Trailer Registration and VIN

[Bandit]

I've completed my frame and will pick up my axle this afternoon.
The question I have is, in the state of Tennessee, as of (3) years ago, all trailers over 4X4 require registration. How do you get a registration for a home built trailer?
Thanks!

[kurtibm]

I'm unsure of the specific rules in Tn., but I have found it's easier to register it when it looks like a utility trailer (before adding the body, etc.) than after completion. These little trailers just seem to give the DMV/MVD fits when it comes to classification.
Here are some Tn. definitions..
http://tennessee.gov/sos/rules/1340/1340-03/1340-03-02.pdf

A fully built tear might, in Tn., be definded as a travel trailer.... see below..
http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0379.pdf

[Scooter]

The question I have is, in the state of Tennessee, as of (3) years ago, all trailers over 4X4 require registration.

I just got my tags in Jan, and that's not what the Rutherford Co. clerk's office told me. In fact, unless you're taking it into a state that requires tags, you don't even have to register it. It's the same for popup campers, boat trailers, and utility trailers. Look around, and you'll see most trailers on our roads don't even have a plate. I wondered about that, so I asked why, and it's not required in TN unless you're commercial.

I've only got 300 miles on my un-tagged teardrop (all in TN) and haven't had a problem. I did get my plate however, and plan to attach it before heading to the Smokies, which is on the NC border.

Getting the plate for my HF required presenting the Certificate of Origin and bill-o-sale to the county clerk. They charged tax on the HF itself, and like $10 for trailer registration.

Good luck, and enjoy the build!

[oklahomajewel]

Seems I've read that different people in different states have all different rules. I'm going to check on my Oklahoma law before I actually start building!

I think someone else somewhere had to go the DMV , then they issue a VIN # for it (if you don't already have)

I'm thinking it would be good to have the tag , for when driving to IRG, the Smokies, the North meets South rally, Little Talbot.....

When you refer to gatherings and not cities... you might be building a teardrop! oops... that's for another thread! haha

Julie

[JunkMan]

In South Dakota, the County Treasurers office (the same people that issue license plates) will issue a VIN for a home built trailer. After building your trailer, you have it weighed and take it to a law enforcement officer to verify that the vin number has been properly affixed to the trailer. They also check the lights, then sign off on the vin form. Return that to the County Treasurers office and they will issue you a title and plates.

I have built several trailers, and have never had any trouble registering them here.

Good Luck.

[cracker39]

I stopped in the local DMV and asked what I needed to do to get my trailer tagged when it was finished. No one seemed to have a clue. Someone finally gave me some forms, one of which has nothing on it for a trailer other than "mobile home". Bottom line, is that I have to call Tampa, 40 miles away as that office seems to be where I have to go for tagging and registration.

[sdtripper2]

Bandit:

Your question is:

The question I have is, in the state of Tennessee, as of (3) years ago, all trailers over 4X4 require registration. How do you get a registration for a home built trailer?

The following information and application should help you in your quest to register your homemade trailer. It appears you will fill out this application and then send it in and then an inspector will contact you to set a mutual agreed upon date to inspect your rig for road worthiness. You could have two outcomes. One bad in that the inspector REJECTS your rig and you will have to then make repairs and then fill out another application and send it off again with fees OR he marks it CERTIFIED and you will then with a smile go to the Town Clerk in your county with this ORIGINAL CERTIFIED APPLICATION to finish and complete the registration process.

You might go to your Town Clerks office up front for more details however this information I have below seems quite clear.



STATE OF TENNESSEE
TRAILER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
http://tinyurl.com/fdn67
Your Town Clerk will finish your registration after you get it inspected and certified.

Town Clerk Putman County Tennessee
http://tinyurl.com/kos6z

To clear up your question:

On the above link, "frequently asked questions", says on numbers 7 & 8 the following.

#7 Do trailers have to be registered?
Trailers exempt from registration include: a) trailers owned by farmers and used for agriculture or hauling livestock between farm and market. b) boat trailers. c) utility trailers for personal use. Camping trailers, freight trailers, and utility trailers used for business or rental must have a title and license plate.

