Registering your Utility Trailer

The summer has arrived and your new utility trailer is all ready for you to use. But before you take off on your latest adventure, do not forget that you need to register your new trailer in the state you live in, and you will need the required paperwork to make your new trailer legal.

Do not worry that it sounds like a lot of work, it really isn’t. The work involved is mostly making sure you have all the right paperwork and information of any fees associated with registration. If you have those together, the process should be easy to follow to get your trailer registered and ready to go.

Most rules state that an owner must register a utility trailer since it is being used to secure and tow items like a motorcycle, boat, or snow mobile behind you on a road or highway. To do this, check the few basic guidelines below to get you started.

Having all your papers in order when registering your trailer is one of the most important areas for registering your new enclosed cargo trailer or open utility trailer. You’ll have to make a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the town or city you live in, and they will require the following from you:

• Official bill of sale providing proof that you are the owner of the new cargo trailer or open utility trailer. You should be able to provide information on the buyer (presumably yourself) and the seller, as well as the year, make, model, weight and ID number of the trailer.

• Make sure you have necessary personal items like a valid drivers’ license, photo ID and possibly insurance papers.

• Having the certificate of title for the utility trailer is important. If you do not yet have the certificate of title for the trailer, then contact your local DMV to find out the process to obtain one for the trailer.

Once you have the necessary paperwork, you’ll likely have to fill out an application form for utility trailer registration and pay the fees. In addition, you’ll also need to have any utility trailers checked for safety and reliability. Once that is done by the DMV, then you may be issued a temporary registration for the trailer. Registration lengths for utility trailer vary from sate to state, but in general, most registrations are for a 2-yr. period.

You will also be provided a license plate for the trailer, which will be sent with the sticker to your residence after you’ve applied and presented the correct paperwork. One that is done, properly attach the plate to the trailer.

Insuring your utility trailer is very much like insuring any other motor vehicle that you won. You’ll need to contact your auto insurer and ask about the steps to insure your utility trailer. Once you have the required information, you can make steps to protect your investment from accident, theft or natural damage.