License plate locations in different states with TC mounted

[Photog101]

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.

[Photog101]

TCINTN wrote:
Mike,

I live outside of Nashville and have been carrying a TC for at least 20 plus years and the plate has staid on truck the whole time. We travel all over the country looking to trout fish and work disasters and no problems.
Had officer tell me that it was the truck which was licensed and not camper so leave it on the truck.

Thanx TCINTN. One of the LEO's told me to leave it on the truck, but with the 6 foot overhang, you can 't see the plate on the truck.

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.

[trail-explorer]

Photog101 wrote:
Does the TC need it own registration

Depend on the state where the camper resides

Photog101 wrote:
does it use the truck's plate?

No. In other words, A plate from one vehicle does not become applicable to something else.

I believe I have read California does not do title/registration/vehicle licensing on truck campers. The camper is treated as cargo.

[TCINTN]

Mike,

I live outside of Nashville and have been carrying a TC for at least 20 plus years and the plate has staid on truck the whole time. We travel all over the country looking to trout fish and work disasters and no problems.
Had officer tell me that it was the truck which was licensed and not camper so leave it on the truck.

[Rubiranch]

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.

[kohldad]

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.

[Tyler0215]

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.

[urbex]

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.

[romore]

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.