State Inspection

TexT@bers · September 2016

Well it seems we've had our T@b for a year now. Got the state registration form and behold it states we need to have it inspected. Didn't think of that. I looked up our Texas DMV and it states that trailers and rv's with gross weight of 4000 lbs need to be inspected but the T@b is 2800 lbs. So i guess my question is, does T@b need to be state inspected every year? Where do you go to get it inspected? We live in Houston so I'm sure there is choices.

Ron and Karen England

Nomad · September 2016

Actually, the T@B is 1600-1700 lbs empty. It didn't require inspection in my state where (if I recall correctly) the went by weight and/or size.

Cyclonic · September 2016

Every state has different regulations on trailer inspections and if they are needed. In Virginia it is based on a minimum weight, but all trailers with brakes must be inspected regardless of weight.

You should be able to get it inspected where you get your car inspected.

Photomom · September 2016

Every state has its own rules. I have to get my 150 pound kayak trailer inspected every year.

I take it to a trailer repair place. That's where I'll take the T@B next year too.

ChanW · September 2016

Yep, NY state requires inspection, for all trailers, I think.

Here, it can be inspected at any NYS Vehicle Inspection Station.

They only seem to check the lights and side reflectors, the hitch, chains, and brake-away cable.

Maybe they're supposed to check the brakes too, don't know.

Photomom · September 2016

I haven't had the T@B inspected there but when I've called to schedule an inspection they always ask if it has brakes, so I assume it's more involved. Interestingly NYS charges $6 for a trailer inspection irregardless of whether it has brakes, ONE WHOLE DOLLAR of which they share with the inspection station.

bgualtieri · September 2016

When we moved from AZ to TX this year, we registered our T@b in Tarrant county and were not required to have it inspected.

Photomom · September 2016

The answer is "it depends." If you buy from an in state dealer they will know, otherwise your DMV will know.

Verna · September 2016

No inspection required in Indiana, except for a VIN verification if you buy from out of state. Normally a police officer would fill out a form, but last year the manager of the local BMV did it so she could see the inside of the T@B

TexT@bers · September 2016

Found someone close to home to inspect it. He said it only cost $7. Also said it really doesn't need to be inspected because its under 4000lb. but he could if I want. Think its probably a good $7 spent than arguing with someone about it at the court house. So that's what Texas needs I guess.

Joe · September 2016

TexT@bers - I live in Austin and we have a 2015 T@B. No inspection required. I suggest you contact your county tax assessor collector office and ask.
~ Joe

catndahats · September 2016

We purchased our T@B in Florida, but are Texas residents. When we registered it the first time in Texas, we did have to have it inspected (the courthouse said since it was from out of state). This year at renewal time, there was no inspection required---just ordered the license tag. The inspection station, and courthouse said it did not have to be inspected since T@B's are under the 4,000lb. limit.

FYI: trailer inspection rules in Texas are clear as mud. (just my $.02)

T_BDancing · September 2019

Hi @ChanW and @Photomom, what part of NY are you guys in and where do you get your Tabs inspected? I will be picking up a new 2019 320S BDE in a few days. I have made some phone calls to local auto repair shops and gas stations where they do regular auto inspections, they have told me that I will have to go to truck and trailer repair shops to get the Tab inspected. Is that true? I am in NYC metro area and it will be a drag to tow the Tab around tide places plus it will be my first time towing.
Thank you both in advance or any New Yorkers can provide some info will be greatly appreciated.

ChanW · September 2019

@T_BDancing, Any inspection station can do it, I think. It's very basic, lights and brakes, mostly, so I can't see anyone balking. (Heh, that being said, I have to get ours inspected, and haven't gotten an appointment yet! We'll see!)

I recommend practicing towing the Tab anywhere but NYC metro area.... What a pain that would be!

Also, if your Tab dealer is inside NY State, I'd think they'd be responsible for its initial inspection. Provided they have an inspection certificate, I suppose.

T_BDancing · September 2019

Thanks @ChanW. I bought the trailer from out of state. I wish there was a Tab dealer here in NYC area! First I was hoping no state inspection would be needed in NY state. The DMV that I visited to get the Tab registered did not even know if inspection is needed or not, they told me to call DOT! At least they gave me a temporary sticker. But thank this great forum for people to be able to dig out just about any info regarding the Tabs.

ChanW · September 2019

Ho boy! Amazing the quality of labor that the state hires...

Maybe someone from the NYC area can pipe in.

Definitely get out of NYC, for sanity... I love New York (City) but only for short visits!

T_BDancing · September 2019

Yes! @ChanW, that's when the Tab comes in! But at the mean time, excited(never had a camper), freaking out(never towed a thing in my life), confused(where to go for inspection)...

