License plate on Truck? or camper (with overhang)?

[towpro]

In PA we don't have plates on Pickup Truck campers.
I called PennDot and asked the following question:

"my camper hangs 24" over the back of my bumper and makes it hard to read the license plate on the truck".

"Instead of someone moving the license plate between camper and truck every Friday when they load camper, and Sunday when they unload camper, is there a solution like a duplicate license plate?"

After 15 minutes of hold they told me "no, you can't have a duplicate license plate."

I do know in order to get a replacement plate you need a cop to sign a form saying yours was lost or stolen. let alone the BS if you get caught with a duplicate plate on truck and camper.

So I found the law (below). its all about seeing the tag with (money generating) cameras like traffic light and toll booth.

With my overhang, I think a lower mounted toll booth camera or a red light camera that is low enough might see my license plate.
I guess if I am towing my trailer, this don't matter because that would also block the truck tag from cameras, but the trailer has a tag.

Now starting this month, PA no longer has uses little stickers on the plate that show when your registration expires.

Now the police have these cameras that scan all the cars as they drive down the street, and it auto runs every tag number through a database (wireless connection to state) looking for expired tags (as well as outstanding arrest warrants).

I now that a cop car passing me can not see the truck tag unless its some distance behind me.

below in the laws it talks about "at a reasonable distance". Do you think it is reasonable to not be able see the license plate unless you step back about 10 yards so you can see under the camper and fox landing?

last fall when I got eh camper, I moved the tag, but I really don't want to do it. I do unload several times per year.

What would you do?
------------------------------------
laws about obscured tags in PA.

(b) Obscuring plate.--It is unlawful to display on any vehicle a registration plate which:

(1) is so dirty as to prevent the reading of the number or letters thereon at a reasonable distance;

(2) is obscured in any manner which inhibits the proper operation of an automated red light enforcement system in place pursuant to section 3116 (relating to automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities) or 3117 (relating to automated red light enforcement systems in certain municipalities) or any other automated enforcement system authorized by this title or an electronic toll collection system as authorized under 74 Pa.C.S. § 8117 (relating to electronic toll collection);

(3) is otherwise illegible at a reasonable distance or is obscured in any manner; or

(4) is obscured, covered or otherwise obstructed in a manner which inhibits the visibility of the issuing jurisdiction at a reasonable distance.

(c) Penalty for obscured plate.--Any person who violates subsection (b)(2) or (4) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $100.

[Reddog1]

California does not issue license plates for TCs, they are considered cargo.

After years of reading on this subject, I am of the belief in California the Code says the rear license plate must be displayed in the rear of the vehicle. You may not duplicate the license plate. It cannot be obstructed, and cannot be moved to the vehicle cargo. It must be illuminated.

Based on my belief above, I further believe it is not legal to haul my 1988 Bigfoot 11.5 in California. I base this on the fact the rear of the TC drops down so far you can only see the trailer receiver from the rear of the truck. The photo gives you an idea.

I typically violate the law by moving the license plate to the rear of the TC. There have been times I have not moved the plate. I have never been questioned either way.

[Reddog1]

In California, we are not converting a pickup truck into an RV when we load our TC, we are hauling cargo. You can convert a pickup truck and TC into an RV. To do so, the TC must be bolted to the truck. You can then get much cheaper license, but you can no longer use the truck as a truck.

Wayne

[work2much]

joeshmoe wrote:
Just to reitterate, in CA, the plate stays on the truck. No if ands or buts about it. The CVC states it. It's the law.

I went online and read the code. I still think there is a giant grey area here. I didn't find in the code anywhere that dealt specifically with converting a pickup truck into an RV which is what we are doing when we bolt down a camper, plug into the truck electrical to run turn signals, brake lights, running lights etc.

We are essentially creating a class C motorhome. For some it could be for a weekend, for others it could be forever. Class C motorhomes have their plates prominently displayed on the back of the coach.

People can do whatever they think is correct and certainly plates are more visible on some setups than others but the overall intent of the rear plate is to be easily viewed by law enforcement. So I mount it where it can be reasonably seen, on the camper using the license plate mount provided by Arctic Fox. I have never been pulled over in any state doing so.

[Rubiranch]

tattoobob wrote:
Go to Staples or similar and copy your plate with updated sticker and then have them laminate it use that on the truck camper leave the original plate on your truck

This what I've been thinking of doing myself.

