Truck / trailer questions

[McMXi]

It's a total pain to have to register them every year. I have 4 trailers that I have to do every year! that's on top of everything else, boat, kayak, ATV, both vehicles, etc...

Any way for NY to make money right?

Cars or trucks over 10 years old qualify for a permanent plate up here, so my F250, Jeep TJ, boat and five trailers all have a one-time permanent registration.

Do the trailers have to pass an inspection where you are?

 

[Yotekiller]

Any way for NY to make money right?

Cars or trucks over 10 years old qualify for a permanent plate up here, so my F250, Jeep TJ, boat and five trailers all have a one-time permanent registration.

Do the trailers have to pass an inspection where you are?

You're lucky! That's how it should be.
Luckily we do not have any inspections here in Indiana.
Jeep TJ eh? I've been building and wheelin jeeps for 35 years.

 

[Sidekick]

It's a total pain to have to register them every year. I have 4 trailers that I have to do every year! that's on top of everything else, boat, kayak, ATV, both vehicles, etc...

The part that stinks here is as they get older the rates continually rise and it costs more every year. At least boats are 5 years here. I will admit that I chose the wrong state to retire in.

 

[McMXi]

You're lucky! That's how it should be.
Luckily we do not have any inspections here in Indiana.
Jeep TJ eh? I've been building and wheelin jeeps for 35 years.

I've had my TJ for almost 25 years! I've been into off-roading for decades, but not as long as you. I've made a lot of changes to my Jeep over the years to improve off-road performance and safety. They are so much fun and incredibly reliable.

 

[dirtydeed]

Here is my old school "back up camera"

View attachment 126948



It sure beats trying to decipher the old ladys flagging signals....(I thought she was having a seizure the last time she tried to guide me.....LOL)

View attachment 126949

I'd need a bit more stick....

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

I've had my TJ for almost 25 years! I've been into off-roading for decades, but not as long as you. I've made a lot of changes to my Jeep over the years to improve off-road performance and safety. They are so much fun and incredibly reliable.

Edit, My appolgies... Much of the following will not make sense to the non-Jeep folks.

Sold my 05' TJ Rocky Mountain 4.0 six in 2019 because it had to pass smog in CA every two years. Failing the last 6 year's, I had to let it go. Sad shame too.
Mine had Detroit's front and rear, tummy tuck, full cage to frame, body cut mount rock sliders, RockHard4x4 skids and bumpers, 8K Warn. Currie control arms on 5" lift and 35's. 4.56 gears. So much I can't remember. And, I did it myself in the garage.
Took it over several black diamond trails. Hammer visits a few times. Was a Jeep Club guy back then.

Girl was my baby. Died (to me) due to Gov regs.

For what it's worth to you TJ owners; Best mod I EVER did to it, was the tummy tuck.
EDIT: O yeah, I can't forget Tom Woods Driveshafts and RCV front axles. I still have a couple Jeeps. A YJ crawler and a JT Mojave.

 

[Yotekiller]

Edit, My appolgies... Much of the following will not make sense to the non-Jeep folks.

Sold my 05' TJ Rocky Mountain 4.0 six in 2019 because it had to pass smog in CA every two years. Failing the last 6 year's, I had to let it go. Sad shame too.
Mine had Detroit's front and rear, tummy tuck, full cage to frame, body cut mount rock sliders, RockHard4x4 skids and bumpers, 8K Warn. Currie control arms on 5" lift and 35's. 4.56 gears. So much I can't remember. And, I did it myself in the garage.
Took it over several black diamond trails. Hammer visits a few times. Was a Jeep Club guy back then.

Girl was my baby. Died (to me) due to Gov regs.

For what it's worth to you TJ owners; Best mod I EVER did to it, was the tummy tuck.
EDIT: O yeah, I can't forget Tom Woods Driveshafts and RCV front axles. I still have a couple Jeeps. A YJ crawler and a JT Mojave.

