BBQ trailer to Tag or Not to Tag that is the Question

[SoloQue]

I am running into a whole lot of government employees who cannot answer this question. Does a BBQ Smoker Trailer require a tag. I immediately get the reply that a utility trailer does and I always answer this is in no way a utility trailer, it is a BBQ producing masterpiece on wheels. I fully plan to travel outside the state with this rig and I was wondering if anyone had encountered this same situation or if there was a common interpretation. I must admit that while I have seen a whole bunch of rigs over the years I never bothered to see if they had tags. The one piece of info they could all offer was that if a tag was indeed required the trailer would have to have a serial # or a specific identifying code that would be used to link the tag to the trailer and yes I could make up anything I wanted the code to be. Is Alabama the only state that doesn't spell this out? Thanks for the feedback.

[alleyrat58]

The tag thing I'm not so sure about, but I tagged mine and had one heck of a time doing so. I thought it would be easier to tag it and pay the $40 / year then deal with being pulled over on my way to a comp. I have never found anything in NE that says what should or should not be licensed. I decided better to be safe than sorry. Of course my trailer also looks more like a utility trailer and less like the

BBQ producing masterpiece on wheels

that it is.

[Gizmo]

If you're going across state lines they will look at you less if it has a tag on it - when you go to get the tags simply tell them it's a homemade utility trailer ... Who knows - you might take the cooker off to help a friend move a piano ...

[The Czar]

Here in Missouri if my memory serves correct....you take your trailer to the local highway patrol station and it is inspected and given a stamp of approval....then you apply for a homemade trailer title and tag....

[TuscaloosaQ]

The trailer I just took to Ohio, I was told did not have to be tagged if I were bring it for deleivery, mystepsons will have to deal with that. It made no sense to get a tag in Alabama then have to get one up there. Looks like someone would define the law say gimma Yo money and see you in a year to much burraccracy<<<<<<< you know I can not spell, spell it for them DC My MY MY MY DC you are up to your old tricks I just saw that Avatar

[Frank_Cox]

I have never gotten one tagged. I have been pulled over several times and no one has ever asked or said anything to me about it. I will say this tho, if anyone ever asks if it is your smoker having a tag will be your best defense. it would be tough to pull up the forums and say "see here!" and the officer says "can you prove that your name is really solo?" hahaha... don't think that would ever happen tho.
on another note, insurance usually will not cover anything that "needs a pink paper"- or registration paper, such as a trailer of any kind unless it is "declared" on the "deck page" of your insurance policy. that being said , I think it is ones best interest to bend the proverbial knee and get the trailer licensed and tagged.

[TuscaloosaQ]

Frank is EXACTLY right !!!!!!

[PvilleComp]

I agree, better safe than sorry. Register it as a custom built trailer and get the tags. VA has a Permanent Tag option or you can pay yearly. Permanent is like $100 and yearly is $30. I've always done Permanent registration on the trailers I've had. It's just once and done.

Besides, you never know when you're going to run into an Officer who is having a really bad day, and you are out of state.



<<Crap, dc is wearing off on me>>

[Smokeone]

I agree, pay the fees, get the plate and have less headaches!

[The Czar]

nothing wrong with using the smilies ...... ............and Tuscalosca...I was told my last one was too racy....so I thought I would tone it down..

[Gizmo]

Sorry DC - but the tires ARE quite a bit wider than the fender so that one is a little racy ...

[Frank_Cox]

Sorry DC - but the tires ARE quite a bit wider than the fender so that one is a little racy ...

hahaha!

[Gizmo]

...and as far as the insurance goes - at least in my state - it varies by insurance company. My policy happens to cover ANYTHING that is hitched to my insured vehicle up to a percentage of the vehicle value - if I had a $10,000 trailer kitchen/smoker I'd prolly pull it with a $3000 pickup so that would be a bad thing - that is not true with all insurance companies so it is worth calling your agent and asking - just sayin'

Politics - Insurance - cooked carrots ....

SHEESH!

[SoloQue]

KK, I would say the concensus of the wise is to get the sucker tagged. Heck I might as well go for broke and see if "GOT Q" is already on the roads. My wife will just have to settle for whacking me over the head for another personalized tag. Eventually she will just get tired of whoopin on me. I do agree that eventually I will encounter the officer who is totin a mighty big chip and there is no reason to be the guy who sets him off.

[Tom_Heath]

Actually in MO, you can simply take a home made trailer to any motor vehicle inspection station IF its under 16 feet long. Hitch to tail.
And they will inspect it and assign the proper paper work to take to motor vehicle tagg location and wa-laa your done. Of course it must have the correct lighting, and look pretty decent.

Over 16 feet has to go out to a highway patrol station and get the full on inspection. The sad part is that they frown on the boat trailer conversions. Dont know why other then the amature conversions.

Then there is the MO gray area,
MO says, you dont need a tag so long as you cant haul cargo in or on the trailer. Such as a concrete mixer, air compressor, arrow board and such things like that. So, a trailer thats just a cooker, I think is golden but one like mine would have to.

All my trailers are tagged just to make it simple.

I am with the above post that my INS covers anything in tow, with what ever ins the tow vehicle has. So my liability is gonna pay someone else but pay me nothing if its my fault.

Kansas says if it weighs unser 2000 lbs it needs no tags.
I tagged all mine over there just to avoid the occasional traffic stop.

[The Czar]

Dang Tom that was some great information...you surprised me with your knowledge....

[rlmax02]

MD requires a homemade trailer which tech the king cooker is to be inspected, assigned a serial number and tagged. When you tag it you have to pay taxes on the value of the trailer. . I have decided that a slow moving triangle sign on the back was my best bet because im not traveling far with it. Another option which I will use in the near future with another project is getting a trailer tag from Maine. You can send your info in and get a tag easily for cheap.

[Tom_Heath]

I resemble that remark dc .....lol.

I was really waiting for a horse and buggy smoker... hence southern missouri. LMAO...

Mo is the same on paying property tax on the value. This is why i tagged mine when it was a junky looking trailer with no sides and roof.

Now for some people, tagging as an rv is the way to go price wise. I do not know the details of that tho.

[Gizmo]

QRV ... hmmmmm - it's not that big a stretch ...

[TuscaloosaQ]

Can you just hand a sign on it that says "Tag applied for" HA HA I see it in cars all the time. but remember I live in Alabama. Solo could I just not weld in bold letters" ROLL TIDE" on it for you

[SoloQue]

ROFL Now TQ, these folks might not get how bad you just got me but for now let's hold off on the "Roll Tide" mod. You gonna get me stuffed inside my own smoker with fancy welding like that.

[TuscaloosaQ]

Solo I was out of pocket yesterday just got back online today ,that is funny will prolly post some pics of the progress tonight I am fixing to put a brisket on my big smoker while i work today. It is only my third one but the last 2 turned out great

[erniesshop]

When I went to insure my Smoke Trailer..............I was told , No Tags.......No Insurance ????
Anyone else have this problem ??

[Gizmo]

Whatever you tow with some insurance companies is covered by the vehicle policy that it is hitched to. Try a different company...

[erniesshop]

I guess I need to explain more ......
I want to Insure it against theft , while it is not being used...........and parked in storage ?