Trailer donations
Donate a trailer that has been taking up the side of the driveway
Trailers are the easiest thing on this site to donate and the easiest to forget you own. A boat trailer left after the boat was sold, a cargo trailer from a business that closed, a stock trailer nobody has hauled in years. They are simple to move, they sell quickly, and they cost you nothing to give away.
- Hitched and towed at our expense, usually in a single visit.
- Titled or not, we work from whatever paperwork your state requires.
- Empty or with the gear that goes with it, which adds to the sale.
Know the length and axle count? Call (888) 228-7320.
Every trailer type we accept
Boat trailers and cargo trailers sell to completely different buyers, and the paperwork differs by state and by type.
Not on the list? We also accept reel and cable trailers, water and fuel tank trailers, pole trailers, drop-deck and van semi trailers, tow dollies, snowmobile and sled decks, and shop-built trailers where the state will register them. Titled or untitled, we will tell you which applies in your state. Related: state title rules, RV donations, construction equipment.
Why a trailer is usually the easiest call you will make
Trailers outlast the reason they were bought. The boat goes and the trailer stays. A landscaping business closes and the enclosed trailer sits behind the shop. Horses are sold and the stock trailer becomes storage. Someone buys a trailer for one move and never hitches it again. In the meantime it takes up the good part of the driveway, the registration renews, and the tires flat-spot.
Selling one privately means listing it, meeting buyers who want to inspect the frame and the bearings, and haggling over a few hundred dollars. Donating takes one call and one visit. Giving Center brings a truck, hitches it, and takes it, and the sale funds the programs the charity runs.
Hitched and gone, usually in one visit
Most trailers are simply towed away behind our driver's truck. Before scheduling we ask the hitch type and size, whether the tires hold air, whether the lights work, and whether the bearings have seized from sitting. Flat tires and dead lights are normal and not a problem; we bring what is needed or put the trailer on a flatbed.
Gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers need the right truck, which we send. Lowboys and heavy equipment trailers are moved by a hauler with the correct tractor. If your trailer is boxed in behind other vehicles or has sunk into soft ground, say so on the form and we will plan for it.
Trailer brands, and the VIN plate settles the rest
Trailers are shopped by brand, deck length and rated capacity. The VIN or serial plate on the tongue or frame rail has the numbers, so photograph it and send it with the form.
- Utility, dump and equipment: Big Tex, PJ Trailers, Load Trail, Diamond C, Felling, Towmaster, Cam Superline, Bri-Mar, Sure-Trac, Karavan, Carry-On, Aluma, Triton.
- Heavy haul and lowboy: Trail King, Talbert, XL Specialized, Fontaine, Landoll, Rogers, Globe, Etnyre, Manac.
- Semi and agricultural: Wilson, Timpte, Merritt, East, Reitnouer, Dorsey, Great Dane, Utility, Wabash, Hyundai Translead, Stoughton, Vanguard, Mac, Trail-Eze.
- Enclosed, horse and specialty: Featherlite, Sundowner, 4-Star, Exiss, Trails West, Haulmark, Pace American, ATC, inTech, Look, Wells Cargo, Continental Cargo, Load Rite and ShoreLand'r boat trailers.
Manufacturer names appear here so you can find your own vehicle. No manufacturer sponsors, endorses or is affiliated with this program.
What you can deduct for a donated trailer
Most trailers sell in the few hundred to few thousand dollar range, which keeps the paperwork simple.
| Your situation | What you deduct | Paperwork |
|---|---|---|
| Giving Center sells the trailer, as is typical | The gross sale proceeds | Form 1098-C from Giving Center |
| The trailer sells for under $500, common for older utility and boat trailers | The lesser of fair market value or $500 | Written acknowledgment from Giving Center |
| Proceeds are $500 to $5,000, typical for enclosed cargo and stock trailers | Gross proceeds | Form 1098-C plus Form 8283 Section A |
| Proceeds exceed $5,000, seen with gooseneck, lowboy and living-quarters trailers | Gross proceeds, and the IRS requires a qualified appraisal you obtain | Form 1098-C plus Form 8283 Section B, signed by your appraiser and by Giving Center |
| You donate the trailer and the boat or equipment on it | Each item is valued and documented separately | Form 1098-C per titled item; ask us how yours will be handled |
Giving Center does not provide tax, legal or financial advice. Donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law. See IRS Publication 526, Publication 561 and Publication 4303, and consult a tax professional.
Whether your trailer needs a title depends on your state
Some states title every trailer, some title only those above a weight threshold, and some issue registration without a title at all. Utility trailers under a certain weight are frequently exempt. Our state title rules page lists what yours requires.
Where no title exists, a bill of sale, an old registration card, or a notarized affidavit of ownership with the VIN or serial number is generally sufficient. Homemade trailers can usually be donated with an affidavit and the assigned VIN if your state issued one. If the trailer was financed, the lien needs releasing first.
What raises what a trailer brings
- Frame and floor. A solid frame and a sound deck or floor matter more than paint.
- Axles and brakes. Tandem axles with working brakes sell for noticeably more than a single axle.
- Tires and bearings. Cheap to fix, but visible, and a buyer prices them in.
- Enclosed versus open. Enclosed cargo trailers are the strongest sellers in this category.
- Ramps, gates and tie-downs. A working ramp gate or a set of ramps adds real value.
- Size relative to a half-ton truck. Trailers an ordinary pickup can pull have the widest range of buyers.
Trailer donation questions
More in the full FAQ.
Will you take a boat trailer without the boat?
Yes, and it is one of the most common trailer donations we receive. Tell us the length, the axle count and whether it is for a bunk or roller setup.
The tires are flat and it has not moved in years. Is that a problem?
No. Flat tires, dead lights and seized bearings are expected. If it cannot roll safely, the trailer goes on a flatbed instead.
I do not have a title for my utility trailer. Can I still donate it?
Usually yes, because many states never issued one. A bill of sale, an old registration, or a notarized affidavit of ownership is generally enough. Check your state's rules.
Can I donate the trailer with equipment or a vehicle on it?
Yes, and it often makes the pickup more efficient. Each titled item is documented separately so your paperwork is correct.
Do you take homemade trailers?
Yes, if your state assigned a VIN or will accept an affidavit of ownership. Welded shop-built trailers are common and sell fine.
What about a camper trailer or a travel trailer?
Those belong on RV donations, which covers travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-ups and toy haulers.
Tell us about the trailer
Type, length, axle count and where it is parked. Most trailers are scheduled within a few business days.
Part of vehicle donations. Related: boats · farm and ag equipment · RVs and campers