Trailer Inspection

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 09:00 AM

We live in Eastern, PA and just had our first inspection for a 2021 Passport. We went to dealer where the trailer was purchased - $125.00! Sounds high compared to our vehicle inspections, what have others paid? In what state?

**JRTJH** · 01-06-2022, 09:15 AM

First, Please define what you mean by "just had our first inspection for a 2021 Passport."...

Do you mean a "mandatory safety inspection that's linked to trailer registration" Or ?????

If you took it in and said, "Inspect my trailer and make sure it's ready for camping" the dealer may have repacked wheel bearings, sealed the roof, sanitized the water system, checked batteries and serviced the refrigerator, furnace and adjusted the brakes....

If you have a "forever warranty" and the inspection was linked to maintaining that warranty, there may be some "inspection requirement" to maintain/service that warranty. It would be defined by the "insurance company that holds the warranty policy".

To my knowledge, there is no "inspection requirement" that's ever been a part of any Keystone company mandate...

What did you ask for, who told you it needed to be done and what did the dealership actually document that they did for that $125... You might have got a "good deal" or you might have just "donated a chunk of change" to the dealership annual profit goal.....

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

First, Please define what you mean by "just had our first inspection for a 2021 Passport."...

Do you mean a "mandatory safety inspection that's linked to trailer registration" Or ?????

If you took it in and said, "Inspect my trailer and make sure it's ready for camping" the dealer may have repacked wheel bearings, sealed the roof, sanitized the water system, checked batteries and serviced the refrigerator, furnace and adjusted the brakes....

If you have a "forever warranty" and the inspection was linked to maintaining that warranty, there may be some "inspection requirement" to maintain/service that warranty. It would be defined by the "insurance company that holds the warranty policy".

To my knowledge, there is no "inspection requirement" that's ever been a part of any Keystone company mandate...

What did you ask for, who told you it needed to be done and what did the dealership actually document that they did for that $125... You might have got a "good deal" or you might have just "donated a chunk of change" to the dealership annual profit goal.....

John, PA requires trucks, automobiles, RV's, motorcycles, TT's, etc. to have an annual safety inspection. I briefly read the PA DOT info and they check for structural integrity, brake functionality, weak/soft spots in the floor, nothing loose and ready to fall off and create a road hazard. I forgot that not all states have the mandatory annual safety inspection. The dealer must have an Inspection License as well as the performing mechanic and they place a sticker in the TT window.

**chuckster57** · 01-06-2022, 10:22 AM

Cross that state off of my possible “retirement” places.

**sourdough** · 01-06-2022, 10:31 AM

TX has a mandatory inspection required to then register the vehicle. It must be done no more than 90 days prior to registration. For us this has posed a problem when we are on the road out of state so I just tow it with an expired registration since that is a "state" thing anyway. I believe our cost is $7 or $14; cars used to be 14 as I recall and went to 7, I'm thinking it's the same for the trailer. And nope, don't need to pay $125 a year for a guy to walk around and re-check everything I do.

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Cross that state off of my possible “retirement” places.

Chuck - yes, PA has likely the most stringent vehicle inspection requirements in the country. It used to be every 6-months, so annually looks like a deal! I worked my way through college pumping gas and inspecting cars: brakes, exhaust, suspension, headlight aiming, tires, rust, all lights, windshield, etc. One thing you can count on - a PA car will stop (when pushing the bigger pedal to the left). I grew up with it and just accepted it as normal. I have seen cars from other states that frankly scared me to death!

wiredgeorge · 01-06-2022, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

TX has a mandatory inspection required to then register the vehicle. It must be done no more than 90 days prior to registration. For us this has posed a problem when we are on the road out of state so I just tow it with an expired registration since that is a "state" thing anyway. I believe our cost is $7 or $14; cars used to be 14 as I recall and went to 7, I'm thinking it's the same for the trailer. And nope, don't need to pay $125 a year for a guy to walk around and re-check everything I do.

Mandatory inspection of campers OVER 7500 lbs I believe. My poor little Cougar has never needed to go through inspection to receive my yearly registration sticker. I also believe they get the weight from some state listing OR it is on the title; can't recall. For you rich folk who have those huge 47' fifth wheels, well, hehehehe

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

TX has a mandatory inspection required to then register the vehicle. It must be done no more than 90 days prior to registration. For us this has posed a problem when we are on the road out of state so I just tow it with an expired registration since that is a "state" thing anyway. I believe our cost is $7 or $14; cars used to be 14 as I recall and went to 7, I'm thinking it's the same for the trailer. And nope, don't need to pay $125 a year for a guy to walk around and re-check everything I do.

we just did 650 miles with an expired trailer sticker. but the fine, if caught, is $25-50 for 60 days expired, $50-100 if expired longer. They change the sticker colors to make it easy to spot expired stickers. If you are from out-of-state and your state does not require inspections, PA police can't stop you for no stickers. Come visit PA, lots to see, lots to do, and be assured our cars, trucks, etc. have good brakes and tires!

wiredgeorge · 01-06-2022, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gkri

we just did 650 miles with an expired trailer sticker. but the fine, if caught, is $25-50 for 60 days expired, $50-100 if expired longer. They change the sticker colors to make it easy to spot expired stickers. If you are from out-of-state and your state does not require inspections, PA police can't stop you for no stickers. Come visit PA, lots to see, lots to do, and be assured our cars, trucks, etc. have good brakes and tires!

Do you have snow up where you are? No thanks....

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Do you have snow up where you are? No thanks....

Four inches forecast for tonight. our best was just under 36" maybe 15 years back and we have a 300-foot driveway! i actually like snow, something about shoveling in the quiet of the night just feels good.

wiredgeorge · 01-06-2022, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gkri

Four inches forecast for tonight. our best was just under 36" maybe 15 years back and we have a 300-foot driveway! i actually like snow, something about shoveling in the quiet of the night just feels good.

