Trailers

Iowa differentiates trailers by empty weight.

• Trailers that weigh 2001 lbs or more are titled and have an annual fee of $30/year.
• Trailers that weigh 2000 lbs or less are not issued a title, only a registration, and have an annual fee of $20/year.

Upon the purchase of a trailer over 2000 lbs, the title must be signed over to the new owner. If the title cannot be found, the previous owners can order a replacement title. The new owner(s) will also be required to sign an application for certificate of title and/or registration form as well as provide a bill of sale in our office.

Upon the purchase of a trailer less than 2000 lbs, the previous owner must sign the bottom portion of the most current registration. If the most current registration cannot be found, the previous owner(s) can order a replacement registration for $3.00 from their county treasurer's office. If a replacement registration cannot be achieved, please contact our office for further instruction. The new owner(s) will also be required to complete an application for certificate of title and/or registration form as well as have a completed bill of sale in our office.

Homemade Trailers

If you have constructed a homemade trailer that does not have a manufacturer's VIN on it, you will need to bring in a weigh ticket and the trailer's specifics: length and width as well as color. If the trailer's empty weight is over 2001 lbs, we will need to contact the motor vehicle enforcement office to be issued a VIN. Please contact our office for more information. If the trailer is under 2000 lbs, we will register this trailer as a specially constructed small trailer.

Upon the purchase of a homemade trailer, the previous owner must sign the bottom portion of the most current registration. If the most current registration cannot be found, the previous owner(s) can order a replacement registration for $3.00 from their county treasurer's office. If a replacement registration cannot be achieved, please contact our office for further instruction. The new owner(s) will also be required to complete an application for certificate of title and/or registration form, as well as a completed bill of sale.

Travel Trailers

All travel trailers and camping trailers have a title regardless of weight. See title transfers for more information.