Do you need a title?
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), a manufactured trailer with a gross weight over 4,000 lbs must be titled, and registration is required for all non-farm trailers used on public highways. Most kitchen and coffee trailers are well above 4,000 lbs once equipped.
Documents you need
- Form 130-U, Application for Texas Title and/or Registration.
- Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO). TxDMV calls it the document that allows you to register and title a new trailer.
- Proof of the sale (bill of sale or invoice) and the applicable fees.
You apply at your county tax assessor-collector's office. TxDMV notes that a manufactured trailer with missing paperwork cannot be registered as an assembled (homemade) trailer, so the MCO matters.
Fees and tax
The title fee is set by the county; Travis County lists $33. Registration fees depend on the trailer's weight. Your county tax office gives the exact total.
Sales tax. The Texas Comptroller lists a food and beverage concession trailer as an example of a mobile office, a structure designed to be used as a sales outlet or workplace, and says mobile offices are not taxed as motor vehicles. That points to regular Texas sales tax (6.25% state plus up to 2% local; 8.25% in Houston) charged on the sale, instead of the 6.25% motor vehicle tax paid when titling. Check how tax is shown on your invoice, and ask the Comptroller or a tax adviser if your trailer is unusual.
Why the VIN and manufacturer matter
A trailer sold in the US must carry a 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) assigned by a manufacturer registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), plus a label certifying it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). Imported trailers without a registered manufacturer can get stuck at customs or at the title office.
You can check any VIN for free on NHTSA's VIN decoder. The first characters identify the manufacturer.
What you get from us
- A 17-digit VIN from an NHTSA-registered manufacturer, shared before delivery so you can decode it.
- A federal safety (FMVSS) certification label on the trailer.
- The Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin and a bill of sale for your county tax office.
See the documents you receive with every trailer.
Questions
Can I register an imported trailer as homemade?
TxDMV states that a manufactured trailer with missing paperwork cannot be registered as an assembled trailer. Buy only trailers that come with an MCO.
How do I check that a VIN is real?
Enter it in NHTSA's free VIN decoder. A valid VIN decodes to a registered manufacturer and trailer details.
Sources
- TxDMV: Trailers
- Travis County Tax Office: Trailer titles
- NHTSA VIN Decoder
- Texas Comptroller: Motor Vehicle Tax Guide glossary (mobile office)
- Texas Comptroller: Motor Vehicle Tax Guide, trailers
Rules and fees change. Confirm current requirements with the agency before you apply.
