Trailers

Low loader finance from 48+ Australian lenders.

A low loader is bought either to sell float services or to stop paying for them. We look at which one it is and structure the finance accordingly.

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One broker from your first call through to funding.

See which low loader finance options fit your business.

Tell us what you are buying. A Lyft Money broker compares 48+ lenders and explains the rate, balloon, fees and total cost before you decide.

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Access to 21+ low loader finance lenders

Lenders on our panel that fund low loader finance.

  • Banjo Loans
  • Dynamoney
  • Finance One Commercial
  • ScotPac
  • FlexiCommercial
  • Shift
  • Judo Bank
  • Earlypay
  • Angle Asset Finance
  • Automotive Financial Services
  • Azora
  • Firstmac
  • Liberty
  • Metro Finance
  • Morris Finance
  • Pepper Money
  • Quest Finance
  • Resimac
  • Selfco
  • Maple Commercial Finance
  • Branded Financial Services

At a glance

Low loader finance: the numbers that matter.

Typical price
$60,000 – $400,000
Terms
Up to 84 months
Indicative rates
6.9% – 14.5% p.a.
Typical speed
24–48 hours for low-doc up to $150k; longer for full-doc
Usual structure
Chattel mortgage
Useful life
About 25 years

In plain English

What is low loader finance?

Low loader finance is funding for a heavy float trailer built to carry large machinery at low deck height, secured against the trailer. Low loaders are specialised, expensive and long-lived, and are usually bought by Australian machinery transport businesses or by civil contractors moving their own plant.

Low loaders exist because most machinery is too tall or heavy to travel on a standard deck. Dropping the deck height gains the clearance needed to carry an excavator or dozer legally, and additional axles spread the weight so the combination stays within mass limits. Configurations range from a simple 2x8 float through to multi-axle steerable units for very large plant.

For a civil contractor with several machines, owning a float removes a constant cost and gives you control over when machines move. For a transport business, the trailer is the product. Either way the asset lasts decades, so a longer finance term is usually appropriate. Because these trailers hold value so well, they are also a strong candidate for a sale and leaseback if capital is needed elsewhere.

How lenders assess low loader finance

Low loaders are specialised but well understood by trailer lenders, and their very long life supports long terms. Valuation turns on axle count, deck configuration, ramp type and chassis condition. Multi-axle and extendable units narrow the buyer pool but command higher values. Operators need to consider permits and pilot requirements, which lenders may ask about for oversize configurations. Established transport businesses are funded on standard terms; contractors buying to move their own plant are assessed on the wider business.

New or used

Used low loaders hold value strongly and are commonly traded; new builds suit operators needing specific axle configurations, widening decks or extendable beams.

Before you buy

  • Match the axle configuration to your typical load and the permits you can realistically obtain in your state.
  • Check the gooseneck, ramps and deck for cracking and heavy repair welds — these carry concentrated loading.
  • Consider whether a widening or extendable deck genuinely wins you work, since it adds significant cost and weight.

Commonly financed

  • Drake 2x8 swingwing low loader
  • Freighter Maxitrans drop deck float
  • Tuff Trailers quad-axle low loader
  • Genesis extendable float
  • Roadwest deck widener
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Kris, Lyft Money co-founder, comparing lender quotes at his desk
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A clear next step

How to finance a low loader.

Our AI helps check lender fit across 48+ lenders. Your broker reviews the options and explains what they mean for you.

  1. 01

    Confirm the asset

    Dealer or private sale, new or used, price and age of the asset.

  2. 02

    Structure the loan

    Term, deposit and balloon matched to cash flow and asset life.

  3. 03

    Settle and collect

    Lender pays the supplier directly; you take delivery.

Documents lenders commonly ask for:
  • ID and ABN
  • Invoice or quote for the asset
  • Bank statements or financials depending on amount

The lender makes the final credit decision. Available options depend on your business and the lender’s assessment.

Before you make a decision

Estimate your low loader repayments.

Adjust the price, rate, term and balloon to see the repayment and the total cost over the term.

Estimated monthly repayment
$4,151.78
Number of repayments
60
Balloon at end of term
$46,000
Total interest (est.)
$65,107
Total repaid (est.)
$295,107

This calculator is a guide only. It uses simplified assumptions, excludes fees and charges unless stated, and is not an offer or quote. Actual repayments are confirmed by the lender in its loan contract.

