Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

[dccordell]

Hey everybody, I'm finally in a position to finish up this boat rebuild, and I'm to the point of finishing the trailer rebuild. The trailer was in pretty shoddy shape, to say the least, but I've replaced parts and got it back to pretty good shape, minus the needed grinding and paint job that is soon to come.

The guy I bought it from 3 years ago said he never had the trailer registered, and he always just used a plate from another trailer when he took the boat on the road. I don't feel that luck will be on my side to pull off something like that, so I'd like to get the trailer legal for the road.

Now, not having any previous trailer registration/title, I'm researching my options. Since I've replaced a lot of the trailer, I'm wondering if it would be reasonable for me to get it stamped as a home-built trailer? The trailer doesn't have any current ID stamp on it as far as I can tell. I have receipts for the parts that I've purchased. But I'm still using the original frame, axle, and rollers. Everything else is basically new...

My only major concern is that I'm using the original main parts of the trailer. I can get a bill of sale for those parts if I need to, from the guy I bought it from with the boat. Since none of the original parts are stamped as having been assigned an ID number in the past, I think I can pull this off at the State Troopers office. What do yall think?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

Not possible. I did it once and got into all kinds of hassle. Won't ever try that again.

But maybe you should call your local DMV. They would probably have the correct answers for where you live.

 

[joelybob]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

I would call dmv and see what they think. I am sure they will give you a new vin # and register it as homemade

 

[dccordell]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

Ok, I think I'll give the DMV (OMV as they call it here in Louisiana) to see what they say. I'm just worried about the grey area in what constitutes a "home made" trailer, and how much of the original trailer I can use, especially without a sales receipt. I found that Connecticut has a good definition of "homemade" trailer here, but I can't find anything similar for the state of Louisiana.

For anybody else finding this thread and going through a similar situation, here are some relevant links:
Homemade Trailer: Serial Numbers, License and Title - Louisiana
Q. How do I apply for a title and license plate for a homemade trailer?

I'll let you guys know how it goes... still have some work to do on the trailer before I can call it homemade and finished.

 

[GAMAYBERRY]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

I am dealing with a similar situation here in Virginia. Bought the boat from a local boat mechanic, and he advised me that he had to "dig out the title" for the trailer, of which he couldn't.... The boat is titled just fine, but not the trailer. I have seen alot about the "homemade" title option, but honestly with a big SHORELANDR logo, I doubt they will buy it. On that note, logo:yes, VIN: no. I have searched all over it.

I have seen that there is some theory that I call the state of Maine, register it without a title or inspection, and then once thats done, transfer it to Virginia. Does anyone have any insight as to if that works and/or how it works? Should I even entertain this idea?

 

[Valley Boater]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

In 2002 I moved my boat from Georgia (no title trailer state) to Louisiana. On my attempt to get tags for the trailer I was told I needed to get a title for the boat trailer and had no VIN on the trailer so they sent me to the local State Police barracks (Alexandria) and they issued me a VIN number and gave me a tag to rivet to the trailer. I took the new VIN number to the local tag office (I went to Bunkie, South of Alexandria as the lines were non-existant) and was issued tags and a title.

On a similar note last year I purchased a trailer that had no title, no VIN in Virginia (where I now reside) and tried to get it titled without success and gave up. My experience in Louisiana were very positive. I do recommend using one of the small rural Tag Office (such as Bunkie) as they usually have more experience and apathy for fishin' boat trailers!

 

[GAMAYBERRY]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

By "tag office" I am assuming you mean Virginia DMV? Lines are existant, *sympathy is what is non-existant with them here! haha

 

[dccordell]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

So I called the LSP office and told them my situation. They said it shouldn't be any problem to get a new VIN assigned. All I need to do is call them to make an appointment to bring it by, or they may even be able to come out to the house to do it there, saving me a trip (depending on when and where the troopers are at the time).

It seems the biggest thing in my favor here is that the original VIN plate/tag is long gone. Even if the boat is obviously not home built, this may be the only way to get it legal because of the missing VIN. I've searched for Shoreline trailers, trying to find any other place they may have stamped the VIN, but no luck so far.

