Towing Unregistered - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Me | General Topics > Paper Escape
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-31-2012, 03:56 PM   #1
JC
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Trailer: 2011 5.0
Posts: 11
Towing Unregistered

This is my first post, so bear with me. It will take awhile to get to the question. Been lurking for about a year (and it seems like I know a number of you fairly well). Looked at a Casita and a Scamp last spring, then saw Alf's 5.0. It wasn't a hard decision. Ordered our 5.0 in June, built in December, and we pick it up Friday April 13th. We live in Michigan, and after picking up the trailer will return directly, via Washington, Oregon, California, New Mexico, Texas, etc. About a 4 week, 4,500 mile return trip. Now, Michigan will not let us register and plate the trailer without the custom's stamp at the border, and having a Michigan officer verify the VIN. So, the entire return trip will be without registration and plate on the trailer. Michigan Secretary of State personnel had no suggestions to offer other than don't hang anything on the back because we could get in bigger trouble for that than having nothing. So now the question: Have any of you in the states had a similar situation when picking up, and did you ever get stopped for no plate?
(OK Alf, I finally posted.)
Thanks,
Jim
JC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2012, 05:31 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Re: Towing Unregistered

Hi: JC... Feels better now doesn't it. The excitement is written all over your post!!! Seems strange in this cash strapped era that Mich. DOT. wouldn't offer a temp $$$$ permit for say 30-60 days.
Not withstanding Tammy will supply all the Doc's. and driving on a bill of sale should suffice until you meet up with that one citation short cop on a tight quota.
Do you have a boat trailer plate OOOPs that could generate more revenue for the Troopers!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2012, 05:55 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
ColoRockiesFan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Reston, Virginia
Trailer: none
Posts: 212
Re: Towing Unregistered

I'm suffering from a similar (but less complex issue). My 19 will be delivered to me in May. I need to be able to park it legally on a public street for a few days and then tow it to my storage facility. My DMV will not let me register the trailer until I have the title in hand. My finance company wants to do the titling and that will take 4-6 weeks to process. So, what to do?

I will try to convince the DMV to let me register the trailer (after a safety inspection?) with the docs that Tammy sends me. AND, I'll try to convince the finance company to let me handle the titling and lien holder documentation. Otherwise, I'll have to tow it illegally and have to let it sit in the storage yard for weeks .... there goes May and June camping ...
ColoRockiesFan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2012, 06:29 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Re: Towing Unregistered

We were able to get a temporary travel permit issued from CA.. I forgot how long it was good for, but it basically allows you to pick-up out a state and bring it back to register..
__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2012, 10:03 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Re: Towing Unregistered

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoRockiesFan
I'm suffering from a similar (but less complex issue). My 19 will be delivered to me in May. I need to be able to park it legally on a public street for a few days and then tow it to my storage facility. My DMV will not let me register the trailer until I have the title in hand. My finance company wants to do the titling and that will take 4-6 weeks to process. So, what to do?

I will try to convince the DMV to let me register the trailer (after a safety inspection?) with the docs that Tammy sends me. AND, I'll try to convince the finance company to let me handle the titling and lien holder documentation. Otherwise, I'll have to tow it illegally and have to let it sit in the storage yard for weeks .... there goes May and June camping ...
The paperwork from Tammy worked for me to register & insure my trailer here in NY before I left to pick it up. I took a plate with me...
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 07:29 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
sjnuss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19
Posts: 374
Re: Towing Unregistered

In TX I was able to get a 30 day temp tag with the certificate of origin doc that Tammy sent prior to my trailer being finished. This is the same temp tag as what we get when we buy a new car. So I would think you should be able to get something similar in your state.

Good luck,
Steve
__________________
Steve and Cynthia
San Antonio, TX
Escape 19 "Why So Serious?"
2019 Chevy Silverado RST 1500, 5.3L
sjnuss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 04:46 PM   #7
JC
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Trailer: 2011 5.0
Posts: 11
Re: Towing Unregistered

Actually, Michigan does not offer temporary registration. We went to 2 different offices, one of which tried very hard to help us, and specifically asked about temporary registration. No go. There is no uniformity of process amoung the states. (Ask Tammy, and she'll tell you it's not even uniform within the state of Wisconsin.) My backup is to bring the plate from our pop-up and use it if we start to get hassled by the gendarmes.
JC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 07:08 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Texas Hill Country,
Trailer: Escape 5.0 (sold)
Posts: 77
Re: Towing Unregistered

We also got the 30-day Texas permit that Steve mentioned. But the permit is only good in Texas. There is no reciprocity among the states. I guess that implies you should get a permit from each state you travel through. Displaying the permit on the trailer at least made us feel better, even if it was worthless until we entered Texas.

