Online towing and recovery gear supplier

Sell tow hooks, winches and straps online to tow operators, garages and 4WD owners from a small stockroom at home.

Tow hook and winch mounted on the back of a recovery truck.
Startup costA$3k to A$15k
Monthly revenueA$1.5k to A$8k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A web shop and trade-account service selling recovery and towing gear such as tow hooks, winches, chains, straps and shackles. You hold some stock in a garage or small storage space and send the rest direct from your suppliers.

Your first three steps

  1. Find a few Australian wholesalers or importers and ask about trade pricing, minimum orders and returns terms
  2. Choose a small range of fast-selling lines and set up a simple online shop with clear load ratings on every product page
  3. Call or visit local tow operators and garages, offer trade pricing and next-day delivery, and ask what they struggle to get
Who pays

Tow truck and recovery operators, small garages and panel shops, farmers, and 4WD and trailer owners.

How it makes money

You buy at wholesale and sell at a markup. Repeat trade customers on accounts bring steady orders, and bundles and kits lift the average order value.

Skills that help
  • Product knowledge of towing and recovery gear
  • Sales and customer service
  • Organised stock and order handling
Watch out for
  • Load-rated gear has safety risks, so check which Australian Standards and rating labels apply to what you sell
  • Product liability and public liability insurance, so check that your cover includes products you sell
  • Australian Consumer Law obligations on warranties, refunds and accurate product claims
  • Import rules and costs if you bring gear in yourself, and GST registration once you reach the threshold
  • Council approval for running a business from home, especially if you hold stock or receive deliveries

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: online towing and recovery gear supplier

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start an online towing gear supplier?

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you hold and your website setup. Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on trade accounts and range. These are estimates only.

What rules apply to selling towing and recovery gear in Australia?

Check which Australian Standards and rating labels apply to load-rated gear you sell. Also check product and public liability cover, Australian Consumer Law obligations on warranties and refunds, import rules, GST registration and council approval for home business.

What skills and time do I need to sell towing equipment online?

You need product knowledge of towing and recovery gear, sales and customer service skills, and organised stock and order handling. Time is typically from around 10 hours a week, depending on order volume.

Other ways to run this business

Similar car and vehicle ideas

Photo: garten-gg on Pixabay

More ideas →