Trailer licensing

[kahpho]

OK, this question occurred to me because of something said in another discussion. Don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.

Here in Oregon I don't need to register or license my trailer if gross weight is less the 1,700 lbs. My boat and trailer combined would run about 1,400 lbs. Guess what my choice is. Now my question... do other states recognize Oregon DMV rules if I trailer into or thru their jurisdiction? Or, will I need to get some kind of permit to trailer sail out of state? Or, worse yet, is each state going to be different? If so, it might just be worthwhile to license the damn thing. Any knowledgeable trailering people here care to educate me?

thanks, mel

[Red Planet]

If you drive through other states without a license affixed to your trailer, you may be stopped. Then you'll have the opportunity to explain Oregon's no-license law to the friendly, but skeptical, highway patrolman.

[mrb]

   pick up a copy of trailer registration rules from dmv and Carry with you.  I used to trailer into Washington and California and was never stopped.  Just be friendly.

[B.Hart]

   In Florida all trailers need a tag, but you only need a title if the trailer weighs over 2000#'s empty  BILL

[nies]

In good old Wisconsin we tax/license everything except boat trailers. Most law men know every state has different licensing requirements for trailers and don't mess with it, but if going to other states than your own I would carry a copy of your states DVM rules in glovebox........might save you from Barney Fife.....Phil

[NateD]

As others have said, you'll be fine. You only have to worry about licensing/titling issues in the state where you live (or where the trailer spends most of it's time). You do have to obey trailer safety laws of the states you pass through, like weight/width/height/brakes/lights. At least in MN (where you have to title boat trailers), we have moved away from license plates and annual tabs and moved to life time licenses that are just stickers that go on the side of the tongue. So a patrolman following you would have no idea if the trailer were properly licensed unless they pulled you over. If you're lights are working, the boat (and mast) looks secure, and you're going the speed limit you'll be just fine in any state I think.