How to Register Your Teardrop Trailer

Waiting is the worst, but lucky for you, you’ve reached the finish line! In all the commotion and emotion of pickup day, we want to make sure you know how to register your teardrop trailer!

Registering your new Escapod may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Continue reading for some trailer registration tips & tricks that'll make things go a little smoother.

The process is similar to vehicle registration, but want to cover what this process looks like for both our out-of-state and in-state customers. We will also touch on financing and insuring your trailer!

Upon pickup, our Escapod Sales & Rentals team will give you several important documents for you to register your new trailer. The following documents will be essential for your registration.

The first is your signed and paid invoice. The invoice will operate as your Bill of Sale, the legally recognized documented record of a transaction that attests to your proof of ownership or in other words the fact that you, the buyer, have made a purchase from Escapod.

The second document is your Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin or MCO. This document notates information about the trailer’s production as a new build, including manufacturer, vehicle identification number, and the year of manufacture. This document is used for new builds in order to procure a title. (Once a title is issued, you no longer need the MCO.)

The third document is your 45-Day Temporary Permit. Escapod Sales & Rentals is licensed as a dealership. As such, we are able to issue a 45-Day Temporary Tag to each of our customers. This means that you don’t have to rush straight home to your local Department of Motor Vehicles. You will have 45 days to visit the DMV and register your new camper!

You will take each of these documents with you and your Escapod to the DMV within the 45-day limit. While at the DMV, you will pay your state’s sales taxes (if applicable) and registration fees. The DMV will then issue a license plate and a title for your ’Pod!

If you are a Utah resident and plan on registering your Escapod in Utah, we can help save you that trip to the DMV! We will still give you a copy of your signed and paid invoice for your records, as well as issue you a 45-Day Temporary Permit so that you can drive your trailer off of the lot that day.

But!

As a dealership, we will collect your sales tax and all associated registration fees. We will have you fill out some necessary paperwork and submit the completed application to the Department of Motor Vehicles and we’ll spare you that trip! After that, we will mail your license plate and vehicle title directly to your home address!

Please note, that whether you're an in-state or out-of-state customer, this process will be a little different if you've financed your trailer. When you register your trailer, your title will go directly to the lienholder. You will still receive your license plate, sticker, and registration from the DMV, but your financial institution will hold on to the title until the loan is paid off.

- Important Documents: Check the spelling of your name and address on each of those important documents. If you’ve moved or would like your full name on the invoice, please let us know ahead of time so we can have all of the documents ready to ensure a smooth pickup and an easier time when you go to register your teardrop trailer.

- VIN Verification: You won’t be able to utilize any online services during your initial registration. Your Escapod will need to be present while registering at the DMV. A Law Enforcement officer or qualified DMV employee will most likely need to do a VIN verification, which requires the trailer itself. You will find your VIN plate under the tongue storage on your Escapod's frame.

- Trailer Classification: Sometimes, the DMV has trouble classifying our type of trailers. Please note that your teardrop is a camper or a camp trailer, NOT a travel trailer, semitrailer, or utility trailer. (Just in case you were wondering: camper trailers are smaller trailers that are a maximum of 13 feet in length. Also, they have been designed for camping trips. This means that they are capable of traveling on rougher terrain, and can handle exposure to harsher weather. On the other hand, travel trailers are designed with comfort as the main focus. They are larger in size - between 15 feet and 32 feet - and their design caters for long-distance trips that involve a lot of highway cruising. In addition, they have a higher gross vehicle weight.) Registering your Escapod as a camper or camp trailer will also save you money in the long run!

- Call in Advance: Each DMV is different. It’s always a good idea to call your preferred DMV in advance of pickup to ensure you arrive with all the documents required!

- Insurance: Don’t forget to call your insurance agent and add your new Escapod to your plan! Required insurance is dependent on the laws of your home state. However, we always encourage all to have proper insurance coverage. (If you've financed your ’pod, your financial institution will most likely require insurance.) Check out this article for a few great options for coverage.

Here at Escapod, we are happy to help you through every step of the teardrop trailer purchase process. If you still have questions, reach out to our team at [email protected] for support!