Delaying title and registration

[JennyAK]

We’re from Alaska and picking up our Escape in WA in September. We’ll be using our Escape to snowbird… traveling for several months before returning to AK, at which time we’ll leave our Escape “Outside” (as Alaskans call the lower 48). So - we won’t be able to register the camper in AK until our return. Has anyone had problems traveling for several months with an unregistered camper? Any words of advice? Thank you!

[cpaharley2008]

I am not aware of any owner having issues with an unregistered trailer while enroute home.....

[UncleTim]

I didn't have any problem when I drove home without a plate.

And then it was still bad trying to get plates so I just went on a 700 mile road trip, passed and was followed by several constables and NEVER had any issue.

Then I went home and got plates. I was going to tell the officer I just picked it up if they asked. They didn't.

[gbaglo]

Brings to mind all the "stolen trailer" threads and the confidence people have that the police will locate their trailer if they put a chip in it, or paint a number on the top.

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Brings to mind all the "stolen trailer" threads and the confidence people have that the police will locate their trailer if they put a chip in it, or paint a number on the top.

Yes, anything one does to prevent trouble is worthwhile, but good insurance coverage may be the best insurance against loss.


OK. I confess. I drove 500 miles with RV plates off my old Casita, when I picked up my Escape rig.



Many states have no requirement for plates with under 3,000 lbs trailer weight. Others do. Depends on where you are at. I'd suspect, unless it's a newby officer, they have bigger fish to fry.

[VictorPA]

We knew Pennsylvania would take forever to send plates plus ETI got our names wrong on the certificate of origin...so we put plates from our utility trailer on our 5.0 and drove 5800 miles (round trip) on our “maiden” voyage. No problem.
In the end it took over three weeks after registering our trailer (with the corrected certificate of origin) to finally have the right plates in our hands.

[oldwave]

Ohio allowed me to get temp tags with the purchase agreement that showed a vin, then 4 weeks later when we returned and a vin inspection and payment of state taxes, I got a title and real plates.

[Calicia]

I had my plates with me when I went to ETI to pick up the trailer then forgot to put them on and drove for over two months in Washington, Oregon and California before I remembered. Never was stopped.

[Shiny]

I just drove my new used 5.0 home about 300 miles.

Seller had financed, gave me a bill of sale. We paid his lender directly. Bill of sale stated no lien, affirmed by seller.

Colorado has a 36 hour grace period so there was no concern driving home plateless.

Took Bill of Sale into CO DMV for temp tags while waiting for title.

CO DMV refused to issue, as they still showed a lien in their system. They said they would issue only with authorization from lender. They basically said the bill of sale could be fraudulant.

Seller and I called his lender. They acknowledged payoff and title was processing but refused to send a letter to prove it.

I am now stuck having to tow illegally until lender and seller get me the title...

Huh?

Really

Go figure....

I confess to providing constructive feedback to the lender. Made me feel better, anyway....

[GregColdewey]

I'm sure every jurisdiction is different. In Texas I was able to take the bill of sale and certificate of origin to the DMV and got plates on the spot (after paying $2800 in sales tax). So, I had them with me when I picked up the trailer. Did a title application at the same time and received the title a few weeks later. Maybe worth the trip to go to the DMV and ask the question.

[AK snowbiker]

Originally Posted by JennyAK

We’re from Alaska and picking up our Escape in WA in September. We’ll be using our Escape to snowbird… traveling for several months before returning to AK, at which time we’ll leave our Escape “Outside” (as Alaskans call the lower 48). So - we won’t be able to register the camper in AK until our return. Has anyone had problems traveling for several months with an unregistered camper? Any words of advice? Thank you!

Just take the paperwork that Escape sends you down to the Benson Blvd office. If I remember correctly, it was around $55.00 for registration and tags. Get the lifetime “Z” tag for trailers. Had the registration and tags in hand when picking up the trailer. They will most likely ask for proof of insurance at the DMV. Scott

[raydsimmons]

Vermont will issue a temp plate for up to 60 days for a $6.00 fee. (no need for a vt address) do not drive in ny w/o some kind of plate on it

[uthorns]

Originally Posted by GregColdewey

I'm sure every jurisdiction is different. In Texas I was able to take the bill of sale and certificate of origin to the DMV and got plates on the spot (after paying $2800 in sales tax). So, I had them with me when I picked up the trailer. Did a title application at the same time and received the title a few weeks later. Maybe worth the trip to go to the DMV and ask the question.

In my county in Texas it wasn't anywhere near that easy. They insisted I have a VIN inspection $40 which is only at one location in the county which was 30 miles from me on a Thursday morning. You get in line first come first serve. So I have to pay $25 for temporary tag good for 30 days, take a half day off work and get the inspection. I offered to pay the taxes but she said just wait.
I get the inspection and go back to pay my taxes, buy the tags and then find out 30 days have passed since I took delivery so now have to pay a penalty on the taxes.
$2800 total.
Weeks later we are about halfway to Branson, Missouri when I realize I forgot to put the new tags on the trailer. It's stored away from our house. So we drive 1000 miles thru 4 states with a visibly expired April 4th temporary tag. We laughed that our town's over zealous motorcycle cop would probably give us a ticket when we got back.

[JennyAK]

Originally Posted by AK snowbiker

Just take the paperwork that Escape sends you down to the Benson Blvd office. If I remember correctly, it was around $55.00 for registration and tags. Get the lifetime “Z” tag for trailers. Had the registration and tags in hand when picking up the trailer. They will most likely ask for proof of insurance at the DMV. Scott

Thanks for the info! But… my understanding is that you get the necessary paperwork at the time of trailer delivery. Not sure how you could get the registration before pick up. Am I missing something?

[WillyB]

You should be just fine.

Only problem you might run into Bubba the Hillbilly Peace Officer making money for his pass through city. It's a revenue stream for these small cities.

[AK snowbiker]

Originally Posted by JennyAK

Thanks for the info! But… my understanding is that you get the necessary paperwork at the time of trailer delivery. Not sure how you could get the registration before pick up. Am I missing something?

When we purchased ours in 2014, Escape mailed all of the needed paperwork to us in Anchorage. I was in and out of the DMV in about fifteen minutes. We flew down to Bellingham with registration and plates in hand. As far as I know they still do it this way. Scott