Next time I see a Highway Patrolman eating lunch and I go over to thank him and let him know I appreciate what he does I'll ask him what the rules are here in Utah. 🙂

I could care less if I get pulled over.

[joeshmoe]

Just to reitterate, in CA, the plate stays on the truck. No if ands or buts about it. The CVC states it. It's the law. PA sounds similar. Hell, I don't even have a front plate. Haven't for years. Not even a warning in all that time. Ooh, I'm such a law breaker.

Had CHP roll up on me a few months ago on I10 coming from the river towing the boat. I know for a fact you can't see my rear plate with boat in tow. Didn't even stop me. He just motioned "55" and to slow it down. I was pushing 75. He motored on. I'm not really afraid to get pulled over. They aren't gonna find anything and I'm more than respectfully and polite to LEOS. If I get get some zealous cop, so be it. I'll pay the fine and deal with it.

[burningman]

Tom_Anderson wrote:
The obvious solution here is an extended license plate bracket that attaches to the truck, but sticks out past the rear of the camper. :B

Pure genius! Lol.

[Buzzcut1]

Tom_Anderson wrote:
The obvious solution here is an extended license plate bracket that attaches to the truck, but sticks out past the rear of the camper. :B

I call that bracket my TC

[towpro]

NRALIFR wrote:
If I put the truck's plate on the camper, where would I put my Moosehead Beer plate?

30 years of hauling truck campers with it like that.

:):)

I kept an OBX (Outer Banks) tag on my Wolf Creek as it was 8' and never covered the truck tag.

[towpro]

sonuvabug wrote:


I mostly agree with the above advice .... but not with using a stickered plate. Just use the unstickered plate.

starting 1/1/17, PA no longer gives you stickers for your plate. they stopped using them and instead use a camera on LEO cars to check the expiration date automatically as they drive past you.

also there not giving you a new plate either so everyone will be running around with old expired stickers.

Any vehicle I renew after 1/1/2017, I will be using the heat gun to remove all the old expired stickers anyway.

[NRALIFR]

If I put the truck's plate on the camper, where would I put my Moosehead Beer plate?

30 years of hauling truck campers with it like that.

:):)

[Tom_Anderson]

The obvious solution here is an extended license plate bracket that attaches to the truck, but sticks out past the rear of the camper. :B

[sonuvabug]

tattoobob wrote:
Go to Staples or similar and copy your plate with updated sticker and then have them laminate it use that on the truck camper leave the original plate on your truck

I mostly agree with the above advice .... but not with using a stickered plate. Just use the unstickered plate. That way if the plate is run by a LEO, it will show you're up to date (assuming you keep the registration up to date). A stickered plate replica means you'll be copying and laminating it again when that sticker expires.

I'm lucky as I have three license plates that all read the same. This came about because I have vanity plates and went to replace them when one rusted badly. I only returned the rusted plate and kept the one good one for use on the TC. They never asked for it back and I never offered.

In our jurisdiction, the current renewal sticker must be on the front plate so not having a sticker on the truck's back plate draws no attention (car renewal stickers are on the back though). When loaded with my TC, I have the rear non-stickered truck plate and the TC plate on the back. You really can't see my truck plate because 1) it is obstructed by the overhang and 2) my custom hitch extension covers most of the plate with an upper brace arm.

If I did not have the three plates to use, I would colour copy my non-stickered plate; trim it to size; laminate it with a little thicker material and buy/use a plate frame/protector when mounting it to the TC. Then fuggetaboutit.

[billyray50]

Couple years back I bought a used Lance 990 from a gentleman who was 15 year professional fireman. Friends with many state troopers. This subject came up and he stated he traveled all cross this country with no plate on this camper for 8 years that was 11.5 feet model with big over hang. Never put a plate on the camper. Stated TC was considered Cargo. I agree but I put a plate on my TC anyways. Previously owned a lance 815 that had no overhang and left plate on truck. Traveled 4000 miles and never was an issue.

[macdale4]

I have driven all over the US and Canada for the past 14 years with my tag on the truck and have never been pulled over because they couldn't see my tag. I'd just leave it on the truck.

[EfonFred]

For a reason I won't explain I have a third plate that I put on the camper. The current registration tag is on the plate on the truck. I figured if I was stopped, the officer could run the plate on his 'computer and it would come up as current. Do my darndest to not make a Leo have to burn time on me.