Curtainsider Truck Finance for Freight & Distribution Operators
Specialist finance for rigid trucks fitted with a curtainsider or tautliner side-loading body, for Australian owner-drivers, distribution fleets and freight businesses. BAS and contract income assessed directly. Light, medium and heavy duty curtainsider rigids bundled into one chattel mortgage, finance lease or operating lease.
- Pre-approval inside 24 hours
- $0 deposit for prime applications
- Wide specialist lender panel
- New, used, dealer or private-sale curtainsider trucks
30-second check. No impact on your credit score.
Choose Your Industry
Choose the category that best describes your finance requirement.
No obligation. Soft credit check only.
Built for Freight Runs, Backed by Specialists
Whether you are an owner-driver buying your first curtainsider, a distribution fleet replacing ageing rigids, or a freight business that has just won a new multi-drop contract, Equifund matches you to lenders that read distribution income and asset value correctly.
Who We Help
Specialist finance for every curtainsider operator, from single rigid to growing fleet.
Owner-Drivers Buying Their First CurtainsiderDistribution Fleets Replacing Ageing CurtainsidersOperators Who Have Won a New Distribution ContractOperators Refinancing Existing Curtainsider LoansWhy Choose Us
Faster pre-approvals and terms built around your distribution business.
A Wide Lender Panel, Not a One-Size Credit Template
Fast-Moving Applications So You Are Not Left Idle
Distribution Contracts and BAS Income Read Directly
Support for Owner-Drivers and Non-Standard Credit Histories
Which Curtainsider Body Can I Finance?
Rigid trucks fitted with curtainsider, tautliner and drop-side bodies, financed through specialist lenders for prime ABN profiles.
Isuzu Rigid Curtainsider
Isuzu N-Series and F-Series rigids fitted with a curtainsider body, built for metro multi-drop and palletised distribution rounds.
Hino Rigid Curtainsider
Hino 300 and 500-Series rigids with curtainsider or tautliner bodies, suited to general freight and multi-stop delivery runs.
Fuso Rigid Curtainsider
Fuso Fighter and Shogun rigids with a curtain-sided body, commonly optioned with a tail-lift for kerbside pallet drops.
Volvo Heavy Rigid Curtainsider
Volvo FL and FE heavy rigids with a curtainsider body, for operators running higher payloads on regional distribution routes.
Tautliner Drop-Side Body
A hybrid body combining sliding curtains with a drop-side rail, giving both forklift and hand-loading access for mixed freight runs.
Used or Ex-Fleet Curtainsider
Used, ex-fleet, dealer demo and private-sale curtainsider rigids, assessed on condition, curtain wear and service history rather than a strict age cut-off.
Plus other chassis brands and body builders. If your curtainsider is a different chassis or body combination, we still finance it.
Which Curtainsider Finance Structure Is Right for You?
Five finance structures for your curtainsider, matched to your ownership goals and cash flow.
Chattel Mortgage
You own the curtainsider from the day finance settles, while your lender holds a mortgage over it as security until the loan is repaid. It is the most requested structure for GST-registered distribution operators, since you can typically claim the GST back on the purchase price straight away and depreciation runs through your own business. Trucks over 1 tonne payload are exempt from the ATO car limit, so the full purchase price is generally deductible. A balloon payment can be added to lower your regular repayments if that suits your cash flow better.
Hire Purchase
The lender owns the curtainsider for the life of the agreement and you make fixed repayments to use it, with ownership transferring to you once the final payment clears. It suits owner-drivers who want the certainty of a fixed repayment structure, and the GST is spread across your payments rather than claimed as one lump sum upfront.
Finance Lease
Your lender retains legal title to the curtainsider for the term of the lease while you use it in your operation, making regular lease payments that are typically fully tax deductible. At the end of the term you can make an offer to buy the truck, refinance the residual, or hand it back, giving you flexibility if your distribution contracts change.
Operating Lease
You pay to use the curtainsider for an agreed term, and your lender carries the risk of its residual value, not you. It suits distribution fleets who like to keep their trucks current, since bundled servicing is often included and you simply hand the truck back and roll into a newer unit when the term ends.
Unsecured Business Loan
Funds are approved against your business's trading position rather than security over the truck itself, so you can move quickly on a private-sale or older curtainsider a traditional lender might decline. It typically comes with a shorter term and can settle the same day, once your trading history has been assessed.
Depreciation and car cost thresholds set by the ATO. Credit licensing regulated by ASIC.
Simple Steps. Fast Curtainsider Pre-Approval.
A straightforward path from application to curtainsider pre-approval, with no wasted steps.
Complete the Form in 60 Seconds
Tell us about your freight business and the curtainsider you are financing through our secure online form.
