Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer. What do I need to do in general, what documentation to bring
etc.

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer. What do I need to do in general, what documentation to bring
etc.

I estimate the weight of this trailer as 1,500-1,600 lbs. I can easily
lift its front, it is like 50 lbs or so of weight. Having a lifting
handle also helps. (handle found in Fermilab garbage).

Ignoramus20785 wrote:

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer. What do I need to do in general, what documentation to bring
etc.

Here in TN, I had to furnish documentation/receipts showing that I paid
state sales tax on all the pieces-parts. Otherwise, they will charge you
tax based upon the estimated value of the trailer.

A good place to start is to call your state's commercial vehicle enforcement
entity. They will point you in the right direction. You can do a web
search for "your state" and "homemade trailer registration".

I estimate the weight of this trailer as 1,500-1,600 lbs. I can easily
lift its front, it is like 50 lbs or so of weight. Having a lifting
handle also helps. (handle found in Fermilab garbage).

Be wary of light tongue weight. You want about 10% of the gross trailer
weight on the tongue, otherwise you'll fishtail all over the road. After
you put the pintle coupler, breakaway brake kit battery, and possibly a
spare up front, it may be a non-issue.

The flipping operation looked exciting, 'cause there's nowhere to run!

Ignoramus20785 wrote:

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer. What do I need to do in general, what documentation to bring
etc.

"Nick Mueller" <muellernick@gmx.de> wrote in message
news:1436007.haB42J5KIO@yadro.de...
Ignoramus20785 wrote:

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer. What do I need to do in general, what documentation to bring
etc.


I have two. In Arizona you get the expected run around. It done by A.D.O.T.
I took a small trash trailer down and was told it needed a license plate
light. So I took it home and added the lamp. Went back and was told it
needed mud flaps. When I went back the told me the mud flaps were too floppy
and they needed support. So I asked it they could just look the whole
trailer over and give me a list. The guy trusted me on the supports and I
got the tag.

The good thing is they did not notice I used the rear axle from an old front
wheel drive car. I'm sure that would have added problems.

If anyone is considering building a utility trailer I have a very neat 6X12.
It tilts and has opening front and rear panels. I can send pictures.

Al

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer.

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer.


Veni vidi vici.

Igor, I am proud of you. You are an inspiration.

You know the best thing about your trailer???

You won't have Nick following behind you.

Now if you can just figure out how to keep him from following you
around the internet...

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer.


Veni vidi vici.

Igor, I am proud of you. You are an inspiration.

You know the best thing about your trailer???

You won't have Nick following behind you.

Now if you can just figure out how to keep him from following you
around the internet...

V

Maybe we can find out what Nicks favorite cheese is and buy him a wheel

Iggy,
Give me a call. I can help you out with the title and VIN through ISP's
District 5 office on RT 53 by Statesville Prison. It's a paperwork issue
and an inspection. I just did one on a clients quad. Or give the Sec. of
State Police a call and they can mail you the documentation. Some of the
larger DMV offices have Troopers stationed there just for issues like
this. The one by your house may have one. I know Joliet does for sure.
Check http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/police/home.html too.
My old chief is stationed in Niles. I can leverage him on questions or put
you in touch with him if you want.

Respects,

Rob

Fraser Competition Engines
Chicago, IL.

Iggy,
Give me a call. I can help you out with the title and VIN through ISP's
District 5 office on RT 53 by Statesville Prison. It's a paperwork issue and
an inspection. I just did one on a clients quad. Or give the Sec. of State
Police a call and they can mail you the documentation. Some of the larger
DMV offices have Troopers stationed there just for issues like this. The
one by your house may have one. I know Joliet does for sure. Check
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/police/home.html too. My old
chief is stationed in Niles. I can leverage him on questions or put you in
touch with him if you want.

All three times I made trailers from scratch, the inspectors and people at
DMV were decent people. They can tell if you're trying to slide something
in on them, and if you show up with something that's definitely home made,
they don't really pay it a lot of attention. Just have the receipts for
materials, necessary documentation, and a good attitude, and they are just
about like any other DIYer, and will even kibitz about this and that on
the trailer.

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Homemade-Trailer-With-M105A2-Bed/07-Trailer-Turned-Over/

First, I redid a few particularly bad looking vertical welds by
following Ernie's great advice. Some pictures and his advice can be
found above. They are still bad looking, but not as bad.

Then my FIL painted the trailer by a "cold galvanizing paint" from
McMaster. Which looks like great stuff.

Then I turned this trailer over so that it stands on wheels. See
pictures and explanation over there too.

The trailer is not done yet.

* Four more flat welds need to be done (on seams that were below the
frame when the trailer was upside down)

* Painting near these future welds needs to be completed, lunette eye
needs to be painted.

* I need to install legally required lights, which I have not yet
received

* I need to properly wire in electricity and brakes etc.

Has anyone ever gone through a process of registering a homemade
trailer. What do I need to do in general, what documentation to bring
etc.

I estimate the weight of this trailer as 1,500-1,600 lbs. I can easily
lift its front, it is like 50 lbs or so of weight. Having a lifting
handle also helps. (handle found in Fermilab garbage).

i

It doesn't look like there is much clearance between the axle tube (and
U-bolts) and the frame member, considering there is no load on the bed.