Photomom · September 2019

Look for a place that sells and services horse trailers and utility trailers that landscapers use. They should be able to do your inspection and also do maintenance like greasing your wheel bearings if needed.

pthomas745 · September 2019

The NY State DMV has a page. And it says this: A DMV-licensed inspection station that inspects passenger vehicles and other light-duty vehicles can inspect a trailer.

https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-trailer

DougH · September 2019

Another Texan... DMV / DPS / Tax collection office told me no inspection.

T_BDancing · September 2019

Thanks @Photomom, I will have start checking out those neighborhood landscapers and ask them...

ChanW · September 2019

@T_BDancing, no need to freak out, rearrange that emotional tension to 'additional excitement'...

Get some good extended side-view mirrors so you can see what the Tab is doing while taking some of those city tight corners.

And go camping!

Good mirrors:

https://www.amazon.com/Dometic-DM-2899-Milenco-Towing-Mirror/dp/B01C7P7EOU

Photomom · September 2019

BTW, all trailers need to be inspected here. We have a Rack and Roll trailer that weighs 150 pounds and is basically a Thule roof rack on wheels. We take it in, they say yep, lights are on, and we get our sticker.

I’ve heard of police lurking near boat ramps in the springtime, handing out tickets to people who haven’t gotten around to getting their inspection sticker.

Some places may may just not want to do the inspection if they can avoid it. If a trailer has brakes they have to remove the wheels and check the brakes in addition to checking the lights. The inspection costs $7, and they get to keep ONE DOLLAR.

Jackie_Dave · September 2019

We moved a small utility trailer (no brakes) from NY to WV. NY did require a yearly inspection, but strangely enough, no title. So it took about 3 months of my life to get a title issued to a trailer 500 miles away, move it to WV and register it there. However, because of no brakes, WV doesn't require an inspection. We purchased our 320s this year, we need to get an annual inspection, because of the brakes. Go figure

T_BDancing · September 2019

'Some places may just not want to do the inspection if they can avoid it. If a trailer has brakes they have to remove the wheels and check the brakes in addition to checking the lights. The inspection costs $7, and they get to keep ONE DOLLAR.' - @Photomom
That's what it is! I used to have a hard time looking for shops to do the regular auto inspection alone. These days I get the oil change and inspection done together. Even with that they will always try to hassle by telling me there are other things to fix, like air filter needs to be replaced or some sort.
I may have to try to call shops somewhere upstate...

Photomom · September 2019

T_BDancing said:

'Some places may just not want to do the inspection if they can avoid it. If a trailer has brakes they have to remove the wheels and check the brakes in addition to checking the lights. The inspection costs $7, and they get to keep ONE DOLLAR.' - @Photomom
That's what it is! I used to have a hard time looking for shops to do the regular auto inspection alone. These days I get the oil change and inspection done together. Even with that they will always try to hassle by telling me there are other things to fix, like air filter needs to be replaced or some sort.
I may have to try to call shops somewhere upstate...

I always try to give them some additional business. The trailer shop we use installed our hitch and brake controller and we have them service our wheel bearings when they do the inspection. We’ve also bought a couple sets of Weathertech mats from them for our cars as well as assorted small items. If you can find a full service trailer shop and establish a relationship with them I’m sure they will do inspections.

The place we go is in Victor NY and you’d have to drive almost the whole darn Thruway to get here!

T_BDancing · September 2019

Thank you @ChanW, definitely excited just by looking at those locks, chocks and accessories for the TAB laying all over the floor! (If not for this forum I would not know what I have known now and all the staffs I need. Still learning!)
@Photomom, I definitely have to pay far upstate a few visits someday with my future TAB! I called Transatlantic Auto & RV Center in Peekskill and they told me they would gladly give my future TAB a NY inspection but call ahead to make an appointment. The place has pretty good ratings on Google. Like you said about 'relationship', from there on I may just go there for the wheel bearings and get inspection done at the same time. Then find a place to camp for a couple days around that area, since I'm about 2 hrs from Transatlantic with the crazy NY traffic!

ChanW · September 2019

That sounds like a perfect plan!

T_BDancing · September 2019

Finally got my new Tab and state inspection. We spent a night at Clarence Fahnestock State Park in Putnam Valley after picking it up.
A bunch of great people at Transatlantic Auto & RV Center I must say...

Travelin3D · September 2019

@T_BDancing glad you got your inspection worked out. I am also NYC metro area (Queens) and picked up my 320 BDL in May. I asked my local mechanic who usually does my inspections, oil changes, etc. about inspecting it and he was fine with it. He actually has a home-built camper of his own and could see mine was a brand new trailer so all he really tested was the lights.

If I had seen your post sooner, I could have referred you and saved you a trip upstate but a shakedown trip fairly close to home is a good idea, too.

ChanW · September 2019

You probably shouldn't mention that he only checked your lights, on a public forum!

State Inspection

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