Hauling purchased trailers across states

Jehinten · May 17, 2018

CutHighnLetFly said:
Made it!! Proud owner of a ready tp work woodchuck w/c 17

Congrats. I'm running the same chipper with a 4b3.9 Cummins. I'm loving it. It's nice running a 12" on removals after having a 6" for a couple of years.

adaycj · May 17, 2018

chipper1 said:
Congrats on the new chipper.
Do they require plates on it there. Here in Michigan no plates are required on them.

Prior to 2007 I had towed them without a plate, although I understood they were considered implements of husbandry (farm equipment) which apparently was incorrect even then.

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-48268-179824--F,00.html
http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/michigan-specialized-mobile-equipment-registration.9638/

Also in MI operating with the wrong plate can be much worse than traveling without one. The vehicle in question can be impounded, the operator can be arrested, and the max punishment is 90 days in jail. It is misdemeanor, not just a civil infraction like many typical motor vehicle offenses. I can provide the references for the civil infraction for failure to display plates if requested. No plates is a better way to go in MI. My observation is that LEOs move into action pretty quick when they run a plate while following a vehicle and it doesn't match, Although it might be hard to tell if it was a trailer.

I'm glad to hear the OP made it. Navigating the varying state rules can be tricky. I had a friend that bought a Ford Bronco in OH. He called his insurance company and had a proof of insurance sent, and then printed it. He headed for home in MI with no plate, as would be allowed in MI directly after purchase. He made it 50 miles before he was pulled over and the vehicle was promptly impounded. Three trips to OH and $750 later, his Bronco was safely home in MI. The OH authorities were adamant that the only way to travel in OH is with a plate. Without one, you can buy a temporary tag at the BMV before you drive. Exactly the opposite of MI, and also surprisingly hard to look up.

ATH · May 17, 2018

Also hard to buy a temp plate if 2 working people want to get together and do the sale after normal working hours...

chipper1 · May 18, 2018

adaycj said:
Prior to 2007 I had towed them without a plate, although I understood they were considered implements of husbandry (farm equipment) which apparently was incorrect even then.

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-48268-179824--F,00.html
http://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/michigan-specialized-mobile-equipment-registration.9638/

Also in MI operating with the wrong plate can be much worse than traveling without one. The vehicle in question can be impounded, the operator can be arrested, and the max punishment is 90 days in jail. It is misdemeanor, not just a civil infraction like many typical motor vehicle offenses. I can provide the references for the civil infraction for failure to display plates if requested. No plates is a better way to go in MI. My observation is that LEOs move into action pretty quick when they run a plate while following a vehicle and it doesn't match, Although it might be hard to tell if it was a trailer.

I'm glad to hear the OP made it. Navigating the varying state rules can be tricky. I had a friend that bought a Ford Bronco in OH. He called his insurance company and had a proof of insurance sent, and then printed it. He headed for home in MI with no plate, as would be allowed in MI directly after purchase. He made it 50 miles before he was pulled over and the vehicle was promptly impounded. Three trips to OH and $750 later, his Bronco was safely home in MI. The OH authorities were adamant that the only way to travel in OH is with a plate. Without one, you can buy a temporary tag at the BMV before you drive. Exactly the opposite of MI, and also surprisingly hard to look up.

Thanks for that, I'll be more restrained with regards to that in the future, I certainly don't want to mislead anyone.
I guess my buddy who has been fighting with local law enforcement needs to bring those post in to the SOS. He was ticked by a local officer, 3 different attempts at SOS failed to get him a plate for his chipper. I haven't talked to him about it recently, I'll contact him again about it and see what happened(last I knew he was running it without a plate). I also know another guy who runs his boom without a plate, he removed the hitch receiver as that's what an officer told him he needed to do.
As I said before many officers specialize in writing specific tickets and have no idea about the rest of the handbook, much like many people in a specific area of a trade don't know everything about that trade.

I agree it's a bad idea to put the wrong plate on a vehicle or trailer in Michigan. I heard a story from a buddy about someone switching permanent trailer plate between their boat trailer and another trailer, they ended up loosing the trailer at a boat launch because the plate was ran and came back for a different trailer(I can't remember why they ran the plate or how they knew, but they did).
Here in Michigan the plates are so cheap it doesn't make sense to bypass buying one.

adaycj · May 18, 2018

ATH said:
Also hard to buy a temp plate if 2 working people want to get together and do the sale after normal working hours...

