Owning your own trailer takes more than hooking it up and taking it on the road if you want to make sure everything is legal. Even if you already know to follow certain laws like using the right equipment and keeping your trailer within its weight limits, what’s easy to forget is meeting renewal deadlines and doing your paperwork on time. When life gets busy, simple administrative tasks like this can fall on the backburner.
Don’t wait until the last minute to take care of the paperwork. Here’s what Illinois trailer owners should keep on their radar so they can meet their deadlines and avoid preventable mistakes.
Before You Tow, Know the Basics
Illinois trailer owners need to think about requirements involving registration, trailer weight, brakes, and safe towing. For example, Illinois law requires brakes on trailers and semitrailers weighing more than 3,000 pounds. The requirements get more specific as trailer weight increases, including rules for how those brakes must work in a breakaway situation. You also need to have a clear view behind your vehicle; Illinois law requires a mirror that lets you see the highway at least 200 feet to the rear. Specific requirements can depend on the type of trailer and how much it weighs, so it’s worth knowing which rules apply to yours.
However, even if you have your hitch, brakes, and equipment in order, you can still run into problems when you have to deal with an expired plate or an incomplete title transaction. The rules of the road are important, but you also need to stay current on your paperwork so nothing gets in the way when you need your trailer.
Want to brush up on the rules of the road? Take a look at our guide to common Chicago traffic violations.
Don’t Let Registration and Title Paperwork Sneak Up on You
Some trailer paperwork comes up on a regular basis, including registration and plate renewals. According to Illinois law, vehicle owners are responsible for keeping their registration current, and registrations expire at the end of the month shown on the registration.
When your renewal deadline is approaching, it’s important to get your new plate sticker before the deadline passes. You may need to bring your license plate information and the address you used during their previous renewal, as well.
Buying a privately-sold trailer also requires careful paperwork. Without completing the correct title or registration transactions and bringing the right documents, you may have to make another trip before everything is settled. It’s easy to forget all the information you need when you go to an auto service location to get these things taken care of.
For these transactions, common documents you may need to bring include proof of ownership, photo ID, trailer details, and purchase information like purchase price and date. Prepare for this in advance and double check that you have all the right things before you leave to get it done, so you don’t need to make another trip for something you left at home.
A Simpler Way to Handle Trailer Paperwork
Eligible trailer owners can visit a local CFSC Auto location for services such as plate renewals and trailer title or registration transactions. You don’t need an appointment, and calling ahead can help you confirm what paperwork you’ll need before you go. If you have any questions, we’ll walk you through everything you need to do and fill out. Plus, our locations across Illinois and Wisconsin help you get to a nearby location quickly and get your transaction handled so you can get back to the rest of your day.
Before You Hit the Road
Owning a trailer means thinking about more than where you’re headed next. At some point, you’ll need to deal with registration, a plate renewal, or paperwork after a purchase. It’s much easier to take care of those things before you need the trailer than to find out at the last minute that something has expired or you’re missing a document. Then you can spend less time thinking about logistics and more time thinking about where the trailer is taking you.
Visit your local CFSC Auto for eligible trailer services.