Questions for New Jersians

[rich5665]

1: How did you register your trailer?

2:Did you have to assemble the trailer first or can you just take the paper work to Motor Vehicles and register it that way.

3: What if you make your own trailer? Is there a process for that?

The DMV Site is not exactly user friendly when it comes to information.

[vreihen]

I haven't been through the process in NJ, but their DMV web site does provide somewhat clear guidance about the process on this page:

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/PrivateUtilities.htm

Since they require color pictures of all angles to be submitted for homemade trailers (along with receipts for all parts and a certified weight slip), I don't think that you will be able to get away with registering the trailer before it at least looks like it is finished in pictures.

I went through a similar process to the above in NY state 11 years ago, and found a catch-22. In order to register the trailer, you need to bring in a certified weight slip. To get a certified weight slip, you have to tow the unregistered trailer on public streets to a scale. NYSDMV has an exception to the vehicle registration requirement that allows you to tow an *empty* unregistered trailer to and from a certified weigh station in order to get it weighed prior to registration. When I did it, I had all of the DMV paperwork already filled out and sitting in my passenger's seat, along with a printout of that exemption since I'm pretty sure it wasn't on most police academy exams. Better safe than sorry. You should do a Google search to see if NJ has a similar exemption.

Hopefully someone who has been through the process in NJ can offer better info than the above page that I stumbled on a few days ago looking for maximum trailer dimensions in NJ.....

[quaidmon]

I bought a Harbor Freight trailer. I took the certificate of origin to the DMV and asked them how to register it. Filled out one form and was out the door in 15 minutes with my license plate.

[parnold]

I bought a Harbor Freight trailer. I took the certificate of origin to the DMV and asked them how to register it. Filled out one form and was out the door in 15 minutes with my license plate.

Pretty much the same for me, but the manager at the Harbor Frieght store forgot to sign the certificate of origin, so (don't tell anyone) I forged a signature and went back to DMV a few hours later and got my plate. When you register it, they will ask you the color, be sure to tell them the color that it will finally end up.

[rich5665]

I haven't been through the process in NJ, but their DMV web site does provide somewhat clear guidance about the process on this page:

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/PrivateUtilities.htm

Yep that's the page I looked at. I wondering if I buy a HF Trailer then register first can I build a Tear drop with out getting penalized.

I'm guessing when they state "Home Made" they mean a trailer that I'm welding or bolting together that is not a kit build. All new to me so a bit confusing.

I was thinking of building a 5' x 9' but think it may be easier just to buy one.

How do you get a certified weight slip if the trailer doesn't have tags to be towed to a scale to be weighed?

[parnold]

How do you get a certified weight slip if the trailer doesn't have tags to be towed to a scale to be weighed?

Why do you need one?

Trailer registration in NJ doesn't specify, utllity, camper, or whatever. It doesn't matter unless the final trailer exceeds 2000 lbs, then it needs to be registered as a different class, and will have an actual title like an automobile. You won't be penalized, and you won't be inspected. It's really much simpler than you are thinking it is.

[vreihen]

Yep that's the page I looked at. I wondering if I buy a HF Trailer then register first can I build a Tear drop with out getting penalized.

I'm guessing when they state "Home Made" they mean a trailer that I'm welding or bolting together that is not a kit build. All new to me so a bit confusing.

If you buy the HF trailer kit, it comes with a VIN tag on the tongue and an MCO (Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin) just like any new vehicle. If you're picking up the trailer at HF, make sure they give you the MCO before you leave the store! I bought my kit mail-order, and the paperwork was not in the box. HF sent replacement paperwork, but it took a few weeks to get it. Since you have a title (MCO), VIN number, and sales receipt, you are all set to hit DMV. The MCO lists the trailer manufacturer, so on the DMV forms where you would write "Ford" for a car you write whatever the MCO says is the manufacturer. My HF kit was a 1999 Long Chih, or something like that. If I recall correctly, the MCO also stated the weight of the kit, and that's what I put down on the application (even though I had the scale slip that was about 15 pounds more just in case they wanted one).

If you build your own frame, then you obviously won't have a VIN number. This is what the whole "homemade trailer" procedure on the DMV web site is for. They have to issue you a VIN number, so they want pictures to show that your trailer is truly homemade and that you're not trying to get a new VIN number for a stolen commercially-built trailer. This is also why they want you to itemize the VIN number(s) of any donor vehicles that provided parts for a homebuilt trailer. NJ is being rather generous in accepting pictures at DMV, since the last time that I looked at NY's rules they required you to tow the trailer to a special DMV facility by appointment to have it verified as homemade before they would assign a VIN number.

