Moderator: 2bits
2bits wrote:Wow, I did not realize you needed tags AND inspection just like a car. Good call on the trailer-only decision Tom! I'd get it weighed just for fun tho!
jss06 wrote:Texas does not require an inspection on Travel Trailers if the GROSS weight is under 4500 Lbs. I researched this when I was registering my trailer last year.
I titled and registered mine as a travel trailer just in case I ever decide to sell it.
aggie79 wrote:2bits wrote:Wow, I did not realize you needed tags AND inspection just like a car. Good call on the trailer-only decision Tom! I'd get it weighed just for fun tho!
Thomas,
I do plan on weighing it just to know how much our teardrop weighs. I don't think that it weighs too much. Before I totaled my CR-V, I took the SB around the block several times, and hardly noticed the teardrop was back there.
I have another alterior motive for finding out the weight. After sitting for about two years, the Dexter torsion axle has "settled" about an inch. There still is about two inches of suspension travel and plenty of clearance between the tires and the fenders, but the tail does drag sometimes over gullies. The axle I used had a 10-degree up start angle and I had it derated to 1400#. I'm thinking about changing it to a 10-degree down start angle. If I do change the axle, I want to know what the actual weight is.
The last reason for getting it registered is that I am considering a second build and don't have the room for a teardrop trailer and build #2. If I do decide on a second build, I probably will put the SB up for sale. We've got to have something for camping, so I won't offer it for sale until #2 is campable. All this stuff is way premature though even though it fun to think of the possibilities.
Take care,
Tom
jss06 wrote:Step 1 - go to the local county offices to get all the forms. Make sure they understand it is for a home built travel trailer. You will also need to get a temporary use permit. They have them in either single trip or 30 day. I got the 30 day permit so I would not have to worry about timing of my trips.
Step 2 - get the trailer weighed. I tried the truck stop scale but the trailer was too light and they could not get a reading. I found a local scrap metal recycler who was able to weigh the trailer and provide me a certified scale ticket for $7.
Step 3 - Get the trailer inspected by a law enforcement office and have them fill out form 68-A. Either go to your local vehicle anti-theft task force or police if they do the inspections. For Dallas and some surrounding communities that would be through the Dallas County sherrif's office which does inspections every other week by appointment only. Bring all the receipts you have but especially for the axle. It took longer to answer the inspectors questions about building the trailer than to actually do the inspection. They will give you a form certifing the trailer and its components were not stolen.
Setp 4 - go to the REGIONAL DMV office (for Dallas and surrounding counties that is in Carrollton), with the form the police filled out and gave you. You will need several good photos of the trailer. I took photoes I printed on my ink jet with me. That took about 10 minutes and $2 to get the VIN. You must stamp this VIN into the frame before you file the title and regsistration.
Step 5 - Go back to local county office with all your paper work collected above and file for the Title and registration. This took about 20 minutes and I walked out with the temporary title and the license plate. Paperwork includes title application, weight certificate, recipt for the VIN, Pictures, Affidavit of home built trailer (I dont remember the form number for this.) Including the title applicaiton fee and registration this was $90.50.
This took A full day of running around to accomplish. But I think it was worth the effort to get a title and VIN for the the trailer.
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