Does my trailer need a license plate? - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

M16 · 01-13-2021, 06:07 PM

I've got a 16 foot farm trailer that I need to move from one ranch to another. It hasn't ever been registered or licensed. The way I'm reading the rules. If it grosses less than 4000 pounds and is a farm trailer it doesn't need a license plate. I can just hook on and go. Anybody know for sure?

Mayhem · 01-13-2021, 06:09 PM

I have pulled my brother lowboy trailer 1000 miles round trip without a plate and 1 working taillight without a problem.

I say go for it.

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Chance Love · 01-13-2021, 06:26 PM

You don’t have another trailer with a plate on it?...

kc5rkg · 01-13-2021, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M16

I've got a 16 foot farm trailer that I need to move from one ranch to another. It hasn't ever been registered or licensed. The way I'm reading the rules. If it grosses less than 4000 pounds and is a farm trailer it doesn't need a license plate. I can just hook on and go. Anybody know for sure?

I don’t know if you can do it for that kind of trailer, but I was able to get a one way temporary tag for a travel trailer. Did it all online and cost very little. Might be worth checking out.

Muddy Bud · 01-13-2021, 06:45 PM

I got mine registered as a farm trailer. I think it goes by axle capacity not total weight. I still need a sticker every year but don’t need a inspection.

cashbuck · 01-13-2021, 06:51 PM

The 4000lbs or less exemption is for gross weight rating.

RMW · 01-13-2021, 07:11 PM

Don’t worry about it, you should be good

Quackerbox · 01-13-2021, 08:00 PM

It had a plate when I left sir

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Hunter_Man · 01-13-2021, 08:06 PM

^^^ that won’t work lol.

Leemo · 01-13-2021, 08:10 PM

None of my trailers have plates or lights, and my truck inspection went out in October
Go for it

CabezaBlanca · 01-13-2021, 08:12 PM

I don’t think it does Larry. If it weighs under 4K you should be good for farm use.

em12 · 01-13-2021, 08:16 PM

Farm trailer tag costs like 5 bucks a year..... how much is peace of mind worth to you?

SaintBlaise · 01-13-2021, 08:30 PM

I think you can get away with a custom plate. Get a piece of cardboard, cut it the size of a license plate and write in bold letters. FU JB

Dale Moser · 01-13-2021, 08:33 PM

It grosses over 4000 though. Why not just register it and get legal?

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Dale Moser · 01-13-2021, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leemo

None of my trailers have plates or lights, and my truck inspection went out in October
Go for it

Why? You don’t give a **** if anyone can see you?

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brushtrooper · 01-13-2021, 08:38 PM

All trailers need a plate. Under GVWR 4000 do not require a title but needs a registration/plate. One thing to keep in mind, if you get pulled over and it gets impounded-good luck on getting it out with no title or registration.
OP I stand corrected, I think you are correct.

panhandlehunter · 01-13-2021, 08:42 PM

You’ll be fine. My little trailer I pull to the lease every weekend doesn’t have a plate, and my boat trailer hasn’t had a plate in 3 years or so. It did have one, but it fell off at some point and I’ve been too lazy to get another. The main thing is working lights at night. They’ll get you for that.

JBJTX81 · 01-13-2021, 08:44 PM

Reading this post reminds me of the post about sharing deer tags with your children...lol...that op got chastised way worse than this op for asking if it was OK to do something illegal.

Yes it needs plates with current registration regardless of weight or farm status.

Thought...if you have another trailer and a machine at each location with hydraulics and the ability to lift why not haul this trailer on another trailer?

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Leemo · 01-13-2021, 08:45 PM

[QUOTE=Dale Moser;15400941]Why? You don’t give a **** if anyone can see you?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE
None of your business what I choose to do, but to answer your question, no
Farmers drag trailers up and down the highway all day long with no lights!
And besides, I don’t pull trailers at night! Like I said , none of your business

brokeno · 01-13-2021, 08:53 PM

You don't want to get stopped with a license of different trailer. Harbor freight has those temporary magnetic trailer lights for a lot cheaper than a fine plus if someone runs into you with no lights you will be up chip creek.

