Need some help, trailer illegal?

[legoman67]

alright, so i went down to the states afew weeks ago and got a 30ft boat and tripple axle trailer at a steal of a price, i did everything legit, customs didnt even look inside the boat. got through, and came home. Now i want to sell the trailer, had one guy come and look at it. Turns out the surge brakes on it are illegal in Canada, and it needs electric. I have also heard that it needs a VIN plate, since its a 1974 trailer, and the company that made it doesnt exist anymore, i dont know how im going to get a VIN plate.

my question, can i register as a U-built and not have to spend the big $$ fixing the brakes? if not, does anyone know how much upgrading a tripple axle trailer to electric brakes costs?

 

[santeelooking]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

go to DMV and tell them the trailer has no papers and you want to regester it and they will do papers on it. if you are in california you dont need a pink slip just regester it and pay the fees they will explain it all to you my trailer had no pink and that is what they did for me.......

 

[Hitech]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

Here is a link for trailer brakes. Hopefully not as expensive as you thought.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...la=Google&cm_ite=northern+tool+trailer+brakes

 

[mtnrat]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

At what size of boat and trailer are electric brakes required in Canada? Mine is a double axle with surge brakes.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

here is what it says on the gov site

All trailers and towing dollies (car dollies) must have brakes on all wheels when their GVW (trailer/dolly and load) exceeds 1,400 kg (3,086 pounds). Every trailer with brakes must have a breakaway device hooked to the trailer brake system.
From 2,800 kilograms and up the towed vehicle brakes must be able to be applied by the driver of the tow vehicle.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

bring it back to the US and sell it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

I don't see the word "electric" in that requirement. Even surge brake systems have a breakaway device. The statement indicates that the brakes must be able to be applied by the driver if GVW is over 2800 kg (about 6100 lbs). If all wheels don't have brakes they can be easily added. As for the driver applied brakes, you would need to convert the coupler system to electric over hydraulic. As for the title -- that is another example of why NEVER to buy a vehicle unless the owner can prove ownership and hand you the title (unless you absolutely love to deal with the government).

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

Legoman, where in Canada are you located? I think there are different rules in each province as well around this.

Converting it should be too big a deal. Most parts for that you could pick up at Princess Auto for any conversions you need to make at a cheaper cost if you're comfortable doing the work.

In Ontario (appears they lump boat trailers with RVs) here is the guidelines:

Service brakes are required on house trailers if the trailer's axle(s) transmit more than 1,360 kgs (3,000 lbs) to the road when the trailer is attached to the towing vehicle. This applies to cases where the trailer is loaded or empty. If brakes are required, at least one axle of the trailer must be fitted with brakes.

Brakes are not required on towed motor vehicles, whether towed with a tow bar or on a dolly. Tow dollies do not require brakes whether or not the dolly is carrying a motor vehicle.

House trailers with electric or hydraulic brakes are not required to have trailer breakaway braking devices or parking brakes while being towed in Ontario. Breakaway devices may be required in other Canadian provinces, the US and Mexico. Please contact those jurisdictions for their requirements.

Nothing stating you can't use surge brakes (covered under provincial legislation) but clearly indicates other req's.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

In BC you can get an assigned VIN and crappy tire will put on a VIN tag (why they put it on my winch post, I don't know). Costs a bit more and is a bit of a headache. Or you can go the u-built route.

That won't get you away from the brake issue though. Electric over hydraulic is probably the simplest.

I had good title in hand from a trailer from Washington state. But, because the vin plate was not visible on the trailer, I had to go through similar hoops.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

I have the title from washington state, and i am in B.C

 

[legoman67]

Re: Need some help, trailer illegal?

Well, i am going to take the trailer in to a custom trailer place next week, unless someone is looking for a trailer? would give a decent price.

need to fund the boat.