Small trailer hire fleet from home

Buy a few trailers and hire them by the day or week to locals who need to move rubbish, furniture or garden waste.

Startup cost£1.5k to £6k
Monthly revenue£300 to £1.5k
Time needed4+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

7,895 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 77390 “Renting and leasing of other machinery, equipment and tangible goods n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

You own a small fleet of trailers, such as box trailers, car transporters or tipping trailers, stored at or near your home. Customers collect, tow and return them.

Your first three steps

  1. Check local hire prices and decide which two or three trailer types suit your area
  2. Get quotes for hire-and-rental insurance and a secure place to store trailers
  3. Set up a simple booking page and hire agreement, then list on local online groups and marketplaces
Who pays

Households doing house moves, DIY or garden clearances, plus small trades and landscapers who only need a trailer now and then.

How it makes money

Daily and weekly hire fees, with a refundable deposit. Extras such as straps, ramps or a tow hitch check can add a little income.

Skills that help
  • Basic trailer and towing knowledge
  • Reliable booking and record keeping
  • Clear, friendly customer service
Watch out for
  • Insurance designed for trailer hire, including cover for damage, theft and liability for hirers
  • Whether your home, lease or mortgage allows trailers to be stored and collected there; check with your landlord, lender or council
  • Hirers need a suitable vehicle and the right driving licence entitlement for the trailer weight; check the current DVLA rules and your hire terms
  • Keep trailers roadworthy, with lights, tyres, brakes and a maintenance log
  • Theft is a real risk, so budget for wheel clamps, hitch locks and secure storage

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: small trailer hire fleet from home

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 a trailer hire business?

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many trailers you buy, their type and condition, and spending on insurance and security. These are estimates, so price up your own fleet and locks before buying.

How much can a trailer hire business earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on how many trailers you own, your daily and weekly rates and how often they are booked. The estimates start from about four hours a week. Treat them as estimates.

What rules should I check before hiring out trailers?

Check for insurance designed for trailer hire, covering damage, theft and hirer liability. Check whether your home, lease or mortgage allows trailer storage and collection. Hirers need a suitable vehicle and the right licence entitlement, so check current DVLA rules. Keep trailers roadworthy and secure.

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