Do I need my trailer inspected in Texas

[grunewald]

Little confused about having my trailer inspected. When I bought the trailer, the dealer told me to get it inspected. Trailer weighs about 3000#, rated at 12,000#. 2 axles, but not duallys, trailer brakes on 1 axle. Some friends told me that I do not need it inspected, but not sure if I believe them. Also have farm plates on it. Would sure like to put my mind at ease, want to do the correct thing.

 

[weldingisfun]

No inspection required. If it was a commercial trailer things would be different. But, just to put your mind at ease, call DOT.

 

[Mike120]

I've got three trailers and none of them has ever been inspected. My understanding is that only commercial trailers need inspection. Around here you see the DPS inspecting the commercial rigs all the time. I pass them with an even bigger trailer with farm plates and they don't even look up.

 

[Bird]

Little confused about having my trailer inspected. When I bought the trailer, the dealer told me to get it inspected. Trailer weighs about 3000#, rated at 12,000#. 2 axles, but not duallys, trailer brakes on 1 axle. Some friends told me that I do not need it inspected, but not sure if I believe them. Also have farm plates on it. Would sure like to put my mind at ease, want to do the correct thing.

I'm afraid you're getting some at least partially incorrect information. Commercial trailers are definitely NOT the only ones requiring an annual state safety inspection, so your dealer was correct . . . EXCEPT . .(you know how that goes; there's always exceptions). So . ., if you'd like to put your mind at ease, and do a lot of reading, go to Chapter 548 of the Texas Transportation Code.

Actually, all trailers with an actual gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4,500 pounds are required to have the annual inspection. But Section 548.052 gives you the exceptions. You say you have it registered as a farm vehicle, so you meet one of the exceptions.

The fact of the matter is that many, if not most, police officers as well as the inspectors in the inspection stations don't really know or understand that chapter of the Code, so many people, such as RVers, never get their trailers inspected, and technically they're in violation.

 

[grunewald]

Really do appreciate the help from my fellow Texans, thank you.. won't bother with inspection....I can get more imformation at this forum than anywhere else. Thought this was correct, just wanted to be sure...Thank you.

 

[LBrown59]

Little confused about having my trailer inspected. When I bought the trailer, the dealer told me to get it inspected. Trailer weighs about 3000#, rated at 12,000#. 2 axles, but not duallys,* trailer brakes on 1 axle. Some friends told me that I do not need it inspected, but not sure if I believe them. Also have farm plates on it. Would sure like to put my mind at ease, want to do the correct thing.

*U really should have brakes on both axles.

 

[Bird]

*U really should have brakes on both axles.

That is certainly preferable, but Texas law (Section 547.402 of the Transportation Code) only requires brakes on the rear axle for his trailer's gross weight.

 

[wushaw]

Yea...what Bird said

It's one of thoes laws that is rarely enforced but when it is.....

 

[Mike120]

Thanks Bird....that's interesting. I'm tempted to haul my big trailer up to the local Jiffy Lube and ask them to inspect it.

 

[wushaw]

Ya might want to call first before you waste fuel just to find out they don't do trailers.