Need To Register A Trailer In Texas?

How to Annals Utility Trailers in Texas

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They may look like simple rectangular boxes on wheels, but utility trailers are indispensable if yous live in a rural area and need to haul hay or critters. Even if you lot have a suburban lifestyle, one time you own a utility trailer you'll wonder how y'all always did without it. The just downside to owning one is that you will ever be at the pinnacle of every friend's phone call list when they need to movement.

Texas Trailer Registration

Whether your utility trailer is homemade or manufactured, if y'all're going to tow it on public roads in Texas, it's got to be registered. Manufactured trailers are those built by trailer manufacturers like Big Tex or H & H. Manufacturers usually put their name on the trailer's natural language and a few other places – free advertising for them wherever y'all go.

Utility trailers take such a uncomplicated design that a lot of people brand their own from scratch or repurpose the beds of long-expressionless pickup trucks. Just like manufactured trailers, if it's going to exist used on public roads, information technology'southward subject to Texas trailer laws.

Texas farther divides utility trailers into two weight categories; those that weigh up to 4,000 pounds and those that counterbalance more than 4,000 pounds. Registration fees are based, in part, on weight. The Texas Section of Motor Vehicles is interested in gross weight. That is the total weight of the trailer plus the maximum weight of cargo it can carry.

Manufactured Utility Trailers

Manufactured trailers come with a manufacturer'southward certificate of origin. If the trailer weighs more than 4,000 pounds gross, it will likewise have a certificate of championship. Like the vehicle identification number that identifies your machine, these documents contain a unique number that identifies your trailer.

If your trailer is brand-new, the MCO is your proof of ownership. If it'due south used and its gross weight is no more than that iv,000 pounds, a beak of sale and registration receipt is proof of buying. If its gross weight is over 4,000 pounds, you'll demand its certificate of title to get it registered.

Regardless of what documentation you accept to prove ownership, y'all will also need to fill out a Grade 130-U, which is available to download on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website. Take everything to your nearest Texas DMV and pay the fee.

Homemade Utility Trailers

A homemade trailer won't take an MCO, so you might want to get a title for it. Although titles are required only for bootleg trailers that weigh over four,000 pounds gross, it's not a bad idea to become 1 regardless of your trailer'southward weight.

It will make transferring ownership easier if you decide to sell information technology. You tin can too renew its registration online afterward it'southward titled. To get a championship for your homemade trailer, it has to pass a Texas trailer inspection, which is done by an motorcar theft law enforcement officer.

If your bootleg trailer is new, Texas trailer laws crave that you fill up out forms VTR-141 and 130-U. Both forms are downloadable from the Texas DMV website. If you lot've bought a used homemade trailer, you lot'll need a nib of auction and registration receipt if it weighs upward to four,000 pounds gross. If it's over that, you'll need a certificate of championship.

Farmers and Equestrians Become Breaks

Ane mode the state of Texas supports its farmers is that they charge the nominal fee of $5 for a farm trailer license plate. The trailer has to be used for transporting crops, livestock or subcontract equipment.

Equestrians get a interruption besides. If yous booty your horses to shows or staging areas for organized equine activities, you'll pay $v for your horse trailer's license plate. If you're non certain whether the activities you and your equus caballus are involved in authorize, contact your county revenue enhancement assessor's role.