Yes, tipper trucks can be financed. Most buyers use a chattel mortgage, a finance lease or a business loan, and the truck itself usually secures the finance. What changes from one lender to the next is how closely they look at the truck and its tipping body, at your business and at the work that will pay for it.
loan-o is a Brisbane finance broker based in Milton. We arrange tipper and other truck finance for civil, landscaping and haulage businesses across South East Queensland and beyond, comparing options from a panel of 50+ bank and non-bank lenders. This guide explains how it works so you can ask better questions, whoever you finance with.
What lenders look at: the truck and your business
- The truck: make, model, year, kilometres or hours, condition and the price against what it is worth. For a used tipper, many lenders also care about its age at the end of the term, not just today.
- The body and tipping gear: the type of body, its condition and whether it is part of the purchase price or fitted separately.
- Your business: how long you have held your ABN and traded, your income or contracts, your credit file and your other commitments.
- The deal: the deposit, the term and any balloon (a lump sum left owing at the end).
- The seller: a dealer, an auction or a private seller, since each carries different paperwork and risks.
Truck, body and trailer: how the price is made up
Many tippers are a cab chassis with a body fitted by a body builder, and some include a trailer. That can mean more than one invoice. Lenders may want each item listed, and some will finance the whole package together while others treat the pieces differently. Ask early what can be included, and keep the invoices itemised.
New or used, dealer or private sale
A used tipper can be financed, but expect more checks. Get an independent inspection, ask for the service history and kilometres or hours in writing, and search the PPSR to confirm no finance is owing on the truck. For a private sale, lenders often ask for proof of ownership as well. Our guide to financing a used vehicle or equipment covers these checks in more detail.
Chattel mortgage, finance lease or balloon?
- Chattel mortgage: you own the truck from day one and the lender takes security over it until the loan is repaid. It is a common choice for truck owners.
- Finance lease: the lender owns the truck during the term and you make lease payments. What happens at the end depends on the agreement.
- Balloon: a lump sum left owing at the end of the term. It lowers regular repayments, but you still have to pay or refinance it. See what a balloon payment means.
Tax and GST treatment differs between structures, so confirm it with your accountant. See chattel mortgage vs lease for the comparison.
Match repayments to when you get paid
Tipper income often depends on the work: a big civil job, a wet spell, a gap before the head contractor pays. If you rely on one contract or one customer, lenders may ask how steady that work is. Before you commit, work out whether a fixed monthly repayment fits the way your business is paid, and test it with the finance calculator. Our guides on truck finance and cash flow and how seasonal cash flow shapes the right finance go further.
What to have ready
- The truck, body and any trailer: make, model, year, kilometres or hours, plus the quote or itemised invoices.
- Your ABN, how long you have traded and the kind of work you do.
- Recent business bank statements or BAS, and any contracts or a work schedule.
- Any deposit and any trade-in.
- Details of other finance you already have.
Our documents checklist for truck and ute finance lists the usual paperwork.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Why this lender and this structure for my situation?
- What will the repayments be, including any balloon, and what is the total I will pay?
- What fees apply, now and at the end of the term?
- What happens if I want to pay it out early or sell the truck?
- What will the lender need from me, and how long will it take?
The takeaway
A tipper is a financeable asset, but the lender judges the truck, the body and your business together. Know what you are buying, line up your paperwork and compare the total cost, not just the repayment. loan-o can review any offer you already have for free; start a free finance check with no credit check to enquire, or see our equipment finance page.
Found this helpful?
If loan-o has helped you with your finance, a quick Google review helps other Australians find a broker they can trust.
Finance is subject to lender approval, lending criteria, terms, conditions, fees and charges. The information in this article is general and does not take into account your personal or business needs. It should not be treated as personal financial, tax, legal or credit advice.
Frequently asked questions.
Got a question about your own situation? Ask a specialist →
Yes, tipper trucks are commonly financed. The truck usually secures the finance, and lenders look at the truck and its body, your ABN and trading history, your credit file, any deposit and the work you have coming in. Approval is never guaranteed and criteria differ between lenders.
The common structures are a chattel mortgage and a finance lease. A business loan can also be used. Which one suits you depends on how long you plan to keep the truck, how you want to handle tax and GST, and how much you want to owe at the end of the term, so check the treatment with your accountant.
Often, yes, depending on the truck, the seller and the lender. Lenders may look at the truck's age at the end of the term, its kilometres or hours, its condition and the price against market value. For a private sale they often ask for extra checks, such as proof of ownership and a search of the PPSR to confirm no finance is owing.
Sometimes. Many tippers are a cab chassis with a body fitted by a body builder, and some come with a trailer. Some lenders will finance the whole package if it is itemised on the invoices, subject to their own rules. Ask early, because it can change how the asset is valued.
Yes, many lenders consider owner-drivers and sole traders. They generally look at how long you have held your ABN and traded, your credit file, the truck, any deposit and your work history or contracts. Options can be narrower for a newer business.
A balloon lowers your regular repayments, but you still owe the lump sum at the end of the term and need to pay it, refinance it or sell the truck to cover it. Whether it makes sense depends on what the truck may be worth then and how long you plan to keep it. A broker can show how it changes the total cost.
Buying a tipper? Ask a loan-o specialist first.
No obligation, no jargon - just a straight answer about what it will actually cost you.
Check my finance options →