We had a bad stretch last February; got a couple feet and the temps were extremely cold for this part of the country; was without power for 5 days (no water from the well except what was in the pressure tank dribbling down the hill). Had to burn crappy cedar for the most part and a couple huge chunks of mesquite which burned the back panel in my fireplace which had to be replaced. A generator comes in handy.

**sourdough** · 01-06-2022, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Mandatory inspection of campers OVER 7500 lbs I believe. My poor little Cougar has never needed to go through inspection to receive my yearly registration sticker. I also believe they get the weight from some state listing OR it is on the title; can't recall. For you rich folk who have those huge 47' fifth wheels, well, hehehehe

Yes, until a few years back it was all of them then they raised the limit to 7/7500? lbs. I've been lobbying to get it done away with entirely but you know how that goes.....

[Quote]we just did 650 miles with an expired trailer sticker. but the fine, if caught, is $25-50 for 60 days expired, $50-100 if expired longer. They change the sticker colors to make it easy to spot expired stickers. If you are from out-of-state and your state does not require inspections, PA police can't stop you for no stickers. Come visit PA, lots to see, lots to do, and be assured our cars, trucks, etc. have good brakes and tires![Quote]
__________________
Greg and Linda
2021 Passport SL 221ML
2015 Sierra 1500, 5.3 L

Don't know how accurate it was but my local DMV office lady told me that another state (not TX) would not cite me for an expired registration as that was a state requirement so not to worry about it. Again I don't know how accurate that is but I've been stopped in a LOT of states and no one has ever asked me for a copy of the registration. In NM they would ask for it if my vehicle was tagged in NM (but I lived in TX) but not in my TX tagged vehicles. In TX I don't even carry one, the sticker is it. Obviously the answer is to always try to keep it current.

**flybouy** · 01-06-2022, 01:49 PM

Welcome to the forum. We love PA and camp around Lancaster and points north A LOT. Our SIL is from Springfield and our DD and their boys live in Oxford so it's only about a 45 min ride to go see them. I'm guessing the dealer charged you an hour's labor?

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

Welcome to the forum. We love PA and camp around Lancaster and points north A LOT. Our SIL is from Springfield and our DD and their boys live in Oxford so it's only about a 45 min ride to go see them. I'm guessing the dealer charged you an hour's labor?

The invoice just stated State Inspection $125, I suppose it might be a flat rate they use for that service. Have you tried any of the PA State Parks? We have done Hickory Run, Promised Land and Worlds End. If you have suggestions for other places in PA, i'll be happy to hear them.

gearhead · 01-06-2022, 02:12 PM

I'm with Danny, it's either $7 or $14 in Texas. My local inspection station lady just checks my lights and asks for the money.
Pennsylvania supposedly has good trout fishing. I ran up there in the Bigfoot to try it and found Spruce Creek a flooded mudhole.

**flybouy** · 01-06-2022, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gkri

The invoice just stated State Inspection $125, I suppose it might be a flat rate they use for that service. Have you tried any of the PA State Parks? We have done Hickory Run, Promised Land and Worlds End. If you have suggestions for other places in PA, i'll be happy to hear them.

We only do electric *& water moin. hook ups and typically full HU. AT the length of our rig the older state parks can be a problem. I can tell you some of our favorites that we visit every year.
Starlite Camping Resort https://www.starlitecampingresort.com/ fantastic view
Lake-In-Wood Camping Resort WWW.LAKEINWOODRESORT.COM
Buttonwood Campground ttps://buttonwoodcamp.com
Knoebels Amusement Park https://www.knoebels.com/stay/knoebels-park-campground CG isn't much but love the amusment park.
Country Acers Campground https://bird-in-hand.com/country-acr...m_campaign=gmb

That's a short list. There's more we visit in Gettysburg and other points north and east. Hope that helps.

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I'm with Danny, it's either $7 or $14 in Texas. My local inspection station lady just checks my lights and asks for the money.
Pennsylvania supposedly has good trout fishing. I ran up there in the Bigfoot to try it and found Spruce Creek a flooded mudhole.

April showers can do a number on small streams. I'm in southern part of the state so we only get stocked trout, lots of reservoirs and streams get stocked in SE, PA. I hear the Loyalsock Creek near Worlds End State Park is excellent for natives.

**flybouy** · 01-06-2022, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I'm with Danny, it's either $7 or $14 in Texas. My local inspection station lady just checks my lights and asks for the money.
Pennsylvania supposedly has good trout fishing. I ran up there in the Bigfoot to try it and found Spruce Creek a flooded mudhole.

You likely crossed the Potomac River getting there. I've seen lots of trout fisherman around Harpers Ferry, WV. South Branch of the Potomac around Romney, Wv is supposedly good as well. Just what I've heard, not personal experience.

Gkri · 01-06-2022, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

You likely crossed the Potomac River getting there. I've seen lots of trout fisherman around Harpers Ferry, WV. South Branch of the Potomac around Romney, Wv is supposedly good as well. Just what I've heard, not personal experience.

My BIL does a lot of fly fishing in Davis, WV. There is a nice stream through Black Water Falls SP, we have a reservation there for early May.

**flybouy** · 01-06-2022, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gkri

My BIL does a lot of fly fishing in Davis, WV. There is a nice stream through Black Water Falls SP, we have a reservation there for early May.

Beautiful area. I have relatives in Elkins, WV which is the closest "big town" (maybe 5k including the college). If you go check out the Bowden fish hatchery. Tygart Lake is nice as well near Grafton, WV. They don't have a lot of sites so the get filled early. https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-s...-lake-camping/

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