Hey y'all,

I hope you're well. I bought a trailer a couple years ago as a homemade one. It's a small kayak trailer. I got a registration letter yesterday that suggests I need to get it inspected and send in proof of insurance and such like I do for my van and truck in the "Two Steps, One Sticker" procedure.

Is this correct? Will I need to get the thing inspected every year? It's just a little utility trailer. It seemed odd to me, so I thought I'd check if y'all have had this experience before I call next week.

Sincerely,

JR

If the GVWR rating of the trailer exceeds 4500 lbs yes it must be inspected

since its homemade, certify that it is rated at only 1000 pounds; they'l have to prove otherwise. Here in East Texas its never been a problem; I am not aware that it has to be insured.I've owned a bunch and have never insured one. At the courthouse they just asked me what color it was.-p-

You might have to show proof of auto insurance.

The state doesn't know the weight capacity of your trailer, so of course they're going to assume it's over 4500 pounds and say you need an inspection. You'll need to go to a county tag office and explain to them that it's a small homemade trailer with 1000 pound gross weight, for instance. You may need to sign an affidavit to this effect. There is no insurance requirement for a trailer. At that point you should be able to renew the registration. I've renewed registration for multiple trailers in the last year (one last month even) and have not had any request to provide proof of insurance in any way. Proof of insurance was only required when I renewed registration for my two trucks.

Here is a real usefull page that is simple to understand.

http://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/trailers

If you walk into a county tax office you will usually not be held to the same standards that you will be on the online forms. The computers have no wiggle room. I build and tag several a year and never do anything but register and pay for the tags. Usually about $62 which is the minimum now for trailers. I have 2 framed up right about ready to tag and 2 more that need renewal and I am dreading it just because of the cost.

I would never title one I built,, just for the liability going forward. I just say I have an untitled homebuilt trailer and they are happy and I am not recorder as the "manufacturer" should there ever be an accident.

Tight lines, Phill