The CJ's are my favorite Jeep of all but the TJ is running up up there with it for me. My last two Jeeps were a 17 JK and a 22 JKU both were Willys. The JKU was the GF's ride and she had to have it in a manual shift.
I installed my lift on the side of the road in her housing addition. Used 20 ton floor jacks to get the Jeep high enough so I could drop the axles to fit the 4.5" lift. I did metal cloak all around including upper and lower control arms. That was the smoothest suspension I've ever installed on Jeep. I also went with the Adams driveshafts. The Rzeppa joints just don't hold up when you get to this kind of lift on a 2-door Jeep (real Jeeps lol). Not to mention, you don't wanna be wheeling on factory shafts with the tires we run. I tried talking the GF into letting me put a lift on her new JKU but she wasn't having no part of that lol.
I'm on the hunt for a CJ now to start building. a 1978 CJ 7 was my first Jeep. My pop bought it for me when I was a teen and I've been hooked ever since.

 

[fried1765]

Yes, the price is similar between 7k and 10k trailers but be careful of the tires the trailer manufacturer uses. The biggest difference here in NY is the registration cost every year is considerably higher for the extra 3k rating. Also be careful that the 10 k rating even if you don't use it doesn't push you over the combined gross vehicle weight rating of the truck should thereever be a problem. The manufacturer ratings for towing have been thoroughly tested and staying within those limits, hitch weights, and combined weights will be trouble free. Ask about the requirements for an equalizer hitch as over 5k on a 1/2 ton they are usually required.

"registration cost is considerably higher"

Have you considered trailer registration in Maine.
You do not need a Maine residence, or Maine mailing address.
MANY over the road commercial trailers are registered in Maine.
Flat fee ($20) per year for up to ten years.

 

[Sidekick]

"registration cost is considerably higher"

Have you considered trailer registration in Maine.
You do not need a Maine residence, or Maine mailing address.
MANY over the road commercial trailers are registered in Maine.
Flat fee ($20) per year for up to ten years.

That is illegal in NY now and supposedly they are cracking down on it. If you have NY plates with a Maine plated trailer you will have a good chance of being singled out by State Ploice. The local sheriff's are good guys and most won't harass you. If your license and registration are in your name and over 30 days old the trailer had better not be in your name registered to a different state. You have 30 days to get a license and switch registrations to NY and anything you tow has to be switched also after moving to NY. If the trailer has a different name on the registration or is a rental no problem. Otherwise you will be issued a ticket and the judge will most likely toss it out after you agree to pay several hundred dollars worth of surcharges. Welcome to NY, a state that is trying to suck upstate residents dry to feed NYC waste.

 

[fried1765]

That is illegal in NY now and supposedly they are cracking down on it. If you have NY plates with a Maine plated trailer you will have a good chance of being singled out by State Ploice. The local sheriff's are good guys and most won't harass you. If your license and registration are in your name and over 30 days old the trailer had better not be in your name registered to a different state. You have 30 days to get a license and switch registrations to NY and anything you tow has to be switched also after moving to NY. If the trailer has a different name on the registration or is a rental no problem. Otherwise you will be issued a ticket and the judge will most likely toss it out after you agree to pay several hundred dollars worth of surcharges. Welcome to NY, a state that is trying to suck upstate residents dry to feed NYC waste.

You are SO fortunate to have both Kathy Hochul, and Eric Adams!
I will NEVER have NY plates,...... so guess I am safe.

 

[js312]

It's a total pain to have to register them every year. I have 4 trailers that I have to do every year! that's on top of everything else, boat, kayak, ATV, both vehicles, etc...

I pay more to register my trailer than my truck. $120/year for a small car hauler - 6000 lb GVW. Truck is $100 for two years and that's only because I have special plates and $40 of that is a charity contribution. Normal plates are $60 for two years in MA.

 

[kcs 61]

In Va you can get permanent tags for trailers. One time fee and your good as long as you own that trailer

 

[Fordtech86]

In Va you can get permanent tags for trailers. One time fee and your good as long as you own that trailer

same in Louisiana (except for boat trailers). Think it was $70 when I did mine in 2017

 

[Sidekick]

A couple years ago I went the DMV to try and lower the registration weight of a 16 ft dual axle landscape trailer from 7k to 5k that was more then it was ever loaded to. I thought it would be an easy switch and would save money on the registration fee each year. We'll they wanted the trailer manufacturer to supply a new trailer weight sticker with the 5k GVW on it. The manufacturer was no longer in business and the only other way to change it was go through the homemade trailer registration process. I'm not sure if it's just a NY thing or DOT requirement.

