license plate mount.... where would YOU put it....

[ScottinAZ]

Boat trailer for the current "new" boat is a 1988 TrailRite tandem axle. Pretty decent piece, with one fairly glaring exception..... THERE IS NO LICENSE PLATE... I have the title, so getting one isnt gonna be an issue, however, I cannot see where one has ever been mounted. There is no light for a plate, and no mystery holes where one would have been mounted.....

28-2354 - License plates; attachment; civil penalty

AZ is pretty specific as to how to mount a plate. It must be at least 12" from the bottom of the plate to the ground, and it must not be "swinging" so tossing a plate on a bungee on the back of the boat is out.....

Given the pics below, where would you put it.... I would normally screw it to a fender, but the side bunks interfere with "visibility" and since I have decent luck finding the one cop that takes issue with that, I would prefer not.... I dont like mounting to the bunk pole, as that is likely to get caught on just about everything around it..... including me....

Dont freak out about the drive, its partially lowered as I was running the boat yesterday..... It goes up plenty high enough to clear the ground.....

 

[alldodge]

Most are mounted left side under the tail light
Might need to wire in a small white light under tail light

 

[ScottinAZ]

Most are mounted left side under the tail light
Might need to wire in a small white light under tail light

I would generally agree, however, that does not meet the 12" height requirement to the bottom of the plate..... Above it may work, but I dont want the boat either ripping the plate off when loading/unloading or the plate scratching the hell outta the boat.... I am rewiring the trailer anyway, so lights are a nothingburger to add where needed.....

 

[alldodge]

I would generally agree, however, that does not meet the 12" height requirement to the bottom of the plate..... Above it may work, but I dont want the boat either ripping the plate off when loading/unloading or the plate scratching the hell outta the boat.... I am rewiring the trailer anyway, so lights are a nothingburger to add where needed.....

Well maybe you should spell out the requirements so folks can use them to provided a better opinion to your specific case

 

[ScottinAZ]

there is a link in the original post to the appropriate statute

28-2354 - License plates; attachment; civil penalty

 

[dubs283]

You can get a license plate bracket with a light and mount it on the left rear of the trailer. Looks like a decent spot just forward of the left tail light in the photo

My guess is that as long as the plate is clearly visible, has current registration displayed and is illuminated when required most law enforcement officers wouldn't stop you in regards to the height requirement

My guess is the height restriction is geared more towards motor vehicles. Given the fact many boat trailers are quite low in the back I'd be very surprised if law enforcement used that specific reason as the only reason for a traffic stop

 

[alldodge]

I would probably still mount it in that location, because its a boat. Could mount it to the rail above sticking out pas the fender then you get into something over 8.5ft wide

Statute also states

E. A peace officer shall not stop or issue a citation to a person operating a motor vehicle on a highway in this state for a violation of subsection C of this section unless the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe there is another alleged violation of a motor vehicle law of this state.

Licensing is done thru fish and game

 

[ScottinAZ]

I would probably still mount it in that location, because its a boat. Could mount it to the rail above sticking out pas the fender then you get into something over 8.5ft wide

Statute also states


Licensing is done thru fish and game

Boat licensing is through fish and game.... thats already been done... Much easier than MVD......

the subsection C referenced is only to the "Arizona" being obscured on the top of the plate.... because AZ is stupid, we have like 75 different plates, so you have no idea what state its from unless you can read it.... and folks were using frames that obscured that.... big kerfluffle about that about a decade or so ago when we got stupid with plate choices... same with the "reflective" coatings that obscure the plate for the cameras and readers...... (not an argument, just clarifying as a "local".... and I usually find the asshole cop that wants to be pedantic about plates on the side of the road while munching a KrispyKreme and drinking their Starbucks)

I am thinking vertically mounting it onto the side bunk stanchion, its visible, high enough to not get ripped off.... and is pretty much out of the way. I may need to get the trailer inspected to get it registered (which IS through MVD..... ughhhh) so I can always ask the inspector where they would put the damn thing..... used to be you could get the little motorcycle sized plates for trailers in AZ, but I dont think that is current anymore.... THAT would be a perfect solution.... much easier to mount.....

 

[ScottinAZ]

My guess is the height restriction is geared more towards motor vehicles. Given the fact many boat trailers are quite low in the back I'd be very surprised if law enforcement used that specific reason as the only reason for a traffic stop

Im more concerned with ripping the damn thing off TBH..... My other boat trailer had it below the tail lights, and about all of the plate that is left is the top inch..... and this boat hangs about 2 feet off the ass end of the trailer, so that doesnt help with "visibility"..... I wish I could just weld a mount to the fender like I did my other trailer, but the bunk stanchion is in the way.... meh, as we say, are they gonna care???? do I really want to have a long philosophical conversation about it when on the way to/from the lake..... I dunno yet... I mostly need to find it a home so I can wire in the lights.....

 

[airshot]

Why not take your pics to the proper agent and ask them ??

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would mount it under the light myself. second location would be sideways on the side bunk bracket.

ask for a motorcycle trailer tag. they are much much smaller in size.

 

[cyclops222]

1 1/2" piece of Angle bolted to the FLAT step plate above the light location.
Simple to tap off of the tail light to clear plate light . FULLY SEAL all lights there.
Remember to leave a big enough step on area of the flat surface.
The cover flapping around may get ripped.

 

[JimS123]

Trailer lights should have the port side bottom clear to reflect light on the licence plate. Most ride pretty low. Unless the trailer has a tilt tongue there should be no problem.