A Trailer Bill of Sale is a legal document signed during the sale or transfer of a trailer on terms mutually agreed to by both parties to the transaction, the seller & the buyer. Whether you’re selling a utility trailer, boat trailer, or livestock trailer, our printable and standardized bill of sale template helps you meet DMV legal requirements in all U.S. states.
For buyers, it serves as a receipt of the paid purchase price for tax & auditing purposes. While sellers use it to prove that they have acquired title and ownership rights before they can register, sell, charter, insure, gift, or otherwise transfer title or ownership of the trailer to a third party in the future, say, during a future resale.
Before we dive into the specific legal requirements of a trailer bill of sale form, let’s make sure we are on the same page about what a trailer is!
A trailer is an unpowered vehicle towed by a car, SUV, or truck to carry cargo, equipment, livestock, boats, cars, or other physical goods from one place to another.
In real estate, mobile homes are also known as trailers, but they aren’t technically ‘trailers’. Don’t worry – we have a completely different Mobile Home Bill of Sale template for them!
Okay, back to trailers…
Why You Need a Trailer Bill of Sale (DMV-Approved Guide)
Here are some common practical instances of when & why you need a printable Trailer Bill of Sale document:
- To register the trailer with your local DMW
- To assist in insurance claims
- To resell
- To file taxes
- To meet local tax requirements
- To comply with road safety laws
Use our Trailer Bill of Sale to process any transaction, sale, or other form of legal transfer of ownership between buyer and seller for any non-motorized trailer registered in the U.S!
How To Register a Trailer
IF you are looking to register a trailer in the U.S., here’s what you need:
- A signed Bill of Sale
- Certificate of Title
- Proof of Insurance
- Valid ID
What’s Inside?
Once you download the file to your device, you will be able to access 4 separate documents inside:
- Trailer Bill of Sale
- Odometer Disclosure Statement
- Notary Acknowledgment
- Checklist of Supporting Documents
Below, I review the purpose and contents of each document for your understanding:
Buyer & seller profiles
Enter the full legal names and contact details of both parties, including their updated mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email IDs.
Accurate details are important for maintaining clear records and for legal, tax, or registration purposes, so make sure to complete this section as thoroughly and diligently as possible.
Payment amount & method
Use this section to clarify the following financial terms & details as they apply to your sale:
- Payment Amount: If you’re using this Bill of Sale outside the U.S., feel free to insert your local currency symbol using an editable version of the file. For trades involving non-monetary consideration, such as a gift or trade transaction, use the alternative version of our template (Version II).
- Payment Method: By default, we cover four common payment methods: cash, check, electronic fund transfer, and credit/debit card. Select the option that applies to your transaction – or check the box titled‘Other’ and specify your preferred option in the blank space provided.
Version II
Version II
Are Taxes Included in the Purchase Price?
Both parties must also decide on whether the payment amount includes any applicable local, state, or federal taxes. Tax rules can vary widely depending on your location, so it’s important to confirm what applies to your specific sale.
Trailer Description
Identifying the trailer being sold is an important part of your bill of sale document. Without detailed specifications and diligently noted registration numbers, there’s no way to confirm which trailer is being sold. Feel free to attach recent photos of the trailer as a supporting document to the bill.
Here’s how you can customize the trailer section of:
- Make: Enter the manufacturer’s name (e.g., Load Rite, Karavan, EZ Loader).
- Year: Enter the year the trailer was manufactured (e.g., 2020).
- Model: Enter the model number or name, as visible on the trailer’s title or ID plate (e.g., LR-AB14T).
- VIN: A unique 17-character VIN stamped on the trailer frame, required for registration and identification.
- License Plate Number: If registered, include the current license plate number issued by the DMV
Terms & Conditions of the Sale
Whether it’s a buyer’s promise, a manufacturer’s warranty, or an assurance made by any third party, legal warranties can be a major consideration during the negotiation up to a sale.
Use this section to clarify if the seller is offering any guarantee, and if so, for how long and covering which particular aspects, parts, or systems of the trailer.
Sign, Verify & Notarize!
To make it legally binding, both parties must sign and date the document to acknowledge that they have read and accept the terms & conditions of the trailer sale.
To add an extra layer of verification, have the document signed by two witnesses, preferably one representing each party to the sale. Witness signatures may be a legal requirement in some states, so be sure to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles.
You also need to notarize the document by signing it in front of a Notary Public, who adds their official seal and signature. This ensures the trailer sale is not taking place under duress or in bad faith.
Adding the Right Supporting Material to Your Trailer Bill of Sale
Supporting documents are more than paperwork—they’re your safety net. When attached to your Bill of Sale, they help tally vital information & protect both parties from future legal disputes.
Some common supporting documents you’ll find with a trailer Bill of Sale:
- Copies of buyer/seller photo IDs
- Certificate of title
- Previous bill of sale (if any)
- Proof of payment
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (if the trailer has an odometer)
- Inspection Report
- Emissions Compliance Certificate
- Lien Release Letter (if previously financed)
- Proof of insurance (if applicable)
- Power of Attorney (if someone is signing on behalf of the owner)
- Warranty documents (if any)
- Maintenance records
- Recent photos of the vehicle
You Might Also Be Interested In…
- Mobile Home Bill of Sale
- Boat Bill of Sale
- Semi-truck Bill of Sale
- Vehicle Bill of Sale
- General Bill of Sale
Wrapping Up…
Whether it’s a private transaction, a dealership sale, or any other type of legal ownership transfer, you always need a valid bill of sale to lay down the sale terms & conditions for both parties.
Without a permanent written record of the transaction, you can not prove that a sale took place on a certain date and location on specific stated terms. In this way, a bill of sale protects both parties from future legal disputes, or misrepresentations made by the seller to the buyer before the sale, or any costly surprises down the road if the trailer turns out to be faulty.
To ensure quick & easy trailer sales, download our free template NOW, and provide legal security for all parties involved!