 

[fried1765]

A couple years ago I went the DMV to try and lower the registration weight of a 16 ft dual axle landscape trailer from 7k to 5k that was more then it was ever loaded to. I thought it would be an easy switch and would save money on the registration fee each year. We'll they wanted the trailer manufacturer to supply a new trailer weight sticker with the 5k GVW on it. The manufacturer was no longer in business and the only other way to change it was go through the homemade trailer registration process. I'm not sure if it's just a NY thing or DOT requirement.

Blue state regulations.
Need I say more?

 

[PaulL]

A couple years ago I went the DMV to try and lower the registration weight of a 16 ft dual axle landscape trailer from 7k to 5k that was more then it was ever loaded to. I thought it would be an easy switch and would save money on the registration fee each year. We'll they wanted the trailer manufacturer to supply a new trailer weight sticker with the 5k GVW on it. The manufacturer was no longer in business and the only other way to change it was go through the homemade trailer registration process. I'm not sure if it's just a NY thing or DOT requirement.

Amusingly, in NZ it turns out it's very very easy to re-register a trailer.

In NZ you need a "warrant of fitness" every year for a trailer that's over about 5 years old. Mostly they check the bearings and hitch, the brakes if fitted, and look for rust.

But it turns out you can reregister a trailer as new/home built with basically no paperwork. Hey presto, no warrant of fitness for 5 years.

My brother did it (legitimately) when he rebuilt his boat trailer, and put new axles and brakes on it. They suggested he register it as a rebuilt trailer, avoiding any need for checks given all the important bits had been renewed.

 

[js312]

Amusingly, in NZ it turns out it's very very easy to re-register a trailer.

In NZ you need a "warrant of fitness" every year for a trailer that's over about 5 years old. Mostly they check the bearings and hitch, the brakes if fitted, and look for rust.

But it turns out you can reregister a trailer as new/home built with basically no paperwork. Hey presto, no warrant of fitness for 5 years.

My brother did it (legitimately) when he rebuilt his boat trailer, and put new axles and brakes on it. They suggested he register it as a rebuilt trailer, avoiding any need for checks given all the important bits had been renewed.

MA is super easy to register as homemade, basically no questions asked up to 3k. Past that and there is a one time inspection. No trailer inspection here on mass produced trailers unless the GVWR is over 10k.

 

[nbryan]

My 2006 Tacoma 4L hauls my 7k PJ car hauler with B2650 loaded, no problem. I'm like the OP, infrequent trailering, mostly local, nothing longer than 100km.
Just keep my tranny in 4th. OD off. Cruise 60mph just fine on highway.

 

[Sodbusterjr]

Sort of late to this thread.

I faced a similar situation and went with a very basic gas 3/4 ton since it is not my daily driver. I have not regretted that decision at all. I too rarely tow the tractor through a big city, but that can be an issue with 1/2 ton in my opinion. Not that gas mileage is a concern for the truck (from part of the thread I read), towing is the great equalizer..........meaning lighter duty trucks do better at non towing on a daily basis but usually take a bigger hit on MPG when towing.

Perhaps get a "work truck" for your towing/recreational needs knowing that it will last a long time and keep the commuter car as a daily driver. Realizing that fixed costs will be incurred regardless of miles driven.

Best of luck with your decision!

 

[js312]

My 2006 Tacoma 4L hauls my 7k PJ car hauler with B2650 loaded, no problem. I'm like the OP, infrequent trailering, mostly local, nothing longer than 100km.
Just keep my tranny in 4th. OD off. Cruise 60mph just fine on highway.

I had a 2011 Tacoma 4.0 - TRD Sport Double Cab 6 ft bed - for quite a while. I towed at its limits a few times (~6000-6500 lbs) and it did better than expected for its size and power.

It might still be my favorite all around vehicle. The only thing I recall really disliking was the seating position. Supposedly they improved that on the 2024s.

In 2018 when I bought my first F-150, a midsize was a tough proposition. They were priced similarly to full sizes, but with less power, fewer options, and worse fuel efficiency (somehow). I think the price gap has grown since, so they make sense again.

Now, although I could get by with a midsize, I've gotten used to the comfort, space, and power of a full size.