Texas Stalker · 01-13-2021, 08:56 PM

Send it!!!! And let us know.

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sharpstick35 · 01-13-2021, 09:28 PM

load it up on a trailer that is registered

M16 · 01-13-2021, 09:40 PM

I've got plenty of trailers that are licensed. This one came with a ranch that I bought. It has never been used on the road. That's why it's not registered and licensed. I am taking it to a different ranch where it will be used strictly off-road. I don't have the means to load it on another trailer where it currently resides. Otherwise I would do that. I have a set of magnetic lights if the current ones don't work. Just trying to find a legal way to move it one time on the highway without going through the hassle of getting it licensed if I don't have too.

Dale Moser · 01-13-2021, 09:55 PM

[quote=Leemo;15400963]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Moser

Why? You don’t give a **** if anyone can see you?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE
None of your business what I choose to do, but to answer your question, no
Farmers drag trailers up and down the highway all day long with no lights!
And besides, I don’t pull trailers at night! Like I said , none of your business

Yeah, if you’re pulling it around on public roads, it is my business. It’s everyone’s business who might want to know when the **** heap trailer in front of them is gonna slow down or turn.

It’s a pretty simple way to get your **** together, and help out those around you.

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Dale Moser · 01-13-2021, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M16

I've got plenty of trailers that are licensed. This one came with a ranch that I bought. It has never been used on the road. That's why it's not registered and licensed. I am taking it to a different ranch where it will be used strictly off-road. I don't have the means to load it on another trailer where it currently resides. Otherwise I would do that. I have a set of magnetic lights if the current ones don't work. Just trying to find a legal way to move it one time on the highway without going through the hassle of getting it licensed if I don't have too.

Sabe, in that case, I’d throw the temp lights on and take my chances for a trip. That’s how I move my lease camper.

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flinch · 01-13-2021, 10:04 PM

You could put the triangle sign for slow moving farm equip on back of it but your legal speed is limited to 35 mph I think. Might could get away with a little faster who knows. Its a little slow but you still get there legally.

M16 · 01-13-2021, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flinch

You could put the triangle sign for slow moving farm equip on back of it but your legal speed is limited to 35 mph I think. Might could get away with a little faster who knows. Its a little slow but you still get there legally.

Thanks but the places are roughly 150 miles apart. I’ll sooner do a cannonball run.

aggie2000tx · 01-13-2021, 11:11 PM

Just go get a one way trip paper tag. It was like $5 or $10 bucks

Acameron52 · 01-13-2021, 11:14 PM

Play dumb my friend.

Merrick7.3 · 01-14-2021, 01:38 AM

Just go for it

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sharpstick35 · 01-14-2021, 01:46 AM

make a midnight run, on the back roads.

HAWG DAWG · 01-14-2021, 03:05 AM

I thought the China virus registration leeway was still in effect?

Hart8 · 01-14-2021, 03:25 AM

I had a state trooper in Brownwood tell me that every trailer has to have a license plate.I pulled the same trailer through Brownwood 6 months later,and he wrote me a ticket that time,lol

sharpstick35 · 01-14-2021, 03:35 AM

^^^ he's right you know.

the 4k "exemption" is for getting it inspected, but they all have to be registered.

Mayhem · 01-14-2021, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panhandlehunter

You’ll be fine. My little trailer I pull to the lease every weekend doesn’t have a plate, and my boat trailer hasn’t had a plate in 3 years or so. It did have one, but it fell off at some point and I’ve been too lazy to get another. The main thing is working lights at night. They’ll get you for that.

Same here. I lost my plate on my boat trailer when we fished chinquapin back in March and with Covid I wasn’t able to replace it. My lights works so I don’t think twice about it.

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Quackerbox · 01-14-2021, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter_Man

^^^ that won’t work lol.

How do you know?

