Registering a trailer?

I was looking at getting a new small boat/kayak trailer for my boat, but not I'm not sure how big of a PITA the registration process would be. Suppose I bought a Malone or Trailex trailer and assembled it--what extra steps would I need to take to register the trailer? Would I have to have it inspected by DMV?

Can anyone confirm that it falls under a "specially constructed or modified vehicle" and that this is the correct procedure? https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/register-a-specially-constructed-or-modified-vehicle/

If you are a member of AAA you can register it in their office and skip the DMV line. However, if you need to get it inspected that might not be an option. When I registered mine it had already been registered so I did not need an inspection.

I got the CE Smith MultiSport trailer earlier this year.  It came as a kit that I needed to assemble myself.  Registration was pretty easy, the hardest part was waiting in line at the DMV.  The inspector at the DMV was mainly interested in making sure the serial number was on the trailer and also that the stickers with details on number of axles and load rating was present on the trailer.  I am a AAA member and tried to register my kayak (has a motor) and trailer at the AAA DMV office and they did not allow me to do this.  I was told that all vessel and trailer registration had to be done at the DMV office. 

If you are a member of AAA you can register it in their office and skip the DMV line. However, if you need to get it inspected that might not be an option. When I registered mine it had already been registered so I did not need an inspection.

Just registered a kit trailer from harbor freight a few weeks ago and unfortunately they require an inspection at the DMV in person. Honestly, the process was pretty painless. Show up with the paperwork filled out (application for title, if it's brand brand new) and certificate of origin/bill of sale, and it's pretty easy. I was in and out of the Santa Rosa DMV at 10AM on a Monday in less than an hour and a half. They handed me a license plate on the spot.

Right on, thanks for clarifying that for me. And how about if you buy a trailer used from someone who has already registered it? Then would you only have to transfer the pink slip (no inspection) as with any other vehicle?

Earlier this year I bought a used trailer from a private party in Nevada.  California DMV required me to bring it in so they could verify the VIN number.

Right on, thanks for clarifying that for me. And how about if you buy a trailer used from someone who has already registered it? Then would you only have to transfer the pink slip (no inspection) as with any other vehicle?

Looks like you can mail the paperwork in if you want and not even have to go to a DMV office.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/titles/title-transfers-and-changes/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAuJb_BRDJARIsAKkycUmxAJY-3_x0dxQA05PsxXOH0b0qu9Dsp9wcUyB_kj6pzANeMlcIh_YaAkyaEALw_wcB

Just registered a kit trailer from harbor freight a few weeks ago and unfortunately they require an inspection at the DMV in person. Honestly, the process was pretty painless. Show up with the paperwork filled out (application for title, if it's brand brand new) and certificate of origin/bill of sale, and it's pretty easy. I was in and out of the Santa Rosa DMV at 10AM on a Monday in less than an hour and a half. They handed me a license plate on the spot.

That's similar to my experience. I bought a Trailex trailer from ACK as a kit and assembled it. Since it shipped from Texas and ACK didn't charge sales tax, I had to pay sales tax at the DMV. As I recall, the DMV also wanted to increase the sales tax based on the time I'd spent assembling it. But, I insisted that my time was worthless, and they finally gave in on that point.

Btw, different DMV locations can vary tremendously in typical wait times. The closest DMV to us is in Los Gatos, but that's always much slower than the one in Capitola, so we go to Capitola whenever possible. And both of my kids took their driving tests in Capitola, which is much easier than in Los Gatos (less weekday traffic, better roads near the DMV, less stressed out DMV personnel, etc.).

Built and registered my harbor freight trailer as a Utility Trailer few months back. They give you some paperwork(title?) when you buy it. Took that and receipt to DMV. Went straight for inspection at DMV office hoping to save time. Was told to go to counter first. No parking for trailers. Had to unhook and park trailer and vehicle in seperate parking spots (twice, after inspection had to go back to counter.  Good thing is I only had to stand in line once. For returns to counter,  got to cut the line).

I didn't find good information on DMV site on the forms to fill to register a utility trailer. Was given Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Certification (REG 4017) Form by helper when I joined line. At the counter was told I needed to fill Application for Title or Registration/Verification of Vehicle (REG 343). Its not obvious which sections to fill on this form for a utility trailer. I just filled the areas the person highlighted.

REG 4017 is optional and requires extra fees. I passed. Their fee calculator was helpful in letting me know how much I should expect to pay: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/registration-fees/vehicle-registration-fee-calculator/

In the end I paid twenty something dollars total for 5 year registration with PTI plate. 3 to 4 hours total in a single trip. Read some had to do seperate trips for paperwork and inspection.

Hope that helps.

Right on, I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with the process in this thread. Will definitely save some headaches.

Does a bill of sale need to be notarized for a trailer that was never registered in CA (and thus no title), say from out of state?