Speak With a Curtainsider Finance Specialist
An Australia-based curtainsider finance specialist reviews your situation and walks you through the documents needed for the lender match.
Get Pre-Approved Over the Phone
You'll have a clear pre-approval often within 1 business day, with rate, term and repayment structure tailored to how your freight and distribution income actually flows.
Settle the Loan and Take Delivery
Your specialist sources the strongest matched offer and coordinates settlement with the dealer, body-builder or private seller.
Real Results for Real Freight Operators
See how Australian distribution and freight operators are getting the curtainsider trucks they need, even with complex profiles.
What Other Equipment Can I Finance?
Equifund also finances every major commercial asset class for prime ABN profiles, backed by a wide specialist lender panel.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
-1.png?width=842&height=1023&name=Frame%202147227966%20(2)-1.png)
Apply for Your Curtainsider Truck Finance
Three quick steps. An Australia-based curtainsider finance specialist gets back to you the same business day.
Business Details
Contact Information
Asset InformationWhat Our Clients Have to Say
Rated 5.0 on Google by Australian transport operators for fast pre-approvals, flexible terms and specialist service. 5.0 ★ · Real Google reviews
Have Questions?
Straight answers to the questions curtainsider truck operators ask most.
What types of curtainsider truck can I finance?
Rigid curtainsiders, tautliner drop-side bodies, tail-lift fitted curtainsiders and refrigerated curtainsider rigids, new or used, dealer, private sale or auction, across light, medium and heavy duty chassis.
What's the difference between a curtainsider and a tautliner?
The terms are largely interchangeable in Australia. A curtainsider (or tautliner) has sliding fabric side curtains instead of solid walls, giving fast forklift or hand access to palletised freight from either side without needing a loading dock.
Do I need a deposit?
$0 deposit is available for prime applications, especially established operators with active freight contracts. New ABNs may need a contribution, but $0 deposit on the right deal is common for operators with verifiable income.
Can I finance a used or ex-fleet curtainsider?
Yes. Used, ex-fleet, dealer demo and private-sale curtainsider rigids are all financeable. Major banks apply age cut-offs; specialist lenders look at the body condition, curtain wear, kilometres and service history.
Can finance include fitting a curtainsider body to a bare chassis?
Yes. Where a bare chassis is paired with a body-builder fitout, the combined chassis and body cost can often be financed under one facility rather than two separate arrangements. Your specialist will confirm this once we have the chassis and body-builder quote.
Do you finance curtainsider trucks Australia-wide?
Yes. We are an Australian truck finance team funding curtainsider operators in every state and territory, from metro multi-drop rounds to regional distribution runs.
What is the difference between a chattel mortgage, hire purchase and lease?
A chattel mortgage gives you ownership from day one and the GST benefit upfront. Hire purchase spreads ownership over the term. A lease keeps the truck on the lender's books with set payments and an optional residual. We match the structure to your tax position and cashflow.
Can repayments be structured around seasonal freight?
Yes. Seasonal and skip-month structures are common for distribution operators whose volumes run against retail, produce or project cycles. The lender panel includes options that build repayments around how your freight actually flows.
Can I claim the instant asset write-off or GST on a curtainsider truck?
Trucks over one tonne payload are exempt from the ATO car limit, so the full value can generally be depreciated, and a chattel mortgage lets you claim the GST upfront. Consult your accountant to confirm your position.
Can I refinance or do a sale-and-leaseback on a curtainsider I already own?
Yes. Refinance can lower your rate or restructure a balloon, and sale-and-leaseback frees up equity in a curtainsider you own outright to fund the next unit.
Do balloon or residual payments work on curtainsider finance?
Yes. A balloon or residual lowers your monthly repayment by deferring part of the value to the end of the term. We structure it to suit your replacement cycle so it does not catch you out.
How long does curtainsider finance take to settle?
Pre-approval typically comes back inside a business day. Settlement happens once you have signed contracts and any final lender conditions are met. Specialist transport lenders read freight income and contracts directly, so they move faster than major banks.
Can I get curtainsider finance as an owner-driver with a short trading history?
Yes. Specialist lenders can assess on your distribution contract, the asset and your industry experience rather than requiring years of trading, which is how many first-truck owner-drivers get pre-approved.
Can I get pre-approved before I've signed the distribution contract?
Yes. A conditional pre-approval lets you quote the work and commit to the curtainsider knowing the finance is in place, then settle once the contract is signed.
Can I finance multiple curtainsiders or a whole fleet?
Yes. Multi-truck and fleet deals are common, funded as a package under a master facility rather than separate loans, which simplifies your repayments and reporting.
What do I need to apply for curtainsider truck finance?
An active ABN, recent BAS or bank statements, the truck details, and any freight or distribution contract. We will confirm exactly what your lender match needs after a quick call.