Buying a trailer out of state Michigan/Minnesota towing law
 

I am leaving in the next day or two to pick up a trailer I am looking to buy out of state. Since I have not paid for it yet I dont have a title so I cant get a tag here in IL. I know the best thing to do would be pay for it and get a tag but I dont want to do that untill I see it in person in case its not as advertised. I bought it from a individual so I cant get a temp tag like I could from a dealer. I know there has got to be someone who had run into this situation before so any advice you can give would be great. I contacted our Sec of state (where we get tags in IL) and they told me I have 24 hours from the time of purchace here in IL that I can move it for "Regestration Purposes" and gave me a print out of the Law to carry in the truck. But I dont know what the other states will say. Anybody got any ideas on what to do.

Also was it Minnesota or Michigan that was having problems with toters and trailers. And have they done anything to help us out? I cant remember which it was.

Thanks for any help you can give.
Rob

Re: Buying a trailer out of state Michigan/Minnesota towing
 

This is not the first time this has ever happened---2 things come to mind here. First use the tag from your "old trailer" or another trailer your just trying it out might buy it and drive it home,OR 2nd get a bill of sale with the serial number description of the trailer and all the contact info from the seller(name/address/phone # etc) plus some kind of proof of insurance and drive home--if you are stopped and can provide the required documentation you should be OK---they hafta give ya at least 24 hours to move the trailer some states up to 30 days but I personally would not take the scenic route and dawdle on the way back-- go get the trailer and return home--I bought a trailer from Haulmark in Indiana drove home to Illinois and never was stopped course some cops can be "penises"

Re: Buying a trailer out of state Michigan/Minnesota towing
 

I don't know what the tag laws are in your state, but I was recently caught off guard when I bought a trailer in Georgia and tried to title/tag it here in Florida.

The Georgia title didn't have a weight on it. Florida won't tag a trailer without a weight. When I called GA for a copy of the Certificate of Origin which had the weight, they gave me the weight over the phone but said I'd either have to come to GA to pick up a copy in person or fill out a form to mail and wait at least 6 weeks!

Meanwhile, the FL tag office INSISTED that I get a certified weight locally to get it tagged.
They refused to call GA and get the weight even when I told them it took me about 5 minutes, or to use the certificate. The weight turned out to be around 1,500 lbs more than the Certificate of Origin, and it was empty.

I did have a bill of sale, signed title and used my old trailer tag to bring it home.

Re: Buying a trailer out of state Michigan/Minnesota towing
 

When I bought mine in Ohio, and brought it back to Kansas, I had a signed bill of sale, and the seller left his tag on for me to get it home. When my cashiers check cleared his account he sent me the title and I sent him the tag. The guy was great to deal with and the trailer was everything he said it was. It was worth the 6hr drive to get it.

Good luck.

Sean

Re: Buying a trailer out of state Michigan/Minnesota towing
 

You can be in big trouble using the wrong tag. Stop at a local DMV where you are buying the trailer, and they can issue you a temp tag.

Re: Buying a trailer out of state Michigan/Minnesota towing
 

Not in FL ! They told me they don't issue temp. tags to anyone.

JimR

Re: Buying a trailer out of state Michigan/Minnesota towing
 

Sorry Jim, but yes Florida does issue temp tags to individuals.....If the vehicle is purchased in the state of Florida and holds a valid Florida title, you just provide the title, proof of insurance, approved picture ID and you will be issued a temporary tag at a cost of $7.50 and (now the kicker) you will be assessed a sales tax according to your state of residence.

This information comes straight from our local county tax collectors office.