Marv
__________________
2016 Escape 21
2016 Ford F150 EB
MMarvin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 07:25 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Re: Towing Unregistered

Quote:
Originally Posted by JC
Actually, Michigan does not offer temporary registration. We went to 2 different offices, one of which tried very hard to help us, and specifically asked about temporary registration. No go. There is no uniformity of process amoung the states. (Ask Tammy, and she'll tell you it's not even uniform within the state of Wisconsin.) My backup is to bring the plate from our pop-up and use it if we start to get hassled by the gendarmes.
Hi: JC... My second guess is that the "Troopers" will be so dazzled by the good looks of the Escape 5.0 they won't even notice it's not plated. They're only interested in the big buck fines!!! : Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 07:30 PM   #10
Member
 
jaerikson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Trailer: 2023 E21C
Posts: 88
Re: Towing Unregistered

In Texas each county is different... I was able to take Tammy's paperwork and get title and registration before I ever left to pick up the trailer... I put the permanent plates on the trailer before I ever left Chilliwack.
__________________
Jackie and Pam Erikson
2023 Ford F-150 SuperCrew PowerBoost
2023 E21C
2020 Australian Shepherd Mix - "Isabeau"
jaerikson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 08:38 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Re: Towing Unregistered

I recommend you buy a couple bicycles and a bike carrier for the rear of the trailer.
If they do notice that you don't have a plate, you can always ride the bikes home.

baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 09:24 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Re: Towing Unregistered

Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I recommend you buy a couple bicycles and a bike carrier for the rear of the trailer.
If they do notice that you don't have a plate, you can always ride the bikes home.

baglo
Hmmm.. or buy a ton of beer and if you get pulled over just start drinking...
__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2012, 11:21 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 276
Re: Towing Unregistered

Just put your Texas trip permit in the back window and drive it home. The States are more interested in the tow vehicle being properly licensed. Enjoy your trip home.
Chuck
__________________
Tundra Crewmax 2007,2001 Bigfoot 21RB, 73 Boler, 75 ECO,
hippo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 10:26 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
rvomaha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Posts: 238
Re: Towing Unregistered

Quote:
Originally Posted by JC
We live in Michigan, and after picking up the trailer will return directly, via Washington, Oregon, California, New Mexico, Texas, etc. About a 4 week, 4,500 mile return trip. Now, Michigan will not let us register and plate the trailer without the custom's stamp at the border, and having a Michigan officer verify the VIN. So, the entire return trip will be without registration and plate on the trailer.
Jim, I cannot believe how similar your situation is to ours. We live in Nebraska and will pick up our 19 on April 12, traveling "directly", as you say, back through Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Colorado, on a 4-week trip. And all without being licensed. Nebraska cannot license us or register our Escape without the paperwork we will acquire at the border. I wrote Tammy about whether she will provide us with an "In Transit" sticker, which is the temporary solution I would expect, but she clearly didn't understand what I was asking about, so I guess the answer is "No." I wonder if we can make our own and tape it on the back of the trailer.

See you in the hoosegow. --Liz
__________________
2012 Escape 19 towed by 2012 Ford Flex
See lots more about our Escape at https://kibitka.blogspot.com/
rvomaha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 11:38 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Jim Bennett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
Re: Towing Unregistered

Seems things are done differently south of the border. Here, I just need proof of ownership, and maybe insurance (I can't remember on this), and it is registered right away. No hassles at all. I know a good friend who bought a trailer in the US, and got plates for it here with no problems before heading down to pick it up.

Isn't bureaucratic BS a lot of fun. I do get to deal with it on a municipal level all the time with permits, inspections and the such.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Jim Bennett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 04:47 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Re: Towing Unregistered

While, as I mentioned in a previous post, I didn't have a problem getting NY to register the trailer with Tammy's paperwork, I neglected to describe my first attempt.

Well ahead of time I went to the local NY DMV office an asked what the procedure should be for registering the trailer. With a straight face they told me to drive the trailer across the border, mail the paperwork to the Oswego, NY office, they would then determine what the fee would be, and mail the bill back to me, have me mail a check back to them & they would mail a plate to me. Probably would have taken a month or two!

I'm glad that after I got the paperwork from Tammy I played dumb & went to the office, handed them the pile of papers, and registered it. The only minor hassle was converting the weight from kg to lbs since the registration fee in NY is based on weight. They even used the Canadian price to calculate sales tax even though at the time they would have made more money if they had converted to what I actually paid in US dollars.

I guess my point is it might pay to attempt to register it after you get the paperwork. All they can tell you is no, and it might just work!
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 08:26 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Re: Towing Unregistered

Here in CA they needed to inspect the trailer prior to registering it.. But we were able to get a temp permit. It crazy that there's no way to get some kind of permit to bring it into the state..
__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2012, 11:57 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Devil Dog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Steveston B.C., British Columbia
Trailer: 2012- 17'B.... 2016 Tacoma SR5 TRD
Posts: 504
Re: Towing Unregistered

Is it possible to get insurance on a trailer with out registering it first.? I think insurance would be important on a new trailer.I wouldn't go ten feet with out proper insurance and liability.You don't want Murphy's law to rear it's ugly head. : Just thinking out loud here.
__________________
I've almost been everywhere man.
Almost been everywhere.....
Devil Dog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2012, 02:04 PM   #19
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 16
Re: Towing Unregistered

I had the trailer shipped to So Cal, so I didn't have the transit issues, but there was much confusion at the DMV office... small office and some round and round on the registration (no agreement on what paperwork was needed), but it got done.

I will say that hauling the unplated trailer back and forth from the storage lot did not raise any cop's eyebrows and they are "extra vigilant" in this area for motor vehicle infractions of any kind.
Carol A. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2012, 03:52 PM   #20
JC
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Trailer: 2011 5.0
Posts: 11
Re: Towing Unregistered

I had it insured as soon as the build was complete (Insurance companies are always happy to take your money). Didn't need a jet engine falling out of the sky and destroying it in the Escape yard without ever seeing it. I'll let you know if we get stopped at all.
Jim
JC is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:09 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.