How to move house with a trailer: the complete checklist

Decide whether a trailer suits the move

A trailer works particularly well for smaller homes, apartment moves, local moves, and moves that can be completed over several trips. Large homes, long-distance moves, or moves involving very heavy furniture may be better suited to a removal truck or professional movers.

Work out what size trailer you need

• List bulky items first: mattresses, couches, whitegoods, desks, and outdoor gear.
• Measure the largest items rather than relying on labels such as “large trailer”.
• Compare those measurements with the trailer’s internal dimensions.
• Check the trailer’s payload and aggregate trailer mass (ATM), not just its physical size.
• Consider whether tall furniture can be transported safely without projecting excessively above the trailer.
• Estimate the number of trips and include the journey to return the trailer to its owner.

A cage trailer can suit bulky furniture that will be protected and securely restrained. An enclosed trailer offers more protection from weather and road debris, but its door opening and internal height may limit what fits. Compare both options in the box vs cage trailer guide, and check weight terms in the trailer weight guide.

Before you book

• Measure your largest furniture and check doors, lifts, stairwells, corridors, driveways, and parking access at both properties.
• Confirm the trailer’s expected loaded mass and ball load stay within your vehicle and towbar limits. Do not assume a higher-ATM trailer is fine just because you plan to load it lightly.
• Check whether your towbar and electrical plug are compatible with the trailer.
• Confirm whether the trailer has brakes and whether your vehicle has any required brake controller.
• Check access and legal parking at both properties.
• Check whether you need to supply your own straps, blankets, trolley, or mattress covers.
• Choose a hire period that allows enough time for collection, loading, travel, unloading, and returning the trailer. Allow a buffer for traffic, access delays, and additional trips rather than planning to return at the last minute.

Compare the trailer’s size, payload, location, availability, and included or optional equipment, not just its price per 24-hour period. Owners may offer items such as straps, blankets, or a trolley as optional extras, but availability varies by listing.

One week before moving

• Confirm the trailer booking, collection instructions, and return time and location.
• Book any lifts, loading bays, or other building access required at either property.
• Arrange enough people to move heavy and awkward items safely.
• Gather rated load-restraint straps, blankets, a suitable trolley, mattress covers, and packing materials.
• Check the route, legal parking, driveway access, and a safe place to load and unload.
• Plan the load order and set aside essentials that must remain accessible.

Packing and staging

• Pack boxes tightly and label rooms clearly.
• Stage items near the door in load order: heavy and awkward first.
• Have rated load-restraint straps, protective blankets, and any trolley ready.
• Use rated load-restraint straps to secure the load. Ropes, elastic cords, blankets, and the trailer’s sides should not be relied on as the primary restraint.
• Protect mattresses and polished furniture from rub marks.
• Set aside a “first night” box so it is not buried on the trailer.

Moving appliances

Empty and defrost refrigerators and freezers before moving day. Secure appliance doors and protect power cords. Keep appliances upright where required by the manufacturer, and use a suitable trolley and enough people to move them safely. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before reconnecting an appliance that has been tilted or laid down.

Loading and securing the trailer

Keep weight low and balanced

Position heavier items low and close to the trailer axle or axles, with the load distributed evenly from side to side. Arrange the load so the trailer maintains an appropriate positive ball load without exceeding the trailer, towbar, or vehicle limits.

Trailer loads must remain restrained during normal driving, including braking, accelerating, cornering, and travelling over uneven roads. They must stay within applicable mass limits and must not dangerously overhang or obscure lights, reflectors, or the number plate. See the National Transport Commission's Load Restraint Guide for Light Vehicles for national guidance.

• Use rated restraints attached to suitable tie-down points, and secure items so they cannot slide, tip, bounce, or fall from the trailer during normal driving.
• Strap tall items against tipping.
• Secure drawers, cupboard doors, and appliance doors.
• Do not use loose furniture or boxes as wedges instead of restraints.
• Use blankets between furniture surfaces.
• Cover loose or lightweight material where necessary.
• Avoid overhanging loads where possible. Projection limits, warning flags, and lighting requirements vary, so check the road authority rules for the state or territory in which you will travel.

