Trailer from different state to tow vehicle?

[rob_h]

Is it possible (legal) for a travel trailer to have license plates from a different state (or even country) than the tow vehicle?

I live in Baja California, Mexico, and my SUV is registered there. I'm considering getting a small travel trailer and using it only in the US and Canada during trips there (I have a place I can store it).

Since Baja has complicated rules for importing vehicles (including trailers), and I don't want to keep having to drag the trailer down to Mexico for renewals, it would be nice if I could register (and insure) the trailer somewhere in the US or Canada instead.

I'm British, so I'm not a resident of any part of the US or Canada, and I'd have to pick a state that allows the registration by a non-resident. But that's still probably easier than dealing with importing the trailer to Mexico.

This would be similar to somebody from Canada having a trailer in Arizona or Florida that they register and leave there and just drive around the US with it in the winter. Can this be done?

Most state and province web sites are not much help for this question (I've looked), as they assume you're a resident of that state.

Thanks

Rob

[DownTheAvenue]

Retired JSO wrote:
Containers arrive every day at our port with different license plates trucked over land by mostly private truck owners from all over the country.

No the containers arrive without any vehicle registration. They are attached to a trailer with registration. Do you really think every one of those containers has a license plate from China??? LOL!!!!!!

[kknowlton]

We spent a weeklong vacation across 3 or 4 states with such a combination one time; our tow vehicle was involved in an accident several weeks before the planned trip, and wasn't ready by the time we needed it for the trip, so we borrowed our old tow vehicle back for that week. (We had sold it to a friend, who lived just across the state line.) No problems, but I did have her write a note, which we kept in the glove compartment, which said it was ok for us to borrow the vehicle, just in case there had been one.

[rob_h]

Thanks for all the replies. Good to know it's possible, but thinking about it more it's probably not a good idea - as several have mentioned, it would be rather unusual for police (and for CBP), as well as hard to register as a non-resident in most states.

I did previously have a car registered in South Dakota as a non-resident (years ago), but their rules have tightened in recent years for non-US citizens.

So I'll drop the idea. Thanks again for helping me clarify this thought.

Rob

[Bumpyroad]

RoyB wrote:


I would check-in with the California Department of Transportation
Joint Port of Entry and hear what they have to say since this will be your first State coming into from Mexico... Getting hear-say info from all of us on here is probably not the best solution...

Roy Ken

I think with the various assorted extra hoops CA requires you to jump thru according to previous posts, I would NOT select that as home base.
bumpy

[Retired_JSO]

No problem. If you look at most commercial vehicles, the tractor is from the state of ownership or home location and the trailer could be from Tim buc tu. Containers arrive every day at our port with different license plates trucked over land by mostly private truck owners from all over the country.

[naturist]

Only if the two share identical paint jobs. Just kidding. I can't see as how there'd be a problem. Renting things is legal everywhere, isn't it?

[westend]

I'm sure it can be done but will require some researching and communication to get it organized. There are states where an address drop is all that is needed for US citizens. Sometimes, residency is required. SD will issue a drivers license after one day of residency.

[98coachman]

Why not just rent one when you want to camp? No storage, no insurance to deal with, no maintenance, no address, no license to acquire. Just go have fun, It's all good!:S
Happy camping,
Bill

[DownTheAvenue]

Traveling in the US with a vehicle registered in Mexico and towing a trailer registered in the US will be a giant red flag for law enforcement. You will want to carry with you all legal documents showing ownership of the tow vehicle and trailer.

Getting registration and insurance for the trailer in the US will be quite a challenge. In order to register the trailer in the US, you will have to obtain a street address in the US, and establish a residency. Without legal authorization to be a US resident, it might be problematic. Without an established residency, obtaining insurance will be impossible, I think. Your best resource will be mail forwarding services that cater to full timers. Dakota Post in Sioux Falls, SD is a good one. South Dakota seems to have loose rules about establishing residency.

[stickdog]

You may want to register it in the state you plan to store it.

[RoyB]

I think you will raise a RED FLAG with the LAW ENFORCEMENT folks. They always perk up when they see different States associated with one vehicle... So keep your trailer registration paperwork handy to show them... They would get real excited if they see a FLORIDA plate on the front and a MAINE plate on the rear of your truck.

I think the common sense thing to do is have the Drivers license and Vehicle/Trailer Plate's registration all from the same State or Country. That is the rule I follow here with my RV units here in Virginia...

I would check-in with the California Department of Transportation
Joint Port of Entry and hear what they have to say since this will be your first State coming into from Mexico... Getting hear-say info from all of us on here is probably not the best solution...

Roy Ken

[K-9_HANDLER]

SprinklerMan wrote:
look at the State of Maine .

No camper trailers

[SprinklerMan]

look at the State of Maine .

[Nicholsfamily05]

There is no issue with your toe vehicle and trailer being registered in different places. Happens all the time.

Your biggest issue is going to be trying to register whichever one you want in the different state since you will have to do their requirements. I know some states require you to have a physical address in their state as others say a P.O. Box is fine.

Good luck