Small trailer - registration required in VA?

[Toby]

I have just ordered a small tire trailer for my car. I understand that it will not need VA safety inspection.

I wonder if I still need to register the trailer and get a license plate?

Thanks,
Toby


From the VA State Police website:

"I have a small trailer and I would like to know if it is required to be inspected.

It depends. If the "actual gross weight" is 3,000 pounds or more, it is required to have brakes and is required to be inspected. (The "actual gross weight" is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of any load that the trailer is carrying.) If the "actual gross weight" is less than 3,000 pounds, it is not required to be inspected; however, any trailer under 3,000 that is equipped with brakes is also required to be inspected."

[Trak Ratt]

Has to be licensed and titled (how else will they tax you?). Really simple process. Manufacturer sends paper work and you just take that to DMV. I went through this with my HF tyre trailer and it was really quite simple.

[Toby]

Oops. Haven't thought of that.

Thanks Dave!

[Toby]

I was at the DMV (Virginia) this morning to title and register my new tire trailer, and was turned away for not having a statement of origin and a VIN. (I do have the invoice and the bill of sale) I am frantically trying to contact the manufacturer, but it looks like I will be trailer-less this weekend. :bang:

I wonder if anyone can confirm that statement of origin and VIN are needed to title and register even a tiny tire trailer (mine is a Super Sport)? Do HF trailers (unassembled in boxes) ship with those?

Thanks!
Toby

[VaSteve]

I wonder if anyone can confirm that statement of origin and VIN are needed to title and register even a tiny tire trailer (mine is a Super Sport)? Do HF trailers (unassembled in boxes) ship with those?

Thanks!
Toby


Yes. I have a title, tag and everything for my $300 HF special.

[Trak Ratt]

I was at the DMV (Virginia) this morning to title and register my new tire trailer, and was turned away for not having a statement of origin and a VIN. (I do have the invoice and the bill of sale) I am frantically trying to contact the manufacturer, but it looks like I will be trailer-less this weekend. :bang:

I wonder if anyone can confirm that statement of origin and VIN are needed to title and register even a tiny tire trailer (mine is a Super Sport)? Do HF trailers (unassembled in boxes) ship with those?

Thanks!
Toby
Yes, check your paper work. My HF trailer came with the certificate from the manufacturer. I had managed to lose it by the time I actually went to register but easily got another from the manufacturer. Check on “home built” sometimes easier.

[Toby]

Thanks guys.

Looks like he hasn't sent it. I will call him to get one.

[chipshotva]

When I went to register my new Trailex at the Virginia DMV they would not issue me a title until I produced a document titled Bill of Sale. I had the invoice showing paid in full with the VIN number and model number but that was not sufficient. Fortunately the DMV clerk let me call Carl at Trailex who faxed a document labeled Bill of Sale and I was able to title the trailer and pay the sales tax during that visit instead of wasting another hour or more for a return visit with the "proper" documentation.

[Trak Ratt]

When I went to register my new Trailex at the Virginia DMV they would not issue me a title until I produced a document titled Bill of Sale.
IIRC most demands for “bill of sale” is to establish price for taxes purposes. Usually because “stated price” is lower than “book” or DMV doesn’t have a listing. On my HF trailer DMV just wanted to be sure I wasn’t trying to title a stolen trailer.

[OldTee]

When I went to register my new Trailex at the Virginia DMV they would not issue me a title until I produced a document titled Bill of Sale. I had the invoice showing paid in full with the VIN number and model number but that was not sufficient. Fortunately the DMV clerk let me call Carl at Trailex who faxed a document labeled Bill of Sale and I was able to title the trailer and pay the sales tax during that visit instead of wasting another hour or more for a return visit with the "proper" documentation.


What part of Invoice = Bill of Sale do I not understand? Glad I'm in MD where a HS education is a must.
?
ARF

[HoodPin]

What part of Invoice = Bill of Sale do I not understand? Glad I'm in MD where a HS education is a must.
?
ARF
I think this has to do with "titling" requirements of over-the-road vehicles. For most of us we get a title when we purchase a new car, or else we get the title signed over if we're buying used (including trailers). But for a trailer, and I'm guessing especially purchased from out of state, you instead get a "source of origin" document to validates initial ownership. I think if you buy a trailer from an in-state dealer you'll probably get a title. "Bill of Sale" doesn't prove who originally owned it; DMV wants to know it wasn't stolen.