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YOU ARE NOT LISTENING. You are approaching this from a business perspective, NOT someone hauling their OWN stuff from one place to another.
You're running a business, that is different from personal vehicles. When it comes to businesses and running things inter-state, yes, there are different rules you need to comply with. If you run in Kentucky you need a KY number. If you run in Michigan you need an MI number. There are others too. You also have to follow Federal DOT regs including rest time, down time, etc. I know, I had an RV hauling business, we had to comply with all of that stuff.
WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING YOUR PRIVATE VEHICLE, USING YOUR OWN TRAILER, FOR PRIVATE USE, THE ONLY REGISTRATION/PLATE LAWS THAT MATTER ARE THOSE OF YOUR HOME STATE. As a private trailer, if he doesn't need plates in his home state, he doesn't need plates anywhere - but he SHOULD carry a copy of that law, and a copy of his proof of ownership, in his truck whenever he runs out of state, just in case he gets an LEO who decides to stop him. HE DOES NOT NEED TO GET A PLATE FOR THIS.
Just wanted to say it again... in case not everyone hears it...
Do I have to title and register my trailer?All trailers must be titled in Kentucky. Privately owned and operated trailers used for the transportation of boats, luggage, personal effects, farm products, farm suppliers or farm equipment do not require registration. Trailers used for commercial purposes must be registered.
So it sounds like as long as it is titled in KY and all the paperwork is in order, you are a-ok. Saying that, the OP also said:
It looks like I'll never get this registered in my name and plates after multiple attempts.
If the OP doesn't have all the paperwork sorted out then that would absolutely change things. Sure, having no plate could be a reason to be stopped (but not ticketed), but not having your paperwork in order would be another problem in itself. I would be sure to get that all sorted and have documentation with you first though. And hey, I will also say, ask how much a plate costs... if it is very little, just get one and it would completely cut back the risk of even being bothered about it while on the road.
in my very limited experience, it won't matter. There are enough states that do not require plates on trailers that most LEO's that work interstate routes will not bother to pull you over for not having plates on a trailer.
I towed a trailer with no plates from South Dakota to through Nebraska to Colorado and back. I got passed by no less than 5 LEO's and not a single one of them cared. One even followed me for a mile or so before he decided to overtake. Apparently driving 63 in a 70mph zone wasn't his game for very long that day.
You do you. But there is more than one state that doesn't require plates on trailers and the LEO's know it, so I don't think they even bother with it anymore. Even the Colorado HP didn't want any part of it. But, as said above, it doesn't hurt to call a couple states you are traveling through. I did that when transporting some firearms and it was a worthwhile conversation to know what the expectations were. They are usually more helpful than not when you call.
You are correct you don't need a plate, but I'm pretty sure you need a title (and pay yearly property taxes). I wouldn't see a LEO impounding you or your stuff, but a ticket maybe? The ticket likely would still be cheaper than renting a trailer, so there's where I stand, lol.There are typical ways to register a trailer, even without a title, so I'm sure a visit to the local DMV will sort it all out. What are your plans in AZ with trailer?
In AZ there are several contract MVD offices that I always have used. I called them with a hypothetical. I have a trailer, moving from KY where they dont require plates, no title but the MFG Cert of origin. (Them)Just bring it in, we'll do a primary inspection and you be issued a title and PTI plate.
Sad part is KY is always bitching about money. Im pretty confident 90% of the the trailers on the road here are not plated. Because of that they are also unregistered and untitled. BTW, Between the local mvd and the main one in Frankfort Ive been told 6 different stories on how to register it. Luckily I can contact the former owners. Next visit I will have a Notarized Bill of sale, a notarized cert of origin from the manufacturer, and a notarized state form for obtaining a title and registration. If that do do it then nothing will. Hopefully this week I'll be good to go, we will see.
In AZ there are several contract MVD offices that I always have used. I called them with a hypothetical. I have a trailer, moving from KY where they dont require plates, no title but the MFG Cert of origin. (Them)Just bring it in, we'll do a primary inspection and you be issued a title and PTI plate.
