Is Renting out Your Trailer a Good Side Hustle?

noideaa on 01/01/2025 - 18:54
Last edited 02/01/2025 - 15:23

Hi, I am wondering whether if renting cage trailer is a good idea to make extra money when they're not in use? Are they in demand? I have 1 for gardening and thinking to get another one.

I looked at few local trailer hire websites and petrol stations and they're mostly advertising them (7x4 and above) over $70 to $100 a day.

Let's say that I'm happy to advertise my 7x4 galvanised trailer for $50 a day with option to use cage or not, how likely that I'll be getting multiple responses?
Thanks

EDIT -

Just want to say thank you for all the helpful advice everyone.

Education & Work Trailer

Comments

  • Nutrino on 01/01/2025 - 19:00
    +2

    Keep us updated on how you go.

    • noideaa on 01/01/2025 - 19:13

      That will be my goal/list to do for 2025.

      One problem about this is that I can’t seem to tell if those trailers out there are getting rented out everyday.

      • HeWhoKnows on 02/01/2025 - 09:29
        +3

        Have you checked with your insurance company?

        Make sure you are covered for "commercial" use of your trailers.

        You dont want to be held liable for any damage caused by your trailers when hired out.

        Also make sure you hold a decent deposit for either late or no return or damages.

        Normally this is done by holding credit card details with an authority to charge.

        Not sure if its easy to set up

        • noideaa on 02/01/2025 - 14:45

          I was thinking of just writing down their drivers license details, license plate and taking a deposit. Also, the security camera will face toward the trailer and the renter for evidence.

    • noideaa on 21/02/2025 - 18:53

      Just wanted to share an update on this.

      Advertised it 2 weeks ago on localtrailerhire.

      Got a response from a guy 3 days ago who rented it for a day.

      First customer and already one of the rubber handle got lost and there was a line of scratch on the bed. It took some effort to use the hard bristle broom and hose off the sticky liquid on the trailer.

      Looks like he was hauling away leaky rubbish bags but anyway, I guess you guys were right that they won’t take care of it :(

      https://i.ibb.co/8vfL925/IMG-9392.jpg
      https://i.ibb.co/C5n604sy/IMG-9359.jpg

  • holdenmg on 01/01/2025 - 19:13
    +5

    Have a look @ https://www.hiremytrailer.com.au/owner

    Think about the hire liability and what sort of contract there is between you and them.

    • noideaa on 02/01/2025 - 14:59

      Thanks I will keep that in mind.

  • JimmyF on 01/01/2025 - 19:14
    +9

    Let's say that I'm happy to advertise my 7x4 galvanised trailer for $50 a day with option to use cage or not, how likely that I'll be getting multiple responses?

    Insurance would be something to be looking into. Plus a tracking device.

    • simplystu on 01/01/2025 - 20:02

      100% that too.

    • El cheepo on 02/01/2025 - 01:18
      -2

      The problem with a tracking device is anyone thats planning on pinching a trailer will find it easy enough.

      Plus who is going to rent a cheap trailer and pay any attention to what ever document is given to them by the OP?
      Most people will be able to work out the cost of chasing someone through court vs writing off a stolen/damaged trailer doesn’t make it viable to chase them down if they don’t honour it.

      • JimmyF on 02/01/2025 - 10:51

        The problem with a tracking device is anyone thats planning on pinching a trailer will find it easy enough.

        So your advice is the OP shouldn't bother to do anything? Don't worry about having a rental agreement as no one reads them, don't worry about a tracking device, don't worry about chasing someone if they steal the trailer? Might as well not worry about insurance too?

        Cool. What is your rental company? I've got a few things things I need to rent!

        • El cheepo on 02/01/2025 - 11:46
          +1

          My advice to the OP is don’t bother.

          He will end up with a lost, damaged or stolen trailer.

          Sorry you took my comment to be a dig, its not.
          By all means the OP can add a tracker, just don’t expect it to do anything if someone other than a local loon steals it.

  • CyberMurning on 01/01/2025 - 19:15
    -2

    Is Renting out Your Trailer a Good Side Hustle?

    Yep. If i can renting out my own self i will too ie OF busines

  • MS Paint on 01/01/2025 - 19:19

    Don't forget you'll need to pay your nominal tax rate on any hire earnings.

