So I finally bought a trailer

Mike88se said:

Sit back and listen to a long screwed up story. After looking and waiting I finally found the exact size I needed at a reasonable price and it was in excellent shape. The seller could only offer a bill of sale. So I checked the TX gov site on the requirements for registration and title. No title necessary on trailers under 4000lb GVW. To register and get plates on a used trailer under 4000lb GVW you need a bill of sale and an old registration. This trailer came from Oklahoma which doesn't require titles or registration on personal utility trailers and the PO had never registered or titled the trailer. I figured there would be no problem getting registration and plates. I was way wrong. The clerk said she had to check with her supervisor on this. She comes back and says I have to get a title. The GVW is 3500lb but their rules (not on the site) say they assume you will be carrying something on the trailer that weighs at least 1/3 of the trailer. That bumps it up over the 4000lb limit. Gotta get a title. There is no previous title or reg so it has to be a bonded title.... about $400.
Have to get an independent insurance appraisal done to establish value... $100-$200. Then have to pay the TT&L. A little over $100 depending on what the appraisal value is.
So... about $600 to $700 to be able to put the trailer on the street legally.
What a load of crap. Especially the "assumed" part which requires a title. That just doesn't make sense. If that's the law then put it on the site. I'm basically screwed.
It's a nice trailer for what I paid. New lights & wiring, new jack, new ramp, not a speck of rust.
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Mower Doctor 78006 said:

They must not be very bright. The gvwr rating is the loaded maximum. I have a trailer with a gvwr of 4,000. It weights 1,000 empty. I can legally haul a 3,000 pound payload. That and the trailers 1,000 pounds puts me at 4,000. Its 7'x12' single axle. I would see about registering as a homemade trailer.

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Carscw said:

This is just crazy. I would go back and talk with some one else.

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Lawnboy18 said:

Complicated story! But, that is a nice trailer! Is that your backyard?

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Mike88se said:

Sit back and listen to a long screwed up story. After looking and waiting I finally found the exact size I needed at a reasonable price and it was in excellent shape. The seller could only offer a bill of sale. So I checked the TX gov site on the requirements for registration and title. No title necessary on trailers under 4000lb GVW. To register and get plates on a used trailer under 4000lb GVW you need a bill of sale and an old registration. This trailer came from Oklahoma which doesn't require titles or registration on personal utility trailers and the PO had never registered or titled the trailer. I figured there would be no problem getting registration and plates. I was way wrong. The clerk said she had to check with her supervisor on this. She comes back and says I have to get a title. The GVW is 3500lb but their rules (not on the site) say they assume you will be carrying something on the trailer that weighs at least 1/3 of the trailer. That bumps it up over the 4000lb limit. Gotta get a title. There is no previous title or reg so it has to be a bonded title.... about $400.
Have to get an independent insurance appraisal done to establish value... $100-$200. Then have to pay the TT&L. A little over $100 depending on what the appraisal value is.
So... about $600 to $700 to be able to put the trailer on the street legally.
What a load of crap. Especially the "assumed" part which requires a title. That just doesn't make sense. If that's the law then put it on the site. I'm basically screwed.
It's a nice trailer for what I paid. New lights & wiring, new jack, new ramp, not a speck of rust.
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exotion said:

Looks good and functional sounds like you got the legalities I'm order we have some strange laws in wa to. I will never buy a car or truck from our neighbors in Idaho... They have nearly no emissions laws or trailer safety laws lol so buying there and registering here is a nightmare. Our trailers require a title we pay taxes on what we payed so usually just get the seller to say you spent less than you did we do need to do tabs and registerration every year and a safety Inspection every 5 years

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Mower Doctor 78006 said:

This is the trailer i use.

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Two-Stroke said:

I think you should be able get someone to make this right. First of all, the "G" in GVW stands for gross -- as in gross weight, which includes an implied load. They shouldn't be adding the 1/3 to the 3500 -- that's double counting -- the 3500 includes the load.

If you can't get anybody at that office to fix this, you might try calling your local representative in the state house or senate. They can often get things like this done.

I know this sounds like a lot of trouble but these clerks are going to continue to do this to other people in your situation. You can be a hero if you get them set straight. :thumbsup:

Note: I've never lived in Texas but I'm pretty sure gross weight means the same thing there as it does in Georgia. :laughing:

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Carscw said:

Tag for my 6x12 was $20.

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