Check your vehicle's owner manual or compliance plate for the braked towing capacity, unbraked towing capacity, and towbar rating. The total of trailer weight plus load must sit within all three limits.

As a practical guide, aim for roughly 8–12% of total trailer weight on the tow ball — 10% is the sweet spot for stability. If your towbar is unrated or you're unsure, call us before booking.

• Unbraked: trailers up to ~750 kg ATM. No brake system fitted.
• Overrun (mechanical): fitted on many mid-size trailers above 750 kg ATM. Activates automatically under braking.
• Electric brakes: on heavy-duty trailers, tilt car trailers, and some flat tops. Uses Elecbrakes — no in-car controller needed. The phone app powers the unit when your headlights are on.

No deposit required. You only pay for the hire period — nothing held upfront.

Stay within three limits: your vehicle's towing capacity, your towbar rating, and the trailer's ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass). The lowest of the three is your real-world limit.

For stability, distribute weight with roughly 60% forward of the axle and target ~10% ball load. If the trailer feels floaty at the hitch, you need more weight forward.

Your exact location address and access PIN are in your confirmation email and SMS. All Empire locations operate 24/7 self-service — no staff needed for pick-up or return.

Lost your PIN or can't access the lockbox? Request a new one via the link in your booking confirmation, or call 1300 418 285.

• Ease off the accelerator — do not brake suddenly or steer sharply. Both make sway worse.
• Hold the wheel straight and let the vehicle slow down naturally.
• If fitted, apply a gentle trailer-only brake override to settle the oscillation.
• Once stabilised, pull over and re-balance the load with more weight forward. Sway won't stop on its own — it will return until the root cause is fixed.

Dense materials build weight faster than most people expect. Load in small batches, keep items low and centred, and use rated straps with a visible WLL tag.

Use edge protectors wherever straps run over sharp edges — they prevent strap damage and maintain tension. Re-check strap tension after the first 10 km.

Yes — all hires include unlimited kilometres. For long-distance or remote trips, let us know at booking so we can advise on tyre pressures, NRMA coverage, and any practical considerations for your route.

Always follow the road rules of each state you drive through, as towing speed limits and requirements can vary.

Enclosed trailers are weather-resistant but not guaranteed watertight in all conditions. For anything sensitive — electronics, documents, fabrics — bag or wrap items individually and keep them off the floor on pallets or timber.

Enclosed spaces also trap humidity, so consider a moisture-absorbing product for longer hires in wet weather.

Yes — all trailers include rated deck tie-down points. Use at least two independent straps per item, anchored to floor lashing points (not cage sides as primary anchors). More straps for tall, round, or irregular loads.

Three numbers to remember: low, 60%, 10%.

• Keep the load low(centre of gravity close to the deck).
• Put ~60% of weight in front of the axle.
• Aim for ~10% ball load(total trailer weight × 0.1).

Then strap everything tight, and re-check tension after the first 10 km.

• Turn headlights ON — this powers the Elecbrakes unit. Without headlights on, the unit won't turn on and can't pair.
• Close the Elecbrakes app on any other phone in the group — the unit pairs to one device at a time.
• Go to Bluetooth settings, remove any old "Elecbrakes" entries, then reopen the app and pair fresh while standing near the drawbar.
• If still stuck, restart the app and try once more before calling us.

Most trailers are 7-pin flat. Where applicable, an adaptor is stored in the red toolbox on the drawbar. If your vehicle uses a different connector, check your confirmation email for notes on adaptor availability, or call us ahead of pick-up.