#8 How do I get a title for a homemade trailer?
Fill out an "Application for Certificate of Trailer Inspection (see forms section) and follow the directions.

The link on that site for the form for application was dead

I then went to another site and found your application.
Here is the PDF file for the "Application for Certificate of Trailer Inspection for your home made trailer for Tennessee".
http://tinyurl.com/z6gss

Hope this helps you~

[cracker39]

I found more info online re trailer registering in Florida (for any who care). Most trailers are not titled...I know my boat and utility trailers are not, and tags are under $20 per year (but I pay a yearly tax fee for my boat on the trailer as it's titled). But, they state that "travel trailers", and mine fits that class ("camping trailer" has "partially folding walls") IS titled, and the tags are $31.60 per year, AND taxes of $36.60 per year...WOW, $68 a year to pay. If that's correct, that's more than I pay for car and truck tags. I guess I can't get away with registering it as a utility trailer, since it must be inspected because it is home built.

[rampage]

I found more info online re trailer registering in Florida (for any who care). Most trailers are not titled...I know my boat and utility trailers are not, and tags are under $20 per year (but I pay a yearly tax fee for my boat on the trailer as it's titled). But, they state that "travel trailers", and mine fits that class ("camping trailer" has "partially folding walls") IS titled, and the tags are $31.60 per year, AND taxes of $36.60 per year...WOW, $68 a year to pay. If that's correct, that's more than I pay for car and truck tags. I guess I can't get away with registering it as a utility trailer, since it must be inspected because it is home built.

Wow Dale!, They really stick it to us here in FL.

[cracker39]

Rampage, I am calling the Tampa office tomorrow to check on all of this.

[Steve_Cox]

Rampage, I am calling the Tampa office tomorrow to check on all of this.

Well Dale, what's the story? Hope it wasn't like my last call to Tallahassee. No human contact allowed, only 7 layers of menus and choices that didn't exactly lead to anyplace I cared to go. Tax dollars hard at work, avoiding the tax payer.

[cracker39]

Sorry, Steve, It was such a nice day, that I got busy working on it and I forgot to call. I'll try to remember to call today (if the CRS doesn't flare up).

[Hardin Valley Magic]

Bandit, o.k. maybe this will help you. Being a Tenn. resident and tear builder I went today and got tags for my trailer. Here's the catch. I have a Harbor Freight trailer with certificate of origin, and a receipt for taxes paid when bought. I received a tag that is good for one year and the cost was $25.25 It is a utility trailer plate. The same tags as used on campers. I was told that this is the plate to get and title will be as a utility trailer. DO NOT GET A SEMI plate. There is NO law requiring a tag for any small trailers, boat trailers, or campers as long as the trailer is NOT pulled out of state. However if you plan on going out of state then it would be highly recomended. This was told to me by 3 employees at the local registration office. Yes I wasn't going to believe just one. I wanted to make for certain I was in the right when I left. As for building your own I was told to apply for a builders title. Not sure of the cost for that. Hopefully this will help.

[cracker39]

For you Florida builders, I called the Tampa DMV and was told that only trailers 2000 lbs or more goes through their office. I was told to take my wdight slip and possibly recripts to my local tag office and get a tag. He said I won't get a title, just a registration. I asked if I needed any forms, and he said they would tell me that at the local office. HOWEVER, my local office didn't seem to have a clue when I asked them about it, and sent me to the Tampa office, who sent me back to the local office...go figure.

I don't know why I'd need recripts, as I have already paid tax on my materials and equipment except for some online sales. I don't think they can tax you twice on sales tax. I didn't ask about costs. I presume that the cost would be comparable to what I paid to get my boat trailer registered. I'll guess I'll find out when I get 'er done. I'll plan on an entire day at least to get through the process.

[Mitheral]

They want reciepts to verify you aren't trying to register a stolen trailer.