A financing program for trailer dealers.
Help carriers, owner-operators, and fleets buy trailers on a monthly payment. You send buyers to us through your dealer link, and we place each deal with an institutional lender that finances commercial trailers — new or used, one unit or a fleet order.
- A trailer dealer financing program lets a trailer dealer offer buyers financing at the point of sale, with a third-party lender underwriting and carrying the loan or lease.
- Lenders in our network finance new and used dry vans, reefers, flatbeds, step decks, lowboys, dump trailers, tankers, and specialty trailers.
- Trailers generally have a long useful life and an active resale market, which lenders factor into term and down payment.
- Reefer trailers are underwritten with the refrigeration unit in mind — its hours and condition matter alongside the trailer itself.
- Five North Capital is a brokerage, not a direct lender — we match each trailer deal to an institutional lender and manage it through funding.
What is trailer dealer financing?
Trailer dealer financing is a program that lets a trailer dealer offer buyers a way to finance a trailer as part of the sale. A third-party lender underwrites the buyer, funds the deal, and pays the dealer — the dealer never lends its own money or carries the credit risk.
Trailer buyers range from an owner-operator adding a single flatbed to a fleet ordering dozens of dry vans. Our program gives your team one place to send all of them, and we match each deal to a lender whose program fits the trailer type, the buyer, and the order size.
Why trailer dealers add a lender network
Finance every trailer type you stock
Some lenders are strong on dry vans and reefers, others on heavy-haul and specialty trailers. A network covers more of your inventory than one lender.
Handle single units and fleet orders
We route one-off purchases and multi-unit fleet orders to lenders set up for each, so large orders don't stall on credit.
Move used trailers
Used trailers are financeable through lenders in our network, subject to each lender's age and condition guidelines.
No credit risk on your books
The lender carries the loan or lease. You sell the trailer; the lender handles servicing.
How the dealer financing program works
Four steps from sign-up to a funded deal. No software to install and no change to how your sales team works.
- 1
Apply as a dealer partner
Tell us what you sell, new or used, typical price points, and how your customers finance today. We'll follow up to get your dealership set up.
- 2
Share your financing link
You get a dealer-specific financing link to put on your website, inventory listings, emails, and quotes — or turn it into a QR code for the lot and showroom. Every inquiry through it is tagged to your dealership.
- 3
We match each buyer to a lender
When a customer applies, we review the deal against our institutional lender network and place it with the lender best suited to the equipment, the buyer's profile, and the deal size.
- 4
The deal funds, you deliver
We manage the process through documents and closing. In a typical transaction, the lender pays the dealer directly once documents are signed and delivery is confirmed.
What trailers can your customers finance?
Lenders in our network finance a wide range of new and used trailers, including:
- Dry van trailers
- Refrigerated (reefer) trailers
- Flatbed and step deck trailers
- Lowboy and RGN heavy-haul trailers
- End dump, side dump, and belly dump trailers
- Tanker trailers
- Car hauler and livestock trailers
- Chassis, container, and specialty trailers
Which trailer buyers can get financed?
- Owner-operators adding a trailer to their own authority
- Small carriers expanding capacity
- Fleets ordering multiple units
- Construction and aggregate haulers buying dump trailers
- Heavy-haul operators buying lowboys and RGNs
- Agricultural and livestock haulers
What do lenders look at on a trailer deal?
Lender guidelines vary, but trailer financing decisions generally weigh a few factors:
- Buyer credit and time in business — personal credit for owner-operators, business credit and financials for carriers and fleets.
- Trailer type — specialty and heavy-haul trailers can be underwritten differently from standard dry vans.
- Age and condition — older used trailers may qualify for shorter terms.
- Reefer unit hours — for refrigerated trailers, the refrigeration unit's hours and condition affect value and term.
- Order size — multi-unit orders may call for financial statements rather than an application alone.
- How the trailer will be used — hauling under the buyer's own authority vs. leasing onto a carrier.
Trailer loans vs. trailer leases
Trailer loan (equipment finance agreement)
The buyer owns the trailer and pays it down over the term. A common fit since trailers typically stay in service for many years.
TRAC lease
A commercial vehicle lease that can apply to trailers, with a residual value agreed up front. Often used by fleets.
Fair market value lease
Lower payments, with the option to buy at fair market value, renew, or return the trailer at the end of the term.
Trailer Dealer Financing FAQs
How can a trailer dealer offer financing to customers?
Partner with a financing source that works with third-party lenders. As a Five North Capital dealer partner, you share a dealer-specific link with buyers, and we match each trailer deal to an institutional lender. The lender carries the loan and pays the dealer at funding.
Can customers finance used trailers?
Yes. Lenders in our network finance used trailers, with terms influenced by the trailer's age, condition, and type. Each lender sets its own guidelines.
How are reefer trailers financed differently?
Lenders consider the refrigeration unit alongside the trailer — the unit's hours and condition affect the trailer's value and can influence term and structure.
Can a fleet finance a large trailer order?
Yes. Multi-unit orders are financed routinely, though larger transactions typically require financial statements. We route fleet orders to lenders that regularly underwrite them.
What terms are typical for trailer financing?
Terms commonly run 3 to 7 years depending on the trailer's age and type and the buyer's profile. Trailers' long useful life and resale market often support longer terms than trucks.
What down payment do trailer buyers need?
It depends on the buyer's credit, time in business, and the trailer. Equipment financing down payments generally range from 0-20%, with newer businesses often putting more down.
Can owner-operators finance a trailer without a truck deal?
Yes. A trailer can be financed on its own. Lenders will look at the buyer's credit, experience, and how the trailer will be put to work.
Do you finance specialty trailers?
Often, yes — including lowboys, RGNs, tankers, car haulers, and livestock trailers. Specialty trailers may be matched to lenders that focus on heavy-haul or niche equipment.
Dealer programs: Dealer financing program overview · Truck dealers · Used equipment dealers
Related: Trailer & fleet financing guide · Equipment leasing · Equipment loan payment calculator
Become a Dealer Partner
Tell us about your dealership and we'll be in touch to get you set up to offer financing to your customers. Have a buyer ready now? Send them to our financing application.