How to haul a camper

[SeanM]

Ok I need to haul a camper from FL to NY. Problem is the camper has a salvage title on it and is not registered. My mother bought this camper with a salvage title a few years back and was going to register it but never got around to it. She just sold her house and didn't think her house was going to sell this quick so now she is in a pinch. If I can't move it she is going to have to pay a transport company $1800 to move it. So how can I legally haul this camper?

 

[PToombs]

Know anybody with a dealer plate? Easist way I can think of.

The other option is to register it. I know what is involved with getting a salvage inspection on a car, but no idea on a camper. You may not be able to register it until you get it salvage inspected.

Good luck!

 

[B.G. Smith]

Check with your local DOT, here I can get a 10 day one way tag for $5. 00 which I have done several times to move a trailer from lake to deer camp or vice versa. Might be worth a try? bg

 

[Bob Cochran]

Same as in Arizona in fact you can do it on line and get a temporary paper one you can print of line.

I need to add I have not done this on the computer for a few years. With all this Home Land Security and changes you may not be able to on line anymore.

Check with your local DOT, here I can get a 10 day one way tag for $5. 00 which I have done several times to move a trailer from lake to deer camp or vice versa. Might be worth a try? bg

 

[HBarlow]

I did what BG Smith suggested two years ago when I found a clean used fifth wheel in La Grande, OR for my son-in-law's company and went to pick it up. I took along a TX paper plate purchased the day before I left home and had no problem.

But states other than my home state that issued the temporary plate, TX in my case, may not be obligated to honor the temporary plate. The court house clerk that sold me the paper plate warned me about that factor. She advised that some states will stop you and demand a temporary plate for their state as well. I didn't have that experience so couldn't verify her warning.

Another solution if you don't mind being a little devious is to borrow a NY trailer license plate from another trailer you own or from a friend. Attach the plate to the trailer when you hook up to it and anyone who sees you will figure you're just another RVer on a summer trip. If you are stopped for speeding or an inoperative tail lamp and the officer runs the plate you may have a problem.

In the early '90s I bought an immaculate '87 Avion 32' travel trailer in northern Illinois. I took a TX trailer license plate off another trailer I owned with me. I bought an IL temporary paper plate just to record the title transfer and make the seller happy but at the first truck stop I encountered I put the TX plate on and traveled all over New England before I returned home to TX. Had no problem with the sneaky method.

 

[LandShark]

What kind of 'camper'? If it's a slide-in you don't need a separate tag in FL. Just move the truck tag to the back of the camper.

 

[SeanM]

Its a 2006 mallard 37' bumper pull.

 

[HBarlow]

I hope you plan on replacing all four tires before you pull it. If you don't replace the tires before you begin the journey a license plate will be less important than being stranded alongside the highway with blown tires and the trailer damage that will result.

An '06 trailer that has never been moved has four junk tires on it I can guarantee.

 

[SeanM]

I replaced the tires and wheel bearings a year ago and put it up on blocks over a concrete pad. Not sure of the brakes though I will check them before I go. I am a stickler for tires, wheel bearings, and brakes. I pull my wheel bearings and brakes to check and repack on my 30' G neck every time I go on a road trip.

 

[HBarlow]

That's good. You are knowledgeable about trailers so you shouldn't have any problem getting it home.