Updated September 12, 2023
A trailer bill of sale is a document that includes the transaction details of the sale of a trailer. A bill of sale is required by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for a trailer to be registered. The seller must sign the bill of sale for it to be accepted.
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How To Sell a Trailer
Buying a trailer is actually pretty straightforward. Just take a look at our short step-by-step guide below.
Step 1 – What Type of Trailer is it?
Trailers can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the type. There are many types of choose from the list below:
Hauling Trailers
- Boats
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Farm Animals
Flatbed Trailers
- Stretch
- Double-Drop
Dry-Van (Enclosed) Trailers
- Refrigerated
- Not Refrigerated
Vehicle Carrying Trailers
- ATV
- Enclosed / Open
- Single / Multi-Vehicle
Once you know the type of trailer it’s best to get the number (#) of axels, length, year, maximum weight (lb.), and any other specifications that would be beneficial to a prospective buyer.
Step 2 – How Much is the Trailer Worth?
Unlike traditional vehicles, trailers often come in unique shapes and sizes. Coming up with a price is determined mainly by the type of trailer rather than the manufacturer (brand name). It’s best to view comparables (comps) to what others are selling (best to find in your local area). Chances are there will not be an exact match, but at the very least should be able to find a closely related trailer.
Step 3 – Listing for Sale
Before making the listing, it’s best to clean the trailer of any debris and paint over any rust that exists. This will allow for the best pictures when making a posting online. When listing for sale, it’s best to use the following online and offline options:
Online
- Craigslist.org (most popular)
- eBay (Trailer Webpage) (most popular)
- Trailer Specific Websites
Offline
- Newspaper
- Local Classified Magazine / Newsletter
Step 4 – Meet with Potential Buyers
Agree to meet with prospective buyers in the hopes that the trailer can be sold for the asking price. When speaking with any party that is looking to purchase, ensure that they are qualified by asking them what they will use the trailer for and if they have the cash necessary to complete the sale. Most lenders will not make underwrite a loan for a trailer unless a boat or other vehicle is a part of the sale.
Step 5 – Negotiate the Price
This usually will depend on the papers and documentation the seller has for the trailer. Separate from the title, if the seller has receipts showing that important items such as the axles or tires were repaired or replaced recently, chances are the seller will get close to their asking price.
If the seller does not have any documents, including the title to the trailer, the buyer may view the trailer as a higher-risk investment and may want a significant discount in order to be motivated to purchase.
Step 6 – Complete a Bill of Sale
On the form, the following information is required to be included:
- Purchase Price ($);
- Buyer’s name and Mailing Address;
- Seller’s name and Mailing Address;
- Trailer Details;
- Make;
- Model;
- Year;
- 17 character VIN; and
- Other important details of mention.
- Date of sale;
- Witness’s signature, name in print and date; and
- Notary Acknowledgement (if applicable).
To ensure each party is who they claim to be, it’s highly recommended that the buyer and seller both bring government-issued identification with them (driver’s license, passport, etc.). Use these instructions to enter the details of the purchase in a line-by-line format.
Step 7 – Notify / Register with the State
If the trailer is used, the buyer will have to get the title cleared and transferred by the seller before submitting an application for registration. In most States, the trailer must be registered within 5 to 30 days otherwise it will be considered illegal to operate on the road. Be sure to have the registration completed within this timeframe by submitting the bill of sale, title, registration application, and any sales tax to the Local Licensing Office (Dept. of Motor Vehicles or DMV).
At this point, the sale is complete and shall have no obligations to one another unless expressly stated in the bill of sale.
Where is the VIN?
The seventeen (17) digit vehicle identification number (VIN) can be found somewhere on the tongue of the trailer (front). All trailers made after 1981 have a VIN.
Sample: Trailer Bill of Sale
TRAILER BILL OF SALE
1. LOCATION OF SALE.
This bill of sale was created on [DATE] in the County of [COUNTY], State of [STATE].
2. THE PARTIES.
Buyer’s Name: [BUYER’S NAME] with a mailing address of [BUYER’S ADDRESS] (“Buyer”).
Seller’s Name: [SELLER’S NAME] with a mailing address of [SELLER’S ADDRESS] (“Seller”).
The Buyer and Seller hereby agree as follows:
3. THE EXCHANGE. (check one)
☐ – Cash Payment. The Buyer agrees to pay $[AMOUNT] (US Dollars) to the Seller.
☐ – Trade. The Buyer agrees to pay $[AMOUNT] (US Dollars) and trade described as: [DESCRIPTION].
☐ – Gift. The Seller is giving the trailer as a gift to the Buyer. The value of the trailer is $[AMOUNT] (US Dollars).
The above-checked selection is in exchange for the possession and ownership of the trailer described in Section 4.
4. TRAILER DESCRIPTION.
Make: [MAKE] Model: [MODEL] Body Type: [BODY TYPE]
Year: [YEAR] Color: [COLOR] Empty Weight: [WEIGHT]
Length: [LENGTH] Width: [WIDTH] Axles: [AXLES]
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): [#] (17 Characters)
5. TAXES.
All municipal, county, and State taxes in relation to the purchase of the trailer, including sales taxes, are ☐ included ☐ not included in the purchase price.
6. BUYER AND SELLER CONDITIONS.
The undersigned Seller affirms that the above information about the trailer is accurate to the best of their knowledge. The undersigned Buyer accepts receipt of this bill of sale and understands that the above trailer is sold on an “as is, where is” condition with no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied.
