California trailer registration

[Gramps]

My son wants to buy an 10' single axle utility trailer (used) from my neighbor here in Utah. In Utah we do not have to register that type of trailer. My son is taking it to California. I want to think he will have to have it registered there. Anyone know how much of a hassle it it to do the registration process without prior registration nor title from the previous owner?

 

[Mikes56]

Have him join AAA. They will inspect the VIN and register it with CA Permanent registration ( 5 years ). They will have it done in 30-45 minutes. Probably less than $100 if he prices the Bill of Sale the right way.
If he goes to DMV he’ll be there all day, in line with the illegals.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

I agree with AAA. I use them for everything. So much easier.

 

[Bpracing1127]

i just did this ( 6 months ago) its not too bad..

AAA is where i did mine too

 

[Backlash]

They MIGHT request a VIN verification and will request a "Statement of Facts" and a "Lost Title" form be completed in order to register it. You can print them off online. For the VIN verification, have him call his local police department and ask one of the traffic cops to make an appointment to do this. You can't legally tow the trailer until it's been registered, so ask the copper if he would be willing to come to the house or look the other way if your son tows it to their station. Then take that and your other forms to the AAA office, and you should be OK.

 

[Sherpa]

If going the cop vin verify route: go to ca dmv for a 1 day trip permit. Tow trailer to a CHP office for vin verify. Bring statement of facts dmv form. Get CHP verify.
Tow to dmv (some dmv you don’t need to) pay fees. Get pti sticker and plate. Claim $50 purchase price for trailer so taxes/fees are less.

 

[Mikes56]

The AAA will do their own VIN verification and will have all the forms needed. I bought a single place PWC trailer in AZ and needed it changed over to CA. AAA did everything for me in about 1/2 hour.

 

[EPL]

The AAA will do their own VIN verification and will have all the forms needed. I bought a single place PWC trailer in AZ and needed it changed over to CA. AAA did everything for me in about 1/2 hour.

Where do you live that AAA does Vin verification ? I have always had to go to the DMV or CHP .

 

[rivrrts429]

Where do you live that AAA does Vin verification ? I have always had to go to the DMV or CHP .

Temecula AAA did a Vin verification for me on a boat trailer from out of state.

 

[EPL]

Temecula AAA did a Vin verification for me on a boat trailer from out of state.

I sure wish they did it here in far Northern California because DMV is a pain in the ass !

 

[rivrrts429]

I sure wish they did it here in far Northern California because DMV is a pain in the ass !

I called AAA and made an appointment ahead of time. It may have been a special inspector because the girl who came out to the parking lot was separate from the girl who was helping me with the paperwork.

You may want to call ahead of time to see if there are specific days they do it.

You’re right though. The DMV is terrible and it’s the #1 reason I insure all my vehicles and home with them. AAA isn’t the cheapest but I’ll pay for service that is far above going to the DMV.

 

[Badchoices03]

Temecula AAA did a Vin verification for me on a boat trailer from out of state.

I had that same office do a VIN verification on a boat trailer as well....the lady that did it said she was actually a DMV employee that serviced all the local AAA offices and that a regular AAA employee wouldn't be able to do it

 

[rivrrts429]

I had that same office do a VIN verification on a boat trailer as well....the lady that did it said she was actually a DMV employee that serviced all the local AAA offices and that a regular AAA employee wouldn't be able to do it

That would make sense then because the AAA girl that was doing my paperwork had to call the other girl to do the physical inspection.

 

[evantwheeler]

Temecula AAA did a Vin verification for me on a boat trailer from out of state.

Have had similar experience with Murrieta AAA. They did VIN & HIN verifications for an out of state boat & trailer title transfer without issue.

This situation may be different though since no title or registration exists. I'd buy a trailer for more money locally that had title & registration before trying to go through the titling/registration process with the DMV no talent @$$ clowns.

 

[rivrrts429]

Have had similar experience with Murrieta AAA. They did VIN & HIN verifications for an out of state boat & trailer title transfer without issue.

This situation may be different though since no title or registration exists. I'd buy a trailer for more money locally that had title & registration before trying to go through the titling/registration process with the DMV no talent @$$ clowns.

At the very least I would go on Utah’s Motor Vehicle website and see if they have an official printable “Bill Of Sale” type paperwork. Fill it all out and have both parties sign and bring that when he registers in California. Anything that is official .gov paperwork makes the decision making much easier for those having to do the title transfer.

 

[oldschool]

What if the trailer has no vin?

 

[braindead]

My son wants to buy an 10' single axle utility trailer (used) from my neighbor here in Utah. In Utah we do not have to register that type of trailer. My son is taking it to California. I want to think he will have to have it registered there. Anyone know how much of a hassle it it to do the registration process without prior registration nor title from the previous owner?

if the trailers already got plates and you still live in Utah why not keep it registered in Utah?
Unless Utah doesn’t require plates for small trailers?

 

[Gramps]

if the trailers already got plates and you still live in Utah why not keep it registered in Utah?
Unless Utah doesn’t require plates for small trailers?

no plates on that type in Utah

 

[Mikes56]

Where do you live that AAA does Vin verification ? I have always had to go to the DMV or CHP .

In Santa Clarita, CA. Did you ask if they do it? I can’t imagine one office doing it and another one not.

 

[Mikes56]

What if the trailer has no vin?

CHP would have to install a VIN plate. That would be a pain in the ass. Gotta make an appt. a couple months away probably, then visit DMV also.

 

[OCMerrill]

Three years ago I bought my current Essex boat and the trailer was registered in AZ.
Registering a boat in AZ is easy but a trailer not so much so I just registered the trailer in CA.

It needed a VIN inspection and AAA does this however they got all hung up on no vehicle mfg sticker stating the weights, Date of Manufacture, etc. AAA said you MUST have that sticker.

Being in the middle of covid and Extreme Trailers being closed I went to the DMV (yes they inspect Vin's) thinking they can do it. NOPE and a waste of an afternoon. MUST have the MFG sticker.

I did not try the CHP and finally got someone to answer the phone at Extreme Trailers to get me a sticker I had to pay for. Then AAA inspected again and it all went through. What a big fucking hassle for something that had a vin plate welded on from the factory.