Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements (Requirements for a WSP Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Inspection), Revised 9-14

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 1 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

REQUIREMENTS FOR A WASHINGTON STATE PATROL

HOMEMADE/UNIDENTIFIABLE TRAILER INSPECTION

RCW 46.12.560: Authorizes the Washington State Patrol to inspect all homemade/unidentifiable

trailers for licensing purposes.

APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL INSPECTIONS.

 Please refer to the WSP web page http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/vinspect.htm for further

information.

 Or call your local VIN Officer if (1) you have any questions; and/or (2) to set up an appointment

for inspection (contact information is available on the same web page).

All major component parts used to construct a homemade trailer will be verified by the VIN Officer.

Documentation must be presented at the time of inspection to show legal ownership of the trailer/parts

used. The VIN Officer will inspect the homemade trailer to determine if it meets the equipment

requirements of WAC Title 204 and/or RCW Title 46 to be road legal. Your trailer will not pass

inspection and will not be assigned a Washington State Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) until it

complies with all of the equipment requirements. You will have to return for a final inspection.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION:

WAC 308-56a-265

 Documents presented at time of inspection must be original (meaning: Being the first form or

occurrence of something). Faxes or copies will not be accepted.

 Bills of sale from private parties presented at time of inspection must be notarized (meaning:

to certify a signature on a legal document by affixing a notary's stamp and signature, verifying

the identity of the seller signing the document).

 All receipts/invoices for major component parts must be made out to you, the trailer owner,

your immediate family member, or the licensed shop that built the trailer. Major component

parts purchased from a third party require a notarized bill of sale from the original purchaser to

you and the original parts receipts—or, in the case of a licensed business, a letterhead

statement of transfer to you and the original parts receipts.

 Any parts purchased from a licensed business must be presented with an ORIGINAL sales

receipt/invoice. The receipt/invoice must show the name and address of the business, a

description of the parts sold, the date of sale, and the purchase price.

 Any parts purchased from a licensed vehicle wrecker must be presented with an original

sales receipt/invoice to include the wrecking yard name and address, a description of the

parts sold, the date of sale, the amount of sale, and the stock number and/or VIN of the

vehicle the parts came from.

 Any vehicle/parts purchased/given/traded from a private party must be presented with a

signed and released title to the vehicle the parts came off of, or a notarized bill of sale. The

notarized bill of sale/gift/trade must include the name, address, phone number of the seller

and purchaser, a description of the parts sold, vehicle information the parts came off of (to

include year, make, model, VIN), the date of sale, and the purchase price.

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 2 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

 Internet/Electronic receipts will ONLY be accepted for NEW AFTERMARKET MAJOR

COMPONENTS when the Internet/electronic receipt is accompanied by an original packing

slip/shipping invoice. You must print out a copy of the Internet/electronic receipt to present to

the VIN Officer at the time of inspection. The printed Internet/electronic receipt must include

the business name, address, phone number, date of purchase, description of part, purchase

price, and tax paid (if any).

 Weight slip from a certified scale for the completed trailer.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING HOMEMADE CAMP TRAILERS:

 RCW 43.22.350: If you build a camp trailer and want to license it as a Recreational Vehicle

(RV) camp trailer, at the time of inspection you must present a completed Labor & Industries

(L&I) RV inspection with the L&I inspection insignia applied to your camp trailer. Please

contact your local L&I office for information on their inspection process. In addition to the L&I

inspection, you must also present valid release documents for the trailer and/or parts used.

(All documents must meet the requirements listed above under DOCUMENTATION

REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION).

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF A COMPLETED HOMEMADE TRAILER:

 If you purchase a completed homemade trailer, you need to present a notarized bill of

sale/gift/trade from the person you purchased the completed homemade trailer from along

with all of their original parts documentation as required above.

(All documents must meet the requirements listed above under DOCUMENTATION

REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION).

UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE RELEASE OF INTEREST OR PROOF OF

OWNERSHIP?

 RCW 46.12.560(3): If you are unable to provide an acceptable release of interest or proof of

ownership for the vehicle or major component parts as described above, an inspection will be

completed for ownership-in-doubt purposes as described in RCW 46.12.680 and WAC 308-

56A-210. Ownership-in-doubt means applying for a three-year registration without title; after

three years, a Washington title can be requested.

