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So I finally bought a trailer

Mar 26, 2014#1

Mike88se

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.

Mar 26, 2014#2

Mower Doctor 78006

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.

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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Mar 26, 2014#3

Carscw

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

Mar 26, 2014#4

Lawnboy18

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

Mar 26, 2014#5

Mike88se

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.

It's another strange way of getting revenue for the state. If you bought a used truck and got a super deal... lets say you got a $35000 (blue book) truck for 10000 because it had a cosmetic defect...small dent or something. You''d think you'd pay tax on the price you paid right? Nope, you pay tax on what the tax assessor says the truck is worth.
Similar principle here with the trailer. These are government workers... doesn't do any good to argue with them.

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

That could work... I've heard that some small town branch offices have different standards. More easy going. I'm in Houston though...

Lawnboy18 said:
Complicated story! But, that is a nice trailer! Is that your backyard?

Thanks, it really is in good shape but for what I'd end up paying the government and the title bonding co and the appraiser I could get a brand new one. That's where the guy I bought it from lives. The beach is just down the road.

Mar 27, 2014#6

exotion

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

Mar 27, 2014#7

Mower Doctor 78006

This is the trailer i use.

Mar 27, 2014#8

Two-Stroke

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.
View attachment 19920 View attachment 19918 View attachment 19919

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:

Mar 27, 2014#9

Carscw

Tag for my 6x12 was $20.

Mar 28, 2014#10

Mike88se

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

There should be a happy medium between safety and crazy. I don't see the point in yearly registration... it's just a tax by another name. Texas has a reputation as a low tax, lax regulation state. They get revenue from all kinds of fees and sales taxes on individuals... the lax regulation and low tax is for industries

I wish I could convince them that the legalities are in order.

Mower Doctor 78006 said:
This is the trailer i use.

Looks good. You either have a crane or mad driving skills

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:

Exactly. I think I said GVW but I meant GVWR. GVWR=gross vehicle weight rating. The weight the trailer and axle can handle including it's own weight. These people should know these terms. I called the trailer manufacturer and they told me the trailer weighs 800lb and if the tax clerk will call them they'll be happy to verify that. Its even worse that she got that from her supervisor.
I called the main tax office today and apparently they are all like the clerk I dealt with. I don't have a lot of faith in my state or federal reps. They are busy passing silly laws and doing backroom deals. I'm going to keep trying to get it done tho

Carscw said:
Tag for my 6x12 was $20.

Tags and plates for this should be around $50 from what I've read. Plus whatever taxes and fees they have. I put the trailer in the garage tonight... I think I had room for a 6x12

Mar 28, 2014#11

Mower Doctor 78006

Thanks. They were all hand loaded. That was a load of non running mowers I picked up and repaired/parted out.

Mar 28, 2014#12

Mike88se

Mower Doctor 78006 said:
Thanks. They were all hand loaded. That was a load of non running mowers I picked up and repaired/parted out.

Aw man... I was hoping you drove them on :laughing:

Apr 2, 2014#13

Mike88se

Went back to the courthouse today to try my luck. I got a competent clerk this time. No problems getting it registered and getting a plate.
That only cost $10. Taxes and fees were $75

Apr 3, 2014#14

Two-Stroke

Mike88se said:
Went back to the courthouse today to try my luck. I got a competent clerk this time. No problems getting it registered and getting a plate.
That only cost $10. Taxes and fees were $75

I'm glad that it worked out for you. I hate to hear these stories so I'm happy to hear that you stuck with it and got it done right -- as opposed to caving in and paying huge fees that you didn't owe.

Incompetence by a government agency is worse that a private company's incompetence because your county government has a monopoly.

Apr 3, 2014#15

Mike88se

Two-Stroke said:
I'm glad that it worked out for you. I hate to hear these stories so I'm happy to hear that you stuck with it and got it done right -- as opposed to caving in and paying huge fees that you didn't owe.

Incompetence by a government agency is worse that a private company's incompetence because your county government has a monopoly.

Thanks. I think carscw mentioned going back and hoping for a better clerk. That's how it was. This lady knew what she was doing.
That standard presumptive value system the stated enacted really riles me. I'm sure people lied about the price they paid for used vehicles in order to pay less sales tax under the old system but now the state is doing pretty much the same thing by making you pay tax on book price when vehicles rarely sell for book price.
The fees I don't mind and fair taxes... gotta keep the roads and bridges in shape and all that.

