Is this even legal

Alucke · 12-15-2019, 12:13 PM

Found this, https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1112138029770/.

If not allowed please delete

Alucke

japanders · 12-15-2019, 01:14 PM

I don't know about legal, but it looks like a terrible idea. I would think you would have to be inspected by DOT or some authority if you made changes like that to a trailer if you wanted to license and insure it.

AlaskaErik · 12-15-2019, 02:07 PM

That wouldn't even get a second look in Alaska. You'd have no problems getting it registered.

TitanMike · 12-15-2019, 02:23 PM

From the overall looks it appears that it's being used as a farm trailer to haul things like irrigation pipe or whatever else has to be moved from yard to field, etc. Probably the only reason it even has lights hooked up is if it's towed on surrounding farm roads. Probably qualifies as an agricultural vehicle.

When you live on a farm "Function" is more important than "Form".

TitanMike · 12-15-2019, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

That wouldn't even get a second look in Alaska. You'd have no problems getting it registered.

Same for Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the "dry side" of WA and OR.

D W · 12-15-2019, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

That wouldn't even get a second look in Alaska. You'd have no problems getting it registered.

Got that right! Only in Alaska the trailer would have "adapters" on it so you could put a camper body on it when you're not using it for the boat.

upflying · 12-15-2019, 03:51 PM

Pretty cool idea, recycle an old 5tth wheel RV, throw away the presumably rotted housing area and use the bare frame as a utility trailer.
The alteration from 5th to pull would not get a second look in California either.

dward51 · 12-15-2019, 04:01 PM

Not for me, but if interested check with your state about the tag or title process for a "home made trailer" if you want to use it on the road. But for a farm trailer, no need.

Ohinaz1970 · 12-15-2019, 05:09 PM

Sing: "Back home again, In Indiana".

BarabooBob · 12-15-2019, 05:17 PM

I have built 5 trailers for highway use. Here in WI, anything homemade is ok. Under 3000 pounds do not require license, inspection, or brakes. All you need is DOT approved tail/brake/ turn signals.

rockfordroo · 12-15-2019, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by japanders

I don't know about legal, but it looks like a terrible idea. I would think you would have to be inspected by DOT or some authority if you made changes like that to a trailer if you wanted to license and insure it.

I'm guessing that since it's a fifth wheel already, you'd just take your title to the DMV and get your tags. I've had 3 trailers and DMV has never looked at any of them. They could have no coupler at all and just chains to pull it with; the DMV would never know.

Blackrock · 12-15-2019, 09:42 PM

Git er done

DaGrinch · 12-16-2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Same for Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the "dry side" of WA and OR.

I like that ... "dry side". [emoji1787]
Some people are scratching their heads on that one. [emoji41]

TitanMike · 12-16-2019, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaGrinch

I like that ... "dry side". [emoji1787]
Some people are scratching their heads on that one. [emoji41]

For those not familiar with WA and OR, there's mountain range that runs down the middle (or close to it) of each state. The rain coming from the ocean is squeezed out on the West side and leaves the East side dry. Has nothing to do with alcohol laws, you can still get plenty on the East side. Sometimes way too much.

Thurman · 12-16-2019, 12:03 PM

Scroll through all the photos and you will see they are using it as a boat trailer for a long boat. Here in Ga. you can take it to your local tag office, they will walk out and look at it, and if it's a blustery day they will give you a "homemade" tag quickly. American ingenuity at it's best.

rockfordroo · 12-16-2019, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thurman

Scroll through all the photos and you will see they are using it as a boat trailer for a long boat. Here in Ga. you can take it to your local tag office, they will walk out and look at it, and if it's a blustery day they will give you a "homemade" tag quickly. American ingenuity at it's best.

My experience is that if you build something yourself, you need to have the DMV inspect it in order to get a title, which you need to get the tags.

But as I said previously, in this case, this guy has modified something that already should have a title; so no inspection involved, they just re-issue the tags. New buyer would just get the title transferred and be issued new tags.

I'm not aware of any state that requires trailer inspections in order to get new tags if there's already a title (although I could certainly be wrong on this, as I've only actually lived in a small number of states).

Alucke · 12-16-2019, 02:54 PM

But why would anyone want change a 5th wheel to bumper pull should have been the real question, I think. But what do I know.

rockfordroo · 12-16-2019, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alucke

But why would anyone want change a 5th wheel to bumper pull should have been the real question, I think. But what do I know.

Yeah. And since 5vers have higher pin weights, whatever hitch you put it on will almost certainly be overloaded.

thebrakeman · 12-16-2019, 03:41 PM

LittleBill · 12-16-2019, 03:57 PM

Here in Illinois years ago (50 plus) I rebuilt a single horse trailer that I had acquired. Needed tags and there was no VIN with it, got it classified as home built with the VIN number being just 1. From what I remember there was no inspection of the trailer. It was quite heavy when I got done with it

as I used 2x8's used lumber to rebuild the floor and 2x4's for vertical bracing not counting the truck axle. Pulled fine behind a 1/2 ton truck even with my horse in it. Let it go when sold horse.

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