Anyone know the legal concerns with building my own trailer? Most o the ones I can find aren't wide enough for the full width axles with big tires and are shitty in general anyway. Was thinking I could build one cheaper but don't know if it's legal to pull on highways if I do.

J. J.

If you build your own trailer, you have to have it inspected, have a vin number issued for it, and then get it registered. Find out where you will need to go to have all of this done. Some states differ from others. Washington has it all done at the State Patrol office. When you find where you need to take it, go and talk to the people at the inspection station. Most people find them to be polite and very helpful if you catch them when they are not busy. Ask lots of questions and take lots of notes. You can also go and look at trailer lots for any similarities between them. Do they have brakes on all corners, how is the deck secured, what did they use for deck material, axle ratings, frame construction, etc... It is far easier to take someone elses idea and build upon it than to go from scratch your first time.

to be legal in all 50 states you need to keep the overall width to 102" or less, have brakes on all tires that roll , have operable lighting , thats it then take it to the dmv or highway patrol they will sign off on it read ( no problems ) and go to the tag office with the paper work and they will issue you a vin for the tongue of the trailer , oh yea you have to have 2 saftey chais as well:roxy:

GA Trailer laws are nothing. No inspection needed at least for smaller trailers. All they will want to know is width and lenght. There is a width limit but not sure what it is.
I modified a 4x8 trailer into a utility/enclosed cargo/camper by making a tall set of walls and putting a long bed camer shell on it. Had to cut off the bar that had the factory stamped SN# on it. Walked into the local tag office and told them I had built a utility trailer. All they asked was the size and handed me a little SN# plaque to pop rivit to the tounge.

I you want to be trouble free in all fifty states email me directly and ill tell you whatever you want to know to be compliant with all FMCSR , ( federal motor carrier saftey regulations ) this way you want have to ever worry anbout anything, also a word of caution you as the manufactor have to assume responsibility for the trailer in the event of an accident so its alway best to overbuild them and not cut any corners. I am a law enforcement officer for the NCDMV , as a federal motor carrier specialist , let me know if I can help:smokin:

Check with your DMV every state has different regs. California is easy to build and register a trailer. The body can't be more than 102" but you are allowed up to 108" with the sidewall bulge on the tire. You are also allowed 3" each side for chains and binders.

Originally posted by techguru73
I you want to be trouble free in all fifty states email me directly and ill tell you whatever you want to know to be compliant with all FMCSR , ( federal motor carrier saftey regulations ) this way you want have to ever worry anbout anything


Anyway you could post a short list here? Brakes, axle ratings, tires, structure, etc... This question comes up often. What does it take to be legal?