Title for a boat trailer: Do boat trailers need a title?


Boat trailers are essential, and if you have a boat (small boat), then you need to have a boat trailer. Having a boat trailer isn’t enough. You need to have a title for it as well. Generally, you need a title for a boat, but do you need a title for a boat trailer?

Boat trailers also need titles, as boats do. But, not all the states are required to have titles for boat trailers. Many states require them, and few of them are not required to have a title for a boat trailer. Some states are optional, and you can choose whether you need it or not.

Applying for a boat trailer title will vary for each state. Each state requires different types of requirements or documents that needed to be submitted while titling. You can’t use the boat trailer title in your state, which is titled in other states. So, make sure you are using the boat trailer title that is issued in the state where you are living.

Why do you need a title for a boat trailer?

You need a title for a boat trailer because it is like the proof of the trailer that belongs to you. If you don’t have one, then you can’t prove to others that the trailer belongs to you. Not all the states require it. But, if you are selling the trailer, then you need to have a title.

If you are selling the boat trailer to others, some buyers will buy the trailer if it has a title. Generally, if you are living in a state where it does not require to title a boat trailer, then you don’t need to title the boat trailer at all. It is good to title your boat trailer if you are living in a state that doesn’t require titling your boat trailer.

What happens if you don’t have a title for a boat trailer?

If you don’t have a title for a boat trailer, then you can’t prove that it belongs to you. While selling the trailer, you may get any problems. If you are living in a state where it requires a title, then you should have it. Otherwise, you may face any issues if the coast guard inspects your boat.

Still, if you are living in a state where it doesn’t require a boat trailer title, it is good to have one. The problems of not having a boat trailer title are listed below. All of them apply to the people who are living in a state where it requires a title, rest, no need to worry.

  • You might get any problems while selling the boat trailer to others. Some people won’t buy a boat trailer if it doesn’t have a title.
  • If you are living in a state where you require a boat trailer title and if you don’t have one, then you need to pay the fine to the coast guards if they inspect your boat.
  • If you don’t have a boat trailer title, then anyone can come and argue that the trailer belongs to him (don’t worry, no one will argue like that). Still, they can, because you don’t have any proof that the trailer belongs to you. So, it is good to have the boat trailer title if you are living in a state where it requires a title.

States in the USA that require a title for a boat trailer

The states in the USA that require a title for a boat trailer are listed below.

  1. Arizona
  2. Arkansas (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 3000 pounds)
  3. California
  4. Colorado
  5. Connecticut (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 3000 pounds)
  6. Delaware
  7. Florida (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2000 pounds)
  8. Georgia (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2000 pounds)
  9. Idaho (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2000 pounds)
  10. Illinois
  11. Indiana
  12. Iowa (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2000 pounds)
  13. Kansas (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2000 pounds)
  14. Kentucky
  15. Louisiana (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 1000 pounds)
  16. Maine (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 3000 pounds, and if the trailer bought in 1994 or older)
  17. Maryland
  18. Massachusetts (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 3000 pounds)
  19. Michigan (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2500 pounds)
  20. Minnesota (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 4000 pounds)
  21. Mississippi
  22. Missouri
  23. Montana (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer length is less than 12 feet)
  24. Nebraska
  25. Nevada
  26. New Hampshire (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 3000 pounds)
  27. New Jersey (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2500 pounds)
  28. New Mexico
  29. New York (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 1000 pounds)
  30. North Carolina
  31. North Dakota (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 1500 pounds)
  32. Ohio (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 4000 pounds)
  33. Oregon (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 1800 pounds)
  34. Pennsylvania
  35. Rhode Island (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 3000 pounds and if the trailer bought in 2000 or older)
  36. South Carolina (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 2500 pounds)
  37. Texas (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 4000 pounds)
  38. Utah (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 750 pounds)
  39. Vermont (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 1500 pounds)
  40. Virginia
  41. Washington
  42. West Virginia
  43. Wisconsin (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 3000 pounds)
  44. Wyoming (Boat trailer title is not required if the trailer weight is under 1000 pounds, and if the trailer bought in 2009 or older)

All the states listed above require you to title your boat trailer if it satisfies their requirements. For some states, there are no requirements. You don’t need to title your boat trailer if you live in those states.

States in the USA that don’t require a title for a boat trailer

The states in the USA that don’t require a title for a boat trailer are listed below.

  1. ALABAMA
  2. ALASKA
  3. HAWAII
  4. MISSISSIPPI (If you want, then you can apply for a boat trailer title)
  5. OKLAHOMA (If you want, then you can apply for a boat trailer title)
  6. SOUTH DAKOTA (If you want, then you can apply for a boat trailer title)
  7. TENNESSEE

Check my article on Title requirements for an outboard motor (don’t worry, it will open in new tab). Check my article on Title requirements for boats (don’t worry, it will open in new tab).

Boat trailer title requirements for all the states in the USA

In the below table, I listed the Boat trailer title requirements and the dimensions (length, width, and height) requirements (If the boat trailer exceeds a certain length, then you can’t use that trailer in that state) for all states in the USA.

For all the trailer dimensions, the length is the overall length of the trailer. Width is excluding mirrors and safety equipment, and appurtenances up to 6 inches (around). Height is overall height, including the boat, kept on the trailer. Trailer weight is equal to the total weight of the trailer + boat.

