New from Centeral PA

[Autobo7]

Hey all,
This is my first post although I have been lurking for about a month on here and about 3 on other sites. I have decided to start a build, we have an old canoe trailer we are going to modify to fit a teardrop. After scouring the plans people have generously provide we are thinking about the "rimple". Though I am not really a "plans kind of guy" it will be similar but not the same as a "rimple". It is going to be a simple build since it has been a while since I have done any carpentry. We also want it to be real light so we can use a small to mid size car(Taurus, Accord, etc) to tow it. The ultimate goal is to have it build and ready by may of next year for a east to west coast road trip.

So with that said hello and cheers!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Welcome to the party

Where are you in PA? There are a few of us around central/south-central PA.

[Autobo7]

My wife and I are from Hershey Area, but I have camped all over the southern and central PA. We are not looking forward to the dreaded PA registration process. Our Trailer has no title as of yet, I think we are going to the the non-resident Maine thing.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Yeah applying for a title in PA is miserable. Even with a new trailer. I did the PA registration on my first teardrop, but opted for the Maine registration on my current one. I'm preparing to build a new one this winter and will probably go the Maine route again. I've gathered info found on this forum and put a little page together for people as a "quick reference"

Not sure what you're doing in two weeks (Sept 20-22) but there is a Liberty Bell Chapter Tearjerker gathering at Poe Valley State Park in Milroy, PA. I think we're only going to have 7 or 8 trailers there, but it should be a nice weekend. Seeing some teardrops and meeting some members might give you some ideas as to what you're in for!

More info on the gathering over on the Tearjerkers forum.... http://www.tearjerkers.net/new_forum/vi ... f=5&t=6272

[mgb4tim]

PA titles for new trailer "kits" isn't too bad - assemble, get a certified weight slip from a truck/quarry scale, take the weight slip and manufacturer's certificate to an inspector, hand them about $150-200 to inspect and do all the photos and paperwork - wait for your plate and VIN tag.

[Autobo7]

absolutsnwbrdr, wow thanks for the heads up, though I would love to see some TD's I'm not sure if we will make it as we are just beginning our build and week end time is very precious. I have alot of welding a head of me...

[absolutsnwbrdr]

PA titles for new trailer "kits" isn't too bad - assemble, get a certified weight slip from a truck/quarry scale, take the weight slip and manufacturer's certificate to an inspector, hand them about $150-200 to inspect and do all the photos and paperwork - wait for your plate and VIN tag.

The HF and NT trailer kits already have VIN tags. But yes, that's the process. There are also notary fees involved since PennDOT only makes certain forms available to the public. And I think my inspection was only about $60. But that was in 2010. I also took my own photos and just had the inspector sign the back of them. Homebuilt trailers with no VIN get one assigned, but you still have to provide receipts for all the steel, the axle, tires, lights, etc.

The Maine registration takes 10 minutes to fill out two forms, costs $10.50/year. Plus the cost of a stamp to mail the paperwork.

absolutsnwbrdr, wow thanks for the heads up, though I would love to see some TD's I'm not sure if we will make it as we are just beginning our build and week end time is very precious. I have alot of welding a head of me...

No problem! If you need a break from the build, you know where we'll be! Good luck

[Autobo7]

Thanks for the info guys, I think I'm gonna like it here

[mgb4tim]

The HF and NT trailer kits already have VIN tags. But yes, that's the process. There are also notary fees involved since PennDOT only makes certain forms available to the public. And I think my inspection was only about $60. But that was in 2010. I also took my own photos and just had the inspector sign the back of them. Homebuilt trailers with no VIN get one assigned, but you still have to provide receipts for all the steel, the axle, tires, lights, etc.

My 2011 HF trailer didn't come with a VIN, just a manufacturer's certificate of origin. My local shop wouldn't accept my pics, wanted to charge the $90 for the inspection, photos and paperwork. Of course, the s-hooks on hte ssafety chains were a no-no, and they sold me $15-20 worth of locking safety links.