SC, NC tag requirements to get it home?

[Section8]

Are any of you familiar with the tag/plate requirements for me to bring my Avion home from the PO's location? I will be travelling about 5 miles in VA, then thru NC to my SC home. I will have with me the title (signed over to me) and a Bill of Sale.

I can't find any info on this SC ro NC DMV sites. I would think the rules for my state of residence (SC) would apply since I'm just passing thru NC. But I can't find the SC requirements online. I know SC does not require a tag of any kind on most non-commercial utility/boat trailers and such.

I will call the DMV tomorrow (but we all know how that usually goes). I'm just trying to get it home without getting spanked.

Any help appreciated.

[Dwight]

I think just having a bill of sale and maybe a photo of the existing tag should be fine....

[Happycampers]

All I can tell you is what I did when I bought my trailer a few years ago. I bought it in VA towed it through WV, PA, NY and imported it into Ontario Canada without a tag. I was passed by 3 highway patrol in 2 different states. The trailer looked like "crap" going down the road. All I had was the receipt from the people I bought it from. I would go for it.

Marvin

[montanablue]

I live in Greenville and towed a camper from TN to SC. Bill of Sale and Title in hand.

If I ever have a question about DMV laws or guidelines in SC, I always call DMV Columbia office helpline. They can quote you the rules and a reference numbers to give a cop if stopped. Sometimes the cops don't even know the laws. Get the person's name you spoke with and write it down.

Just my two cents worth.

Rick

[Kevin245]

In SC and NC I've pulled newly purchased (old) trailers with a Bill of Sale and a signed over Title with no problems. Perhaps some of our LEO's can share their knowledge and opinions.

Kevin

[Section8]

Thank you, all. It appears to be unanimous: go-fer-it. Kind of what I was thinking because I know i have done that with a car one time before.

With that settled, it looks like I'll be bringing her home this weekend, unless the weather prevents me (supposed to be fairly clear weather).

Thank you, again.

[BradS]

I towed my Overlander from Wisconsin into Minnesota without plates. I called the Minnesota Highway patrol and asked what would happen. It was decided that as long as I had my bill of sale and was just transporting it to a new location I should be ok.

The big thing that was stressed was do it safely! Trailer lights, safety chains, and stay a little under the speed limit.

The only mishap that I had was that a few of the mice in the trailer fell out along the way.

A quick call to the highway patrol will answer all your questions

[Cantrell]

Don't know about North Carolina but in South Carolina the law is that if you are the proper owner with title/bill of sale in hand that you do not have to have tags on any personal trailer at any time. You don't have to even register a travel trailer with the DMV and put tags on it if you never intend to take it out of the state.
Heck, you aren't even required to have functioning lights on a trailer--just the tow vehicle.
You will be fine in SC, even if you get stopped, but I would check with NC because surely their trailer laws cannot be as primative as ours.

[garry]

I would just go for it with the proper proof of sale documentation but if you are concerned I would see if I could get a temporary tag from the VA DMV.

Temp tag I think is $5 item 3 on the form below.

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dsd5.pdf

[pmclemore]

My PO was kind enough to let me keep his NM plates when I towed from Albuquerque to my home in eastern VA. I did the same when I sold my Safari to new friends in Ohio.

Pat

[montanablue]

Here is the main contact page for South Carolina DMV: SC Department of Motor Vehicles

Call them for thing in the morning when they open and you will not have to be placed on hold.

Good luck with your towing.
Rick

[overlander63]

I used to be paranoid about towing a "new" trailer home. I have only been stopped once for no tag on an Airstream, and that was because the deputy wanted to look at it. I have been told as long as you have your documentation, and your tow vehicle is current with tags, insurance, and rabies shots, you should be fine.

[blmitch5]

I got a temp tag in Kansas that was good for 30 days from the sale date. Just make a bill of sale and take it to your DMV (check the DMV first) and take it with you. I was traveling to VA and back and went through too many states to chance it. Good luck and have a great road trip.

[RaleighAir]

I pulled from VA to NC with just bill of sale, title, and a "1973" tag on there that the PO left for me. No problem.

[Section8]

Thank you all.

Based on your responses (and my gut feeling), it looks like I will bring her home, Sunday, tagless with Bill of Sale and signed-over title in hand. I wish I had some kind of tag to put on the back so the absence of one doesn't stand out so much, but i can't think of a way to do that this late in the game without making matters worse if I get stopped.

My TV is legal (except for the rabies shots), and my license is current (CDL), and I do of course have inshawnce on it.

Also, in preparation for the trip home, this my pre-trip to-do/done-did list, so far:

1. Reverse the WD hitch and adjust height for ~18"

2. Read and understand the manual on adjusting the new brake controller

3. Same thing for properly adjusting the WD hitch

4. Bring every tool I own, plus all the one's I've borrowed over the years, including electrical tester stuff.

5. Check all tire pressures

6. Bring a sheet or two of 3'x5' Coraplast (that white corrugated plastic they use to make temporary signs) and gorilla tape, to protect the front curvy window I can't afford to replace (not too sure about this plan). I chose 3'x5' after careful consideration of the fact that it is the only size I have.

7. Watch "Cops" a few times and observe bail-out-and-run-for-it techniques.

8. Have phone numbers on speed-dial of people who could bail me out.

9. Start out with clean underwear.

So, am I missing anything?

[noreen&sal]

No. 10. Extra underwear. Sal.

[pmclemore]

11. Don't stop at a donut shop for breakfast.

Pat

[Section8]

Originally Posted by noreen

No. 10. Extra underwear. Sal.

Got it. Thanks.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Section8

7. Watch "Cops" a few times and observe bail-out-and-run-for-it techniques.

8. Have phone numbers on speed-dial of people who could bail me out.

9. Start out with clean underwear.

So, am I missing anything?

Yes. Don't do what this ID10T did:

[Section8]

funny video