  • Protractor on 01/01/2025 - 19:32
    +1

    Assuming your trailer is un-braked> Get good at all things wheel bearings.(knowing when they are ready to maintain,fail,repack,replace etc.
    Lawyers may love you (or your insurance company) if a poorly maintained trailer goes AWOL into someone else's,family,car,property. The person hiring won't give a stuff about clauses,disclaimers and load limits.
    Wear and tear will be yours to own and fix.Including broken lights,wiring,missing tailgates,dents,twists,spring wear etc.
    If it's every fourth Saturday that;s one thing.Every other day, you'll need to have a kitty for running repairs ready to go.
    Tracking onboard would need to be really obscure.

    If it has brakes add another ~10-25% to maintenance kitty.

    • noideaa on 02/01/2025 - 14:54

      Thanks. I'm ok with hundreds on annual service and collecting parts to maintain them. Insurance on the other hand…ugh, I will have to start quoting around.

    • sam-1966 on 02/01/2025 - 17:39

      With the mention of lights - what if the hirer doesn't plug the trailer in properly - what is the likelihood of being 'pinged' for not having lights on? It is your rego that will be photographed…

      • Protractor on 02/01/2025 - 17:41

        I guess the owner just nominates the (driver) hirer. They should have all the details on the paperwork.

  • GordonD on 01/01/2025 - 19:43
    +4

    Hire places are good places to find a trailer because that's where people hire things. And servos are because they're open all the time. You just drop in there, choose a size, hook it up, and drive away.

    Think about where and how you are going to make them available from your home. Is it only going to be by booking? Are you just going to leave them out in your front yard to advertise their availability, and for customers to collect them? Will there be an app for that? Where will you advertise? What if its not convenient for you to be around then? What about the right electrical plugs?

    I'd think this is a business you want as a sideline to an existing business, not create a business out of with just one or two trailers.

    • noideaa on 02/01/2025 - 15:02

      Yeah, it will be a side to supplement my income.

      I will be available 24/7, someone is at home when I'm out working. They just have to let me know the time so I know when to move it on my kerb spot for pickup and dropping it in the same spot.

      Trailer hire sites and facebook marketplace for now to see how it goes and I can buy the square and round plugs that comes together. Will add it in the details along with tarp, ratchet tie downs, bungees and wheel clamp for an additional cost.

      Leaving my trailers out on the front is out of question.

  • JIMB0 on 01/01/2025 - 20:23

    People will thrash your trailer.
    https://imgur.com/a/kKRcABV

    How about starting a business called 'Man with a trailer'.

  • djones145 on 01/01/2025 - 21:00
    +4

    create new business where people can hire trailers off people
    create app
    get catchy name like un-ber trailer
    advertise on ozbargain, 50 percent off for new customers
    get scale and customer base
    sell to uber
    $$$$$

  • cashless on 01/01/2025 - 21:44

    Username checks out

  • sumyungguy on 01/01/2025 - 23:29
    +1

    I know few vehicle owners with towbars who don't already own a trailer. But in my 'hood there are plenty of share houses without power garden equipment. And share-house renters are too tight to pay for contractor garden care. So I'm thinking cheap mower & strimmer rental may go better than trailers?

  • gee-man on 02/01/2025 - 09:46

    Don’t forget to pay taxes on your trailer rental income. Also insurance, maintenance, dealing with inquiries, etc. Your time has value, factor that in.

    Also worth having a plan for the “I’ll bring it back tomorrow, promise” customer who doesn’t pay you for the extra day(s), because really, what are you gonna do about it, take them to xCAT?

  • MickeyRules on 02/01/2025 - 10:04

    Is your trailer insured ? Ours wasn't so when it was stolen it wasn't covered and needed to be claimed on the car it attached to. Can you force the hirer to claim on their car insurance ? assuming they are insured.

  • robbomcK on 02/01/2025 - 11:02
    +3

    As a trailer renter (can’t justify the purchase) I’ve used https://www.localtrailerhire.com.au/ a couple times with no problems. Could be another way to leverage your asset efficiently.

    Of course, I try not to be a (profanity) with other people’s stuff, and the folks I rented from seemed decent which kinda is the prerequisite…

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