by mary and bob » Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:48 pm
Glen: The last time I registered a homemade trailer in NY I first had to get it weighed, then DMV assigned me a ID or VIN number which I stamped on the tongue. Inspection is same as a car, take the trailer to an inspection station, they punch out the month on a sticker and some holes across the top to designate it as a trailer and you carry it with the registration. When I registered our 46 Modernistic that I had no paperwork for, but it did have a serial number, the question they asked was "has it been in your possesion for at least one year?" and of course the correct answer is yes. I had already taken it to be weighed at the local transfer station [dump] and had the weight slip from them. It is classified as LT or light trailer and the reg. says it is a 1946 Moder. If you built on a manufactured frame like Harbor Freight then there should be paperwork on it, such as a manufacturers statement of origin. Motor vehicle dept. experience is usually controlled by if you get a cranky clerk or a nice one. Trailer registrations all expire end of December in NY. If your not going to use it til like June you can wait til then to renew and it's cheaper. Cost is prorated through out the year. Bob