Texas trailer inspection

[Chalkie]

I did a search and could not find anything, and this is going to be of interest to Texas residents only.

A new law allows for trailers over 7500 pounds to be "self inspected" for registrations coming up for the rest of this year and next year. I suspect this is preparation for 2025 when all vehicle inspections go away.

Search for form VTR-269. You can fill it in online and then print to take with you for your renewal. I don't see any directions for submitting it online so you can do the registration online though.

[BB_TX]

Most people regularly check things like lights and brakes themselves any way. But no doubt some self inspections will consist of “yep, it’s still there”.

But the last 2 or 3 times I had mine inspected they didn’t bother to check my brakes.

[Chalkie]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Most people regularly check things like lights and brakes themselves any way. But no doubt some self inspections will consist of “yep, it’s still there”.

But the last 2 or 3 times I had mine inspected they didn’t bother to check my brakes.

Our inspection is due in February and it irritated me to have to move out of our home base site, drive 5 miles to the inspection sire, spend less than 10 minutes and then drive home and set up all over again. Another Montana owner here in the park found an inspection tech that was willing to bend the rules and come inspect on site, for which we tipped him generously. He did do a thorough job, however, by insisting we connect to our trucks and he checked the brakes by listening for the solenoids at the wheels as well as all the lights, etc.

I have thought the inspections were kind of a joke on the RV as well as car and truck (I mean places renting tires to pass inspection? Really?). I think back to my military days in Scotland where we had to have an annual MOT inspection. Talk about thorough! Even rust in certain areas could fail you.

[Mikendebbie]

Good information Gary! Thanks for posting.

[bwney]

I've had our RV safety checked in many places in Texas. No one has ever checked the breakaway switch. Seems important to me...............

[BB_TX]

I never had mine “officially” inspected for the 1st 10 years or so until Texas tied registration to having passed an inspection. All they checked was lights and tires.

I asked if they were going to check the brakes. Tech said no, that the boss had driven a large motor home to check the brakes, scraped the side on a post causing considerable damage, and he no longer allowed his people to move any more RVs. All subsequent years they still never checked the brakes.

[bshgto]

from another post:
I think back to my military days in Scotland where we had to have an annual MOT inspection. Talk about thorough! Even rust in certain areas could fail you.

Yep remember those days cause I was the one who had to correct the problems with the failed trucks.

[mlh]

I’ve had a camper for over 40 years and never had one inspected. If I get caught now I’m way ahead of the game. I’ll pay the fine and not have it inspected next year.
Lynwood

[BB_TX]

That was my strategy until they also would not let me reregister it without an inspection.

[Byron B]

Just north of us here in Georgetown Tx is a Crestview RV dealership. I have taken our traveling rig there for 7 or 8 years for its inspection for registration. Until this year they had a “technician” (I considered him a cranky SOB) who would fail virtually all fivers for inadequate brakes. He failed mine several years in a row and passed it when I returned and told him I adjusted the brakes (which he never verified). One year I had replaced the brakes myself before the inspection just to see what would happen. He failed me. I complained to him that the backing plates were new along with freshly pack bearings with new seals. He passed it without a reinspection. He was not there his year!

[RichardMor]

Thanks for posting this info and the name of the form. We just moved to Texas and are having to get 4 vehicles and 5 trailers inspected. What a hassle. Even the Socialist Republic of Washington doesn’t have such onerous rules. We bought our Montana Mountaineer from a couple that had it registered in New Mexico and it has been permanently secured in place on our property. Good thing I don’t have to take it anywhere for inspection - so very much you sharing this info.

Rich

[Mikendebbie]

Originally Posted by Byron B

Just north of us here in Georgetown Tx is a Crestview RV dealership. I have taken our traveling rig there for 7 or 8 years for its inspection for registration. Until this year they had a “technician” (I considered him a cranky SOB) who would fail virtually all fivers for inadequate brakes. He failed mine several years in a row and passed it when I returned and told him I adjusted the brakes (which he never verified). One year I had replaced the brakes myself before the inspection just to see what would happen. He failed me. I complained to him that the backing plates were new along with freshly pack bearings with new seals. He passed it without a reinspection. He was not there his year!

I also take my rig to Crestview for inspection. That guy never failed me! You must have been his annual "designated failure person" so he could prove he is no push over!

[Byron B]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

I also take my rig to Crestview for inspection. That guy never failed me! You must have been his annual "designated failure person" so he could prove he is no push over!

Never looked at it that way but he failed almost all of my neighbors here in our GT RV park as well! Maybe it is because of where we live? Discrimination?

You are a much nicer person than I am so he probably liked you!

[JAMyers59]

I've had a rig stationed in a Bastrop RV Park for 2 years. The rig is only 3 years old and has not been inspected since taking ownership. It has been moved a total of 4 times and under 500 miles. I may move it near Houston in the next few months. I see no benefit to an inspection since "The State" will not be as thorough as I am. By the way, how much is the fine?

[Mikendebbie]

JAMyers - I assume you have not tried to renew your license plate sticker yet.
For several years you could not get the new years license plate sticker unless the inspection was completed and the shop uploaded "pass" to the State database - just like your car plates...inspect it first - then get your "plate" windshield sticker. I have no idea what the $$ fine might be for no inspection or pulling the rig with expired plates. We bought a used Jayco travel trailer from Crestview San Antonio years ago, and I think it actually had an "inspection sticker" on it somewhere. I have no idea when they used to do that or when they quit with the stickers.

As I understand the new "self inspection" thing here in TX - I will fill out the the form (see screen shot below) and hopefully they will have instructions for submitting it online while applying for and paying for my new plate sticker online ...or else I will have to mail it in (oh my gosh - surely not!!).

[BB_TX]

Mike - I would call the local county tax collector office and see if you can bring in that self inspection form and do the renewal. There is probably going to be a period of confusion until everyone involved gets familiar with the new process.

[JAMyers59]

Here is a link to the new form: https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/...es/VTR-269.pdf

[Mikendebbie]

I received my annual vehicle registration renewal for the Montana in the mail yesterday. It is due in January. The fee is $133.75 - same as last year's fee (strangely enough!). Has anybody tried the "self-inspection", filled out Form VTR-269, and walked it into the county tax assessor's office to get new tags?

[parsfam]

Tagged ours earlier this month using the self-inspection VTR-269. Signed the VTR-269 in front of them, presented payment and was issued our tags.

[Mikendebbie]

Good to know...I suppose I better go down to the tax office and take a number!
"Now serving #2859...ticket #2859...window #3 please!"