Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

[ondarvr]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

I've pulled boats across the country with no tags and never had a problem, once from Orlando to Seattle and once from Seattle to Arkansas.

The trip from Seattle to Arkansas was with the entire family in the winter so we went through California, right through LA and all other major areas, about one week on the road.
From Orlando to Seattle it was just me with a boat I bought, it was a work related trip so I was on the road for about 10 days.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

how old is the trailer and what make?
maybe you could call the builder and they could tell you what is weighs.

woosterken

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

All of my trailers here are tagged as homemade, the only difference between trailers is whether the registration says one axle or two. If I go out of state to pick up a trailer, I take a tag with me. NJ don't title trailers and its rare to find an older trailer with a valid old registration to keep up the paperwork trail. The weight classes here are something like over and under 3500lbs as far as weight class. They let you choose the max weight rating when you register it, the last one I registered, the woman just asked me how much weight do I want to register it for, I could have said anything, but the more weight,the higher the cost to register.

I was in NY a few weeks ago and picked up a free boat and trailer off of Craigslist there, the boat was junk but it had a good trailer and motor. It was about 250 miles from home, I greased the bearings and hoped the for the best figuring that the worst thing that could happen was for it to not make it. No money lost either way. I didn't have a tag with me since I had my work truck and I wasn't leaving without the trailer. I came all the way home with no problems. I even stopped and asked for directions from a cop directing traffic in a construction site. The trailer was missing a fender, had no lights and no tag. All I had was a hand written bill of sale from the guy that gave it to me. I came all the way home with no problems. If I had a way to lift the motor off and take the other parts I wanted off the boat, I'd have left it in NY and came home with just a trailer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

to me the Florida, law is silly. our tags are road tax. they want the weight of the empty trailer, either from a scale, or the builder certificate, once this has been done, as long as you have the registration, no problems.

my thought it. why the empty trailer, why not the loaded trailer, that is the actual weight that is on the road. (road tax). of course, i definately in favor or the lower cost for the tag.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

KewlBird:

Here is some specific info on the Grand Rapids option. The weigh station is on Market street just west of 131 (Just south of I-196.) It is only about a couple of miles from Riverside park which has three launch sites on the Grand River (about a block from my home). As long as the river is not too low, launch it there, get someone to watch it and run to the wiegh station. I am told that you get some sort of time period to register the trailer before it becomes an issue. Call the secretary of states office for info or call the state police or etc.

Another option might be to get a temporary plate. I have never done that on a boat trailer, but I did that on a car I was selling where the plates had already been transfered to another vehicle. That would get you safely to Michigan with no hassle. If I recall, that was no hassle at all and no cost. One other thought... Not all secretary of staes offices are equally picky. Try a different office (Smaller town?)

Again,
Good luck

If there is anything I can help with send me a PM.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

KewlBird:

Here is some specific info on the Grand Rapids option. The weigh station is on Market street just west of 131 (Just south of I-196.) It is only about a couple of miles from Riverside park which has three launch sites on the Grand River (about a block from my home). As long as the river is not too low, launch it there, get someone to watch it and run to the wiegh station. I am told that you get some sort of time period to register the trailer before it becomes an issue. Call the secretary of states office for info or call the state police or etc.

Another option might be to get a temporary plate. I have never done that on a boat trailer, but I did that on a car I was selling where the plates had already been transfered to another vehicle. That would get you safely to Michigan with no hassle. If I recall, that was no hassle at all and no cost. One other thought... Not all secretary of staes offices are equally picky. Try a different office (Smaller town?)

Again,
Good luck

If there is anything I can help with send me a PM.

That info is much appreciated! I had no clue where I could take the trailer to weigh it, that will be very useful in a little while. Thanks.

 

[UnregisteredUser]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Being the owner of several trailers, and only one trailer tag, I will refrain from giving advice...

 

[captharv]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Here in the Orlando area, we have several county owned transfer stations (landfills) who have certified scales. Have the seller launch the boat, and take the trailer to the scales there. The fee should be very small if any,
Thats where I weighed my rig when I wanted a new trailer.
Weighed the whole thing, then the trailer only.
They did not charge me, so I left a 6 pack for the guy.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Well the boat is at its new home (Michigan). I registered the trailer in Florida without problems. I didn't get any weird looks for having a Florida plate until I got to Michigan, while filling up one guy asked me "What's a guy from Florida doing in Michigan with a boat right now?" .
The trailer was/is a piece of junk, I had a spring break on me. This happened on the way from Palm Bay to Orlando so luckily I was able to take it to a close by trailer shop where they had parts (I replaced all 4 springs just to be safe). I also had a bearing buddy fly off somewhere in Georgia....Grease gun, crimpers, wire and buttconnectors came in very useful. Besides having trailer problems on the way back, the trip was awesome. There was a lot of great scenery. That was my first time in Florida and I wanna say that I am extremely jealous of you guys from Florida . The only things I hated in Florida was improperly timed traffic signals (almost having to stop at every light even when doing the proper speed limit between signals), lot's of traffic backups and having to pay toll on turnpike (one toll booth cost me $7.50 with the trailer). I really didn't look forward to going back up to Michigan, knowing that temperature was in the teens and there was a lot of snow.

Thanks for all the tips and help and I wish you all happy holidays!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Glad you made it back safe! See,all those extra tools came in handy..
You never know when towing what you will need.
I drove to Tampa a couple years ago to pick up a jet ski.By the time i got through Jacksonville a had rewired the trailer lights,changed a tire and was getting on I-95 going into GA and the winch stand about fell off and the ski was just about to fall off the back of the trailer...lol..The nuts had vibrated off the winch stand and it all slid back...
Good thing i carry extra bolts,nuts,wrenches ect...

If i buy something else in Florida i will ask Tashasdaddy to pull it to the GA line that way he can look it over for me..lol! Of coarse i will pay him mileage...
Buy him dinner ect....

 

[James R]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

I take my plate with me and just put it on. Be sure your lights are working and all should be well. Hauled a bunch with no problem. The police departments are only concerned that the boat is not stolen. Your bill of sale can show that. I get separate bills of sale for the boat and the trailer. That way it can be a trailer from a different state to the boat you would just need to show the boat bill of sale if stopped. You took your own trailer, right.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

I went to Mich to buy my used boat because I knew it never saw salt water which will carode a engine that sits in water year round in 7 years. there was 3 just like it the week I bought it here in NJ. So I drove out to Grand rapids, hope you got a good deal.