It worked for me and I was the one who stopped the guy for no plate. Who am I to argue or waste his and my time over a missing plate when all I wanted to do was ask if I could run VINS on the ATVs he was hauling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hart8

I had a state trooper in Brownwood tell me that every trailer has to have a license plate.I pulled the same trailer through Brownwood 6 months later,and he wrote me a ticket that time,lol

HAHAHAA...

Hart8 · 01-14-2021, 07:57 AM

Lol,yeah..I lost my plate,blah,blah...10 mins on the side of the road will tell them errrrthing they need to know..It was a little 4x8..I got hit for a farm tagged trailer years ago too..Hauling carpet on it..Yeah,another ticket.

Jet Black · 01-14-2021, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAWG DAWG

I thought the China virus registration leeway was still in effect?

Yep goes through April 14, 2021. Nobody has to have a license plate right now on any vehicles.

Hart8 · 01-14-2021, 08:05 AM

Swapping the plate doesn't work either,if the info doesn't jam up..In passing?? Sure..Get pulled over by a state trooper,and he'll figure that b.s.out in a second..I drag a lot of trailers..I don't **** around on hwy 67 near Brownwood..You can drag a double wide trailer down I-35.All the way to Lake Falcon,and never get stopped.

Hart8 · 01-14-2021, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Black

Yep goes through April 14, 2021. Nobody has to have a license plate right now on any vehicles.

Are you saying it's not available? Registration,I mean..Cuz I've registered a vehicle,boat,and a utility trailer..In the last few months.

Jet Black · 01-14-2021, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hart8

Are you saying it's not available? Registration,I mean..Cuz I've registered a vehicle,boat,and a utility trailer..In the last few months.

Nowhere did I say it was unavailable, just that you don't have to right now.

https://www.txdmv.gov/covid-19

mcbZX225 · 01-14-2021, 08:19 AM

I would say one way tag. They just need specific details of where and what roads you should be on to get to where you are going. Super cheap and good insurance.

texan16 · 01-14-2021, 08:25 AM

Not legal, but if it were me I would just hook it up and roll. Take the chance. If you have a plate on another trailer, just stick it on there and take it off once you get to the ranch. Drive the speed limit and dont give them a reason to pull you over and you will be fine.

Big Lee · 01-14-2021, 08:27 AM

I would check and make sure wheel bearings are packed and ready to go 150 miles. Make sure tires are good to go. And make sure the lights work. Then roll on down the road.

Graysonhogs · 01-14-2021, 08:43 AM

[quote=Dale Moser;15401145]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leemo

Yeah, if you’re pulling it around on public roads, it is my business. It’s everyone’s business who might want to know when the **** heap trailer in front of them is gonna slow down or turn.

It’s a pretty simple way to get your **** together, and help out those around you.

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Yep

DarrellS · 01-14-2021, 08:57 AM

Go for it. Tags on my trailer expired in 06. I pulled it to Georgia and back last month.

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Hoggslayer · 01-14-2021, 09:02 AM

I've never had a problem. Even when stopped, I just play dumb.

"I just wire that dang thing on with a new piece of bailing wire right before we left the barn."

They just laugh and give ya a warning.

TX_Hoghunter · 01-14-2021, 09:05 AM

I was raised by a horse trader. I have pulled trailers all over this country without plates. If you get busted for doing it this one time I will buy you supper.

-john

AntlerCollector · 01-14-2021, 09:06 AM

I’ve just gotten temporary paper plate when hauling one of my trailers that normally stays on my property. I believe you’re allowed to get them up to 3 times a year.

If you’re not going to be using it on the roadways but this time then that’s a cheap and legal option

Quackerbox · 01-14-2021, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hart8

Lol,yeah..I lost my plate,blah,blah...10 mins on the side of the road will tell them errrrthing they need to know..It was a little 4x8..I got hit for a farm tagged trailer years ago too..Hauling carpet on it..Yeah,another ticket.

I think you just got bad luck. Or maybe you dated that troopers sister back in the day or something

And I seen farm tags on a boat trailer.

