Changes to Texas trailer Inspection rules 9-1-2017

[3wd67rg]

I don't suppose our 1988 325 Classic Moho fits in this category. It and our jeep are both registered in Chris's hometown.

[banderabob]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

New Legislation

Senate Bill 1001
Effective Sept. 1, 2017
SB 1001 changes the actual gross weight or registered gross weight for a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home from 4,500 pounds or less to 7,500 pounds or less to be exempt from vehicle inspection.


Used to be 4500 pounds or less

That's great, because where I live, the inspection was a joke.....just checked
to see if the rear lights worked.

[Leslieotr]

Bought a new 25' FC in December 2017 and went to register it in Texas since it was an out of state purchase. I was told I needed an "inspection". I explained it was a trailer without a motor and was told, I need an inspection. So took my baby who was nice and clean out in the rain and mud to a local service station where they looked at the lights, commented about the hitch (ProPride) and said what a nice trailer it was. I will have to look and see what weight is on the title, so I can skip that next year, I hope. It was in Montgomery County.

[Re-Pete]

Nice, Texas is going to be our new domicile state.

[glenrms]

I cannot find official documentation but when went to a service station to ask about how to get my AS safety inspected last Spring, I was told by the inspector that if you have a trailer semi-permanently set up and can't pull it out easily, an inspection is possible with the AS paperwork only. It worked for me.

[Martee]

Originally Posted by DaveMc

Mixed emotions about that. You see some pretty shoddy trailers rolling around Houston area, as I'm sure other areas do. Glad I don't have to bother with the Airstream, but can't help but think this change had public safety in mind...

I feel the same way. Here in Waco; I have seen some mighty poor trailers used daily by contractors. Cracked frames, loose floorboards; parts rusting off the trailer. I would have simply amended the law to exclude any trailers 5 years old and younger from inspection.

[KJRitchie]

The charge for trailer inspection is only $7. Inspections stations will not spend much time inspecting anything on your trailer. Probably ask to turn on the lights and they will give a glance at the tires and kick them and then sign off.

My Classic 25fb has an 8000lb GVWR. If we decide to domicile in Texas it can't be that hard to find an inspection station to do the trailer.

Kelvin

[bwoodtx]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

My 1997 30' registered weight is 7200, you may want to check yours, Bruce

There is a difference between REGISTERED weight and the GVWR on the data plate. My GVWR is 8300-but I COULD register it at 6700 or such.

You ever get pulled over and checked, there will be a hurt coming. For $14.50-no thank you. I'll register mine as tagged and get it inspected.

It's more of a pain to hook up and drag to the station than it is to have inspected. I try to coincide with a camping trip when I am hooked up anyway.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

The charge for trailer inspection is only $7. Inspections stations will not spend much time inspecting anything on your trailer. Probably ask to turn on the lights and they will give a glance at the tires and kick them and then sign off.

My Classic 25fb has an 8000lb GVWR. If we decide to domicile in Texas it can't be that hard to find an inspection station to do the trailer.

Kelvin

Hi

Given the low charges for most state inspections, they most certainly aren't making any money on the inspection. In some areas you are pretty much guaranteed to get the "xxxx failed inspection and you can't take the vehicle off the lot until it's fixed / replaced". Not to hard to work out how you could make money that way.

Bob

[switz]

That is why state required vehicle inspections at gas stations and dealers were stopped in Indiana years ago. There was too much financial incentive to find "something" wrong to create additional revenue.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by switz

That is why state required vehicle inspections at gas stations and dealers were stopped in Indiana years ago. There was too much financial incentive to find "something" wrong to create additional revenue.

Hi

Back when I lived in Indiana the wiper blades were 100% likely to fail inspection. That was true even if you had just replaced them yourself.....You *could* dispute the issue, then they might find a brake problem. I just went along with the game and let them put on new blades each year.

Lots of fun

Bob

[rmkrum]

Back in the bad old days (I doubt it has changed) the best way to pass an Illinois vehicle inspection was to wrap a $20 around the registration card and hand it to the inspector. My dad refused to play the game, and it took 5 trips to fix things that were not broken, and to wear them down.

Yes, Richard Daley, former Chicago mayor is dead, but he's probably still running the city...

[TopGeorge]

Originally Posted by banderabob

That's great, because where I live, the inspection was a joke.....just checked
to see if the rear lights worked.

A joke, plus a host of other 4 letter words are perfect ways to describe what was truly a major p.i.t.a.

Hallelujah! Being exempt from that ridiculousness, even if it's just for one cycle, sure feels great.

[StreamGlider]

DANG! I didn't know that and like a good boy I had mine inspected in August before I renewed the registration. Only a 7 dollar deal, but the whole hookup and driving across town crap is a PITA.

[Countryboy59]

I remember they put my old Hudson on the skid pad to check equal brakes on each wheel, in utah. I got even when they checked the turn signals and seat belts which my car didn't have and wasn't required to have. Thank God Michigan ended that crap years ago.

[megadice]

fwiw I just called the Polk County Tax Office (who register vehicles).

My 2018 30ft flying could bunk is listed as GVWR 8800, but on my registration card it is listed as 6746lbs.

The lady told me that I DID need to get it inspected.

I post here because it seems to go against the general consensus of the thread.

Was really hoping not to have to hook up and find a place to get it inspected but will do so since it seems like a small headache vs a potentially larger one.

-Joe

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Back in the bad old days (I doubt it has changed) the best way to pass an Illinois vehicle inspection was to wrap a $20 around the registration card and hand it to the inspector. My dad refused to play the game, and it took 5 trips to fix things that were not broken, and to wear them down.

Yes, Richard Daley, former Chicago mayor is dead, but he's probably still running the city...

Another trick that was played in Il. when pu had to inspected was to adjust headlights, fee was extra price same as inspection fee but still way to gauge owners. Il did away with inspections except commercial and D plates up, also any trailer 3000 lbs. up has to be done every 6 mos. except interstate usage is 1 yr between inspections
Rvs. are exempt from inspection and scales

[Martee]

Originally Posted by megadice

fwiw I just called the Polk County Tax Office (who register vehicles).

My 2018 30ft flying could bunk is listed as GVWR 8800, but on my registration card it is listed as 6746lbs.

The lady told me that I DID need to get it inspected.

I post here because it seems to go against the general consensus of the thread.

Was really hoping not to have to hook up and find a place to get it inspected but will do so since it seems like a small headache vs a potentially larger one.

-Joe

Congratulations on your new flying cloud.
Based on weight your 30' FC does need a Texas trailer inspection. New cutoff on inspections is 7500 lbs (fully loaded). Your tax clerk made a mathematics mistake on weight , but was very correct on need for an inspection.

[fairtheewell]

I would love to think this will make registering a trailer easier...

[wbrisett]

Originally Posted by bwoodtx

Under 27' by today's weights

Need to see what the title says, but the specs claim 5,868 lbs for 2018 for the 27FB, so unless there's another 1200 lbs somewhere I think we're OK even with most 30 ft models.

Wait...just saw this is GVWR... darn. That means 23's and below by 2018 specs.