Is there a site that would explain if and when License plates are required in different states. Does the TC need it own registration, does it use the truck's plate? Does the truck's license plate stay on the truck or do you have to change it from the truck to the TC. I just moved to Tennessee and I have received two different explanations from Law enforcement. One said move the truck plate to the camper and the other said leave it on the truck.

Most jurisdictions require the plate be visible, if your TC obscures the vehicle location then you need to move it. If your camper has tail lights it's easy to mount a light with an illuminated plate holder.

You're required to adhere to the regulations of the state that your vehicle is registered in. Just like how several states require front license plates on vehicles, but as I'm registered in Arizona that doesn't require the front plate, I don't need the front if I travel to one of those states. That said, if an officer is looking for excuses, that COULD be used as probable cause to pull you over (and as such, Arizona will provide a legal front plate if requested). In your case, I'd base it on whether the rear of the camper overhangs the bumper enough to obscure the view of your plate. If it does, move it to the camper. Otherwise, leave it on the truck. Such as with my Amerigo - it's 11.5 feet long, and drops down over the rear of the bed by several inches. If I had it on a regular truck, it would block at least half of the plate, and I'd want to move it to the camper. As it is now though, between my flat bed, and deep drop rear bumper, it sits high enough that the plate isn't blocked, and I leave it on the truck. Same as with my Six-Pack camper. It's only 6.5 feet long (not counting the cabover section), and has zero overhang (if I didn't have the bedliner in the truck, I could actually close the tailgate with the camper loaded), so I leave the plate on the truck with that one as well. What I used to do with my last Six-Pack that overhung the plate was request the 2nd front plate from the state, then left that one on the camper so I didn't have to remember to swap the plate back and forth when I loaded/unloaded the camper. Of course, you'll only want to do this if you always haul with the same truck....I don't, and had a lovely meeting with Officer Friendly at one point who thought I was pulling something shady with a plate on the camper that didn't match the truck I was hauling it with, lol.

Mount the plate where it is lighted and visible. One less thing to worry about.If an LEO can't see the plate it could result in an enforcement stop.

South East running TC since 1970 and we have always run it on the truck and I have never been stopped or questioned. I'm based in SC, the TC is considered cargo and it's illegal to attach the plate to cargo therefore it must remain attached to the truck.My sister is in TN and was not required to register the truck camper. While not required, I think she does move it back forth but isn't a requirement.While I do have an 8' TC, my steps somewhat blocks the license plate, but anyone in a car directly behind me can see it. Unless of course I'm pulling the boat which doesn't have a tag on it, then it can't be seen from another vehicle.A good test is sit in a car 200' behind you. If the tag is visible, odds are you will never be bothered as it can be seen by an officer behind you.

I'm sure it will vary from state to state.The plate is registered to the truck and not the camper so it should remain on the truck.. I was told this by the Utah HWY Patrol when I called asked this very question.Personally I could care less if I get pulled over, I'm not breaking any laws.In Utah we are required to register slide in campers every year. Its just a sticker that goes in the back window.

License plate locations in different states with TC mounted

Rubiranch
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
2BLAZERS wrote:
Interesting...

Oregon, truck campers have their own ''K'' plates (K is for Kamper I guess plates.)
I never move my pickup plate. Which is a ''T'' Plate. LOL.
If I have my enclosed trailer hooked up then you could only see it's ''P'' for Permanent Plate.

:D
I have T, T, A plates and a K sticker. LOL
Photog101
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
TCINTN, thanks for the local info. I'm in Sparta. Maybe coffee sometime?
2BLAZERS
Explorer
Feb 19, 2017
Interesting...

Oregon, truck campers have their own ''K'' plates (K is for Kamper I guess plates.)
I never move my pickup plate. Which is a ''T'' Plate. LOL.
If I have my enclosed trailer hooked up then you could only see it's ''P'' for Permanent Plate.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2017
travelnutz, I'm sure you had good intentions with your post, but it was a little harsh.

Wayne
wnjj
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2017
travelnutz wrote:
jimh425, ever think about moving your license plate before loading your TC on? Another "no brainer"! Excuses do not work and have no value at all when breaking written laws which you'd automatically agreed to adhere to when you signed to receive you driver's license in any of the 50 states! Read the statutes!

Try reading the post above Jim's and then rethink your comments. Jim is trying to put the new registration tab/sticker on his truck plate when his camper is already loaded (and probably has been for some time). His camper has a plate.
ticki2
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
travelnutz wrote:
In Michigan and about all the Midwest States and many others there is a state law on the books that is usually enforced or can be enforced at will by an LEO.

The statute says it this way: The valid license plate or tag must be clearly visible and readable from behind the vehicle by following law enforcement and must be illiminated during the nightime hours when operating on any roadway.

My brother was a sheriff for many years and he said improper license display per the state law was enforced as it so often led to other non-conforming issues found. Like suspended driver licenses no/no proof of insurance or DUI or driver/occupants with having outstanding warrants. Easy way to legally stop a suspect vehicle and always held as such in court! Why would any thinking driver wave a red flag in front of an LEO by not properly displaying their license plate??? A "no brainer"!

jimh425, ever think about moving your license plate before loading your TC on? Another "no brainer"! Excuses do not work and have no value at all when breaking written laws which you'd automatically agreed to adhere to when you signed to receive you driver's license in any of the 50 states! Read the statutes!

Not so fast . NH has a similar wording , HOWEVER , it does not address the question if you can move the tag to the cargo ( camper ) or if it must remain on the registered vehicle . This seems to be the underlying and unanswered question that most DMV's leave out . This of course only applies to states that do not register TC's . What does MI say ?
travelnutz
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2017
In Michigan and about all the Midwest States and many others there is a state law on the books that is usually enforced or can be enforced at will by an LEO.

The statute says it this way: The valid license plate or tag must be clearly visible and readable from behind the vehicle by following law enforcement and must be illiminated during the nightime hours when operating on any roadway.

My brother was a sheriff for many years and he said improper license display per the state law was enforced as it so often led to other non-conforming issues found. Like suspended driver licenses no/no proof of insurance or DUI or driver/occupants with having outstanding warrants. Easy way to legally stop a suspect vehicle and always held as such in court! Why would any thinking driver wave a red flag in front of an LEO by not properly displaying their license plate??? A "no brainer"!

jimh425, ever think about moving your license plate before loading your TC on? Another "no brainer"! Excuses do not work and have no value at all when breaking written laws which you'd automatically agreed to adhere to when you signed to receive you driver's license in any of the 50 states! Read the statutes!
Rubiranch
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
Reddog1 wrote:
DWeikert wrote:
Photog101 wrote:
I thought that I saw a post about photocopying the plate and putting photocopy on the license plate holder on the TC. I'll give it a shot here in Sparta.

All good intentions aside, you're crossing the line into forgery by doing this. Far worse offense than an obstructed plate.
X2

X3 :)
Reddog1
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2017
DWeikert wrote:
Photog101 wrote:
I thought that I saw a post about photocopying the plate and putting photocopy on the license plate holder on the TC. I'll give it a shot here in Sparta.

All good intentions aside, you're crossing the line into forgery by doing this. Far worse offense than an obstructed plate.
X2
DWeikert
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2017
Photog101 wrote:
I thought that I saw a post about photocopying the plate and putting photocopy on the license plate holder on the TC. I'll give it a shot here in Sparta.

All good intentions aside, you're crossing the line into forgery by doing this. Far worse offense than an obstructed plate.

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License plate locations in different states with TC mounted

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