will Washington state issue temporary plate

[Greg A]

Yes, the insurance thing was odd. USAA covered us towing in this situation on our pickup trip.
If you're not comfortable towing with the paperwork in order like most all of us have done, then sit tight at the KOA in Lynden or some such. If ur DMV is willing to do it by phone/mail and no inspection then it will work out. By the time you get the plates you'll have the trailer completely checked out and off you go.
I don't think the WA paper tags are a solution.

[thoer]

All my insurance company requires is the trailer make, model, value and VIN number, and then of course payment.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by thoer

All my insurance company requires is the trailer make, model, value and VIN number, and then of course payment.

I think that is pretty universal, is it not? I know with driven vehicles here, you need proof of insurance before they will register.

With trailers here though, no insurance is required. We just paid $22 to transfer our permanent trailer plate to our new trailer, complete with getting a new plate too. About the only thing cheaper in Canada though.

[float5]

The other thing that an insurance company wants to know is where the vehicle is garaged. If you garage it in a state other than your home state, or legal residence, they likely want to insure it there. And the registration needs to agree with the insurance on where it is.

[Rossue]

Great strategy for those not going to be home before 30 days- keep switching insurance companies. I too just switched from Auto Club to Everest National and final tally was $200 vs. $240(AAA). More for less, how does that work?

On the registration thing- it comes around repeatedly but the word is Chill! You can't stop these states and their stupid DMV rules. If your are a compulsive type then stock up on Tums or worse abbreviate your trip in order to comply with the rules. Otherwise Be Happy, Dont Worry

[SpokanEscape]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

So, a legal registration requires you paying the 6% sales tax and inspection fee to Washington State and then what, apply for a refund in your home state? . Seems like a lot of hoops for a 6 hour drive through. Register Off-Road Vehicles & RVs in Washington | DMV.org

Just to clarify - the temporary 3 day permit in Washington state does not involve having an inspection or paying sales tax. You just pay your $30 and when you write the date on it is valid for 3 days. The sales tax (ouch!) is paid when you get your plates/title.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

Insurance
I think I lot of you are confusing your trailer insurance with liability insurance.

Liability insurance is covered with the tow vehicle . Not the trailer policy ..
My auto insurance is safe co and I called and confirmed it only cover trailers if there registered. (other policys in other states my vary)

I would also purchase a nation general policy ( witch is optional) This would cover the camper and campsite liability or any time the trailer is not on the ball.But as long as the hooked to the ball it liability would go on tow vehicle policy . That's why states do not require the trailers have insurance

also I purchased a national general policy last week on my casita over the phone. One of the thing they had me agree to is the trailer would be registered all year. Maybe this is only for new York policy's i don't know.

I was thinking there be a easy way to solve this but looks like a big pain in the butt.

I am surprised the number of people that Just pick them up and drive home with no plates , breaking laws in every state they drive threw .

I going to call the Washington DMV But i would assume there 3 day tag would be good in other states,But if its not it would be useless

To my knowledge there is no state that requires a insurance policy on the trailer, But all 50 require A current registration

I just trying to figure out a legal way to do it so i can enjoy my vacation

[cpaharley2008]

Ask Safeco if it covers new trailers being towed on the way home to get registration. Most companies cover 30 days automatically. I once bought a car in Georgia and drove it home (Ebay purchase) and contacted my insurance once I was in state. They told me I was covered for any additional vehicles automatically.

[thoer]

I've been told the same from my insurance company as Jim reports. As far as everything related to liability insurance, on my policy that is all assigned to the tow. The only thing specific to the trailer are damages to it due to collision and comprehensive.

I think if one finds themselves completely obsessed with worry about the trip home, that the delivery charges may be well worth the cost.

[cpaharley2008]

But, do you insure the trailer FOB Chilliwack or your home location?? Another issue to worry about. I always had mine insured the date of completion, if it's covered by Dave while in transit, then duplicated coverage, but 2 are better than -0-.

