How Much Is Cost To Register A Small Utility Trailer In Texas

How to Register Utility Trailers in Texas

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They may look like simple rectangular boxes on wheels, merely utility trailers are indispensable if yous live in a rural area and need to haul hay or critters. Even if you have a suburban lifestyle, in one case yous own a utility trailer you'll wonder how you always did without it. The only downside to owning one is that you will always exist at the summit of every friend'southward call listing when they need to movement.

Texas Trailer Registration

Whether your utility trailer is homemade or manufactured, if you'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 unremarkably put their name on the trailer's tongue and a few other places – free advertising for them wherever you get.

Utility trailers take such a elementary design that a lot of people make their own from scratch or repurpose the beds of long-dead pickup trucks. Merely similar manufactured trailers, if information technology'southward going to be used on public roads, information technology's 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 weigh more than 4,000 pounds. Registration fees are based, in part, on weight. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is interested in gross weight. That is the full weight of the trailer plus the maximum weight of cargo it tin carry.

Manufactured Utility Trailers

Manufactured trailers come up with a manufacturer's certificate of origin. If the trailer weighs more than than 4,000 pounds gross, it volition too take a document of title. Like the vehicle identification number that identifies your motorcar, these documents incorporate a unique number that identifies your trailer.

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

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

Bootleg Utility Trailers

A homemade trailer won't have an MCO, so you might want to get a title for information technology. Although titles are required only for homemade trailers that weigh over 4,000 pounds gross, it's non a bad idea to become one regardless of your trailer'due south weight.

Information technology will brand transferring ownership easier if you determine to sell it. Yous tin besides renew its registration online afterwards it's titled. To become a championship for your bootleg trailer, it has to pass a Texas trailer inspection, which is done past an auto theft law enforcement officer.

If your homemade trailer is new, Texas trailer laws require that you fill out forms VTR-141 and 130-U. Both forms are downloadable from the Texas DMV website. If yous've bought a used bootleg trailer, you'll need a pecker of auction and registration receipt if it weighs up to 4,000 pounds gross. If it's over that, you'll need a document of title.

Farmers and Equestrians Go Breaks

One mode the land 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 farm equipment.

Equestrians become a break too. If you haul your horses to shows or staging areas for organized equine activities, y'all'll pay $v for your horse trailer'southward license plate. If you're not sure whether the activities you and your equus caballus are involved in qualify, contact your county tax assessor's office.