I'm in the process of getting the boat off the trailer to finish up some repairs, so hopefully I'll be making that appoint within the next two weeks (hopefully sooner!).

I'll let yall know how it goes...

 

[joelybob]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

I went to dmv this morning to reg. boat and trailer. when they asked me about vin # for trailer told them that there is not one (which is true) had to fill out a form for lost/damaged vin. and with new vin # sticker I was on my way.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

joelybob, so what DID you have for the trailer when you went to the DMV? No State Police inspection at all?

 

[joelybob]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

nothing. that's the nice thing about vt very easy to reg stuff. only time we need a police officer to verify a vin. but I guess if there isn't one at all you can fill out form to get vt issued one.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

So I called the LSP office and told them my situation. They said it shouldn't be any problem to get a new VIN assigned. All I need to do is call them to make an appointment to bring it by, or they may even be able to come out to the house to do it there, saving me a trip (depending on when and where the troopers are at the time).

Take a guess why they are so helpful to actually come out to your place and save you a trip? There are a fair number of people that are trying to do what you are doing who have acquired their property by 'other' means... If they are insistent on visiting you, it means they suspect you are probably a thief. Keep that in mind if any of their questions seem out of place. They WILL be looking around your property, and will probably want to step inside your house to 'finish the paperwork'.

(I am no way implying that you are, just that I've dealt with the identical situation, and had the HP end up giving me a hard time because I didn't have all the answers they wanted. ie, why didn't the previous owner have a title?, why did he sell it?, why did you buy it without a title?)

 

[dccordell]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

If they are insistent on visiting you, it means they suspect you are probably a thief. Keep that in mind if any of their questions seem out of place. They WILL be looking around your property, and will probably want to step inside your house to 'finish the paperwork'.

You know, I wouldn't doubt what you're saying one bit. I know how rampant trailer theft is, even around here, even happening to people in my own family. I'm thinking I will actually take the trailer to them instead of letting them "drop by" the house, although if they are close by, I may just let them stop by anyways. If it came down to it, we could always call the guy that owned the trailer before me to prove I didn't steal anything, but I'm hoping that is unnecessary.

I almost have the boat off the trailer as of yesterday evening, so hopefully the final trailer repairs will begin today or tomorrow! Then I'll take the next step for registration/title.

 

[hivoltg]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

I just went through this process in Texas and it wasn't any fun. I had 11 years of previous registration paperwork and the bill of sale. Thankfully the previous owners wife was really good at saving everything. In Texas trailers grossing under 4k lbs only get registered. Over 4k lbs they get a title.

Still because it didn't have a vin on the registration paperwork they made me meet with auto theft detectives (who only works on Wednesdays), visit the dmv for a new vin, have the vin stamped/engraved, and get the trailers certified weight at a weight station.

It took a lot of time and effort but I got it registered and it grossed above 4k lbs so it got a title.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Register as a home built trailer in Louisiana, can I do it?

** UPDATE **

So, I just about finished all of the rework on the trailer, then called the Louisiana State Troopers office (Troop F for me). They told me I needed to go to their website and print the Homemade Trailer Affidavit form, get it notarized, and bring it, along with the trailer, to their office, 7 days a week, sun up to sun down.

So I did the paperwork and pulled the trailer to their office this past Saturday. The guy needed only that notarized affidavit (no receipts, bill of sale, licence, truck registration, NOTHING). He came out with a big tray of stencils and a big wacker and stamped the new VIN into the top of the trailer tongue just behind the coupler. He gave me a small filled out form and sent me on my way. No fees. No inspection.

I took the form to the DMV this morning, and $54 later, I had my plate and registration. Title should be in the mail within 10 days.

Piece of cake! The whole process was much easier than I imagined. I can only speak for Troop F and this particular guy that did my trailer, but it was no hassle at all.

Almost scary how easy it would be for a thief to register a stolen trailer as homemade. Or maybe it was just highly believable that my trailer was indeed homemade. :\