plate or no plate that is the question

[WimJall]

What's the laws in your state?
So you're trailering your boat 36 miles to launch/dock boat, get trailer weighed and then get title and plate for trailer.
Do you drive the initial 36 miles without a plate?
I'm in Ohio and have yet found a definite yes or no.

 

[GA_Boater]

Nothing to do what the laws are in any state but the one you live in. Then it all depends on how bad the fight was between the LEO and spouse was before leaving the house.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Check with your BMV - then you won't have to guess.

 

[MTboatguy]

If your state requires plate, then you have to have a plate, I don't even chance it, I get the paperwork done before I tow the trailer.

It all depends on what your state says, follow the law.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Use trailer vin to contact manufacturer to get weight. Send that in to get the plate before you tow

 

[roscoe]

and if the weight is off by 103#, who would know?

 

[WimJall]

Yes yes yes a plate is required to tow here in Ohio.. As in for all I know, in every state. The question/topic I was trying to discuss was "what would you do" in the case you need to do the initial registration of a new to you trailer. The trailer is a 1950's tee-nee, the serial number is missing for I cannot use that to gain previous information. I have to obtain an official weight slip from the BMV, and take it to a registered scale. Then use the slip at the BMV to purchase a plate.
-In the meantime- would you tow trailer to scale, with another trailer plate .. Or with no plate?
I'm going with 'no plate'.. And carrying all the paperwork I have for boat (that will be on trailer) and a 'bill of sale' for trailer.
And I like the comment about how he parted from his spouse that morning!! Maybe true! Haha made me chuckle.

 

[ahicks]

Most places have a temporary plate available. It's not free, but you'd be legal.

I would just drive it. Here in Mi, a missing trailer plate is about the same as a tail light that's not working - and that's if they feel like messing with you.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

I'd just pull it to the registered scale... I think you could talk your way through that (as long as it isn't a DNR guy... impossible to reason with... in my experience). As an added bonus you could have your wife follow you to kind of shadow the back of the trailer. May well be the quietest 36 mile drive you've enjoyed in a while

 

[capecodtodd]

You are in a catch22. You need to tow your trailer to have it weighed to get a plate but you can't get a plate until you have it weighed. I wouldn't chance the trip without a temporary plate because that will be the one day a cop is paying attention and pull you over and then what? Technically you can't have an unregistered trailer on the road so he might have you towed which you will pay for, plus a fine plus the cost to get your boat out of the inpound. We forget to renew a registration on one of our vehicles and we got pulled over and it wasn't cheap. The cop was nice enough to give us a ride but he could have left us on the side of the road.

 

[WimJall]

I guess we shall see. I cannot get a temporary plate till I get it weighed.

 

[GA_Boater]

I take it this is private sale. Carry all the paperwork with you in case the grumpy LEO stops you. A new purchase is easily explained with paperwork.

A fresh Dunkin assortment won't hurt either. Don't forget the napkins. LOL

 

[roscoe]

Many states will allow a few day grace period for a new purchase.

I actually have towed the boat or utility trailer in at least 11 states without a plate.
Never been pulled over or questioned.
My state does not require trailers to have plates if under 3,000# gross weight, so as long as I live in this state, I can tow them in any state. Same situation when I tow into Canada.
Laws of home state apply.

So, I'd say the chances of you getting nabbed is quite small, well, as long
as you don't go near Illinois.

 

[ahicks]

I guess we shall see. I cannot get a temporary plate till I get it weighed.

How about a little logic/psychology play? Call your local enforcement agency and explain your dilemma. See if they would be willing to give you a window in which you were allowed to get to and from the weigh station in peace, OR, maybe they would be willing to provide an escort?

If you want to play it cautious, call them. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to work something out - as soon as they sense you're just trying to work with them.

 

[WimJall]

I called the bmv and they said my weigh slip that I can print from online is my one time ticket to drive the trailer to the station and get it weighed then titled.

 

[GA_Boater]

As we always say - Call the BMV, DMV, whoever.


You can enjoy the Dunkin's yourself now.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Got any custard filled?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I guess we shall see. I cannot get a temporary plate till I get it weighed.

contact the trailer manufacturer. they will provide the exact weight of the trailer. all you need is a VIN. I have done this in 3 states with 4 different trailers.

 

[H20Rat]

Yes yes yes a plate is required to tow here in Ohio.. As in for all I know, in every state.

Lots of states don't require trailer plates. In ND, there is a long list of qualifiers for trailers that don't need plates, boat trailers are specifically mentioned as not needing it, regardless of the size. (Because other states often watch for out-of-staters without trailer plates, our DMV will issue a trailer license plate that is good forever and costs $10, and can be moved at-will. (Doesn't ever get assigned to a trailer even)

 

[bigdee]

I agree it is a catch 22. Here in NC you have to have a vehicle inspected before you can purchase a plate. The DMV has no solution of how to get to the inspection. Sometimes you just have to use your common sense and drive.