From Lyft Money clients

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Ways to finance a low loader

Key terms

What is low loader finance?

Low loader finance is a secured loan or lease used to buy a heavy machinery float trailer, with the trailer as security. Terms commonly run 60 to 84 months, reflecting a working life that often exceeds 20 years.

Why are low loaders built with a dropped deck?

A dropped deck lowers the loaded height of tall machinery so the combination fits under bridges and power lines within legal height limits. It also lowers the centre of gravity, which improves stability when carrying heavy plant.

Straight answers

Low loader finance FAQs.

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How are low loaders and float trailers financed?

As trailers, on terms up to seven years new and around five used, with lenders relaxed about age because a well-built low loader works for 25 years. Lenders look at the builder, axle configuration, deck condition, ramps and the combination it will run with. Widening decks, dolly and jinker configurations are all financed.

Can I finance a low loader for my own earthmoving fleet?

Yes. Owning a float rather than hiring one is common once a business runs several machines, and lenders finance low loaders for contractors as well as heavy haulage operators. The machines it will move and the work ahead support the application, and the trailer can be financed on its own or with a prime mover.

Can I finance a used low loader?

Yes. Used low loaders are financed with a PPSR clearance, current registration or roadworthy and an inspection of the deck, suspension, ramps and hydraulics. Trailers from recognised Australian builders hold value well and are easy to finance and resell. Terms of three to five years are common on used units.

Can a low loader be part of a larger equipment facility?

Yes. Businesses buying several machines and the float to move them can fund them under one facility or a series of contracts, and a broker spreads the purchases across lenders so each is comfortable with its exposure. One application covering the whole plan saves time and usually money.

Do I need a deposit for equipment finance?

Often no deposit is required, particularly for established businesses buying standard assets from a dealer. A deposit is more likely where the business is new, the asset is older or specialised, the credit profile is weaker, or the amount is large relative to turnover. Deposits typically range from around 10% to 30% in those cases. Putting money in reduces the amount financed and can improve the terms offered, but it is not always necessary.

What fees are normally charged on equipment finance?

The common ones are an establishment or documentation fee charged at settlement, a monthly account-keeping fee, and a PPSR registration fee for recording the lender's interest in the asset. A brokerage fee may also apply, which we disclose to you in writing before anything is submitted. Some agreements include an early termination or break cost. Fees vary by lender and are typically a modest part of total cost compared with the interest, but they should still be compared.

How large a balloon can I set?

Lenders publish maximum residual or balloon percentages that fall as the term lengthens, because the asset is worth less at the end of a longer term. For a vehicle, a common pattern is up to roughly 50% on a two-year term, reducing to around 20% to 30% on a five-year term. The ATO also sets minimum residual values for finance leases. A larger balloon lowers monthly repayments but increases total interest and leaves a lump sum to deal with at the end.

Is hire purchase still used in Australia?

It is far less common than it once was. Under hire purchase the financier owns the asset and you hire it, with ownership transferring automatically after the final instalment. Since the GST changes that made chattel mortgage more attractive for businesses accounting on a cash basis, most equipment lending is written as a chattel mortgage or lease instead. Some lenders still offer commercial hire purchase, and your accountant can advise whether it suits your circumstances.

What is PPSR registration and why does the lender do it?

The Personal Property Securities Register is the national register of security interests in personal property, including vehicles and equipment. When a lender finances an asset, it registers its interest so the security is publicly recorded and its priority is protected if the asset is sold or the business fails. It also means a buyer searching the register will see the finance. The registration is released once the contract is paid out, and a small registration fee is usually passed on to you.

How does a balloon payment work on a chattel mortgage?

A balloon is a lump sum left to pay at the end of a chattel mortgage, which lowers the regular repayments during the term. For example, a 30 per cent balloon on a $100,000 vehicle leaves $30,000 to pay at the end, so the monthly amount is calculated on $70,000 plus interest on the full balance. Balloons are commonly set between 0 and 40 per cent depending on the asset and term, and at the end you can pay it out, refinance it or sell the asset to clear it. A balloon reduces monthly cost but increases total interest, so your broker shows both figures side by side.

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