bent Boat Trailer Coupler.

[OutdoorMishaps]

as mentioned before I have issues with getting my boat legal.  all that aside I'd still like to at least get it running, because eventually it will (Lord willing) be legal.  My dad jackknifed the trailer slightly the last time he drove it, bending the coupler, ball hitch, whatever you want to call it. it stays connected to the ball just fine, I've towed it in the past with zero issues... my worry is it wont pass inspection. it's a slight bend. (not the whole tongue, just the coupler that attached to the ball on the truck)   will grinding off the old coupler and replacing constitute 'modifying' my trailer?  if I could easily get the boat off the trailer i'd do a lot of work to it. new runners etc. but thats for another day. just the big stuff now. 

[dtrs5kprs]

Can't imagine why. That's a common repair.

[fishinwrench]

If you shorten the tongue (any at all), move the axle fore or aft (any at all), change wheel or hub size, or alter the bunks and jack stand configuration, then you can remove the manufacturer plate and register the trailer as "HMDE".

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

If you shorten the tongue (any at all), move the axle fore or aft (any at all), change wheel or hub size, or alter the bunks and jack stand configuration, then you can remove the manufacturer plate and register the trailer as "HMDE".

Might be a useful workaround.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Might be a useful workaround.

It's the ONLY work around, unless you just love lawyers and feel the need to help feed them. 😎

[fishinwrench]

As far as the outboard goes....As long as there is a registration sticker on it then you only need a title if you intend to sell it to someone you don't know (or don't like).   It is perfectly legal for you to use your dad's, or uncle's friend, or wife's ex-husbands motor.   

Your boat registration card (which is all you are required to carry) only has information regarding the boat..... Nothing at all regarding what specific motor is on it.

FYI: if you do decide to sell it, then it is worth more parted out than it is as a running motor. 😊

[dtrs5kprs]

It's a freaking catacomb of regulations. We decided to add a tin boat to the fleet over the winter. Ended up buying one here in KS just to avoid the issues.

[dtrs5kprs]

And, funny thing...we replaced the coupler, winch stand, jack, guide bunks so might have been moot anyway. Redo on the other bunks is a summer project.

KS is weird too...no titles on boats, motors, TM, or trailers under 2k weight.

 

[tlb4422]

15 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

If you shorten the tongue (any at all), move the axle fore or aft (any at all), change wheel or hub size, or alter the bunks and jack stand configuration, then you can remove the manufacturer plate and register the trailer as "HMDE".

What if the tongue is lengthened? 

[fishinwrench]

5 hours ago, tlb4422 said:

What if the tongue is lengthened? 

Unless the frame is braced to match, and the axle moved, it might not pass inspection.  

You can't make a 16' trailer into an 18-20' just by lengthening the tongue.