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Old 04-01-2013, 01:03 PM   #1
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DMV changed my trailer weight....???

So i took the SD title in on the scamp to get a MN title for it. The SD title said 1000 pounds. The copy of the previous IA title said 1000 pounds. The deputy registrar said that would be an empty weight and i needed to estimate a fully loaded weight to put on the title....he asked if i figured it be over 1500. Knowing the trailer weighs closer to 1250 i told him it probably would....so he changed the weight on the title to 3000 pounds???? When i asked him about why he said it was better to over declare the weight than under declare in case something happens and it comes unhooked and causes an incident? It was busy and lunchtime, so i should have asked more questions, but does that seem strange to anyone else? Will it have any unintended collateral consequences down the road?
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Old 04-01-2013, 01:16 PM   #2
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Will it have any unintended collateral consequences down the road?
No, unless you move to a State where that kind of difference matters taxation-wise, which seems unlikely. I'd have given the gross axle weight for licencing purposes.

You'd be smart to get a real (loaded) weight ticket for it, though, in case you need that info for your insurance company or whoever. Any DOT station can do that, and many landfills, too.

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Old 04-01-2013, 01:24 PM   #3
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2950 would have been better, some states have rules for trailers <3000 and others for 3000 and >. But as long as it doesn't affect yours, who cares.
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Old 04-01-2013, 01:52 PM   #4
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Here in VT. a trailer less than 1500 lbs (manufacturers weight) cost 1/2 the over 1500 lb registration fee and does not have to be inspected. Raz
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Old 04-01-2013, 01:53 PM   #5
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Some states require brakes for trailers over a certain weight.
Personally, I think he was wrong and should have put the weight that the manufacture stated it is.
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Old 04-01-2013, 02:08 PM   #6
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In NY you pay by dry weight - brakes required if over 1000 lbs.
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Old 04-01-2013, 02:12 PM   #7
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I told him the axle was rated for 2200 lbs. Insurance doesn't care, and registration was $1 more....and i have to get tabs every year anyway....i just thought it was odd....
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Old 04-01-2013, 03:40 PM   #8
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I would contact the state official in-charge of the DMV and discuss the issue. Someone arbitrarily changing the weight just ain't right.
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Old 04-01-2013, 03:53 PM   #9
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I would contact the state official in-charge of the DMV and discuss the issue. Someone arbitrarily changing the weight just ain't right.
Good advice. It may not matter now but it might later. Best to get it right at the start. Raz
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Old 04-01-2013, 04:19 PM   #10
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I had something weird happen at the DMV also two years ago...They only had "Boler American" in their registration system for "Make" and refused to enter just "BOLER" even though the CA Title said BOLER, the original spec sheet that I brought in said BOLER and that it was made in Peace River, Alberta. I was trying to refuse and argue with them about the situation, but the grumpy DMV lady said I had no choice. So now I have a very RARE Boler American that was made in Canada!

Ironically, I had just gotten my American citizenship that year (I'm a Canadian citizen too)...so I guess my Boler was following suit?
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Old 04-01-2013, 04:25 PM   #11
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O.K., I looked up the fee schedules/regs in Minnesota. Link

Up to 1500 pounds is one amount, 1501-3,000 is another, and so on. It may be that they just "classify" according to the fee schedule, and using the highest number in that class. This Scamp's gross is more than 1500 pounds. In this case, the number "3,000" could be the only thing one would see on a registration certificate.

Side note:

I see that trailers under 3001 pounds qualify for one-time-purchase lifetime registration, so I hope you got that, Cricket!

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Old 04-01-2013, 06:29 PM   #12
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The DMV guy told me I wasn't eligible for the lifetime registration tag. The "trailer" laws don't apply when it is used for camping....must be registered then as an RV.....sometimes I wonder if they really know what they are talking about. He called me later in the afternoon (how he knew where I worked I have NO idea), to tell me he overcharged me and then refunded $40.... I will follow up with someone higher up than him tomorrow....
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Old 04-01-2013, 06:37 PM   #13
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I don't see ANY 13' Scamps in the thread http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rld-43010.html that weigh 2,000 lbs (close tho) let alone 3,000 lbs. If you need the info.
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Old 04-01-2013, 07:00 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Vermilye View Post
In NY you pay by dry weight - brakes required if over 1000 lbs.
Does it have brakes?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
I don't see ANY 13' Scamps in the thread http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rld-43010.html that weigh 2,000 lbs (close tho) let alone 3,000 lbs.
The absolutely heaviest 13' trailer in that spreadsheet is a 2640 lb Casita Patriot... with a full bathroom.

You might have difficulty selling it later without a certified weight ticket to counteract that 3000 pound arbitrary determination. I can picture that being a deal breaker for potential buyers. While the DMV clerk may have all the best intentions, he's actually giving you carte blanche to overload it?
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Old 04-01-2013, 07:20 PM   #15
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lifetime reqistration for trailers in only apply to under 3000 pound utility, boat trailers, basically if you can live in it it is licenced as a rv, as for why he changed the weight rating dont have a clue, only in Minnesota!!!!
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Old 04-01-2013, 09:10 PM   #16
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While the DMV clerk may have all the best intentions, he's actually giving you carte blanche to overload it?
If someone brought in a trailer legitimately intended to handle 3000 pounds, but with inadequate structure and running gear, would anyone in the DMV examine it and either refuse to register it or certify that it is capable of handling that weight? My guess is "not a chance".
I believe that licensed weight is relevant only to licensing, not safe operation or liability.
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Old 04-01-2013, 09:46 PM   #17
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So i took the SD title in on the scamp to get a MN title for it. The SD title said 1000 pounds. The copy of the previous IA title said 1000 pounds. The deputy registrar said that would be an empty weight and i needed to estimate a fully loaded weight to put on the title....he asked if i figured it be over 1500. Knowing the trailer weighs closer to 1250 i told him it probably would....so he changed the weight on the title to 3000 pounds???? ?
I bought my 13' Scamp in Maryland and the weight in the registration is also 3000lbs. When I registered it in PA I mentioned that this does not match the VIN plaque but they wouldn't want to change it.
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Old 04-01-2013, 09:53 PM   #18
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Minnesota! Uff da!
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Old 04-02-2013, 05:22 AM   #19
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BTW: HI CRICKET... we SEE you know!
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Old 04-02-2013, 03:48 PM   #20
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Having licensed a couple of homebuilt utility trailers in Minnesota, yes they just took my word for what i had, no inspections, for all as they knew could had a 30ft gooseneck trailer rather than a 6x8
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