If you have any questions and/or to set up an appointment, refer to the

following WSP web page:

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/vinspect.htm

Or call your local VIN Officer (contact information is available on the same

web page).

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 3 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

TRAILER REQUIREMENTS

RCW 46.44

Maximum Length Allowed

RCW 46.44.030

53 feet; 56 feet with special permits

Maximum Overall Length

of Trailer and Towing Vehicle

RCW 46.44.030

Truck and trailer combination – 75 feet

Two trailing units – 61 feet; 68 feet with special permit

Maximum Width Allowed

RCW 46.44.010

102 inches (8 feet, 6 inches)

Maximum Height Allowed

RCW 46.44.020

14 feet

If the length, width, and/or height exceed the maximum limits,

applications for permits to move such vehicles should be

addressed to:

Department of Transportation

Motor Carrier Services

PO Box 47367

Olympia WA 98504-7367

Telephone: (360) 704-6340

Maximum Weight Allowed

RCW 46.44.041, 042

20,000 pounds on one axle

34,000 pounds on tandem axles

Tire Factor

RCW 46.44.041, 042

600 pounds per inch width of tire

Axles manufactured after July 31, 1993, carrying more than

10,000 pounds and equipped with single tires may carry tire

size x 500 pounds per inch width of tire.

Axles manufactured prior to August 1, 1993, carrying more than

10,000 pounds and equipped with single tires may carry tire

size x 600 pounds per inch tire width. Effective January 1, 1997,

the allowance is reduced to 500 pounds per inch.

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 4 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

TRAILER HITCHES – LIGHT SERVICE DEVICES

BREAKING STRENGTH FOR COUPLINGS AND BALLS

WAC 204-70-99001 Table 1.

Trailer

Classification

Trailer

Couplings

Designation

Minimum Ball

Diameter-Inches (where

Ball-type hitch is used)

Minimum Breaking

Point Requirements

Pounds

Class 1

(2,000 lbs. or

less MGTW)

No. 1

1 7/8

Longitudinal tension: 6,000

Longitudinal compression: 6,000

Transverse thrust: 2,000

Vertical tension: 2,500

Vertical compression:

2,500

Class 2

(2,001 thru

3,500 lbs.

MGTW)

No. 2 2 Longitudinal tension: 10,500

Longitudinal compression: 10,500

Transverse thrust: 3,000

Vertical tension: 4,500

Vertical compression:

4,500

Class 3

(3,501 thru

5,000 lbs.

MGTW)

No. 3 2 Longitudinal tension: 15,000

Longitudinal compression: 15,000

Transverse thrust: 4,000

Vertical tension: 7,000

Vertical compression:

7,000

Class 4

(5,001 thru

10,000 lbs.

MGTW)

No. 4

Ball & bolt shall be of such

size and

strength as to

conform to the minimum

breaking strength

requirements of the mating

coupling required for the

specific load of Class 4

trailer

Longitudinal tension:

MGTW x 3

Longitudinal compression: MGTW x 3

Transverse thrust: MGTW x 1

Vertical tension: MGTW x 1.3

Vertical compression:

MGTW x 1.4

***MGTW-MAXIMUM GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 5 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

SAFETY CHAINS AND ATTACHING MEANS REQUIRED

WAC 204-70-070

Strength Requirements

Each safety chain and each attaching means shall meet strength

requirements as shown in the chart below.

Installation and

Connections

The means of attachment of safety chains shall be located equally

distant from and on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of

the towing vehicle and of the trailer. Each means of attachment

shall not be common with or utilize fasteners common with a ball

or coupling.

No welding operation shall be performed on a safety chain

subsequent to its manufacture, including the direct welding of safety

chain link to the towed and towing vehicles. Safety chains shall be so

connected that the slack for each length of chain between trailer and

towing vehicle is the same and is not more than necessary to permit

the proper turning of the vehicles. When passing forward to the

towing vehicle, safety chains must be crossed in such a manner as to

prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground and to maintain

connection in the event of failure of the primary connecting system.

