so i sold my boat (yeaaa!) and the new owner bought a trailer for it. the trailer was delivered to my marina with a bunch of paperwork, including a NY State inspection sticker. i don't have a clue about trailering but want to have this thing ready to be picked up. so, anyone wanna tell me where to stick it? the inspection sticker, that is. also, how do i lock the trailer so no one makes off with it? i heard a regular master lock can be used but not sure where that goes either. so, wanna tell me where to stick that thing too?

If the lock is long enough, you can lock the hitch thingie that you lift to unhook it from the ball. There should be a hole in the side of it that can lock it in either the open or closed position. I suppose there is a great debate as to whether or not which is better.

I used to have one of these things, which is probably a bit more effective than a master lock. But since its not your trailer (unless you are giving the new owner a thank-you gift).



If you use your imagination, you can see the master-lock hole I am referring to in the photo near the base of that lever doo-dad that tightens the ball on the coupler.

Another easy thing to do is to run a chain through a spoke in the wheel and around the frame. Or to a fence post if one is nearby.

None of these things will prevent a thief that is bent on stealing the trailer, but it will prevent a thief from stealing the trailer in 15 seconds or less.

Congratulations on the sale of your boat. Now you can afford to fill the fuel tanks of your Carver.

Yep, a crook will get it if he wants it bad enough. But also, how about removing all the wheels from one side?
No idea on where to place an inspection sticker, except to say that is seems like it needs to be on a "permanent part of the trailer", like the tongue, not on a fender or license plate holder.

Don't forget to put on the sticker that says, "Not responsible for loose nuts". Hmmm, maybe mine said lug nuts.

Sorry, can't help.

There should be a registration plate on the trailer, typically on the left side of the main frame, right below the winch.

Stick the inspection sticker right next to it.

The NYS Inspection stickers issued for trailers are the same as those issued for cars and trucks, and are designed to be applied to the inside of a windshield. Since most trailer do not have a windshield, the sticker is to be kept with the registration "card" for presentation if requested.

Question == Is the trailer set up for this particular boat -- or is it a "dual bunk" type, like the salt water guys use. If the trailer was not specifically set up for that boat there may be some adjustment work to be done -- Just a thought

Don't know about NY, but in VA, the sticker was placed on the trailer tongue next to the manufacturer's info plate. I think the location instructions came with the sticker paperwork.

And FWIW, not sure of the trailer manufacturer, but a master lock like the one at the top of the image is not long enough to fit through the coupler latch of my Four Winns trailer. (Instead, I use one like Al posted above.)

The locks Waterdog shows are a good deal.
As far as Trailer Inspections goes, please keep it down! That is about the only thing the state of NC hasn't given us the pleasure of doing! Yet

guys - thanks for the info. my marina has adjusted the bunks on the trailer.

I would lock the wheels rather than the hitch latch. I have heard that most boat/trailer thieves don't bother with trying to get past the lock but just wrap a chain around the tounge and truck reciever and away they go. Thirty seconds tops, with or without a lock.

I do both. I'm kind of anal that way.