Need DOT number for trailer only?

As far as I know there is no dot number required for just owning a trailer.
In NY where I am we have a mandatory state inspection of trailers done once a year.
When this is done this fulfills the FMCA requirement of a yearly inspection and there is no Dot number associated with it.
My truck and trailer both receive a nys inspection yearly and this covers me with FMCA and I don’t use the white federal form/ sticker at all.

 

The ONLY advantage I can think of would be their future purchases of parts.

Some states require the carrier's DOT number for the Sales Tax Exemption for Class 8 parts.

The DOT number means filing the carrier's insurance with the DOT.

The carrier's insurance is usually on the hook for the trailer, do you have 'interchanged equipment' coverage? Otherwise there could be a problem with your liability carrier and in light of the permanently mounted boiler and it's related equipment guessing fuel tank, feed water tank, boiler treatment chemicals/water softener, etc. your 'cargo' coverage might resist paying.

Since the trailer is specialized equipment and not transporting freight 'for hire'; I recommend the owner carry physical damage coverage and liability coverage for it while parked at the customer site. I would also want a contract that limits your 'interchanged equipment' coverage to replacing the trailer and not the added equipment. The boiler and it's related equipment probably cost a lot more than the trailer.

 

If it were me I’d just put a NA (not applicable) in that space.

 

That is way to easy, but correct.

 

No the owner of the trailer does not need one nor does the DOT inspection need it recorded.

The DOT number applies to the truck and ownership of the truck to run interstate (even though many states require one for intrastate).

The only thing that applied to the trailer is the registration which is for revenue.

I have a customer that has drilling rigs on trailers, we haul them every few months sometimes two or three states from where they are at and they only have a plate and their name on the trailer.

 

Yes you need an annual inspection on a trailer.
Notice on the FMCSA form where you would select TRAILER.

 

That's a big boiler...