getting a tag for my homemade in Georgia

[Bob Haven]

Hi, all-
First, I apologize if this has been covered here somewhere, but I couldn't find anything pertaining to Georgia-
I just bought my homemade teardrop from Florida and have no tag or title. The owner suggested I tell the tag office I bought a utility trailer and go from there- I want to do it right, just not sure what step to take. Any Georgia home-built campers out there with any advice?
Thanks!
Bobby and Nancy

[Jiminsav]

well Bob, first of all Congrats on joining the ranks. second, what you need to do is go to your local tax office, tell them YOU built a home made trailer, and you need to tag it.. they will give you some papers to fill in, then they will charge you an amount appropriate to what you said it cost to build, and issue you a serial number to be affixed to your trailer..no sweat..just don't tell them you bought it from someone in a diffrent state without getting any paperwork.

[MtnDon]

well Bob, first of all Congrats on joining the ranks. second, what you need to do is go to your local tax office, tell them YOU built a home made trailer, and you need to tag it.. they will give you some papers to fill in, then they will charge you an amount appropriate to what you said it cost to build, and issue you a serial number to be affixed to your trailer..no sweat..just don't tell them you bought it from someone in a diffrent state without getting any paperwork.

Here in NM the MVD wants to see the receipts from major parts like the axle, frame steel, wheels, and so on. Partly I believe that is to sorta rule out using stolen parts. I think a discrete inquiry with the GA MVD would be necessary before going in with a false story.

[Jiminsav]

GA don't care about that, but you do have to have it inspected by a law enforcement officer and he\she\it has to sign a affedavid as to it's road worthiness.

[Mary C]

I have taged 4 homemade trailers in GA. If your trailer is under 1100 lbs. there is no registration. If you go by the tag office tell them you bought a homemade and need to tag it. they will ask if it was taged by another state. if So they want the tag if not you start as if you just built yours. you will be given a metal Id tag and you affix it to the trailer. then you fill out your name address and call the local police and ask if you need to take it to them or will they come to you to inspect it. Give them the paperwork they will check the trailer for lights, and chains and the tire tread, and check if you have put on the Id tag. then they will fill out the paperwork, give it back to you then you take the paperwork to the tag office and pay for the tag. easy peasy. It is very simple.

Mary C.

[Bob Haven]

Wow-
Thanks to all for the quick responses!
I can tell already this forum is going to be a lifesaver.
-Bobby

[Kullas]

I have taged 4 homemade trailers in GA. If your trailer is under 1100 lbs. there is no registration. If you go by the tag office tell them you bought a homemade and need to tag it. they will ask if it was taged by another state. if So they want the tag if not you start as if you just built yours. you will be given a metal Id tag and you affix it to the trailer. then you fill out your name address and call the local police and ask if you need to take it to them or will they come to you to inspect it. Give them the paperwork they will check the trailer for lights, and chains and the tire tread, and check if you have put on the Id tag. then they will fill out the paperwork, give it back to you then you take the paperwork to the tag office and pay for the tag. easy peasy. It is very simple.

Mary C.

This about wraps it up. Easy, also works for horse trailers to

[bwana]

Depends on county as well. When I tagged mine there was no inspection, they didn't even want to look at it. Just told them overall length and my estimated value.
$20 and out the door.

[Bob Haven]

After finishing up most everything on our "to do" list for our TD, I finally sucked it up and went through the hoops to get my tag. Got the ID # badge, put it on the trailer, got a police officer to inspect it and fill out a form, then it was confidently off to the tag office. It took two clerks and a couple phone calls and what seemed like forever to figure it all out, but in the end, I walked out $15.00 poorer, with tag in hand.
Thanks to all who gave me advice on how to do this. Hopefully if anyone in Brunswick, Georgia ever needs to tag a homemade teardrop camper, I hope I might have helped pave the way a little. Now at least (I think) they know what one is at the tag office...

[Mary C]

Bob I think it is great , they just wanted you to jump through their little hoops. The first time I had to tell the police man what he was looking for he really didn't know except look for a tag and at that time it didn't have one. then he said ok and signed the paper. when I took it back the different lady had no idea what I was about, she kept saying a homemade trailer? I didn't know just anyone could make one I thought they were all made by big companies. her supervisor took her back and explained which tag and after I gave my donation she asked you really made that trailer? The lights and all? YEP!!!
I decided that it was not worth the trouble to explain. So glad you got it!!! Now you are legal!!!

Mary C.

[Bob Haven]

Hey, Mary-
Thanks for the earlier advice-
Look out! Another legal teardroppin' Georgian is on the road!