A trailer bill of sale is a written record of a trailer sale, with the seller, the buyer, the trailer's VIN, the date and the price. Many agencies ask for one when the buyer titles or registers the trailer, depending on the state. It is the trailer version of the general bill of sale, free to fill out online or download as a PDF or Word file.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
A trailer is an unpowered vehicle that another vehicle tows. This form covers the trailer types listed in the table below. It gives the buyer and seller a written record of the sale.
A trailer bill of sale is a private record of a sale between two people. It shows who sold the trailer, who bought it, when it changed hands and for how much. If a question comes up later, both sides can point to the same written terms.
Private trailer sales are often paid in cash, so the written record may be the only proof of what was agreed. Each side gets something different from it:
Rules for titles and registration differ by state, so open your state's page from the list above before you sign.
| Document Name | Trailer Bill of Sale Form |
| Can Be Used For | Utility, Boat, Horse, Travel, Camper, Homemade, Towing, and Cargo Trailers |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 10 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 58 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF; Microsoft Word |
Yes. Download the free PDF or Word template or use the online builder. Either way, you fill in the parties, the trailer, the price and the payment terms, then print the form and sign it.
You can get a trailer bill of sale in three ways:
A lawyer costs money, and fees vary by firm. You will also share private details such as your address and the trailer's VIN.
Selling a trailer is a six-step process: describe the trailer, set a price, list it for sale, meet buyers, complete the bill of sale and finish the paperwork. The steps below follow that order.
Step 1. Describe the Type of Trailer
Values vary widely by type, size and condition. Common kinds of trailers include:
Once you know the type, note the length, the year of manufacture, the number of axles, the maximum weight and the VIN (vehicle identification number). A buyer will ask for these details.
Step 2. Set the Value of the Trailer
Trailers come in many forms and sizes, so the price depends first on the type, then on age and condition. Look at similar trailers for sale in your area and compare their asking prices. You will rarely find an exact match, but a comparable trailer shows a fair range for yours.
Step 3. Offer Your Trailer for Sale
Before you list the trailer, check its condition, especially if it has been on the road for a long time. A buyer should have little to question:
Take clear photos for your ad, then post it in one or more of these places.
Online choices:
Offline variants:
Step 4. Meet With Prospective Buyers
Meet each serious buyer in person and let them look over the trailer. Ask how they plan to tow it, and confirm they can pay the agreed price before you hand it over. This lowers the risk of fraud.
Before money changes hands, both sides should check the paperwork:
Step 5. Complete a Trailer Bill Of Sale
A trailer bill of sale usually records the following:
The seller and the buyer should each bring a government-issued ID or driver's license to confirm who they are.
Step 6. Notify the State of Your Acquisition and Register It
After the sale, the buyer titles or registers the trailer by the state's deadline, which varies. Where the trailer is titled, the seller signs the title over first, and a lender's lien is released before the buyer applies.
Depending on the state, the buyer brings these to the state's motor vehicle agency, often called the DMV:
Unless the bill of sale sets other terms, the deal is then complete.
The seven steps below follow our trailer bill of sale template, from the date to the signatures. Some agencies publish their own form, so check your state's page from the list above before you start.
Step 1: Indicate the bill of sale creation date.
Step 2: Type in the details of all parties (seller and purchaser):
Step 3: Fill in the information about the trailer that you are trying to sell:
Step 4: At this point, you will need to choose the way you will be given money for the offer.
This part also requires specifying the date of the purchase and the full sum agreed upon by both parties of the transaction. After that has been handled, you need to indicate the way of transaction:
The next step is selecting the way of payment:
As a final point, specify whether the purchase cost includes all applicable taxes.
Step 5: Read through standard provisions and make sure that both parties are aware of them.
The seller confirms that they own the trailer described in the document and have the right to sell it at the price in the form. The seller also confirms that the trailer has no liens. The seller further confirms that the information in the bill of sale is true, accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.
The standard provisions also state that the buyer takes the trailer as-is and is responsible for it once the purchase is complete.
Step 6: Now, the document has to be signed.
The seller always signs. Some states also want the buyer's signature, so have both sides sign the form. You may add one or more witnesses as optional extra proof.
Step 7: Use the assistance of a notary public
Many states do not require notarization. Some ask for a notarized bill of sale in some cases, for example when the trailer has no title in that state, so check your state's page.
Some agencies want the original bill of sale and others accept a copy. The buyer keeps the original and the seller keeps a signed copy. You can either fill out and sign two identical documents or make a copy for the seller.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
