Tipton Ford Brownsville Blog

The Texas Boat Registration Guide: How to Register

Boat on water

From fishing and wakesurfing to leisurely cruises along the coast, Texans love to enjoy our pristine waters. But before you head out, it’s important to make sure your Texas boat registration is up to date. While not every boat needs to be registered, most boats with motors must be registered with the state. Wondering how…

The Texas Boating Regulations Guide: What Are the Laws?

Boats on a lake

With thousands of reservoirs, over 15 major rivers, and the entire Gulf Coast, Texas is one of the best states to own a boat. But before you go out on the water, there are a number of Texas boating laws to be aware of. From life jacket rules to Personal Watercraft (PWC) regulations, this guide…

The Guide To South Texas Car Auctions

Car auction

South Texas car auctions might not be the first place people think to look when they’re in the market for a new car, but they’re definitely worth looking into. Auto auctions are a go-to option for buyers who want solid vehicles without paying full dealership prices. In a lot of cases, cars sell for 10%…

The Guide to Texas Towing Laws & Regulations

Truck towing a boat

There are a lot of things that can potentially go wrong while pulling a trailer. Texas towing laws are firmly established to keep you and others safe on the road. Being well aware of the limitations, safety equipment, and dimensions for various types of trailers is the best way to prevent accidents and mishaps…

The Guide to Texas Stolen Vehicle Recovery

Stolen car

Dealing with a stolen car is something most people never expect to face, but it actually happens more than a lot of drivers realize. Texas stolen vehicle recovery can feel extremely daunting, especially when you’re trying to figure out what steps to take moving forward and even what your options are. In this post, we’ll…

Trading in A Car in Texas With Negative Equity: Is It Smart?

Signing documents

Key Takeaways Negative equity means you owe more than your car is worth, but you have options like paying it down, refinancing, selling, or rolling it into a new loan. Trading in a car with negative equity can be convenient and offer tax savings in Texas, but it often increases your total debt and long-term…

Texas Custom License Plates & How To Get Them

Texas custom license plate

Texas custom license plates are one of those little things that can say a lot about you without saying a word. Whether you want something fun, meaningful, or just different from the standard-issue plate, there are more options out there than most people realize. In this post, we’ll break down what’s changed over the years,…

The Guide to Texas Roadside Assistance: What To Do?

Stranded truck on the roadside

We all worry about being stranded in the middle of nowhere if our car starts giving us problems. However, if you’ve done a little homework and understand just what Texas roadside assistance entails, you have much more confidence every time you get behind the wheel. Whether you’re driving to the store and back or heading…

Texas Car Light Laws: Are Light Bars Legal in Texas?

Truck with light bar

If you’ve spent any time around trucks or off-road builds, light bars are hard to miss. Are light bars legal in Texas? It’s a fair question, and one a lot of drivers don’t think about until it matters. The key thing to know is that light bars aren’t meant to be used during normal public…

The Guide To Texas Tire Laws & Requirements

Truck tires

Key Takeaways Texas tire laws still focus on safety, even though most routine vehicle safety inspections are no longer required. Drivers now pay a $7.50 inspection replacement fee at registration, and some counties still require emissions testing. Tires must have at least 2/32 of an inch of tread depth and be free from visible damage…