I couldn't agree more. And even more annoying for someone traveling out of, or through a state with a new purchase. Especially when they don't have other business in the state. Especially when their destination listed on their DL doesn't require it. I could rant all day about how I can use my home states plating, registration, and insurance requirements in any contiguous state for a visit or drive through, but in this one case I could be impounded and even possibly jailed. Nonsense.

I'm sure OH is a great state, but looking south from the north I have a hard time seeing it sometimes.

adaycj · May 18, 2018

chipper1 said:
Thanks for that, I'll be more restrained with regards to that in the future, I certainly don't want to mislead anyone.
I guess my buddy who has been fighting with local law enforcement needs to bring those post in to the SOS. He was ticked by a local officer, 3 different attempts at SOS failed to get him a plate for his chipper. I haven't talked to him about it recently, I'll contact him again about it and see what happened(last I knew he was running it without a plate). I also know another guy who runs his boom without a plate, he removed the hitch receiver as that's what an officer told him he needed to do.
As I said before many officers specialize in writing specific tickets and have no idea about the rest of the handbook, much like many people in a specific area of a trade don't know everything about that trade.

I agree it's a bad idea to put the wrong plate on a vehicle or trailer in Michigan. I heard a story from a buddy about someone switching permanent trailer plate between their boat trailer and another trailer, they ended up loosing the trailer at a boat launch because the plate was ran and came back for a different trailer(I can't remember why they ran the plate or how they knew, but they did).
Here in Michigan the plates are so cheap it doesn't make sense to bypass buying one.

Many LEOs in MI have cameras and software that automatically runs plates as a they follow you. When the details don't line up, it is a reason to pull over and ask for paperwork. There is actually a reason they pull into traffic and tailgate for a minute. The guy with the boat ... it may have been as simple as the cop was behind the trailer with his computers turned on.

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1585_1587-285702--,00.html

Supposedly all he needs to do is weigh it at a certified scale and then pay the permanent trailer fee at the SOS according to the weight. He can even legally tow it to and from the scale legally to get it weighed without the plate.

My experience is that Michigan has some pretty inconsistent policies at the SOS offices. On multiple occasions I have gone to an out of the way branch to process things like out of state title transfers knowing that the branch was more about "get it done" and less about "jump through hoops". I'd try a different office if they are being difficult.

chipper1 · May 18, 2018

adaycj said:
Many LEOs in MI have cameras and software that automatically runs plates as a they follow you. When the details don't line up, it is a reason to pull over and ask for paperwork. There is actually a reason they pull into traffic and tailgate for a minute. The guy with the boat ... it may have been as simple as the cop was behind the trailer with his computers turned on.

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1585_1587-285702--,00.html

Supposedly all he needs to do is weigh it at a certified scale and then pay the permanent trailer fee at the SOS according to the weight. He can even legally tow it to and from the scale legally to get it weighed without the plate.

My experience is that Michigan has some pretty inconsistent policies at the SOS offices. On multiple occasions I have gone to an out of the way branch to process things like out of state title transfers knowing that the branch was more about "get it done" and less about "jump through hoops". I'd try a different office if they are being difficult.

I wasn't familiar with the software, but very familiar with them pulling in behind me for a bit.
The deal with the boat was something to do with the guy having a bad attitude either at the launch or in the water which drew attention to the him/ the trailer.

According to the SOS link you posted you can only take it to;

obtaining a weight receipt from a weigh master,

, which I found funny as I've only heard that term used for the DOT cops, and weigh master(county),that would not be the same as a certified scale to me as the master of a certified scale is usually someone watching the fuel pumps and taking cash at the truck stop. I just pill them to the truck stop myself as you were saying and have never had a problem, who knows if I will in the future though.
I agree there are a lot of inconsistencies in dealing with them, I use Ionia or Greenville whenever I have something I need to get pushed through. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it's done right, just that some places will not give you the answers so you can get it done right, it sure feels as though they just want to play games. I also try to walk in fifteen minutes before they close, keeps my time there under a half HR, they don't mess around as much at the end of the day, it's getting done or not.
I ran into some issues a while back with my CDL in regards to my medical card(signature of the doctor could not be read), went to one SOS on the "country" and the gal there looks at me an then at my license and says "looks like you've lost some weight", yes I have, wish I had that problem now lol.