The RIV process isn't really all that scary - to me it was just a cash grab that made little sence. First there is the RIV fee that you pay at the Border which puts the trailer into the RIV program which requires you to take the trailer for the inspection and the fee that goes along with that. Once you have the trailer inspected and passed you can get it registered to you. They make you take a trailer that is younger than 16 years to inspection to make sure all your
lights and markers are in the right spot and have the correct DOT lens but they don't care about any of that on a trailer that is older. If your like me you will find yourself asking yourself why not the older ones, are they not more likely not to meet todays saftey standard? :-)
Gary in case you are not aware of it, any trailer you purchase in the USA that was made in the USA can be brought into Canada duty free under the free trade agreement. Unlike a car you can clear a trailer at the border at anytime and there are no pre clearance papers that need to be filled out and sent to the border ahead of time, such as those needed for a car. Just show up with your trailer with a readable
VIN, your purchase agreement and your cash to pay the taxes.