Apr 4, 2014#16

Lawnboy18

Mike88se said:
Thanks. I think carscw mentioned going back and hoping for a better clerk. That's how it was. This lady knew what she was doing.
That standard presumptive value system the stated enacted really riles me. I'm sure people lied about the price they paid for used vehicles in order to pay less sales tax under the old system but now the state is doing pretty much the same thing by making you pay tax on book price when vehicles rarely sell for book price.
The fees I don't mind and fair taxes... gotta keep the roads and bridges in shape and all that.

Have a stroll around here! Pot holes everywhere! This is the city that eats ball joints and wheels! No joke! So, enjoy your nice roads and your trailer!

Apr 4, 2014#17

Carscw

Lawnboy18 said:
Have a stroll around here! Pot holes everywhere! This is the city that eats ball joints and wheels! No joke! So, enjoy your nice roads and your trailer!

My wife's grandmother hit a pot hole and got a flat. Got a new tire and took the bill to the city. They fixed the pot hole and paid for her tire.

The city is responsible for any damage to your vehicle caused by any road hazard they could have prevented.

Apr 4, 2014#18

wjjones

I am looking to sell my trailer, and get a new one with a wood floor that mesh stuff is good for hauling equipment but I need to haul mulch, soil, etc.

Apr 4, 2014#19

Mike88se

wjjones said:
I am looking to sell my trailer, and get a new one with a wood floor that mesh stuff is good for hauling equipment but I need to haul mulch, soil, etc.

You can't put down some treated plywood?

Apr 4, 2014#20

exotion

Mike88se said:
You can't put down some treated plywood?

A tarp... Plywood... Particle board is 9$ for a 4x8 sheet lol cardboard from a recycle bin behind a fast food joint lol

Apr 6, 2014#21

Lawnboy18

Carscw said:
My wife's grandmother hit a pot hole and got a flat. Got a new tire and took the bill to the city. They fixed the pot hole and paid for her tire.

The city is responsible for any damage to your vehicle caused by any road hazard they could have prevented.

My sister bent a wheel on her Hyundai. The hole was 4 feet wide and 3 inches deep. The city does not cover suspension damage but do cover wheel damage. She is in the process of getting it paid back, but you need a police report and that is ridiculous. Our city is corrupted tho so that doesn't help.

Apr 6, 2014#22

Mower Doctor 78006

Most mesh floor trailers are light duty. Laying down plywood, and building to suit takes away from the carrying capacity!! If his axle is only rated for 2,000 and the trailer currently weights 600 with mesh, adding plywood and re-enforcing would add 300-400 pounds. Most mesh floor trailers don't have full size equipment. Ie small tires, small hitch, small jack ect. He's better off getting one that suits his needs then converting one and needing to re title for a higher GVRW.

Apr 6, 2014#23

exotion

.... Unless he's doing some crazy stuff a trailer that weighs 500-600 pounds can still carry 1500 ish pounds if evenly balanced. The hitch and jack have nothing to do with carrying capacity unless its a fifth wheel or goose neck that's different class all together. I used to pull a home made 2500 gross weight capacity trailer that weighed close to 1000 pounds. It was a mesh bottom trailer we would simply lay plywood and constantly haul 2000 pounds of dirt gravel or bark mulch... Want more weight on the toungue than on the rear but not to much either

Apr 6, 2014#24

Mike88se

Well not getting into all that you don't need 3/4" plywood. It isn't going to be weightbearing per se... the frame and mesh will do that. The only point is to keep the soil/mulch from falling through. 1/4" would do just fine. 50 sq ft of 1/4" can't weigh that much.

Apr 6, 2014#25

exotion

Mike88se said:
Well not getting into all that you don't need 3/4" plywood. It isn't going to be weightbearing per se... the frame and mesh will do that. The only point is to keep the soil/mulch from falling through. 1/4" would do just fine. 50 sq ft of 1/4" can't weigh that much.

Only time half inch is nice is when you have a big machine dropping in heavy rock and stuff kinda shatters the thin stuff

Apr 6, 2014#26

Carscw

Omfg just use a tarp. Or like me I use a truck bed liner with hooks on the open end so I can pull it off the trailer when it's full.

Apr 6, 2014#27

Mike88se

Those ideas sound good to me but I'm not the one who wants it. All I'd like to do is get some expanded metal up on the sides. Not build the sides up any higher... just close in whats there with expanded metal. Plywood would work for that but I want as little wind resistance as possible. HD and Lowes sell expanded metal but they want it more than I do judging by the price.
I taped the wiring up and wrapped it in convoluted tubing. Looks neat and tidy now and doesn't hang down anywhere to get caught on something. I have some rust converter/primer left over from some past project. Think I'll use that on the supports.

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So I finally bought a trailer

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