Today I called 3 trailer dealerships in TX. just to clarify a point on state trailer inspections as I am getting ready for a trip to Canada.. Got 3 different answers so I'm still looking for the correct answer.
I'll ask the experts now. (This forum)
I bought this trailer in 1987 in Houston and it has never had a Tx state inspection sticker on it, even from the selling dealership. At the time, they said that it was too light by TX law to require the state inspection.
My trailer has a gvrw of 5800#.
Does it need an inspection sticker according to the TX state law in 2009?
Yes, but no one, not even a DPS Officer will ever look for it. If you bring a trailer into Texas and have it titled and licensed here, you will have to get it inspected, but it's more for VIN certification than safety.
They don't even look for the inspection or ask for it going into Canada.
Not sure whether you can buy your original (first set) of Texas tags and title transfer documentation without it I think you cannot.
Also not sure if it is asked for at renewal time. But I think it is not required then.
It is pretty comprehensive and not a whole lot of places even do it. Brakes and gas system (LP) among other things are checked I believe.
I had mine inspected when I titled it and licensed it (bought it out of state), and the one before it. They inspect the VIN to insure it matches the out of state title, and they check the lights....nothing more. You can get it inspected anywhere they do safety inspections for motor vehicles.
I bought a cargo trailer from out of state. When I went to the Texas DMV to inquire about title and registration, they told me the following:
If the "weight" (empty + estimated cargo) is expected to be over 4500# then I will need to get it inspected before it can be tagged. The registration fee will also be based on this weight. They stressed that this is not the GVWR. I will have to get it weigh and show proof.
My Aunt works with the licensing office here. She told my the "RV" trailers do not need nor can get inspection stickers. As far as the requirements, all I've done is take in the title, and it's done. No weighing, etc. I have three and never had any inspected (One over 4500).
At my county tax assessor/collector's office, they require an inspection on all trailers over 4500#. There is no sticker, but they require it in order to register it.
Additionally , if you buy in-state and the title already has the weight on it, then you won't need to get it weighed. Or, if you buy from another state that puts the weight on the title, you will not need to get it weighed.
However, if you buy the trailer from a state that does not have the weight on the title, then the tax collector will probably require you to get the vehicle weighed at an official scale, and then supply that information at the time of titling and registration. That is where I am right now.
So, does anyone know of a certified scale in the Austin area?
we bought ours in Atlanta and brought it back to Houston. I had to get a weight certification (I went to a truck stop up the road) and had to get it inspected before I could get a TX title.
I renew it every year, but its just a 'drive-by' inspection for lights.
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Hey, its the only way to be sure!
At my county tax assessor/collector's office, they require an inspection on all trailers over 4500#. There is no sticker, but they require it in order to register it.
Additionally , if you buy in-state and the title already has the weight on it, then you won't need to get it weighed. Or, if you buy from another state that puts the weight on the title, you will not need to get it weighed.
However, if you buy the trailer from a state that does not have the weight on the title, then the tax collector will probably require you to get the vehicle weighed at an official scale, and then supply that information at the time of titling and registration. That is where I am right now.
So, does anyone know of a certified scale in the Austin area?
There is some confussion here, and the reason is the word inspections. There is a title inspection for titled vehicles coming from out of state, that is a onetime inspection just for the title and registration, the other is a safety inspection, that is required every year for trailers over 4500#. And DPS L@W units will hit you for an out of date saftey sticker, because every sticker purchased has one dollar going to the DPS retirement fund.
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Don't think anyone in Michigan will look at them but us.
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