STATENeed a title for a boat trailer?Boat trailer you can’t tow if they exceeds these dimensions (in feet)
ALABAMANO
(No title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Alabama)
Length – 28 feet 6 inches
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
ALASKANO
(No title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Alaska)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 15 feet
ARIZONAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Arizona regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 28.5 feet
Width – 8 feet (8 feet 6 inches on certain roads)
Height – 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)
ARKANSASYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Arkansas if the trailer weight is above 3000 pounds)
Length – 28 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
CALIFORNIAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of California regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 28 feet 6 inches
Width – 8 feet 5 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
COLORADOYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Colorado regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 45 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet 6 inches
CONNECTICUTYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Connecticut if the trailer weight is above 3000 pounds)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
DELAWAREYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Delaware regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
FLORIDAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Florida if the trailer weight is above 2000 pounds)
Length – 48 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height: 13 feet 6 inches
GEORGIAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Georgia if the trailer weight is above 2000 pounds)
Length – 53 feet (56 feet for boat transporters)
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)
HAWAIINO
(No title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Hawaii)
Length – 45 feet; Width – 9 feet
Height – 14 feet
IDAHOYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Idaho if the trailer weight is above 2000 pounds)
Length – 48 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
ILLINOISYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Illinois regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
INDIANAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Indiana regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 28 feet 6 inches
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
IOWAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Iowa if the trailer weight is above 2000 pounds)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
KANSASYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Kansas if the trailer weight is above 2000 pounds)
Length (boat + car) – 65 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
KENTUCKYYES
Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Kentucky regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 45 feet
Width – 8 feet
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
LOUISIANAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Louisiana if the trailer weight is above 1000 pounds)
Length – 30 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)
MAINEYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Maine if the trailer weight is above 3000 pounds, and bought in 1995 or newer)
Length – 48 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
MARYLANDYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Maryland regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 35 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
MASSACHUSETTSYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Massachusetts if the trailer weight is above 3000 pounds)
Length – 33 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
MICHIGANYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Michigan if the trailer weight is above 2500 pounds)
Length – 28 feet 6 inches
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
MINNESOTAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Minnesota if the trailer weight is above 4000 pounds)
Length – 45 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
MISSISSIPPINO
(No title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Mississippi. However, if you want, you can apply for it)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
MISSOURIYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Missouri regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 45 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches (14 feet on designated roads)
MONTANAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Montana if the trailer length is above 12 feet)
Length (boat + car) – 65 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
NEBRASKAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Nebraska regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet 6 inches
NEVADAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Nevada regardless of the trailer weight)
Length (boat + car) – 70 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
NEW HAMPSHIREYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of New Hampshire if the trailer weight is above 3000 pounds)
Length (trailer + car) – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
NEW JERSEYYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of New Jersey if the trailer weight is above 2500 pounds)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
NEW MEXICOYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of New Mexico regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet
Height – 14 feet
NEW YORKYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of New York if the trailer weight is above 1000 pounds)
Length – 48 feet
Width – 8 feet
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
NORTH CAROLINAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of North Carolina regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
NORTH DAKOTAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of North Dakota if the trailer weight is above 1500 pounds)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
OHIOYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Ohio if the trailer weight is above 4000 pounds)
Length (trailer + car) – 65 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
OKLAHOMANO
(No title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Oklahoma. However, if you want, you can apply for it)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
OREGONYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Oregon if the trailer weight is above 1800 pounds)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
PENNSYLVANIAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Pennsylvania regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
RHODE ISLANDYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Rhode Island if the trailer weight is above 3000 pounds and if the trailer bought in 2001 or newer)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
SOUTH CAROLINAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of South Carolina if the trailer weight is above 2500 pounds)
length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
SOUTH DAKOTANO
(No title is required for a boat trailer in the state of South Dakota. However, if you want, you can apply for it)
Length – 45 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
TENNESSEENO
(No title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Tennessee)
Length – 48 feet
Width – 8 feet
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
TEXASYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Texas if the trailer weight is above 4000 pounds)
Length – 28 feet 6 inches
Width – 8 feet Height – 14 feet
UTAHYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Utah if the trailer weight is above 750 pounds)
Length – 53 feet
Width – 8 feet 5 inches
Height – 14 feet
VERMONTYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Vermont if the trailer weight is above 1500 pounds)
Length (trailer + towing vehicle) – 75 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
VIRGINIAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Virginia regardless of the trailer weight)
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
WASHINGTONYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Washington regardless of the trailer weight)
Length (trailer + towing vehicle) – 75 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
WEST VIRGINIAYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of West Virginia regardless of the trailer weight)
Length – 40 feet
Width – 8 feet
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
WISCONSINYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Wisconsin if the trailer weight is above 3000 pounds)
Length – 48 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 13 feet 6 inches
WYOMINGYES
(Title is required for a boat trailer in the state of Wyoming if the trailer weight is above 1000 pounds, and bought in 2010 or newer)
Length – 60 feet
Width – 8 feet 6 inches
Height – 14 feet
Boat trailer title requirements for all states in the USA

To check more dimensions requirements click here

Bottom line

The boat trailer title is like a certificate given by the government of the state where you live. That certificate will have the details about the boat. Like the boat owner’s name, address where you live, boat details, etc. It is good to have one if you don’t have a boat trailer title.

Mahidhar

My name is Mahidhar, and I am passionate about boating. Every day I learn some new things about boats and share them here on the site.

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