In NY, most DMV offices are operated by the county clerks. They are more interested in making sure that the sales tax was paid than any of the other paperwork whenever I go in there to register something, since sales tax goes to the county. I brought the receipt for the HF kit and deck material that I bought to DMV, and the biggest hassle that they gave me was making me pay the sales tax on the HF kit since I purchased it mail-order and I wasn't charged sales tax.

I can't really answer the question about being penalized for building on the frame afterwards. When I did my trailer, it was a flatbed where everything above the deck was held on "temporarily" by ratchet straps. Nobody ever hassled me about it in 45K miles of towing through probably 25 states and even two trips through customs into Canada. Oh, and the reason why I was looking at the NJ DMV web site in the first place the other day was that I just found out about the maximum trailer width in NJ being 96". Back in May, I towed my 102" wide race car hauler the entire length of Rt 17 (both ways), passing several police cars without them noticing.....

[rich5665]

How do you get a certified weight slip if the trailer doesn't have tags to be towed to a scale to be weighed?

Why do you need one?

Trailer registration in NJ doesn't specify, utllity, camper, or whatever. It doesn't matter unless the final trailer exceeds 2000 lbs, then it needs to be registered as a different class, and will have an actual title like an automobile. You won't be penalized, and you won't be inspected. It's really much simpler than you are thinking it is.

Guess I just read into more than I should have. But what if I build my own trailer? I'm thinking of building a 5' x 9' Generic Benroy. A fiend of mine is a welder and I plan to tap his skills for building a frame from scratch.

[parnold]

Building from scratch.. I have no idea what is required for that, but I'm considering that for my next build, so I'll find out eventually. You can always make a trip to your local DMV and ask the person at the help desk what you're going to need. It's usually a short wait to get to them and get your answers. I would suspect you need receipts for the steel and axle, and probably photos to prove you built a trailer. I would bring pictures of several stages so they could see the actual manufacture.

I would also register before building on top of the frame for simplicity sake.

[rich5665]

That was my thought as well. Thanks for all the information. First thing is getting the garage cleaned out. Then taking an inventory of my tools and adding what I'll most likely need. I've been playing with Sketchup and have a basic design for the trailer. So when I'm ready to start I'll post in the build Journal

[Senior Ninja]

I built the frame and bolted the floor to it.
I went to the DMV and told them I was going to haul my grandkids' ATVs with it. Came home and then built the rest of the trailer. No problem.
Just renewed it for another five years.
Steve

[Deryk the Pirate]

Yeah Im gonna have to take pictures of mine. I lost the envelope with my HF paperwork on it. Bleh glad just the flooring is done. I will photograph the plate with the vin# on it, only difference besides stretching it is a larger heavier duty axle.

[Deryk the Pirate]

Well called the local HF store and was told if I come in they can reprint me the bill of sale and vin #, so that and some pictures should work....they said I can order new paperwork but takes 6-8 weeks for it to showup.

If nj proves too difficult I did call the link up top for registering it in maine lol just need a copy of the bill of sale and the vin number...would cost about $21 dollars for 2 years plus 5% sales tax....might just go that route lol

Deryk

[len19070]

Easy!


Recently a member from Maryland told me how easy it was to register his trailer.

Since I had never registered my trailer ever anywhere because of the ridiculous Hoops and outrageous Co$ts my state, Pennsylvania wanted me to jump through and pay.

I decided to try to do the right thing and register my trailer taking his advise.

I have been using another tag from another trailer for years.

Well, $21 and 6 days later I had a registration card and tags for 2 years!!

It was almost a Religious experience!



The Sun Came out, the Seas of Red Tape opened, the birds were Chirping...I was finally "Legal!

And how was this Revelation implemented?

By a simple phone Call to the Maine Department of Motor Vehicles.

1 207 624 9000, Ext. 52151

I called this number and spoke to a real live person....in English!

Told them I wanted to register a trailer as a Non-Resident. They took my address and 2 days later I received the forums...by the way the forms were in simple English too.

Filled them out, sent them in with a Check and 6 days later I had tags and an owners card.

They don't care if your from out of state

And they were Happy to do it!

I don't know about you but by the end of my builds my wallet is pretty well emptied and spending a couple Hundred Dollars and a lot of aggravation for a card to carry around in your Wallet just isn't in the cards....THOUGH IT IS A NECESSARY EVIL!

I Hope this Helps!

Happy Trails

Len

http://tnttt.com/viewto ... highlight=

[Deryk the Pirate]

HF said it could take 6 months to get a new cert of origin and they cant reprint a bill of sale


hmmmm I might call them back tomorrow and see what the step is if you have a homemade trailer with no vin and say i built it which is true... http://www.mainetrailerregistrations.com/