MINIMUM STRENGTHS OF SAFETY CHAINS AND ATTACHING MEANS

Minimum Longitudinal Load, Tension, Pounds

Trailer Classification Breaking Force Minimum

(See classification table on page 4)

Class 1 2,000

Class 2 3,500

Class 3 5,000

Class 4 MGTW

**MGTW - MAXIMUM GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT

Typical Safety Chain Installation

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 6 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

Brakes

RCW 46.37.340

Every trailer having a gross weight exceeding 3,000 pounds must be

equipped with brakes on all wheels and capable of being applied from

the towing vehicle. Any trailer whose gross weight is over 3,000

pounds must be equipped with a device which will automatically apply

the brakes in case of a breakaway.

Trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less must be equipped

with brakes if the weight of the trailer(s) exceeds 40 percent of the

weight of the towing vehicle. Trailers manufactured and assembled prior

to July 1, 1965, having a gross weight less than 2,000 pounds need not

be equipped with brakes.

Tail Lights License

Plate Light

RCW 46.37.050

fter January 1, 1964, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole

trailer, and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a

combination of vehicles, shall be equipped with at least two tail lamps

mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in RCW 46.37.020,

shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of one thousand feet to

the rear. On a combination of vehicles only the tail lamps on the rearmost

vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. On vehicles

equipped with more than one tail lamp, the lamps shall be mounted on the

same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. Every tail

lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than

seventy-two inches nor less than fifteen inches.

Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as

to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it

clearly legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail

lamps, together with any separate lamp or lamps for illuminating the rear

registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head

lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.

Stop Lamps/Electric

Turn Signals

RCW 46.37.070

fter January 1, 1964, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole

trailer shall be equipped with two or more stop lamps meeting the

requirements of RCW 46.37.200. On a combination of vehicles, only the

stop lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from the

distance specified in RCW 46.37.200(1).

After January 1, 1960, every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole

trailer shall be equipped with electric turn signal lamps meeting the

requirements of RCW 46.37.200

(

)

Reflectors

RCW 46.37.060

Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall carry on the

rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two or more red

reflectors meeting the requirements of this section: PROVIDED,

HOWEVER, That vehicles of the types mentioned in RCW 46.37.090 shall

be equipped with reflectors meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.110

and 46.37.120.

Every such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height not less

than fifteen inches nor more than seventy-two inches measured as set

forth in RCW 46.37.030(2), and shall be of such size and characteristics

and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within six

hundred feet to one hundred feet from such vehicle when directly in front of

lawful upper beams of head lamps, except that reflectors on vehicles

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 7 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1970, shall be visible at

night from all distances within three hundred and fifty feet to one hundred

feet when directl

in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps.

Additional Lighting Equipment Required

RCW 46.37.090

Trailers and semitrailers eighty inches or more in ove

-all width:

On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side;

On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and after January 1,

1964, three identification lamps meeting the specifications of subdivision

(6) [(7)] of this section;

On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one

at or near the rear; on each side, two reflectors, one at or near the

front and one at or near the rear: PROVIDED, That a mobile home as

defined by RCW 46.04.302 need not be equipped with two side marker

lamps or two side reflectors as required by subsection (2) (c) and (d) of this

section while operated under the terms of a special permit authorized by

RCW 46.44.090.

Pole trailers:

On each side, one amber side marker lamp at or near the front of the load;

One amber reflector at or near the front of the load;

On the rearmost support for the load, one combination marker lamp

showing amber to the front and red to the rear and side, mounted to

indicate maximum width of the pole trailer.

Boat trailers eighty inches or more in overall width:

One on each side, at or near the midpoint, one clearance lamp performing

the function of both a front and rear clearance lamp;

On the rear, after June 1, 1978, three identification lamps meeting the

specifications of subsection (7) of this section;

One on each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one

at or near the rear; On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front

and one at or near the rear.

Whenever required or permitted by this chapter, identification lamps

shall be grouped in a horizontal row, with lamp centers spaced not

less than six nor more than twelve inches apart, and mounted on the

permanent structure of the vehicle as close as practicable to the

vertical centerline: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That where the cab of a

vehicle is not more than forty-two inches wide at the front roof line, a single

identification lamp at the center of the cab shall be deemed to comply with

the requirements for front identification lamps.

Mounting of Reflectors, Clearance, Identification, and Side Marker Lamps

RCW 46.37.110

(1) Reflectors when required by RCW 46.37.090 shall be mounted at a

height not less than twenty-four inches and not higher than sixty inches

above the ground on which the vehicle stands, except that if the highest

part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than twenty-four

inches the reflector at such point shall be mounted as high as that part of

the permanent structure will permit.

