Utility Trailer Questions (sale, insurance, buying)

[va_lucky]

I live in an area where I have to take my own trash out to the county dump.

I have a beater truck that is on it's last legs and want to replace it with a trailer.

I'd like to understand the requirements in Virginia. The website seems vague to me on insurance requirements e.g. depends on the insurance of the vehicle.

Also, I'd like to know if it requires a safety inspection and if so is it annually?

Also, do you I have to go the DMV to register it in person? We all love to avoid that when possible!

Thanks

[car54]

Trailers are covered under the liability insurance policy of the tow vehicle. To insure the trailer itself for loss would probably take a separate policy. I think few utility trailers are worth enough to bother with that.

My understanding is trailers do not require a safety inspection UNLESS they are equipped with brakes.

You can title and register any vehicle by mail, but unless you know exactly what documentation is required, you could end up with a lot of back and forth mail to DMV.

Are you buying a new trailer? If so, you need the Manufacturers Statement of Origin and a bill of sale. If it's used, you need the title signed over to you (just like any used vehicle).

Note: If the trailer is used and coming from out-of-state....some states do not title small trailers and some (like VA) do. If it's from a non-title state, you need the former owners' registration and a bill of sale.

There are a few states that do not title OR register small trailers. That's when it gets dicey. Get a bill of sale and hope you can talk the DMV office manger into accepting your application for title and registration.

[1969351]

are you are talking about one of the smaller one's that they sell at Tractor Supply, Lowes etc???

If so they do not need inspection.....that said make sure the light are always working, grease the hubs yearly, and I used to replace the tires every 2-3 years.

On insurance check with your agent. I had insurance on mine, it was cheap.

On tags get the permanent tags if you can, they only cost a few $$ more than the yearly ones and it's one less thing to worry about yearly.

[va_lucky]

Thanks everyone and yes smaller ones that I can get at Lowes or Tractor Supply. Yes it is going to be new.