Sad part is KY is always bitching about money. Im pretty confident 90% of the the trailers on the road here are not plated. Because of that they are also unregistered and untitled. BTW, Between the local mvd and the main one in Frankfort Ive been told 6 different stories on how to register it. Luckily I can contact the former owners. Next visit I will have a Notarized Bill of sale, a notarized cert of origin from the manufacturer, and a notarized state form for obtaining a title and registration. If that do do it then nothing will. Hopefully this week I'll be good to go, we will see.
That should be all you'll need. Maybe print out the part of KY law that states that for personal use, trailers don't need to be registered or plated. With all of that, I wouldn't worry about hitting the road with your trailer.
Once you become an AZ resident (I believe that's what you're doing), you'll need to follow all of their rules so you'll have to get it titled and registered and plated. Hopefully they don't require it to have its own insurance policy - in my home state, once the trailer is connected to the truck it is covered by the truck's road insurance.
Here in OH all trailers need to have plates - but not all have titles! Only if it is commercial or weighs over 4000# empty does it need a title in Ohio. My old 16' open trailer does not have a title - BUT it had to get a weight slip when buying plates the first time in my name.
Most states offer a 'temporary tag' for trailers in transit.
Here in OH all trailers need to have plates - but not all have titles! Only if it is commercial or weighs over 4000# empty does it need a title in Ohio. My old 16' open trailer does not have a title - BUT it had to get a weight slip when buying plates the first time in my name.
Most states offer a 'temporary tag' for trailers in transit.
Yeah MI doesn't require all trailers to be titled either. I don't recall what the cut-off is, but my 22' car hauler was bought used from a private party with just a bill of sale, I went and got it titled anyway because I like paper trails for things like that.
And above all else, if you do happen to get pulled over, be sure to tell Mr Officer that your Ford Forum said do it, it would be perfectly fine and legal. Safe travels.
Daaaaaammmm
as a reference to maybe smooth the process in AZ
Get a ky title or registration
We bought a boat from ny in sepr
It had a tag..but no title as ny thought it weighed less than 1500 lbs
Get to Texas. Law clearly states in ny and texas
anything over 1500 gets titled
We had to do circus acts for over a month to finally get trailer legal, tagged and title
to include getting ny to send a statement
Trailer being under a bond, in a section by a special theft office etc
look at the pic....yes ny. Its over 1500 lb
But if ny had simply done its job....
keep it simple.
I bet. AZ will put you through the theft ringer
With no title, just a bill of sale from some dude
Good luck
If was a Va. vehicle pulling a trailer here, it had best had a tag visible on the trailer. If out of state, checking list.
No matter the state, was best to have a tag visible on the rear of the towing vehicle.
No matter the state, was best it have only one trailer unless a double tractor trailer which is pulling a semi trailer and a dolly with a full trailer. More than one PU pulling a camper pulling a bike trailer with "Fatboy" on it went on to Fla. with the bike trailer and bike left here in storage.
No matter the state or size, was best to not have plastic safety chains.
No matter the state, was best didn't come through at 2am with no lights on trailer. Even better if did not say forgot to hook up lights on camper after the race if the towing vehicle did not even have a connector.
Federal law requires law enforcement to allow any vehicle to operate in other states as long as you are in compliance with your home states laws. It isn't like being a lawyer where you have to be licensed to practice in the state you are currently in.
Federal law requires law enforcement to allow any vehicle to operate in other states as long as you are in compliance with your home states laws. It isn't like being a lawyer where you have to be licensed to practice in the state you are currently in.
This is what I've been trying to say, I didn't know for sure if it was federal law. But yes, if you're in compliance with your home state laws, they can't mess with you. Now sure, if you're running in a state that requires trailer plates, and they can't see your truck plates (think RV or enclosed trailer), they might pull you over, but you won't get ticketed - they literally CANNOT ticket you for it if the trailer is titled/registered/whatever in your home state.
Federal law requires law enforcement to allow any vehicle to operate in other states as long as you are in compliance with your home states laws.
A quick Google check says that is not correct.
This is why not everything you read is based on facts. Yes, that means me too. It's really not that difficult to search yourself and make your own decision.
Safe travels.
