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TD Lighting for Texas Registration

PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:41 pm
by aggie79
I'm still collecting parts before my build begins and need your opinion on lighting.

My TD will be 82 inches wide (60" + 2-11" fenders.) I can but would rather not provide the extra front and rear clearance lights since in theory they would need to be mounted on the fender "at the widest point." I would prefer to keep the fenders "clean." I don't mind adding the rear identification lights.

Do you think the Texas DMV will actually measure the teardrop? If so, what do you think about "temporary" - on until I get the teardrop registered - lighting? Or, should I just register this as a utility trailer and not worry about the 80" or wider lighting requirements.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Tom

PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:08 pm
by asianflava
They never checked mine. I registered as a travel trailer so I got a title and a VIN. All they did was inspect that it wasn't stolen or used stolen parts. They didn't even check to see if I had stamped the correct VIN number.

It's up to you, you may not get caught at registration but DPS might have an issue with it.

PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:08 pm
by Coca Cola Teardrop
Hey there Tom,
No one checked ours either.

DPS is only checking to be sure the frame is not stolen. They just walked around the whole tear and checked our receipt for axle. It took longer to talk teardrop than it did to have tear inspected.

Texas licensing didn't even look at the teardrop. just needed a pic and a few dollars and signed and notarized forms.

Linda

PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:06 pm
by Beachbuggy
I just got the liscensing on mine, since I thought Gustov was on it's way, and I wanted to move it if neccessary.

When I went to get the tags, they asked me if it was homemade and I said yes. She said since it was homemade it didn't need to be registered.

My fee was $41.50 for the tags. No one wanted to see it.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:28 pm
by aggie79
Thanks for your experiences.

I'm going to act as if my teardrop will be under 80" and not install the extra lights.

PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:13 am
by CASHCOW
no one checked ours either. I just went to the place to get the tags and filled out the paper, told them it was a "home built trailer" and that was it. They said they didnt care about anything else.

PostPosted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:50 am
by 2bits
Yah DPS for a title is a whole separate procedure than getting the registration and plates. I would like to get a VIN # and a title, but I just went up and got tags for a home built utility trailer. $40