Final checks before leaving

• Complete the required pickup photos and report any existing damage before starting the hire.
• Check that the coupling is correctly latched and the safety chains are attached.
• Check that the electrical plug is connected and the lights and indicators work.
• Raise and secure the jockey wheel, and check that the tyres appear serviceable.
• Confirm the load is restrained and the number plate, lights, and reflectors remain visible.
• Walk around the vehicle and trailer to check that doors are closed and nothing has been left loose.

On the road

• Allow longer braking distances and wider turns.
• Take corners and speed bumps slowly when the trailer is heavily loaded.
• Never allow anyone to ride in the trailer.
• Do not drive when tired after a long day of lifting and loading.
• Stop safely if the trailer begins swaying; do not try to correct sway by accelerating.
• Recheck restraints after the first short section of the journey and at each stop.
• Plan fuel, tip, or hard-rubbish stops before you are already tired.
• If you need to reverse into a driveway, read how to reverse a trailer before moving day.

Unloading safely

• Park in a safe, legal location on firm and level ground where possible.
• Keep children, pets, and bystanders away from the unloading area.
• Release restraints carefully in case an item has shifted against them during the journey.
• Unload in a sequence that keeps the remaining load stable and balanced.
• Use a suitable trolley and enough people for heavy or awkward furniture and appliances.
• Keep doors, corridors, stairs, and ramps clear of packing materials and trip hazards.
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions before reconnecting an appliance that was tilted or laid down.

Return checklist

• Sweep out dust, leaves, and packing debris.
• Return straps and extras that came with the listing.
• Check the trailer for personal belongings before returning it.
• Complete the required return photos after unloading, showing the trailer empty and its condition at return.
• Return the trailer to the agreed location and in the condition required by the listing.
• Return on time and message the owner if traffic will make you late.
• Leave a review once the hire is complete. It helps the next hirer.

Moving house with a trailer FAQ

What size trailer do I need for moving house?

Measure your largest items and compare them with the trailer’s internal dimensions, door opening, payload, and ATM. The right size also depends on your vehicle’s towing limits and how many trips you can make.

Is a cage or enclosed trailer better for moving?

A cage trailer can be practical for securely restrained bulky furniture, while an enclosed trailer provides more weather and road-debris protection. Check the usable dimensions, payload, tie-down points, and loading access of the individual trailer.

Can I move a mattress in a trailer?

Yes, if it fits safely, is protected from dirt and weather, and is restrained so it cannot shift, bend dangerously, or catch the wind. Avoid unsafe projections and check the rules that apply along your route.

How do I secure furniture in a trailer?

Use rated restraints attached to suitable tie-down points. Secure furniture against sliding, tipping, bouncing, and falling, and do not rely on ropes, elastic cords, blankets, trailer sides, or other furniture as the primary restraint.

Where should heavy furniture be placed?

Position heavier items low and close to the axle or axles, balance the load from side to side, and maintain an appropriate positive ball load without exceeding any trailer, towbar, or vehicle limit.

Can a fridge be transported in a trailer?

Yes, when it is emptied, defrosted, protected, and secured. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about orientation during transport and how long to wait before reconnecting a fridge that has been tilted or laid down.

How many trips will a house move take?

Estimate the usable trailer space and payload against the volume and weight of your belongings. Include loading and unloading time, each return journey, and the final trip to return the trailer.

Do I need straps when hiring a trailer?

You need suitable rated restraints for the load. Check the listing before collection because straps and other moving equipment may be included, offered as optional extras, or need to be supplied by you.

Can someone ride in the trailer?

No. Never allow a person to travel in a trailer while it is being towed.

What should I check before towing a moving trailer?

Check the coupling, safety chains, electrical connection, lights, indicators, jockey wheel, tyres, load restraints, and visibility of the lights, reflectors, and number plate. Complete the required pickup photos and report existing damage before starting the hire.