I've never heard of having to have a trailer inspected, but if it's the law, you have to, the only downside I see is any inconvenience and cost to you. As for myself, I do my own inspection each spring and fall (I got a check list from some RV site) and the only thing my dealer has had to do for me on a regular/annual basis throughout the years is to check the brakes and bearings plus do any related work. Our old B17 is still rollin'!
You don't have to take it to a RV dealer for inspection. Look in the yellow pages for a RV/Trailer repair shop - easy to find in Amish country. I pay about $25 -- it is done while I wait, takes about 30 min. -- never unhook from the truck. It's a good idea to have the brakes and bearings checked once a year anyway.
Check all the marker/brake/turn light bulbs and replace them yourself to save $$.
The Rocks ( Me, Her, 2 of Them, and 1 Choc. Lab )
2006 Surveyor SV192T
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9lt 4x4
Check your own DMV regs....... PENDOT(pdf file) ......if ya' look around their site a little, you can find out who, what, where, when, and why.....but it's up to you to figure out how, and how much to get there!
J
In Pennsylvania, if it is over 3000lbs and has brakes it needs to be inspected. The state inspection is not very expensive. That said, I'm sure some RV dealers will do "more" than the minimum and be sure to charge you more than the minimum. I have mine inspected at a large tire dealer. I'm not sure if most car inspection places do them or not, but the tire place I go to also does tractor trailer work...therefore they must inspect those types of trailers.
Me~Jim, 44
DW~Patty, no comment
DS~Dave,19
DD~Megan,17
DD~Emily,11
200lb. English Mastiff~Gulliver,7
2005 Expedition Eddie Bauer
2002 Palomino Stampede 235 SL
Most inspection stations in PA can do it. look for motorcycle/trailer on their inspection credentials. I pay $12.50 if they look at it but every once in a while if they are busy I get a lick and stick for $8.00. My mechanic knows that I pull the wheels and and lube the bearings every other year. If you pay more than $20.00-$25.00 you are getting ripped off.
P.S. make sure that the wire harness is disconnected from the TV before pulling the break away cable. Some brake controllers do not like when full voltage is applied to the circuit from the trailer battery.
dfoxhoven wrote: Just out of curiosity, how many people get their trailer inspected annually and what are the ramifications if you do not? I haven't had ours for a full year yet, but some people I talked to said that they've never gotten theirs inspected, although my dealership told me I had to.
What do they do with the inspection..it's not like there's in engine in the TT...also, any ideas on how much it costs (I know it varies from dealer to dealer, but just looking for some insight.
Thanks,
In Mass there is no state inspection. I took the question to mean dealer inspection of the roof, brakes, tires, etc. Other than state required inspections does everyone else check there own trailer?
Mike
2 Adults
3 Boys (17, 15, 12)
2 Dogs
2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat with Boss Plow
2008 Rockwood Roo 233
1982 Burro 13 foot for total rehab
Haven't had mine inspected since I bought it in Mar 2004. Ask one of the Sheriff deputies what the consequences would be if caught. She said I would have a choice of being 'roughed up' with a warning or just taking a ticket. Considering she is very cute and single I would opt for the warning if caught.
As stated earlier, in PA it is mandatory to have safety inspection completed annually. Mine costs $20 and takes about 15 minutes. One important issue to consider, especially if towing through Western PA on Turnpike/I-70/I-79... In April, 2006, a father and 2 of his 3 children were killed when a construction trailer broke free from the tow vehicle. Turned out that the trailer had not been inspected and was improperly hooked to tow vehicle (NO SAFETY CHAINS, bad coupler, etc.) Since then, State Police have been looking very hard at all towed vehicles. I even had a trooper approach me at a rest area in Grove City, PA to look at my set up and my inspection sticker.
Gibson2403, in 25 yrs as a law enforcement officer, I've never had a quota as you call it or wrote someone because I've had a bad day. I've written people because they have broken the law because they think they can get away with it or they just don't give a damn. Inspections are for your safety and everyone traveling around you. Stay safe my friend and obey the law,it's for your protection and your families.
Offline
