Travel Trailer License Plate Necessary?

Avoid John Law and hang your plate.
I spent the weekend with two ex CHP officers.

This year we had tinting added to a front window for a AZ car.

1. It never occurred to me that the front window tinting could be a problem in some states.

2. Both of our cars have tinted side/back windows from the factory. While once a no no I didn't give it a second thought.

3.The installer of the front window tinting indicated that it should only come down to the marks on the window and suggested ours should extent about 1.5" below the marks. So apparently I could have a AZ violation.

Fun fun

PNW_Steve wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:

2oldman wrote:
yes they do

That would be my guess. It's well established that you you have to obey all driving laws when in another state. Only your drivers license has reciprocity.

The subject of reciprocity has had a lot of discussion on another board that I frequennt.

The concept of drivers license reciprocity is well understood but equipment is a big question.

I have traveled all over the US and settled on the idea that, when it comes to equipment, that I have to comply with the regs of the state that I am in.

Some dissagree with me. They are claiming that reciprocity extends to equipment as well.

Neither of us has been able to find documentation to back up our view.

Can you point me to any material that speaks to the subject?

Thanks.

S.

Equipment reciprocity is likely a very murky area. This article gives an example of tinted windows. But apparently only a few states are involved in the agreement and no national agreement.

Traffic violations such as speeding might be different, but I've always thought that a violation would reflect on your home state likely including insurance.

OP is gone.

A quick call to law enforcement should answer any questions.

CA Traveler wrote:

2oldman wrote:
yes they do

That would be my guess. It's well established that you you have to obey all driving laws when in another state. Only your drivers license has reciprocity.

The subject of reciprocity has had a lot of discussion on another board that I frequennt.

The concept of drivers license reciprocity is well understood but equipment is a big question.

I have traveled all over the US and settled on the idea that, when it comes to equipment, that I have to comply with the regs of the state that I am in.

Some dissagree with me. They are claiming that reciprocity extends to equipment as well.

Neither of us has been able to find documentation to back up our view.

Can you point me to any material that speaks to the subject?

Thanks.

S.

ktmrfs wrote:
I second putting a plate on the trailer. Once you go out of state, no plate is an easy way for a LEO to pull you over if the state you are in requires a plate, especially since they often can't see your TV plate and see you are from out of state.

As an example, in oregon small trailers under a certain loaded weight don't need plates. I had a 3 rail MC trailer, no plates needed in oregon. WA state requires plates on ALL vehicles. After being pulled over twice in WA and questions why no plate, explaining and LEO doing who knows what kind of checking, finally let go. Finally decided to get a plate and avoid the hassle.

It isn't a matter if the state you are traveling in requires plates, that ONLY applies to vehicles REGISTERED in that state, reciprocity applies as you travel through states.

So, you may get stopped, then the LEO will do a search to verify your home state doesn't require a plate and IF he can verify you will eventually be on your way.

I think this is the best answer so far.

I live in OK. My cargo trailer has no plate, not required. I sometimes use it out of state and camp out of it, and I carry a document from the state of OK which verifies that no plate ("tag") is required. Been doing this for about 3 years. So far I have never been questioned.

But, since the OP has a plate, it makes no sense to carry it inside rather than mount it.

Not much work to put he plate on.
Big hassle if you are pulled over for no plate.
Why ask to be pulled over?

Edd505 wrote:
25 years LE and I know of no state that does not require plates. OK does not title trailers, but the do register them, that caused a small issue when I bought a boat in OK that was on a trailer. Boat had a title but not the trailer, need a notarized statement that the seller was the owner. It was titled to the new state.

Oregon doesn't require plates on trailers under a certain loaded weight. Most utility trailers, 3 rail bike trailers, some boats fall under that category. However, I do believe that an trailer sold as a "travel trailer" regardless of weight would need plates. Especially since the fee is based on overall length, not weight.

However, if a trailer doesn't require plates and you don't plate it, it can't be parked on a public street. If LEO sees it on the street with no plates they can (and I've seen them do this) put a warning, that it will be towed in 24 hours if not moved.

I second putting a plate on the trailer. Once you go out of state, no plate is an easy way for a LEO to pull you over if the state you are in requires a plate, especially since they often can't see your TV plate and see you are from out of state.

As an example, in oregon small trailers under a certain loaded weight don't need plates. I had a 3 rail MC trailer, no plates needed in oregon. WA state requires plates on ALL vehicles. After being pulled over twice in WA and questions why no plate, explaining and LEO doing who knows what kind of checking, finally let go. Finally decided to get a plate and avoid the hassle.

It isn't a matter if the state you are traveling in requires plates, that ONLY applies to vehicles REGISTERED in that state, reciprocity applies as you travel through states.

So, you may get stopped, then the LEO will do a search to verify your home state doesn't require a plate and IF he can verify you will eventually be on your way.