Last Nov. I bought an 1980 Ranger bass boat with a ranger trailer.  The owner was a dink and couldn't find the registration for the trailer.  I have the title to the boat but it has nothing for the trailer.  The MI secretary of state say's they need the serial number to get the trailer registered.  I have looked everywhere on the boat and can't find it.  So now I need the weight of the trailer does anyone know how much it could weigh It is an 18ft trailer.  I think I could even get away with an estimate.

Thanks,

Jenga

We don't have to register trailers here, unless they are being towed be a commercial/company vehicle.  But when I bought my boat in IN they guy their said if I needed to register the trailer that I just needed to take it to a local police department.  He said they come out and look at and then stamp it.  You might want to call them and ask them.

You also might to call your local boat dealers and ask then what they do when someone trades in a boat and trailer isn't registered?  Maybe they can lead you to the right place.

On the inside of the trailer frame there should be a plate with all the trailer info on it.  Usually it is on the port side within 3-4' of the front of the trailer.  You will probably have to lie down and crawl under it to see the plate.

I went through this years ago in OH with a trailer that was manufactured in the '60's so it didn't have an information plate on it.

The DMV required that I take it to a certified scale and have it weighed without the boat.  Then I had to submit the weigh slip with my registration paperwork.

Places that have certified scales are truck stops, gravel quarries, landfills or any place else materials are traded on a truck load basis.  They usually weigh your trailer for a small fee of about $5.

Good luck

Get it weighed at a CAT scale.  Get your slip.  Go to DMV and tell them that the trailer you want a plate for is a "shop built" trailer.  This will get you around all of the paperwork/hassle.  They might want to know how many axles and how much they are rated for be sure you kind of have an idea of what it is.  This is a common techinque for any kind of trailer that has no id plate such as homemade trailers.........