Abandoned utility trailer refurb & registration- final update

[AZjeff]

@GON & @Donald, I had the inspection Tuesday and the trailer is registered, VIN'd, and the title came today! It took me 4 trips to the MVD office to get it done, it could be done in 2 trips if the correct information was given at the beginning, 1 trip for the transport permit and one trip for the inspection/registration. It's a straightforward process in Az to get a new VIN issued, bring in proof of ownership and the trailer/vehicle (on a temporary transport permit) for a Level 2 inspection. The ADOT officer asks some questions, fills out some forms and gives the trailer a thorough inspection everywhere for a VIN number or evidence of a VIN being removed. He used a mirror on a stick to look under the frame rails and all along the tongue with the bed tilted up. I showed him a photo of an identical trailer with a VIN label intact for OEM location. After he was done inspecting I asked if people trying to get a new VIN on stolen trailers is a big problem and he said yeah it's a problem. People will cut the security cable at a Home Depot and steal a trailer and try to get a new VIN as well as stealing privately owned trailers. I didn't catch exactly how he put it as the wind was blowing but he said something about if they suspect the VIN has been removed they consider the vehicle contraband and I don't thing the person is leaving with it. After finishing his paperwork and $25 for the inspection and sticker he put the sticker on and I went over to the MVD customer area with the papers and had it registered and licensed in 10 minutes. I have a metal punch set and will stamp the VIN into the tongue above the sticker. This was a fun project and the paperwork run-around wasn't a big deal as the MVD office is 10 minutes away.

Edit to add: I told the officer a guy I know in New Mexico was very interested in the new VIN process...


You can see the new VIN label behind the coupler. The plate is coming next week, I'm going to relocate it above the light.

 

[cptbarkey]

A small trailer like this can be very handy over lugging a 12 footer or 20 footer just to haul a few push mowers or basic Home Depot runs. The low to the ground cargo area is also superior to lifting something by hand in today's gigantic height half ton pickup beds, or a SUV hatch. Congrats.

Are you going to paint it? My vote is british racing green.

 

[AZjeff]

A small trailer like this can be very handy over lugging a 12 footer or 20 footer just to haul a few push mowers or basic Home Depot runs. The low to the ground cargo area is also superior to lifting something by hand in today's gigantic height half ton pickup beds, or a SUV hatch. Congrats.

Are you going to paint it? My vote is british racing green.

No paint. It was covered with a fine layer of rust that I removed with red scotchbrite pads then sealed the whole thing with polyurethane. Southwest desert patina is easy to maintain.

 

[Donald]

Well it's good that the ordeal is over. Registered trailer. In NY DMV hires only really mean people to work there.

 

[GON]

No paint. It was covered with a fine layer of rust that I removed with red scotchbrite pads then sealed the whole thing with polyurethane. Southwest desert patina is easy to maintain.

Really like your COA on not painting the trailer. Not sure how well that COA would work in the upper Midwest or Northeast, but for your location sure seems like a wise COA. The prep time in hopes to get the paint to uniformly adhere and stay adhered would be many, many hours.