Here in Washington State we have our truck camper registered separate from the truck.And the camper has it's own plate. State law.Yes, it's kind of weird. . .the plate on the truck's front is different from the plate visible on the camper's rear step.So, when crossing into Mexico, should I first remove the camper's license plate and replace it with the truck's rear license plate?

no. Why would anyone have to do this?

Some transitos & parking cops will remove the rear plate & take it hostage. Since many states & provinces do not have front plates and they are used to this, simply move the front to the rear and put a vanity plate on the front. Stash the rear plate with sticker on it. I do this every year.Stash the camper plate & move the truck plate up there. Just don't forget to move it back if you take the camper off the truck.

I've just go to say WA state has a weird law. You have to register a big box you haul around in your truck? And this big box needs a license plate like a motor vehicle? Do you also have to register and license truck tool boxes, truck bed covers, and loads of firewood?

Washington isn't any wierder than Idaho, Oregon, or California. Nevada is the only state out here that I know of that hasn't figured out how to get revenue from Truck Campers.

Which license plate to use? Truck camper's or trucks plate?

14 Replies

Tequila
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
RichieC wrote:
robatthelake wrote:
We used to do the Front to back swap as suggested by Tequila until it was pointed out that this is illegal and can result in a hefty fine.
The places that used to seize the rear plate are fewer and fewer.

Better to comply with the Law than run the risk of possible trouble by trying to circumvent the rules.

I tend to agree. . .the authorities are required to regulate "trucks" so just comply with that as best possible.
Our truck camper has a four foot rear overhang. The plates are double lock nut secure.
If they feel compelled to crawl under the camper to get to remove the truck's rear plate. . .good luck with that.

Good idea
rocmoc
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
robatthelake wrote:

The places that used to seize the rear plate are fewer and fewer.

I have always used steel pop rivets to attach my plates. Two or three thu the center of the plate into the support behind the plate. This is for both here at home and in Mexico. Have never had a plate disappear!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Sep 11, 2013
robatthelake wrote:
We used to do the Front to back swap as suggested by Tequila until it was pointed out that this is illegal and can result in a hefty fine.
The places that used to seize the rear plate are fewer and fewer.

Better to comply with the Law than run the risk of possible trouble by trying to circumvent the rules.

I tend to agree. . .the authorities are required to regulate "trucks" so just comply with that as best possible.
Our truck camper has a four foot rear overhang. The plates are double lock nut secure.
If they feel compelled to crawl under the camper to get to remove the truck's rear plate. . .good luck with that.
robatthelake
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
We used to do the Front to back swap as suggested by Tequila until it was pointed out that this is illegal and can result in a hefty fine.
The places that used to seize the rear plate are fewer and fewer.

Better to comply with the Law than run the risk of possible trouble by trying to circumvent the rules.
Less_Stuff
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Tequila wrote:
Lost of stuff, did you get a separate Mexican permit for the camper & the truck, or just get one under the trucks VIN?

As I remember a permit for just the truck was all they were concerned about.
My last trip was into Baja and that requires no vehicle permit.
Tequila
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Lost of stuff, did you get a separate Mexican permit for the camper & the truck, or just get one under the trucks VIN?
Less_Stuff
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
KD4UPL wrote:
I've just go to say WA state has a weird law. You have to register a big box you haul around in your truck? And this big box needs a license plate like a motor vehicle?
Do you also have to register and license truck tool boxes, truck bed covers, and loads of firewood?

Yet there is an up side with a camper plate anyone can still see a plate even with the camper on the truck.
We Washingtonians don't have to move our plates when we load our overhanging campers.
Plus we have a title for the camper, banks like titles and campers can cost 50 grand these days.
Less_Stuff
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
We've made two trips into Mexico with our truck camper.
Did not have a problem and never did anything to the plates.
The trucks rear plate is hard to see with the camper on.
But we use the trucks plate number for every form.
So far so good!
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 08, 2013
KD4UPL wrote:
Do you also have to register and license truck tool boxes, truck bed covers, and loads of firewood?
If you live in a tool box, then yes.
stanbnv
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
Washington isn't any wierder than Idaho, Oregon, or California. Nevada is the only state out here that I know of that hasn't figured out how to get revenue from Truck Campers.