Trailer hire prices on Local Trailer Hire are set by each owner and charged in 24-hour periods. Longer bookings may attract a lower daily rate. This guide covers typical rates, what affects the price, and how to compare listings fairly.
How 24-hour pricing works
A day means 24 hours, not a calendar day
Collecting a trailer in the late afternoon still gives you a full 24 hours from pick-up. A booking of up to 24 hours is charged as one period, while a booking longer than 24 hours and up to 48 hours is charged as two periods.
In this guide, 'per day' means per 24-hour period. Owners set their own base price and may offer lower daily rates for longer bookings. For example, one listing could display:
| Booking duration | Example daily rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 days | $59.90 per 24-hour period |
| 4 days or more | $47.92 per 24-hour period |
| 7 days or more | $41.93 per 24-hour period |
| 14 days or more | $35.94 per 24-hour period |
| 28 days or more | $29.95 per 24-hour period |
Example rates include the service fee and GST on that fee. Optional extras are not included. For longer hires, compare the total price and the effective daily rate. Don't just multiply the one-day rate.
Example hire calculations
These examples show how 24-hour pricing and duration discounts work. Actual prices vary by listing.
One-day hire
- Pick-up: Saturday at 9 am
- Return: Sunday at 9 am
- Hire duration: 24 hours
At $59.90 per 24-hour period, the hire price is $59.90.
Four-day hire
- Pick-up: Monday at 9 am
- Return: Friday at 9 am
- Hire duration: 4 days
If the owner offers a discounted rate of $47.92 per day for bookings of 4 days or more:
$47.92 × 4 days = $191.68
Without the duration discount, 4 days at $59.90 per day would cost $239.60.
Seven-day hire
- Pick-up: Monday at 9 am
- Return: The following Monday at 9 am
- Hire duration: 7 days
If the owner offers a discounted rate of $41.93 per day for bookings of 7 days or more:
$41.93 × 7 days = $293.51
These are illustrative examples only. Enter your actual pick-up and return times on the listing to see the live price.
What is included in the hire price?
The trailer owner sets the hire price and chooses what is included with the trailer.
Listings vary. A trailer may include equipment such as ramps, tie-down points, a cage, a jockey wheel, or other accessories. Some owners may also offer optional extras for an additional charge.
Check the individual listing before booking to see:
- what equipment is included
- whether any optional extras are available
- the trailer's dimensions and carrying capacity
- the total price for your selected hire period
Local Trailer Hire does not add a standard charge for straps, ramps, or similar equipment. Whether those items are included or optional depends on the owner.
Other costs to consider
The live booking total shows the price of hiring the trailer for your selected pick-up and return times, including any duration pricing set by the owner and any optional extras you select.
You may also need to budget separately for costs associated with your job, such as:
- fuel
- tolls
- waste disposal or tip fees
- parking
- separately purchased straps, covers, or loading equipment
These costs are not normally part of the trailer hire price.
Extra charges can apply if you extend the booking, return the trailer late, dirty, or damaged, or lose equipment. Check the listing and booking terms for details.
What affects the hire price?
| Factor | How it can affect the price |
|---|---|
| Trailer type | General-purpose box and cage trailers are often priced differently from enclosed, tipping, plant, or car trailers. |
| Size and capacity | Larger trailers and trailers designed to carry heavier loads may cost more. |
| Owner pricing | Similar trailers nearby can have different rates because each owner sets their own price. |
| Hire duration | Owners can offer lower daily rates once a booking reaches a set number of 24-hour periods. |
| Location and availability | Prices can vary between areas depending on the trailers and owners available nearby. |
| Included equipment | Equipment and features vary by listing. Some owners may include accessories or offer optional extras. |
| Specialised features | Enclosed bodies, hydraulic tipping, loading ramps, winches, and vehicle-carrying equipment may affect the rate set by the owner. |
Current trailer hire price examples
Based on 193 published Box, Cage, Enclosed, and Car trailer listings displayed on Local Trailer Hire on 1 August 2026. The figures below show each category's median advertised daily price and its middle 50% range, so unusually cheap or expensive listings do not distort the comparison.
| Trailer category | Middle 50% daily range | Median daily price | Listings sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box trailer | $41.93–$59.90 | $47.92 | 50 |
| Cage trailer | $47.92–$71.88 | $54.99 | 117 |
| Enclosed trailer | $71.88–$101.83 | $89.85 | 4 |
| Car trailer | $107.82–$143.76 | $131.78 | 22 |
What these prices include
Prices include the advertised daily rate, the 18% service fee, and GST on that fee. Optional Trailer Shield, delivery, accessories, cleaning charges, and other listing-specific extras are excluded. Prices and availability change, so check the live booking total for your dates before booking.
These are national category figures, not quotes for a particular suburb or date. Browse current listings to compare the trailers available near you.
How to compare trailer prices fairly
Enter the same pick-up and return times when comparing listings. A trailer with a higher one-day price may be cheaper for a longer booking if the owner offers stronger duration discounts.
Also compare:
- The total booking price, not only the headline daily rate.
- The number of 24-hour periods included.
- The trailer’s dimensions, ATM, and payload.
- Whether the trailer is suitable for your vehicle and load.
- What equipment or features are included.
- Whether optional extras are offered.
- The distance to the pick-up location.
- The listing’s cancellation and booking terms.
For longer bookings, check the effective daily rate. For example, a trailer advertised at $59.90 per day may fall to $41.93 per day for a booking of 7 days or more if the owner has set that discount.
Still deciding between trailer types? Start with box vs cage trailer and the trailer weight guide.
Ways to keep trailer hire costs down
- Search with your full hire dates so duration discounts show in the total. The discounted rate may not be apparent from the one-day price alone.
- Check nearby suburbs too — a short extra drive can save you a bit.
- Hire enough capacity for the job, but don't pay for much more than you need.
- Measure bulky items first; an undersized trailer can mean a second trip or another booking.
- Check what comes with the trailer. Included ramps or other equipment may save you from sourcing these separately.
- Plan loading and travel so you don't overrun the return time. Because bookings use 24-hour periods, going beyond the booked return time may require an extension.
- Where practical, complete multiple compatible jobs within the same booking period rather than arranging separate hires.
- For tip runs, check the waste facility's opening hours, accepted materials, and disposal charges before collecting the trailer.
Frequently asked questions
Is trailer hire charged by the hour or by the day?
Local Trailer Hire bookings are priced in 24-hour periods. Your booking price is calculated using the time between your selected pick-up and return.
Are longer trailer hires cheaper?
Often the daily rate is lower, but the total still rises with duration. Owners can discount at thresholds such as 4, 7, 14, or 28 days.
Who sets the trailer hire price?
Each trailer owner sets the price for their listing, including any longer-duration discounts.
Are straps and ramps included?
This varies by trailer. Owners choose what equipment is included and may choose to offer optional extras. Check the listing details before booking.
How can I see the exact price?
Enter your intended pick-up and return times on the listing. The live booking price will reflect the hire duration, the owner's pricing, and any optional extras selected.
Should I compare trailers using the daily rate?
Use both. Duration discounts mean the cheapest one-day hire may not be the cheapest week-long hire.
