RV inspections

ESVA Travelers wrote:
We're in Virginia and had not gotten our 5'ers inspected for quite a few years, primarily due to the inconvenience. Last summer we got a new 2015 Cedar Creek and headed for FL in January, we were stopped by an eagle-eyed state trooper outside Emporia, VA (also a notorious speed trap) who was able to see that we did not have the required sticker on the side of the pinbox. In case a fellow Virginian is wandering, the ticket & fees cost $91. Since then we've found out about a couple of new laws - a garage that does inspections for trailers, motorhomes, etc. has to have an opening tall enough for the unit to drive into AND the garages now are on a quota system where they are only allowed to do 16 inspections per day (total)! Many garages here have given up doing onspections altogether. There should be a law against requiring something and then making it almost impossible to meet the requirement --but then $16 inspection fee vs $91 fine may explain it all.

I lived in south-western VA from 89-93, towed a Hi-Lo during that time frame and again, never had an inspection and wasn't even aware one was required, but that's been some time back, so that may have had something to do with it?..May have been more lax in a rural area than in or around larger cities?

We're in Virginia and had not gotten our 5'ers inspected for quite a few years, primarily due to the inconvenience. Last summer we got a new 2015 Cedar Creek and headed for FL in January, we were stopped by an eagle-eyed state trooper outside Emporia, VA (also a notorious speed trap) who was able to see that we did not have the required sticker on the side of the pinbox. In case a fellow Virginian is wandering, the ticket & fees cost $91. Since then we've found out about a couple of new laws - a garage that does inspections for trailers, motorhomes, etc. has to have an opening tall enough for the unit to drive into AND the garages now are on a quota system where they are only allowed to do 16 inspections per day (total)! Many garages here have given up doing onspections altogether. There should be a law against requiring something and then making it almost impossible to meet the requirement --but then $16 inspection fee vs $91 fine may explain it all.

We're in Virginia and had not gotten our 5'ers inspected for quite a few years, primarily due to the inconvenience. Last summer we got a new 2015 Cedar Creek and headed for FL in January, we were stopped by an eagle-eyed state trooper outside Emporia, VA (also a notorious speed trap) who was able to see that we did not have the required sticker on the side of the pinbox. In case a fellow Virginian is wandering, the ticket & fees cost $91. Since then we've found out about a couple of new laws - a garage that does inspections for trailers, motorhomes, etc. has to have an opening tall enough for the unit to drive into AND the garages now are on a quota system where they are only allowed to do 16 inspections per day (total)! Many garages here have given up doing onspections altogether. There should be a law against requiring something and then making it almost impossible to meet the requirement --but then $16 inspection fee vs $91 fine may explain it all.

Oaklevel wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

darsben wrote:
great idea all states should require vehicle inspections. It helps keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

I thought we were talking about 5er inspections.... You seem to be talking about vehicle inspections? Every state I've lived in has vehicle inspections...No TT or 5er inspections in WV, VA or NC...at least, not yet.

I have owned TTs and 5th wheels in Virginia for 30 years and have had to have them inspected. Virginia requires any trailer with brakes / over 1500 lbs to be inspected.

OOP!! guess while I lived in Blacksburg from 89 to 93....uh, I didn't get mine inspected:E My bad for stating that they weren't inspected in VA....never had mine inspected and never had the slightest inkling that it was supposed to be inspected....Trailer was easily over 5,000# with brakes, it was licensed and I had registration and insurance on it....hey, don't tell on me....ok? :).

NC Hauler wrote:

darsben wrote:
great idea all states should require vehicle inspections. It helps keep unsafe vehicles off the road.

I thought we were talking about 5er inspections.... You seem to be talking about vehicle inspections? Every state I've lived in has vehicle inspections...No TT or 5er inspections in WV, VA or NC...at least, not yet.

I have owned TTs and 5th wheels in Virginia for 30 years and have had to have them inspected. Virginia requires any trailer with brakes / over 1500 lbs to be inspected.

Yep, this is true. My Cedar Creek is 4 weeks old and I have to get it inspected in order to get my registration and plates. However, when I purchased my new tow vehicle I won't need an inspection for 2 years, go figure.

Learjet wrote:

newman fulltimer wrote:
So everybody knows Louisiana now has the inspection law on a rv.

The big problem is finding a place I can get a 37' trailer in and out of....I think I'll chance a ticket.

Few people got their trailers of any kind inspected in TX until this year. But new law requires valid current inspection before you can renew registration. That is for all vehicles, including all trailers over 4,500#.

VIETVET66-67 from Penna. went over what they are supposed to do. Also, there is to be a fire extinguisher IN the tow vehicle. They don't care about an extinguisher in the RV as they are only concerned while vehicle is on the road. Also, tow vehicle must be equipped with mirrors that in the inspectors point of view, you can see behind the trailer in tow. After living 50 plus years in Penna. and now hanging out in the West, vehicle inspection seems to be an East Coast and into Mid-America deal. Out here you mention state vehicle inspection and you get that "deer in the headlight look". As far as if it really works is open for argument. It depends on how the state sets up the program. In Penna. the state licenses the stations, and they must have a certain number of square feet, certain equipment, etc. In car inspections there are rip-off places. The station will do the work or you can do it, or someone else and bring it back to run thru again. Now if an elderly lady brings her car in and the station says "you need new brake pads because they only show two on the gauge. You think she can comprehend that? Of course not and she sure isn't likely to question it.
Another poster stated that Texas started a deal where in order to get registration the trailer or vehicle had to be inspected. Well not exactly true. This is the way the bill stated when it came out. But when the program started March 1, 2015 it had been changed. If vehicle is out of state, you self-certify that is out of state and you will get your registration. And if bringing it back in state you have a period of time to get it inspected. I'm sure trucking companies, military personnel, contractors and the Halliburton's of the world got that changed.

newman fulltimer wrote:
So everybody knows Louisiana now has the inspection law on a rv.

The big problem is finding a place I can get a 37' trailer in and out of....I think I'll chance a ticket.

New York inspects 5ers. It is just a safety check. Breakaway switch has to work, all lights and my shop pulls a wheel to check brakes. Been RVing in NY since the mid 70s and we have always had mandatory inspection.