Registering a trailer

[Stephen]

Ok so my buddy got a trailer last year from his father in law.. the shop next to him was closing down and it had been sitting for years and has no paperwork.. no reason to believe it’s stolen or anything.. most likely abandoned.. but it has no numbers or an old plate etc.. it needs some work (wooden floor rotted, flaky paint and surface rust, rotted tires that kinda hold air.

If I buy this from him, is it going to be a huge pain in the ass to register it?

[mardyn]

Is anything involving the State and Vehicle Registration NOT a giant PITA?

I went to renew the long expired tags on my kart trailer (which now gets used about once every other year) a few months back... they wanted me to pay for all the months the tag had been expired... said it was a new deal the legislators have come up with.

mardyn

[BMCSean]

What size trailer is it? We have 2 16ft landscaping trailers we are selling.

[LANTIRN]

My coworker did this to a non titled trailer he bought off craigslist. Apparently the definition of "home built trailer" is extremely loose. He extended the tongue and repainted it and it qualified for home built status so he paid a small fee for a new title. He said it was surprisingly easy and said it is amazing trailer theft isn't higher because of it. Research that, it might be worth it.

[dcs13]

trailers are a huge pita now. If its over 4500 pounds its gotta have brakes and get an inspection before registering. They've gotten real picky on whats a "homemade" trailer anymore..

[jw33]

There is a place in Alvarado that takes care of trailers like that.

[kingjason]

There is a place in Alvarado that takes care of trailers like that.

Yeah, the local PD! If it is anything that should have came with a title or over so many pounds, it is not worth messing with unless there is a VIN on it. I bought my 6x10 brand new from a shop in Duncanville and he did not VIN or title them. I called Ellis County and she told me that under so many pounds still no big deal.

If it is a big trailer and worth messing with, you have to get a trooper to come out and inspect it. The they sign off on something and you get a new VIN you have to apply to it. Not an easy process though.

[Stephen]

Trailer is small.. you could fit a motorcycle in the back or 2-3 lawn mowers etc..

[soap]

Make up your own bill of sale and tag it as a homemade.

[kingjason]

Make up your own bill of sale and tag it as a homemade.

You just walk in your local tax office and ask for a home made trailer tag. They will ask you the weight rating and pop one out, depending on the county.

[Murph Tang]

trailers are a huge pita now. If its over 4500 pounds its gotta have brakes and get an inspection before registering. They've gotten real picky on whats a "homemade" trailer anymore..

Last summer Gov. Abbott increased it to 7500lbs gross before needing inspections.

The two inspections during the 4500lbs gross requirement were a joke. The inspectors didn't even look at anything. I am happy I put trailer brakes on my car hauler.

I personally wouldn't get a trailer without a vin nowadays.

[Stephen]

Ok so I bought it and going to try and register it tomorrow.

[Big Dad]

Place near me , house burnt down a few years ago .

Guy had a real nice trailer,sat by edge of trees, now its in them no one lives there .. he must of moved away or something

I keep thinking what a shame , soon it will be 100% out of sight

[S_K]

Take pictures of you "building" it. If it ever comes up, photos of you "welding" on it, painting it, putting tires on it, will go a long way with the judge.

[Chili]

Take pictures of you "building" it. If it ever comes up, photos of you "welding" on it, painting it, putting tires on it, will go a long way with the judge.

I also kept receipts for materials on mine (axle, steel, 3rd party fabrication work), though it's a converted truck bed trailer, so it's pretty obvious it's home built.