01-13-2021, 06:07 PM	#1
M16 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Hunt In: Colorado, LaSalle, ,Menard Counties	Does my trailer need a license plate? I've got a 16 foot farm trailer that I need to move from one ranch to another. It hasn't ever been registered or licensed. The way I'm reading the rules. If it grosses less than 4000 pounds and is a farm trailer it doesn't need a license plate. I can just hook on and go. Anybody know for sure?

01-13-2021, 08:38 PM	#16
brushtrooper Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Texas/Gulf Coast Hunt In: Atascosa County	All trailers need a plate. Under GVWR 4000 do not require a title but needs a registration/plate. One thing to keep in mind, if you get pulled over and it gets impounded-good luck on getting it out with no title or registration. OP I stand corrected, I think you are correct. Last edited by brushtrooper; 01-13-2021 at 08:44 PM.

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01-13-2021, 06:09 PM	#2
Mayhem Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: porter, tx Hunt In: crockett, county	I have pulled my brother lowboy trailer 1000 miles round trip without a plate and 1 working taillight without a problem. I say go for it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-13-2021, 06:26 PM	#3
Chance Love Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Hunt In: Hill Country and South Texas	You don’t have another trailer with a plate on it?...

01-13-2021, 06:45 PM	#5
Muddy Bud Pope & Young Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Corpus Christi Hunt In: Jim Hogg	I got mine registered as a farm trailer. I think it goes by axle capacity not total weight. I still need a sticker every year but don’t need a inspection.

01-13-2021, 06:51 PM	#6
cashbuck Six Point Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tomball Hunt In: Gillespie County	The 4000lbs or less exemption is for gross weight rating.

01-13-2021, 07:11 PM	#7
RMW Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Burr Hunt In: Down South	Don’t worry about it, you should be good

01-13-2021, 08:00 PM	#8
Quackerbox Pope & Young Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Magnolia Hunt In: The woods	It had a plate when I left sir Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

01-13-2021, 08:06 PM	#9
Hunter_Man Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009	^^^ that won’t work lol.

01-13-2021, 08:10 PM	#10
Leemo Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Matagorda Hunt In: Fowlerton	None of my trailers have plates or lights, and my truck inspection went out in October Go for it

01-13-2021, 08:12 PM	#11
CabezaBlanca Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Rock Island, TX Hunt In: Colorado County	I don’t think it does Larry. If it weighs under 4K you should be good for farm use.

01-13-2021, 08:16 PM	#12
em12 Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Robinson Hunt In: Meridian, Hamilton	Farm trailer tag costs like 5 bucks a year..... how much is peace of mind worth to you?

01-13-2021, 08:30 PM	#13
SaintBlaise Eight Point Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: New Orleans Hunt In: Rocksprings, TX	I think you can get away with a custom plate. Get a piece of cardboard, cut it the size of a license plate and write in bold letters. FU JB

01-13-2021, 08:33 PM	#14
Dale Moser Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wise Cty Hunt In: Young Cty	It grosses over 4000 though. Why not just register it and get legal? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-13-2021, 08:42 PM	#17
panhandlehunter Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sweenyish Hunt In: Brazoria, Matagorda & Webb Counties	You’ll be fine. My little trailer I pull to the lease every weekend doesn’t have a plate, and my boat trailer hasn’t had a plate in 3 years or so. It did have one, but it fell off at some point and I’ve been too lazy to get another. The main thing is working lights at night. They’ll get you for that.

01-13-2021, 08:44 PM	#18
JBJTX81 Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wise Co Hunt In: Where the wife gives me permission to go.	Reading this post reminds me of the post about sharing deer tags with your children...lol...that op got chastised way worse than this op for asking if it was OK to do something illegal. Yes it needs plates with current registration regardless of weight or farm status. Thought...if you have another trailer and a machine at each location with hydraulics and the ability to lift why not haul this trailer on another trailer? Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

01-13-2021, 08:45 PM	#19
Leemo Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Matagorda Hunt In: Fowlerton	[QUOTE=Dale Moser;15400941]Why? You don’t give a **** if anyone can see you? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE None of your business what I choose to do, but to answer your question, no Farmers drag trailers up and down the highway all day long with no lights! And besides, I don’t pull trailers at night! Like I said , none of your business

01-13-2021, 08:53 PM	#20
brokeno Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Smiley, Texas Hunt In: Gonzales & Young Co and anywhere	You don't want to get stopped with a license of different trailer. Harbor freight has those temporary magnetic trailer lights for a lot cheaper than a fine plus if someone runs into you with no lights you will be up chip creek.

