How to Tow a Mini Excavator on a Car Licence in WA.
Published · By Tom Iredell, TNI Plant & Equipment Hire
Both our Yanmar models tow behind a ute or SUV on a standard WA car licence. How the weights work, what to check on your vehicle, and how pickup goes on the day.
Why you don't need a truck licence.
Every one of our excavator-and-trailer combos tows under the 4.5T aggregate limit for a standard WA C-class car licence — that is exactly what our fleet is built around. Each excavator is matched to a plant trailer that keeps the pair well under the limit.
The 1.7T Yanmar ViO17-1 on its Apex 2.7T trailer is about 2.3T all up. The 2.1T Yanmar ViO20-6 on the galvanised Apex AT35 3.5T trailer is about 2.9T. No truck licence, no float fees, no waiting on a delivery slot — you pick it up and go.
Licence classes are set by the WA Department of Transport. If your licence is anything other than a full C-class, check with them before you tow.
Check your tow vehicle first.
Most utes and many SUVs are rated for these weights, but the numbers are in your vehicle's handbook, not ours. Before you book, check three things:
- Braked towing capacity — the loaded trailer is about 2.3T (1.7T package) or 2.9T (2.1T package) before buckets and attachments go on, so your vehicle needs to be rated comfortably above that. The trailers themselves are rated to 2,700kg (Apex 2.7T) and 3,500kg (Apex AT35) ATM.
- Tow-ball download limit — the maximum weight the ball can carry, listed alongside the towing capacity.
- Tow bar and trailer plug — in good order and rated for the load. If you're not sure your vehicle is up to it, tell us the make and model when you enquire.
What travels on the trailer.
Everything you hire goes on the one trailer. The machine is strapped down, the three buckets that come free with every excavator hire ride along, and any attachments — auger drive, bits, rock breaker, block lifter, ripper — travel on the same trailer. One pickup, one hire agreement.
The Apex 2.7T (2,240kg carrying capacity, 2.4m × 1.5m deck) is matched to the 1.7T and carries the 1.7T only. The Apex AT35 3.5T (2,780kg capacity, 3.2m × 1.7m deck) carries either machine, so it's the trailer for the 2.1T. Both have fold-down loading ramps and tie-down points.
Pickup, or we deliver.
Pick up from us in Mount Hawthorn, minutes from the Perth CBD, between 6am and 6pm seven days a week — the exact pickup address comes with your booking confirmation. On a 7-day-plus excavator hire the matched trailer is free, so the tow-away package costs no more than the machine itself.
Rather not tow? We deliver within 25km of the Perth CBD for $70 each way ($140 return, flat rate), and for regional WA jobs, ask us about delivery options when you enquire. Either way, the rates page lets you build the quote in a couple of clicks.
Questions people ask.
Can I tow the 2.1T ViO20-6 on a car licence too?
Yes. On the Apex AT35 3.5T trailer the 2.1T combination is about 2.9T all up, under the 4.5T aggregate limit for a standard WA C-class licence. Check your vehicle's braked towing capacity — 2.9T is more than some SUVs are rated for.
Is the trailer included in the excavator hire?
On any 7-day-plus excavator hire the matched trailer is free. For shorter hires the 2.7T trailer is $30 a day (single day) down to $15 at the 5-day rate, and the 3.5T $35 down to $20, all ex GST.
What if my vehicle can't tow it?
We deliver within 25km of the Perth CBD for $70 each way ($140 return, flat rate). For regional WA jobs, ask us about transport when you enquire.
Can I move the machine between jobs during one hire?
Yes — that's the point of pairing every machine with its own trailer. On an extended hire you can tow it from job to job without any float fees or waiting.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us about the job and we'll match you with the right machine and trailer.