Trailer Bill of Sale Form [PDF]

Our professional trailer bill of sale forms can be used for recording the trailer sale and purchase and providing legal protection for both parties involved.

Whether you are looking to sell a trailer or purchase one, a trailer bill of sale form is an unavoidable part of the process. To help you get familiar with it, we will provide information on how to sell a trailer, what a trailer bill of sale is, and how to fill it out.

Trailer Bill of Sale Forms By State

What Is a Trailer Bill of Sale?

The trailer bill of sale is a legal document that records the transaction between the parties involved in the purchase of a trailer.

It must include all the details related to the purchase, such as the buyer and seller’s names, trailer specifications, price, and payment method. Moreover, depending on the requirements in different states, the document may also include additional details, like tax information or witness signatures.

The trailer bill of sale is also known as a “trailer sale agreement” or “trailer purchase agreement.” 

It can be used for various types of trailers, such as:

What Information Goes on a Trailer Bill of Sale?

A simple trailer bill of sale must contain the following items to be considered valid:

How to Sell a Trailer

If you have decided to sell your trailer, these steps can guide you through that process:

Step 1 - Prepare the Trailer for a Sale

To prepare the trailer for sale, you should give it a thorough wash to make it look as good and clean as possible. After that, it needs to be inspected to determine its condition. 

Additionally, you should have any damages and scratches fixed, as this should (and probably will) increase the trailer’s value. The type of changes you need to make will depend on the type of trailer.

Towing trailers usually require only a little repainting, while some camper trailers may need a few new pieces of furniture.

Step 2 - Do the Research

The seller must do research to determine the value of the trailer before listing it for sale. This is done by searching for the same type of trailers on the market online via websites such as eBay or Craigslist.

Additionally, you can find price information in newspaper or magazine ads or at local used vehicle and equipment dealers. The price should be determined considering the condition of the trailer, its age, and current demand on the market.

Finally, you can slightly adjust the minimum asking price in case the buyer decides to negotiate for a better deal.

Step 3 - List the Trailer for Sale

When it is time to list the trailer for sale, you should take pictures of the trailer from different angles first so the buyer has an idea of what they are purchasing. This does not require any special equipment; a camera on a mobile phone will do.

Next, the seller should make a brief description, listing important details about the trailer. The ad can be posted online on websites such as:

You can also take a more traditional approach and place the ad in newspapers and magazines or simply park the trailer in front of the house and hang a sale sign.

Step 4 - Meet & Negotiate with Potential Buyers

The next step is to meet and negotiate with potential buyers. Once you post the ad, interested buyers will start to call and possibly schedule a meeting to check out the trailer in person.

During the meeting, the seller must be prepared to answer all questions related to the trailer and the price that the potential buyer may have. If the buyer decides to purchase the vehicle and the price is agreed upon, a verbal confirmation will follow.

Step 5 - Prepare the Documents & Complete the Transaction

Once the purchase is completed, it is time to prepare the documents and complete the transaction. The most important document for the process is the trailer bill of sale form; the seller can download a printable trailer bill of sale PDF from our website.  

This document should include details about the buyer, the seller, and the trailer itself, and it should be signed by both parties. They can exchange identification documents to confirm that the entered information is accurate.

A notary public may also be present to witness the signing of the document, confirm the identities of both parties and leave their signature and seal.

Step 6 - Buyer’s Trailer Registration & Authorization

The buyer’s trailer registration and authorization process will vary from state to state. Generally, for this process, the parties need to have a trailer bill of sale and the title of ownership. Other documents that might be required include an application for registration and proof of paid taxes.

The documents should be submitted to the local Department of Motor Vehicles.

How to Fill Out a Trailer Bill of Sale Form

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fill out a trailer bill of sale example form:

#1. Add the Date and the Location

The date and the location are the first pieces of information that must be added to the trailer bill of sale. Or, more precisely, you should state the date of creating the bill of sale, as well as the county and state where the transaction took place. This can be important for determining the timeline for tax purposes.

#2. Fill Out Seller’s & Buyer’s Information

To fill out the seller and buyer’s information, you should provide the full names, as well as contact information such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses. Moreover, as previously mentioned, both parties can exchange identification documents to confirm their identities.

Additionally, they can make copies of or take pictures of these documents. This way, if they turn out to be fake and information from the bill of sale is incorrect, the damaged party has evidence that they were not involved in the offense but were deceived.

#3. Explain the Nature of the Exchange

To explain the nature of the exchange, the parties must state if the trailer is exchanged for money, traded for something, or given to the buyer as a gift. Usually, it gets traded for a smaller or bigger trailer with an additional payment.

If it is given as a gift, an estimated value of the trailer should also be included.

#4. Fill Out Information About the Trailer

The information about the trailer must include the manufacturer's name, model or type of trailer, and year it was made. Additionally, it should specify the condition, color, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which represents the manufacturer’s serial number.

#5. Add the Price & Tax Information

Adding the price and tax information should not be overlooked because the buyer will have to pay taxes for this transaction. You should enter the exact price and state if taxes are included in the price or not.

#6. Add the Buyer’s Signature (Authorization)

The buyer authorizes the purchase with their signature and confirms that it has been done voluntarily. Similarly, the seller also leaves their signature, thereby concluding the purchase and ownership transfer.

Sometimes, it is also necessary to include the date to specify when the buyer became the owner of the trailer.

#7. Notarize the Trailer Bill of Sale

Notarizing the trailer bill of sale is usually not required by law, but by doing so, both parties can further secure the transaction. Parties will, in this case, sign the bill of sale in front of the notary public and present identification documents.

After confirming the parties' identities, the notary will sign the document and stamp the seal.

Required Documents For Registering a Trailer

Apart from a trailer bill of sale, the new owner may need the following documents to register a trailer:

These documents should be filed with the local DMV or the local licensing office in charge of these matters.

Trailer Bill of Sale FAQ