lenders will combine a truck and trailer into a single finance contract if they're purchased together, which can simplify admin, though many operators prefer to finance them separately so each asset's term matches its own expected working life. Try our truck finance calculator alongside this one to compare.
Flat-tops, tautliners, curtain-siders, tippers, drop-decks, refrigerated trailers and specialised trailers are all financeable, new or used, through a dealer or private sale.
Trailer finance terms commonly run from 1 to 7 years. Because well-maintained trailers last a long time, longer terms and balloon structures are often available — but matching the term to your actual usage plans usually gives the most sensible overall cost.
For a trailer used in the business, the interest portion of chattel mortgage repayments is generally deductible and the trailer itself typically depreciable. Confirm your specific position with your accountant.
No dealer requirement at all — a dealer sale, private sale, buying from a friend or relative, even a Facebook Marketplace listing, are all fine. Private sales just involve a couple of extra verification steps that we handle for you before settlement.