Purchasing my first trailor

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Samuelvw1

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I'll be going to either lowes or tractor supply to buy my first trailor to haul my John Deere rideable lawn mower when I get it do I need a license plate on it if so who's responsible is it to get it me or the place I buy it from

Sam
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goodguy11

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Your responsibility


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UrbanKnight

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Depends on where you live, here in FL, yes you would need one.
 

Mega-Hemi

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When I bought mine from lowes they signed the title and handed me the paperwork. Wouldn't release the trailer to me until I came back with a plate and registration in hand. That's in NY anyway.
 

reek

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agree with 14hemiexpress. you'll get a much better and more useable trailer at an actually trailer sales place rather than Lowes or TS. And they'll take care of the DMV paperwork (usually). having said that, if you don't care about going to the DMV and are on a strict budget, then as rubberfrog said, craigslist.
 

spoon059

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It depends upon where you live. Don't trust your DMV to tell you the answer either. I had a small 2500lbs axle 4x8 trailer for many years and paid a registration fee on it. Only after a couple years did I learn that a trailer weight 2500lbs or less and not used to haul a boat, used commercially or used as a recreational vehicle does NOT require registration.

I took the tag off and returned it and hauled it around for another 4 or 5 years before I sold it. Now, registration fees weren't too expensive for such a small trailer... but that's pizza and beer money I wasted for several years!!!
 

avantiguy

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I'll be going to either lowes or tractor supply to buy my first trailor to haul my John Deere rideable lawn mower when I get it do I need a license plate on it if so who's responsible is it to get it me or the place I buy it from

Sam
2016 ram 1500 crew

I don't know where you are from but here in Michigan, It's a one-time fee of $75 to get a forever plate and they are required on all trailers.

If you're from snow country, look at the aluminum trailers available. They go 50-100% higher than steel but last longer. If you don't tow in winter, steel will be fine.

As far as price, look around like the folks suggested but here in my small corner of the world, TSC has pretty good prices on their smaller trailers particularly when they are on sale.

I purchased my aluminum trailer off Ebay, A trailer mfg in Southern Michigan was using up shorts and built several smaller trailers. An excellent price on a trailer with 3500# axles and 15" trailer tires, so you might try Ebay also.

TSC has their 4X7 for $599 and the 5X8 for $699 which are hard to beat prices around here. http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...-floor-utility-trailer-4-ft-x-7-ft-2-000-gvwr
 
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reek

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if you do go with one of the TSC or lowes or even harbor freight trailers, I'd say careful with how / what you load on it, watch the bearings and have your welder ready for various repairs or re-enforcements. They're light duty trailers. emphasis on light. having said that, they do cost less than half the price of a 'quality' trailer.

here's a link for a trailer near my area. probably about $1000 or so.

Single Axle Utility Trailers | Pac West Trailers
 

mowin

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Friend of mine has a 12' from TS. If you stand on the corner, the frame flexes enough to raise the opposite corner a few inches. IMO. Stay away from them.
 

TruckNoob

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I am a trailer dealer. Looks like you are in Shelton. Not sure what the laws are where you live, but definitely don't get a trailer from TSC or Lowes. I could give you a million and one reasons not to. I know trailers are expensive over in your area though. About 50% to double what I sell them for down here in Texas, but have you looked at Elm City Trailer over in Orange? I checked out their website and they are pretty reputable it looks like.
 

GsRAM

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I have purchased 2 utility trailers over the past 10 yrs and both were excellent quality. I looked at the ones at TSC, Lowes and Home D.epot, but they looked cheezey and flimsy.
The first was a Bellmont from Lancaster County, PA, that was a good trailer, 5x8. Then I wanted a bigger unit so I bought a 6'4"x12 NNT (North Newtown Trailer, PA) with 2' high expanded metal sides. Both trailers were built heavy, ad 15" tires on them and a 3,500lb axle under them. You won't get that in a similar trailer at the big box stores, at least from what I saw. Just my .02.
 

novelmike

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How much does your JD riding mower weigh? They do not weigh much do they? 800lbs? Are you just going to use it around town and just for the mower? Plan on towing it a long distance and at speeds of 55mph+?

I do not blame you for wanting a inexpensive trailer. I surely wouldn't want to spend more on a trailer than what the mower costs!
 

Kenneth1977

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trailor ??? lol
I'd skip the lowes and TSC junk but thats just me , they are not made very good and of light materail.
 

GsRAM

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I believe my NNT was around $1300 or so before tax. Better built and cheaper. For my fellow Pennsylvanians, the tool shed of America in Elizabethtown, pa is the place to go. That's where i got the NNT. Great prices.
 

Kenneth1977

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"Materail"??? hello kettle, this is the pot calling... Lol

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Well at least the it was just the tow a and i switched lol i had the right ones , i am not ******* at all just messing
 

mowin

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I've owned a half dozen or more utility/ landscape trailers over the yrs. (Lawn care owner). My current is a big Tex . Nice trailer. Gate is a little weak, but that's a common issue with trailers that get used a lot. Had an aluminum trailer, was the worst trailer I've ever owned. Constantly having to get broken welds fixed. Frame snapped after two yrs.

Your better off getting a good used quality trailer over a new TS or Lowe's.
 

Birddog

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I bought a privately owned trailer that was manufactured in North Carolina where they don't require license plates so the trailer had no VIN number. Florida required plates so I had to go to the dmv to have them assign me a home made trailer VIN and then pull the trailer to a weigh station so I could bring the weight certificate back to the DMV so they would know how much to charge for my plates. Your dmv can tell you if they assign plates for trailers and go from there.
As far as buying one goes, I would find a trailer dealer and compare brands and prices before you buy. Look at the build quality when you visit. Aluminum chassis trailers cost more because they are light weight and still strong.
If you buy an enclosed trailer they charge extra for a taller ceiling and wiring for things like interior lights.
If you want an open trailer for your mower, consider when you resell it that someone may want it for lawn maintenance or motorcycle towing. Try and get at least the length of a motorcycle. It will resell faster. Also, the back of the trailer should have a drop down tailgate that doubles as a ramp. Easier for you and resale. I don't know if you already considered these things but just trying to help.


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