The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the

bolster or load.

required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle ma

be incorporated

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 8 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

with the tail lamp, but such reflector shall meet all the other reflector

requirements of this chapter.

(2) Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the

vehicle in such a manner as to indicate the extreme height and width of

the vehicle. When rear identification lamps are required and are mounted

as high as is practicable, rear clearance lamps may be mounted at

optional height, and when the mounting of front clearance lamps results in

such lamps failing to indicate the extreme width of the trailer, such lamps

may be mounted at optional height but must indicate, as near as

practicable, the extreme width of the trailer. Clearance lamps on truck

tractors shall be located so as to indicate the extreme width of the truck

tractor cab. Clearance lamps and side marker lamps may be mounted in

combination provided illumination is given as required herein with

reference to both: PROVIDED that no rear clearance lamp may be

combined in an

shell or housin

with an

tail lamp or identification lamp.

Lighting Visibility and Color Requirements

RCW 46.37.200

ny vehicle may be equipped and when required under this chapter shall

be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which

shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and

amber, visible from a distance of not less than one hundred feet and on

any vehicle manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1964, three

hundred feet to the rear in normal sunlight, and which shall be actuated

upon application of a service brake, and which may, but need not, be

incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.

ny vehicle may be equipped and when required under RCW 46.37.070(2)

shall be equipped with electric turn signals which shall indicate an

intention to turn by flashing lights showing to the front and rear of a vehicle

or on a combination of vehicles on the side of the vehicle or combination

toward which the turn is to be made. The lamps showing to the front shall

be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as

practicable and, when signaling, shall emit amber light: PROVIDED, That

on any vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 1969, the lamps showing

to the front may emit white or amber light, or any shade of light between

white and amber. The lamp showing to the rear shall be mounted on the

same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, and, when

signaling, shall emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between

red and amber. Turn signal lamps shall be visible from a distance of not

less than five hundred feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight. Turn

signal lamps may, but need not be, incorporated in other lamps on the

vehicle.

Any vehicle may be equipped and when required under this chapter shall

be equipped with a center high-mounted stop lamp mounted on the center

line of the rear of the vehicle. These stop lamps shall display a red light

visible from a distance of not less than three hundred feet to the rear in

normal sunlight, and shall be actuated upon application of a service brake,

and ma

not be incorporated with an

other rear lamps.

Homemade/Unidentifiable Trailer Requirements

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Washington State Patrol Page 9 of 9 Inspection and Trailer Requirements

Vehicle Identification Number Section

3000-170-129 (R 9/14)

Splash Guards

RCW 46.37.500

No person may operate any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is not

equipped with fenders, covers, flaps, or splash aprons adequate for

minimizing the spray or splash of water or mud from the roadway to the

rear of the vehicle. All such devices shall be as wide as the tires behind

which they are mounted and extend downward at least to the center of the

axle. *see examples below

Figure 1 Figure 2

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Figure 1

shows an example of a trailer with fenders. The tires sit

outside of the frame and therefore would need full fenders to

cover the tread of the tire. The fenders must extend

downward behind the tire to the center of the axle, or must

be in combination with a mud flap extending down to the

center of the axle.

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Figure 2

shows an example of a trailer with only mud flaps. The tires

sit under the frame/decking and therefore only a mud flap is

needed behind the tire and extended down to the center of

the axle.

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Tires

RCW 46.37.425

Any tire marked “for mobile home use only,” “mobile home only,” “not street

legal,” or any marking indicating the tire is not legal on the vehicle

presented for inspection will not pass inspection.

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License Plates

RCW 46.16A.200

Required on all trailers regardless of size.

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Certificate of

Registration

RCW 46.16A.030

Issued to trailers registered in Washington.

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Certificate of Title

Issued to trailers registered in Washington.

PLEASE REFER TO RCW TITLE 46 CHAPTER 46.61 FOR “RULES OF THE ROAD”

WHEN TOWING A TRAILER. SPEED LIMITS, LANE RESTRICTIONS, TIMES OF

OPERATION, CARRYING OF PASSENGERS, AND MORE DIFFER FROM WHEN YOU

ARE TOWING A TRAILER AS TO WHEN YOU ARE NOT.