How to Earn Money Renting Out Your Trailer
A trailer that stands still most of the month can be rented out to people nearby. Here is what you need, how listing on Trailer To Go works, what it costs, and how to get bookings.
Many trailers spend most of the month standing in a yard. If you own one, renting it out to people nearby who need a trailer for a day or a weekend can help it pay for itself. This guide explains what is involved — honestly, including the costs.
How much you can earn depends on your trailer, your area, your price and how often people need it. There is no guaranteed income — but you stay in control of your price and your availability.
What you need before you list
- A roadworthy, licensed trailer with working lights, indicators, a sound coupling and safety chain, and good tyres.
- Its details: type, size, load capacity (GVM and tare from the licence disc) and the licence code needed to tow it.
- Good photos from every side, in daylight.
- Your ID documents for verification — they are stored encrypted and only checked by the Trailer To Go team.
- Insurance: speak to your insurer about cover for a trailer that is rented to other people.
How listing on Trailer To Go works
- Sign up as an owner in the Trailer To Go app.
- Add your trailer with photos, specifications, the licence it needs and your day rate.
- Set your availability — block out the days you need the trailer yourself.
- Get bookings. Customers book online; the platform checks their licence category against your trailer and works out the price as your day rate × the number of days.
- Hand over and get it back. Customers currently collect and return the trailer themselves. Both sides take handover photos in the app.
- Track your earnings in the owner app and the Fleet Console.
What it costs
- Owner subscription: your first month is free, then R999 per month (50% off, normally R1,999), renewed automatically. You can switch off automatic renewal in your profile.
- Platform commission: a percentage of each booking. The current rate is shown in your owner app and on each booking.
- Your own running costs: tyres, bearings, lights, the annual licence disc, repairs and insurance.
Work these out against your day rate before you decide.
Tips to get more bookings
- Great photos and an honest description. Show the inside, the coupling and the tyres. Mention the exact load capacity and size.
- A fair price. Look at what similar trailers near you charge.
- Keep your calendar up to date so customers never book a day you are not available.
- Respond quickly and be clear about collection times and the address.
- Keep it clean and well maintained. Good ratings bring repeat customers.
- Take handover photos every time. They protect you if there is ever a dispute.
Looking after your trailer between rentals
Check tyre pressure and wear, test all the lights, grease the coupling and listen for noisy wheel bearings. A quick check after every rental catches small problems before they become expensive ones.
Ready to start? See how listing your trailer works.
