i bought a junked trailer.

Its currently registered as junked, but were meeting on monday at the california dmv to transfer ownership. Is there anything I will need to know to it revived?

Im reading this site
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr4.htm

1.
An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) signed by all current owners."
gonna do that
got it

2.
To prove ownership of the vehicle, you must have the following:
Junk receipt issued by DMV
OR...
got it

3.
Vehicle Inspection
Revived junk vehicles must be inspected by the California DMV or, if required, by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) before DMV will issue title and registration. When you are sent the CHP for an inspection, you must bring the proof of ownership (previously discussed) and repair receipts to the inspection appointment for review by the inspection officer. A nonrefundable inspection fee will be collected by DMV at the time the registration application is presented. CHP conducts inspections by appointment only. You must contact CHP for an appointment at one of the telephone numbers or addresses listed on the reverse side of this brochure.
he said there was nothing really wrong with the trailer other than one of the bearings suck, but he just didnt want it...
any idea how much the fee might be?

4.
Brake/Light Inspection Certificates
California brake and light inspection certificates are required for reregistration of most vehicles. Certificates are not required for trailers weighing 3,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight.
Although i just looked at it and noticed it has no lights...

5.
Weight Certificate
A weight certificate is not required for:
Autos, trailers, and motorcycles.

6. smog test

7.
Fees That May Be Due
The types of fees that may be collected are:
Registration:
Registration Fee
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Fee
Vehicle License Fee (VLF)
Weight Fee
Commercial Vehicle Registration Act (CVRA) Motor Vehicle Fee
County Fees
Cargo Theft Interdiction Program (CTIP) Fee
Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Service Fee (most trailers)
Service Fees:
Salvage and Dismantled Vehicle Inspection Fee
Prior History Fee
Use Tax (not due if the vehicle was purchased from a licensed dismantler)
The bold is the fees i think ill have to pay, the not bold is those i think i wont have to pay... does anyone have any idea how much it may cost to get this thing usable?




Should I just post it on CL and let someone else deal with the hassle?

I would just rip off the boat stuff to it. Attach a homebuilt flatbed to it. Then rip of the old vin plate and get a new homebuilt trailer plate for it. I know in colorado getting title and stuff for homebuilt trailer is way easy. Not sure about the people republic of california though.

No wonder they call it Commiefornia.

Id cut the tongue shorter then make a wood bed with walls.

A trailer that size looks like it would make a perfect 4x8 trailer. I would do a diamond plate floor flatbed with removable side walls. That way you donthave to cut the sheet and I bet it would fit right between the tires.

yup what they said. I just did that here in FL, which is a really anal state when it comes to titles...... except for home built tittles. I had a hot dog cart for almost 20 years, the title was long gone. to track it down would take months and a lot of cash. so I went down and got a home built trailer title and tag. no questions asked.

I can't tell from the picture. Does it still have the winch? I'd be using that to pull dead riding mowers, cast iron stoves, etc up onto the trailer.

yea, it has a winch.

I went to the dmv with the guy this morning and without even realizing what was going on, i ended up getting it registered and it cost me 38 bucks... I think Id rather just sell it to be honest than try and turn it into a hauling trailer.

how to find out what load its rated for?


also where does one generally keep a trailer if they live at an apartment?

Just finished converting an old airstream to a flatbed. Completely stripped it down ( while the aluminum was still nicely priced), cut 6 foot off the end to make 24 feet, ran 1 solid 1/4" wall 4" tube down the center underneath and reinforced the side with 1/4" angle Iron positioned in such a way that it gives me a 2" lip all along it to attach anchor points. The axles are kinda far back, but that you can get used to and the reinforcements help it hold the span sturdily. All together with the $179 to register as a home built, it cost me under $300 and I made that back in spades with the aluminum. It makes one helluva trailer. Hauled almost 3 tons without a problem or signs of overstress.

Originally Posted by Jay Goold

Just finished converting an old airstream to a flatbed. Completely stripped it down ( while the aluminum was still nicely priced), cut 6 foot off the end to make 24 feet, ran 1 solid 1/4" wall 4" tube down the center underneath and reinforced the side with 1/4" angle Iron positioned in such a way that it gives me a 2" lip all along it to attach anchor points. The axles are kinda far back, but that you can get used to and the reinforcements help it hold the span sturdily. All together with the $179 to register as a home built, it cost me under $300 and I made that back in spades with the aluminum. It makes one helluva trailer. Hauled almost 3 tons without a problem or signs of overstress.

Your Airstream should have those nice rubber block torx axles under it. Yes that would make for a nice hauling trailer.

its got good solid axles rated at 5200 pounds each but it was built in 1950 before the rubber block torx axles. Its still a great hauler though. Only thing left to do is check out what I need to do to restore the electric brakes. Hoping I just wire and go, but realistically... we'll see this weekend... Then its time to test it to its full 4.5 ton capability (sure its good to a well distributed 6 but thats all the DMV says its rated for).

I cant believe you scrapped a 1950 airstream to make a flatbed trailer.... You could of probable sold that puppy in crap condition for between 1 to 2 grand.

This one was caved in in the middle. Sure i couldv got a bit more than i did for it, but not much. and I'm not in the business of searching for buyers, i'm in the business of scrapping metal...=)

Ahh ok I hope you at least sold some of the guts on ebay. People pay good money for original parts on those. Expsecialy the 40's and 50's trailers. I hear you on the scrappen metal side of it though but Im guessing you scrap meal for the money and not just for the fun of it. And who doesnt like more money

Ya, it's a necessary enjoyment for me. And I have a large collection of trinkets, parts, and the such from demols like that one that I added a lot to from this one... one day I'll get all that crap out if i'm ever held up and can't work for a couple weeks or something. That way I can use that time to look up values and the sort and get everything listed somewhere. I got it all figured out... never have to lose productivity....=)