7. AUTHORIZATION.
Buyer Signature: _______________________ Date: _________________
Print Name: ________________________________
Seller Signature: _______________________ Date: _________________
Print Name: ________________________________
How to Write
Download in PDF, MS Word (.docx), or OpenDocument (.odt).
Step 1 – Price Agreement and Parties
- Enter the Price Consideration in U.S. dollar amount
- Provide the Buyer’s Name/Mailing address
- Seller’s Name/Mailing address
Step 2 – Trailer Description
- Make
- Model
- Year
- Vehicle identification number (VIN) -(17 characters, numerical and alphabetic)
- Other: Enter any additional description information
- Buyer and seller must \review and agree to the remainder of the section
Step 3 – Date(s) and Signatures
- Buyer’s Signature/Printed Name
- Seller’s Signature/Printed name
- Date of signature, mm/dd/yyyy format
- Two (2) Witnesses respective signatures
Step 4 – Notary Acknowledgement
- Once the notary has witnessed all signatures they shall enter all state required information
- Notary shall then affix the notary seal in acknowledgement
How To Write
Download: PDF
(1) Creation Date. This paperwork must clearly state when the purchase transpired. To this end, the calendar date of its completion or signing should be recorded at the top of the page. This will indicate when ownership is transferred.
(2) County And State. The laws that apply to the concerned trailer sale will be determined by the County and the State where it takes place. Produce the name of the County and State where the trailer purchase occurs.
2. The Parties
(3) Buyer’s Name. The Person or the Entity that purchases the trailer with the intention of taking ownership should be identified. Furnish his or her complete name. If a Business is purchasing the trailer then a production of its full name including status suffix will be required.
(4) Mailing Address. Deliver the Trailer Buyer’s complete mailing address to support his or her identity. This must be an address where any interested Party can contact the Buyer by mail.
(5) Seller’s Name. The entire name of the Seller should be dispensed. This is the Party (or the Entity) who currently owns and/or has the right to sell the trailer, will accept the payment from the Buyer, and who shall release ownership to that Buyer once the trailer’s payment requirements are satisfied. Identify the Trailer Seller with his or her full name. If a Business Entity, then dispense the formal Business Name of the Trailer’s Seller with any status suffix necessary.
(6) Seller’s Mailing Address. Produce a record of the Seller’s formal mailing address.
3. The Exchange
(7) Cash Payment. The payment submitted for the trailer must be presented in this sale record. Three checkbox statements have been supplied for this purpose. Begin by reviewing the “Cash Payment” option of payment. If the Trailer Buyer was required to submit a cash amount to the trailer’s Seller, then select this checkbox. Additionally, report the dollar amount the Seller required for the exchange.
(8) Trade. If the sale being discussed was a trade, then choose the second checkbox. This statement requires some additional description if chosen thus, document the selling price of the trailer as well as the item or property the Buyer will surrender as a trade. For instance, if the Buyer is giving an automobile with the defined amount then document that automobile’s make, model, year of manufacture, color, and VIN number.
(9) Gift. If the Seller is giving the trailer as a gift to the Buyer thus requiring no payment, then select the third checkbox. It is imperative that once this statement is selected, a record of the dollar amount defining the trailer’s value or worth must be presented.
4. Trailer Description
(10) Make, Model, And Body Type. The trailer being sold must be identified in the fourth section of this document. Begin by inspecting the trailer then reporting its “Make” (Manufacturer), “Model,” and “Body Type” (i.e. refrigeration, flatbeds, enclosed, etc.)
(11) Year, Color, And Empty Weight. The body of the trailer should also yield the “Year” when it was manufactured. Record this as well as its color and the trailer’s empty weight. The empty weight of the trailer can be found with its VIN number. Once the VIN sticker is located subtract the MAX GVCC (gross vehicle carrying capacity) from the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). Make sure that all units are the same, then use the result as the empty weight. Some trailers may have the empty weight of the trailer on the original title.
(12) Length, Width, Number Of Axles. Produce the trailer’s “Length” and “Width” then report the number of axles it possesses.
(13) Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The vehicle identification sticker can be found near the front of the trailer or protected from road debris near one of the axles. It may also be mounted on the back of the trailer, especially if there is a lift gate. Locate the number labeled VIN then transcribe it to this document.
5. Taxes
(14) Tax Status. If the taxes owed to the local and state government for this sale has been included with the payment submitted, then choose the first checkbox in “5. Taxes.” If payment defined above did not include the amount owed to the local and state governments governing this sale then select the second checkbox on Section 5.
7. Authorization
(15) Buyer’s Signature. The Buyer of the trailer must acknowledge that payment was made willingly and that he or she will take ownership of the trailer. This verification must be produced with his or her act of signing. Once the Buyer has reviewed the above document, he or she must sign it. If the Buyer is a Business, then a Representative of that Business may sign on its behalf
(16) Printed Name. The Signature Buyer must print his or her name.
(17) Date. The calendar date when the Signature Buyer signed this document should be reported.
(18) Seller Signature. The Seller who has accepted the above payment in exchange for the trailer must also take a careful review of the document above then if satisfied, sign his or her name.
(19) Seller Printed Name.
(20) Date. The Seller must produce the current calendar date when he or she signs this document.