01-13-2021, 08:56 PM	#21
Texas Stalker Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Howe Hunt In: Oklahoma	Send it!!!! And let us know. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

01-13-2021, 09:28 PM	#22
sharpstick35 Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: odessa tx Hunt In: rocksprings tx	load it up on a trailer that is registered

01-13-2021, 09:40 PM	#23
M16 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Hunt In: Colorado, LaSalle, ,Menard Counties	I've got plenty of trailers that are licensed. This one came with a ranch that I bought. It has never been used on the road. That's why it's not registered and licensed. I am taking it to a different ranch where it will be used strictly off-road. I don't have the means to load it on another trailer where it currently resides. Otherwise I would do that. I have a set of magnetic lights if the current ones don't work. Just trying to find a legal way to move it one time on the highway without going through the hassle of getting it licensed if I don't have too.

01-13-2021, 10:04 PM	#26
flinch Four Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bastrop TX	You could put the triangle sign for slow moving farm equip on back of it but your legal speed is limited to 35 mph I think. Might could get away with a little faster who knows. Its a little slow but you still get there legally.

01-13-2021, 11:11 PM	#28
aggie2000tx Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Comanche, Tx Hunt In: Comanche County	Just go get a one way trip paper tag. It was like $5 or $10 bucks

01-13-2021, 11:14 PM	#29
Acameron52 Pope & Young Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Lewisville Hunt In: Coleman & Loving	Play dumb my friend.

01-14-2021, 01:38 AM	#30
Merrick7.3 Four Point Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Flower Mound, Tx Hunt In: Graham, Rocksprings, Millersview, Tx	Just go for it Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-14-2021, 01:46 AM	#31
sharpstick35 Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: odessa tx Hunt In: rocksprings tx	make a midnight run, on the back roads.

01-14-2021, 03:05 AM	#32
HAWG DAWG Ten Point Join Date: May 2011 Location: NE Texas Hunt In: Hopkins, Hunt, Delta Counties, Kansas and Missouri	I thought the China virus registration leeway was still in effect?

01-14-2021, 03:25 AM	#33
Hart8 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waxahachie,Tx Hunt In: concho co. tx	I had a state trooper in Brownwood tell me that every trailer has to have a license plate.I pulled the same trailer through Brownwood 6 months later,and he wrote me a ticket that time,lol

01-14-2021, 03:35 AM	#34
sharpstick35 Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: odessa tx Hunt In: rocksprings tx	^^^ he's right you know. the 4k "exemption" is for getting it inspected, but they all have to be registered.

01-14-2021, 07:57 AM	#37
Hart8 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waxahachie,Tx Hunt In: concho co. tx	Lol,yeah..I lost my plate,blah,blah...10 mins on the side of the road will tell them errrrthing they need to know..It was a little 4x8..I got hit for a farm tagged trailer years ago too..Hauling carpet on it..Yeah,another ticket.

01-14-2021, 08:05 AM	#39
Hart8 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Waxahachie,Tx Hunt In: concho co. tx	Swapping the plate doesn't work either,if the info doesn't jam up..In passing?? Sure..Get pulled over by a state trooper,and he'll figure that b.s.out in a second..I drag a lot of trailers..I don't **** around on hwy 67 near Brownwood..You can drag a double wide trailer down I-35.All the way to Lake Falcon,and never get stopped.

01-14-2021, 08:19 AM	#42
mcbZX225 Four Point Join Date: Jan 2019 Hunt In: Atoka Co.	I would say one way tag. They just need specific details of where and what roads you should be on to get to where you are going. Super cheap and good insurance.