Trailer registration and inspection

[klinner28]

I do this annually at a RV dealer 2.5 hours away in November in PA. With this trip, I also deal with recalls and improvements like replacing the tires.

This year, I don't have any reason to go there other than for registration.
Anyone else diligently do this or is this a waste of time and money? What are the chances you get busted?

[JFlightRisk]

Here in NYS, our registration renewals come in the mail. All trailers expire at the same time, here. A colored sticker goes on the tag, and it's different every year, so police can spot a violator very easily.
Inspection stickers just staple to the registration, so it's not visible, until the police stop you for something, or pull up behind you to help when you have a flat, or breakdown, and get curious. Our inspections here are only $6, and there's a lot of inspection stations around us. Not worth the aggravation for $6.

[THE MEEKER]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

Inspection stickers just staple to the registration, so it's not visible, until the police stop you for something, or pull up behind you to help when you have a flat, or breakdown, and get curious. Our inspections here are only $6, and there's a lot of inspection stations around us. Not worth the aggravation for $6.

Yes, get your RV Inspected every year in New York State.

Back in 2015 on a Sunday morning, at Letchworth State Park, NYS Parks Police had a checkpoint at park exits and randomly stopping anyone towing travel trailers/fifth wheels for vehicle registration and inspection compliance. If all was good, they would then inquire the RV inspection and registration. Since my rig was new, I was ok. But they nailed my brother who did have current registration but his TT was three years old and did not have it inspected since picking it up from the dealer - with the fine, fees and surcharges, $200.00 bucks out of his pocket. I think that was the last straw for him as he now resides in Nashville, TN.

[Midnightmoon]

Absolutely yes you need to do it here in PA. I started using our local equipment trailer dealer for inspections. Much cheaper than the dealer and more convenient to get to.

[Atlee]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Absolutely yes you need to do it here in PA. I started using our local equipment trailer dealer for inspections. Much cheaper than the dealer and more convenient to get to.

Are you saying an inspection station can charge what they want to do the inspection? Here in Virginia, an inspection station can only charge $16 for the service, even dealerships.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by Atlee

Are you saying an inspection station can charge what they want to do the inspection? Here in Virginia, an inspection station can only charge $16 for the service, even dealerships.

Yes. My local equipment trailer dealer charges $50. My selling dealer $79.99.

[shadester]

Yes, in the great state of NY I get the inspection. What happens if you get into an accident without the inspection? Don't know and don't want to find out. Called several places, like the other poster stated some places don't seem interested in getting you in for $6.00. One year I went to camping world and was charged around 125.00 ( inspection, plus labor) to get it done. I'm not sure if that was legal but I paid I will never go back to camping world to get it done.

[BJR]

I may or may not have had my trailer inspected since we bought it new in 2016. Dealer wants $80 for it but like Midnightmoon I would find a local shop to do it.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by BJR

I may or may not have had my trailer inspected since we bought it new in 2016. Dealer wants $80 for it but like Midnightmoon I would find a local shop to do it.

And I just want to add, when I had it done at the dealer, all they did were check the lights and pull the breakaway switch. When I had it done here at Smouse in Mt. Pleasant, they actually inspected the trailer. They jacked it up, checked all 4 brakes, bearings on all 4 wheels, crawled under it with a creeper and checked the springs, shackles, etc. They even checked the tire pressure. I was really impressed with their work and I have absolutely no issue paying for an inspection when they actually do something.

If anyone is ever in the area, I highly recommend Smouse.

[Sundancer330]

I am glad we have no inspections and the trailer plates you pay once when you buy it and they don't expire. What do they inspect for $6, can't be much since its so cheap, more of a hassle just to drag the TT there.

[DocBrown]

No trailer inspections in WI. However I live in the 5 county SE WI area and we have mandatory emissions testing for vehicles. Can't get the sticker without the inspection. I image that if WI decided to implement trailer inspections it would be the same arrangement.

You can also drive without a drivers license because no one can see what's in your wallet. But would you?

[Lake Huron]

Trailer inspections, registrations,... what kind of BS is that?? Sounds like a money making rip off scam you're states are pulling on you poor people. You guys need to come to Michigan. Yes, our roads suck here, but we don't have any of that nonsense. If your trailer is 10k or under its a $200 plate, if it's over 10k then it's a $300 plate that is good for as long as you own the trailer.

I wouldn't trust anybody to "inspect" my trailer to tell me if its road worthy. You cant even trust a dealership to change oil and grease fittings out there anymore. That's why I inspect my own trailer, do my own oil changes and repairs.

[parallax]

Interesting. Read. Out here in Oregon. We have no trailer or vehicle inspection requirements. (Yet). At least not till government. Figures out they can take more money out of my wallet by requiring it

[ynpmoose]

Call around to local mechanics that can do state inspections or maybe even somebody that sells utility trailers. I found a guy 1/2 mile down the road who will do it while I wait because he doesn't want the trailer taking up lot space.

[klinner28]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Yes. My local equipment trailer dealer charges $50. My selling dealer $79.99.

Yes, it's $80 where I take it to as well.

That's me hooking up, driving it 2.5 hours, unhooking it in a cramped dealership, and then picking it up after a few hours...

Major inconvenience... wondering if I should take the chance and skip a year... and as other states don't require them, I wonder what they are inspecting?

[JFlightRisk]

snip..." One year I went to camping world and was charged around 125.00 ( inspection, plus labor) to get it done. I'm not sure if that was legal but I paid I will never go back to camping world to get it done.[/QUOTE]

That was severely unscrupulous!! Maybe illegal, also. Did they do anything else to your TT to get it to pass inspection? I was a certified NYS Motor Vehicle inspector for 18 years, and was licensed for everything except the trailer portion, of a tractor trailer. If the vehicle passed without any work, or parts (bulbs, wipers, etc.), you can only charge the state listed amount for that type of vehicle. $6 for trailers, $21 for cars/trucks, etc. Now, IF they had to replace so much as a marker bulb, and they get $125/hour labor calculated by clock hours, or flat rate, they gotcha!

[Shokyle1]

No inspections in Wyoming just get robbed every year for plates last year was just shy of 800 dollars

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by Shokyle1

No inspections in Wyoming just get robbed every year for plates last year was just shy of 800 dollars

[Shokyle1]

A little painful. They base it on the MSRP. We all know how overblown those are.

[JFlightRisk]

It's (sort of) one good thing about NYS. Inspections are cheap, and registrations are reasonable, compared to some other states. The bad thing is, our property taxes are second highest in the country.
Can't afford to live here, and can't afford plates there. Where ya gonna go???