[George and Linda]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

But, do you insure the trailer FOB Chilliwack or your home location?? Another issue to worry about. I always had mine insured the date of completion, if it's covered by Dave while in transit, then duplicated coverage, but 2 are better than -0-.

Good point Jim.

[cpaharley2008]

Welcome George and Linda, to our little world. Why not post here and tell us why you want an Escape.....New Member Introductions - Escape Trailer Owners Community

[drjp]

Well, Cal DMV agent just spouted the pretty demanding California rules: VIN's got to be inspected inside the state before they'll issue /Cal tags.

But I talked with Tammy about it, and she was really reassuring, basically that she's heard of no ETI customer having trouble with the troopers while they're taking their trailer home, even if the return is somewhat circuitous. Showing the troopers the trailer's papers has done the trick.

First, as we're taking the trailer import over the border in Lynden, Washington and then planning to stay at the KOA one night for a shakedown, she suggested just going to the nearby WA DMV and getting temporary tags. They'll serve just fine when we drive back into BC to tour around for a week. Then we just come back over into the States and head on home.


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[johnwarrensimpson]

Utah requires proof of ownership and certificate of inspection before registration. Since I am picking up my trailer in Sumas, spending the first night in Lynden, then heading back over to Osoyoos for two days, I am thinking two temporary Washington tags might be helpful. Any thoughts on the matter?

[drjp]

I'm planning to buy three tags (9 days). ��

[cpaharley2008]

Those of you with existing trailers should just keep the old one when sold and use it on the new Escape until you get home and transfer the tag.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by johnwarrensimpson

Utah requires proof of ownership and certificate of inspection before registration. Since I am picking up my trailer in Sumas, spending the first night in Lynden, then heading back over to Osoyoos for two days, I am thinking two temporary Washington tags might be helpful. Any thoughts on the matter?

I'm in the "better to show something" camp. I've gotten WA temporary permits even on a wrecked car that didn't have a vin plate. Towing without anything just seems like not the thing to do. But everyone seems to have their own comfort level on that.

Ron

[NCBill]

Before registering may not mean before temporary tag.

I just needed a VIN number to get a SC temporary tag. It was technically only good in SC, but I took it with me to NJ, bought a motorcycle, and rode it home. I did not want to go through several states without any tag on the back.

[KirkB]

Originally Posted by drjp

Well, Cal DMV agent just spouted the pretty demanding California rules: VIN's got to be inspected inside the state before they'll issue /Cal tags.

But I talked with Tammy about it, and she was really reassuring, basically that she's heard of no ETI customer having trouble with the troopers while they're taking their trailer home, even if the return is somewhat circuitous. Showing the troopers the trailer's papers has done the trick.

First, as we're taking the trailer import over the border in Lynden, Washington and then planning to stay at the KOA one night for a shakedown, she suggested just going to the nearby WA DMV and getting temporary tags. They'll serve just fine when we drive back into BC to tour around for a week. Then we just come back over into the States and head on home.


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Did you ask the Cal DMV agent if you need any temporary licensing while bringing the trailer to get inspected? Curious to find out what the official answer is to this question, this problem is prevalent in many states. Of course the answer could be different for each state, perhaps also depends on the agent you are talking to.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by KirkB

Did you ask the Cal DMV agent if you need any temporary licensing while bringing the trailer to get inspected? Curious to find out what the official answer is to this question, this problem is prevalent in many states. Of course the answer could be different for each state, perhaps also depends on the agent you are talking to.

Calif. DMV will (and can only) give you the answer from the CA regs.: within 20 days of the vehicle's entry into California, you must register.
We were informally advised that prior to entry, we had a bill of sale from ETI, and export documents stamped by U.S. Customs at the port of entry (Sumas), that established that the trailer was legally in the U.S. and that we are the legal owners.
So, the OP's question should discovered from Canadian sources: Is that documentation (ownership & export approval docs.) sufficient to enter Canada for a period of time?

We camped and traveled in WA and OR for 2½ weeks prior to returning to CA, with no license plate on the trailer, only the stack of paperwork given to us when we received the trailer in Sumas.