Help Finding a Texas Inspection Station

[gesam]

Hello,

I feel like I'm in a bit of a pickle! We just bought a 2016 Airstream Classic in North Carolina and will be registering it in Texas. Our home address is in Euless, Texas and, if I read the law correctly, we have to have our trailer inspected within that county before we can get our registration.

I am looking for an inspection station that would accommodate a 30 foot trailer and am coming up empty. They seem to be small businesses in congested areas. We are pretty new at trailering and am a bit nervous about getting into a parking lot I can't get out of.

I'm hoping there might be someone who might be able to offer some possible solutions to finding a place who has been to that area. Or, does anyone have any thoughts to help?

Thanks!

Gary

[slowmover]

Pretty much any trailer service shop (tractor trailer). Plenty in Fort Wort. I don't have any to recommend, but have done other business with CMC off of IH35N near 28th.

It would be very easy to get in and out as are on northbound service road. If they decline, ask for a recommendation.

Now that I think of it, PM "Bluto" as he has a likely recommendation.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by gesam

Hello,

< snip >

I'm hoping there might be someone who might be able to offer some possible solutions to finding a place who has been to that area. Or, does anyone have any thoughts to help?

Thanks!

Gary

Hi Gary...

How about taking it to Vogt RV down on Airport Freeway? Just drive it up front and their inspection person will take care of it right away. We are your "neighbors" in Hurst.

Rob & Linda

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by gesam

Our home address is in Euless, Texas

Slightly off-topic, but your profile to the left of your post says "Euless, Michigan." Might want to fix that.

[megadice]

Inspection can be done ANYWHERE in Texas, it doesn't need to be in the county of your domicile.

Also, to change title and registration you DO NOT need to physically go to the county to do it. It needs to be handled by the county of your domicile but it can be handled by mail... just needs to be mailed there.

I interpreted it as needing to be physically present however the tax office told me personally otherwise... would have saved me a 4hr round trip!

On the website there is a locator. https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/VIa...r/default.aspx

I would recommend calling to ensure they still do it and still do trailers.

I just did this process this past week.

--j

[McArthur]

Check out the Texas DMV. They rescinded that law requiring trailer inspections for light weight trailers. Only very heavy trailers still require inspections. I forget the break point but my '82 Excella 34' is exempt.

Mac

[Explorers3]

Our 27fb just missed the exemption cutoff (7500 gvw), so we too still have to get annual inspections.

[txairlover]

SB 1001

Effective 1 September 2017

Changed gross weight of trailer from 4500 lbs or less to 7500 lbs or less to be exempt from vehicle inspection.

[turnerstream]

Originally Posted by McArthur

Check out the Texas DMV. They rescinded that law requiring trailer inspections for light weight trailers. Only very heavy trailers still require inspections. I forget the break point but my '82 Excella 34' is exempt.

Mac

The new limits is 7,000 lbs. I just registered our 25 Safari. Last year it needed an inspection, but no longer. If you’re over 7,000 lb see if there is a Campingworld in town. I’ve had them do inspections for me in the past.

[ZoominC6]

Originally Posted by gesam

Hello,

I feel like I'm in a bit of a pickle! We just bought a 2016 Airstream Classic in North Carolina and will be registering it in Texas. Our home address is in Euless, Texas and, if I read the law correctly, we have to have our trailer inspected within that county before we can get our registration.

I am looking for an inspection station that would accommodate a 30 foot trailer and am coming up empty. They seem to be small businesses in congested areas. We are pretty new at trailering and am a bit nervous about getting into a parking lot I can't get out of.

I'm hoping there might be someone who might be able to offer some possible solutions to finding a place who has been to that area. Or, does anyone have any thoughts to help?

Thanks!

Gary

We have our 30ft Escape Pod inspected in Colleyville at City Garage, Glade Road and Colleyville Blvd. One of us stops traffic as we back out onto Glade and we've not encountered anything but friendly drivers as we back out. We wouldn't do this during rush hours. Good luck.

[rvb]

I'm In Euless and take my 28' to Sammy's Auto at the NW corner of Highway 10 and Simmons. If there aren't too many cars in the drive you can drive in the front and out the back. It looks tight but they drive semi tow trucks thru there. I always drive down and check the drive first. I did have to back into the front lot and turn around one time but they directed me. Tell Sammy Victor sent you!

[rvb]

Basically what they do to inspect the trailer is verify the vin and check lights brake safety switch and other safety equipment etc...

If Sammy's looks too tight to suit you, most any boat dealer should be able to inspect it. The closest I can think of is on Hwy 10 in Hurst on the North side about a block East of the Hurstview intersection. Check with them, they could probably do it in the front parking lot.

[rvb]

Originally Posted by McArthur

Check out the Texas DMV. They rescinded that law requiring trailer inspections for light weight trailers. Only very heavy trailers still require inspections. I forget the break point but my '82 Excella 34' is exempt.

Mac

I believe out of state transfers still need to be inspected before being titled in Texas. We bought Minuet several months ago and even though it was under the required inspection weight it still needed inspected because the title was being transferred from out of state. I believe the new weight requiring annual inspection is 8,000#

[rvb]

Originally Posted by turnerstream

The new limits is 7,000 lbs. I just registered our 25 Safari. Last year it needed an inspection, but no longer. If you’re over 7,000 lb see if there is a Campingworld in town. I’ve had them do inspections for me in the past.

It may be 7000# instead of 8000#. Both mine are under so I don't keep track. The nearest Campingworlds are in Denton 25 miles North and Burleson 30 miles South of Euless.

[czunc]

We can inspect you trailer at our Ford dealership if you’re going through Dallas.

[wave man]

http://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/news/index.htm

[Jekerrville]

Inspection stations walk up to trailer, test turn signals, mash on the brakes and lights come on, parking lights work, got chains and see that there is a line for the break away switch. That’s it.

Now the big deal!! You bought your trailer out of state and you want to register in Texas so you can get plates, correct??

Well, the clerk will want to see bill of sale and title from out of state dealer or sale person. So far so good. Now comes the surprise. Vehicle sales tax!!!!!

How about 6 to 7 % on that sale price. Be ready for the shock. Let’s see 100 K sales price is about $7,000.00 tax. Ain’t it grand.

This is why folks have corporate papers in New Mexico, no sales tax. Hope all goes well. If you paid sales tax in the state of purchase they may let you slide and collect the tax from that state. If you just received a MCO certificate you get to pay tax here.

Safe travels.

[GMarugg]

Try this site it give locations and you can check access before you go
https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/VIa...chResults.aspx

[RFP]

Originally Posted by GMarugg

Try this site it give locations and you can check access before you go
https://www.dps.texas.gov/rsd/vi/VIa...chResults.aspx

This appears to be a very incomplete list... doesn't list VOGT RV, which is pretty darned close to the OP, and has the easiest access you can imagine.

[gesam]

Thank you all for the advice, tips and support! I think we finally have a good plan to take care of all of the administrative nonsense needed to get truck/trailer registered and become a Texas resident. I'm afraid we would not be exempt from the trailer inspection since our trailer is heavier than the limit.

We are also bracing ourselves for the Sales Tax we are going to have to pay....6.25%!! I know this is not unique to Texas, but it still doesn't make it any easier to swallow!!! I will say the one thing that is most unique to Texas are the "inspections." I believe that to be an unnecessary tax imposed on the residents of Texas. IMHO