License plates from truck to TC and back again, and again.

[MN_Ben]

I like to unload my camper at the CG and go for what ever reason. I will need to remove the rear plate from the camper and mount it back onto the truck. I called my local DMV and asked if I could get a third license plate for my camper. The lady said "nope, they only come in pairs".

I was wontering what may be an easy fix, if any, for when I drop my camper and want to go. Maybe unscrewing the the two screws is no big deal and I am getting overly anal about making things easy. I was thinking of using my front plate (we have two here in Minnesota)but would like to hear from other to see if they have found a clever way of doing this.

[idaho_camper]

About 3 or 4 years ago, I moved my truck's front license plate to the camper. And it's remained there every since. So I've been driving my rig around for ~4 years without a front license plate -- both with the camper loaded and unloaded on the truck. And I've driven by MANY LEO's in that time. Never been pulled over. (knock on wood)

I'm not saying this is the correct thing to do. Nor am I saying it's legal. And, without a doubt, if I was traveling out of my region (and CERTAINLY my state) I would move it. Until then, and unless I am counseled by LEO, I'll leave it as is.

[Bigfootchevy]

Many states and provinces have laws against obscuring part or all a license plate. My truck camper causes this problem also.

But as far as I am concerned its not legal to remove your license plate and put it on your camper. After all its your truck that is licensed not your camper.

I have driven from the tip of Newfoundland to Alaska without a problem.

My advise leave it on your truck.

Paul

[sleepy]

In Tenn we have a single plate

1 ton trucks and larger can have the lic plate on the front of the truck fulltime if the owner wishes.

Our truck camper is cargo... meaning no registration, no licence plate, no taxes....

Sounds like a good thing to me...

Think that I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing.

In Tenn 3/4 ton truck owners will have to be inconvienenced as they switch their plate... but then again it's only for $24 per year.

Yep... our annual registration fee and single licence plate costs $24/year and nothing for the truck camper.

I've never heard anyone in TEnnessee whine about switching the plate from TC to T and back again.

Sleepy

[wnjj]

For those states where you switch your plate over, what about pulling a trailer? That blocks the plate too. I think it's utter nonsense that you have to put the plate on your cargo. The "covered plate" laws were written to keep people from covering them with mud or stickers, not campers. Probably one of those laws that probably didn't keep up with "technology".

[Kidoo]

We do not have a licence plate in front in Quebec and I traveled across USA for the past 30 years. It was never a problem. You can see the back one from a distance behind the truck but for example when crossing the border, they cannot see the plate with the camera, so I have to tell them the number, unless they go out and check it out. This was never a problem either.

[DianneOK]

My gosh....we switch plates all the time. It only takes a few minutes and is part of the prep.

Here in Idaho, the plates must be switched, no copies....we asked several DMVs, our local sheriff, our local state trooper, the dealer, even our storage owner mentions it when taking it in or out of storage. So we took the hint hint and switch.

[nycsteve]

I copied and laminated the plate for display on the TC. The real plate is always on the truck where it belongs. No issues for 6-7 years. If Highway PD wants to ticket you they will find plenty with or without a laminated copy. Dont sweat the small stuff.

[artfd]

I moved my plate to where it can be seen, with or without the camper in place. My camper overhangs the rear and blocks the regular truck tail lights. Years back I installed a Class III hitch on my F250. I noticed the huge metal angles which were part of the hitch & I simply added 2x2's painted flat black (to match the hitch) as wings on either side of the hitch. On those 'wings' I installed trailer lights - and disconnected my regular taillights. That way I had tail & turn signals usable and visible with or without the camper in place. It was simple to mount my license plate below one of the signals (the one that illuminated the plate) and leave it that way.

[dubob]

Just for grins, I wrote to the Utah DMV and asked them – “Does Utah State law require me to move the license plate from the truck to the truck camper when the camper is loaded onto the truck and being transported by the truck on state roads?”

Here is the answer I got back from them today along with the quoted Utah statute: “Yes that is required because the plate has to be visible."

41-1a-404. Location and position of plates.

• (3) Every license plate shall at all times be:
  
• 
  
• (a) securely fastened:
  
• 
  
• (i) in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued to prevent the plate from swinging;
  
• 
  
• (ii) at a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate;
  
• 
  
• (iii) in a place and position to be clearly visible.
  
• 
  
• (b) maintained;
  
• 
  
• (i) free from foreign materials;
  
• 
  
• (ii) in a condition to be clearly legible.

[MN_Ben]

bobndot wrote:
Hang this on the camper

Thanks Bob. I like that!

[tooldad1041]

I'm lucky then. In Missouri, any truck licensed at 18k+ only gets a front plate. On the other hand when I lived in Kansas City, MO and worked on the KS side, I was pulled over 3 times in 3 years for not having a rear plate, no ticket could be issued. 2 of the times I explained and officer said have a good day. 1 time, officer had to call the DOT to verify, took over 15 min, aaggh!

[bobndot]

Hang this on the camper

[therobzilla]

I was having the same issues, I live in AZ. The standard plates that come from DMV only have one, in AZ you only have to run one plate in the rear of the vehicle.

However if you order Vanity Plates, you get two from DMV, it's an extra $25 a year for the Vanity Plates. I mounted the second Vanity plate on the back of the camper, and then went down to DMV and told them I lost my registration sticker, they issued a duplicate, at no charge and I attached it to my vanity plate on the back of the camper. I now don't have to remove the truck plate each time I load the camper. I have a large 1121 Lance so the truck plate in the rear is concealed.

No matter, everything is legal and checks out when they run the plates. At least in AZ it's an easy fix.

Rob

[MN_Nate]

Hey Ben, I'm from centeral MN and have had no issues with getting pulled over for not moving my rear plate to the camper.