Guides

Buying guides, specification references and straight answers for trailers and trailer parts in Australia. Written for people who actually tow.

How to Check if a Trailer is RAV-Listed Before Buying

Learn to verify Australian trailer compliance via the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) to avoid non-compliant purchases in 2026.

6 min read

VSB1 Revision 6: What New Trailer Buyers Must Check

Australia's updated VSB1 Rev 6 and RAV entry rules explained for buyers of low-ATM box, plant and car trailers. Know what to verify before purchase or registration.

5 min read

Trailer Registration by State: Registered, Unregistered, Conditional and What to Do After You Buy

Australian trailer registration status, state inspection terminology, the federal RAV change and the steps to transfer a used trailer after buying.

5 min read

Trailer Maintenance Checklist: Bearings, Brakes, Tyres, Lights, Coupling and Chains

A practical trailer maintenance checklist covering wheel bearings, brake systems, tyres, lights and wiring, coupling wear, and safety chains, for any trailer type.

5 min read

What It Costs to Hire a Trailer in Australia: Day, Weekend and Week Rates

Indicative Australian day, weekend and week trailer hire rates, with typical bonds for box, car carrier, camper, horse float and boat trailers.

5 min read

Trailer Brake Requirements in Australia: Unbraked, Override and Electric, by Mass

Australian trailer brake requirements by mass, including override and electric brakes, breakaway systems and the GTM thresholds that apply.

4 min read

Horse Floats: Angle Load vs Straight Load, Weights and Safety Checks

Compare angle-load and straight-load horse floats, weight and axle choices, plus the critical safety checks to make before buying.

4 min read

Hiring Out Your Trailer: Pricing, Bonds, Damage and What to Put in Writing

How trailer owners can set hire rates, choose a bond or damage-waiver model, check insurance and document each handover.

5 min read

Car Carriers and Tilt Trailers: Beavertail vs Hydraulic Tilt vs Low-Profile

Compare beavertail, hydraulic tilt and low-profile car trailers, including loading angle, towing mass, brakes and used-carrier checks.

4 min read

Camper Trailers and Off-Road Campers: What to Check Before Buying Used

Soft floor vs hard floor camper trailers, fold types, off-road and hybrid designs, and what to inspect on a used camper trailer before you buy.

5 min read

Buying a Used Trailer: The PPSR Check, VIN and Compliance Plate

How to run a PPSR search on a trailer before you pay, match the VIN or chassis number to the compliance plate, and what to check on an older or individually-built trailer.

4 min read

Box Trailer Buyer's Guide: Sizes, Single vs Tandem, Cage and Galvanised vs Painted

How to choose a box trailer: common 6x4 and 8x5 sizes and their ATM tiers, single vs tandem axle, cage height options, and galvanised vs painted steel finishes.

4 min read

Boat Trailer Guide: Roller vs Skid, Alloy vs Galvanised, and Matching to Hull Length

How to choose a boat trailer: roller vs skid trailers, aluminium vs galvanised steel construction, matching to hull length, and saltwater care.

4 min read

ATM vs GTM Explained: Matching a Trailer to Your Car and Towball

What ATM and GTM actually mean, how to work out GTM from a listing's ATM and ball weight, and how to check a trailer against your vehicle's towing capacity and towball rating.

4 min read