Registering your RV

[admin]

We recently went on a trip to NY from NC (without our camper), instead I was pulling a small trailer which I was going to use to transport a bike back home. No one blinked an eye at the trailer while we were traveling. However we did get stopped for an unrelated issue and the local officer asked about the trailer. Since it belonged to a buddy who lived in a state where trailers dont get plates thats what I told the officer. His words were "Well unfortunately up here we do" and then he went to run our information. I thought for sure he was going to give us trouble about it. It seems like such an easy target to hit an out of state visitor knowing that for the most part they will never contest the citation. He came back and said he wasnt doing anything about the trailer but still gave us a ticket for the other issue.

I'm not sure how other states can enforce tags or registration on trailers that are from out of state.

-Sean

[geo92128]

Sunny Island RV put a permit tag on our trailer with an expiration date of early May. I got a Federal Express PKG two weeks later with what I thought was the title to the trailer. I took this to the GA TAG office in my county and paid the taxes on the trailer got a new GA license plate. The tag lady told me what I had was a certificate of origin with all the trailer info except the price. She asked me what I paid and I told her the exact number and she said OK. She did not need the invoice. I guess I looked honest which I was! She told me I would get a GA title in the mail in about two weeks, but I do have a GA tag now which makes me more comfortable than having the permit tag.

[peislander]

Where I live you are required to have trailers registered and to get them registered they must be safety inspected and insured. Its a bit of a catch-22 in that you need to get it to the inspection station before you register -- but you can't legally tow it to the inspection station without the registration. Of course everyone just tows to get the inspection without worrying too much about the registration. At least there is an excuse!

The bigger problem is how many people will drive without proper insurance. If you have an accident with no insurance on your trailer you can be up shit creek. [I note that between 1975-2012 in the USA there were 15,000 lives lost in towing related accidents. That number likely includes transport truck accidents. That said, towing accidents are far more common than most trailer owners realize and having proper insurance that covers your trailer is the responsible thing to do].

[gnies]

Where I live you are required to have trailers registered and to get them registered they must be safety inspected and insured. Its a bit of a catch-22 in that you need to get it to the inspection station before you register -- but you can't legally tow it to the inspection station without the registration. Of course everyone just tows to get the inspection without worrying too much about the registration. At least there is an excuse!

The bigger problem is how many people will drive without proper insurance. If you have an accident with no insurance on your trailer you can be up shit creek. .

In my case I bought it in Quebec and they gave me a 30 days registration and there is no inspection in Quebec, but I had my insurance ready before I go pick it up. When I came back in NB I got the proper licence plate and they said I had 14 days to get it inspected which I did. 

[admin]

Where I live you are required to have trailers registered and to get them registered they must be safety inspected and insured. Its a bit of a catch-22 in that you need to get it to the inspection station before you register -- but you can't legally tow it to the inspection station without the registration. Of course everyone just tows to get the inspection without worrying too much about the registration. At least there is an excuse!

The bigger problem is how many people will drive without proper insurance. If you have an accident with no insurance on your trailer you can be up shit creek. .

In a lot of places the tow vehicles auto insurance covers liability for an accident with the trailer. You may be out a trailer, but at least you are covered from damages done to someone or something else. This may not apply to everyone either, so definitely check with your local laws...

[swbc150]

I drove through 7 States as well 3 weeks ago after picking up my BC16FK in MN. Not one issue of not having a Plate on the Trailer, there was a 31 day temp Sticker in the rear side Window but it was so small you wouldn't be able to see it driving by.

I took the MSO and the Trailer to the local MVD when I arrived home the next day, everything all legal now.

[idlerockfarm]

My temporary tag was ok to go from Indiana to Wisconsin, but I got a plate at the DMV in WI even though I haven't left the state yet becaus I knew I'd need it later. Also, I travel alone sometimes and NEVER want anyone to have a reason to stop me to ask a question.