How do I buy a Trailer in Canada and get it into the US

[spoof]

If I were going to invest in purchasing a built offroad camping trailer, I'd just figure out a way to do it with Martyn and AT. Obviously solid guys and a solid company with the knowledge and dedication to back up their product.

And Martyn's advice is obviously sound--and legal.

But I still say nobody cares if the dude drives the trailer to the US and happens to leave it here. I do live in the wild west, but my MVD would only get sleepy if I tried to start explaining my trailer to them. Just tell them I want a trailer plate, hand over the fee and there it is. They want to know that it has lights, not whether or not it was snuck across the border.

 

[taquito971@yahoo.com]

Not advocating anything illegal, but I bought my Canadian M101 with a handwritten Bill Of Sale that stated it was home built. The lady behind the counter figured it was a very old trailer from the 60s and put that in the California DMV database. She totally made it up. Got a little sticker with an assigned VIN (she didn't like the SN on the trailer) and handed me a plate.

Brian

 

[lx450landcruiser]

And Martyn's advice is obviously sound--and legal.

But I still say nobody cares if the dude drives the trailer to the US and happens to leave it here. I do live in the wild west, but my MVD would only get sleepy if I tried to start explaining my trailer to them. Just tell them I want a trailer plate, hand over the fee and there it is. They want to know that it has lights, not whether or not it was snuck across the border.

I believe Martyn is not saying its impossible or even hard to do, getting it into the US or even getting it licensed and on the road. How ever with any vehicle if anything happens out of the ordinary (You loose a wheel or have an accident) Your trailer was not ment to be on US roads and forget about insurance coving you or any others involved, not to mention possible law suits could there from a resulting injury.

forgive me if im wrong but this is partially what i got from the conversation

mike

 

[jeeprsq3]

So just for the sake of conversation, Whos to say "Where it came from"
What I mean is, whats the diffrence in this one Vs one out of Atlanta ?

Second question, and Again I just dont understand any of this.

Is let's say a canadian citizian took a vacation to the US with a trailer in tow, and while here decided to "sell his trailer" to say ME ?

Again whats the diffrence in his and the same one from Atlanta ?

How does the DMV know where it came from, Canada Vs Atlanta?

They both originated from the same manufacture in SA. same wiring, lights, MSO, Etc. and were assembled somewhere else.......whos to say where that "Else" was.

Im not attempting to pull off something here. It just doesnt make any sence to me.

I think as long as you pay the taxes that come with it, Uncle Sam is not going to care. As long as the tax man is paid! My 2 cents

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I believe Martyn is not saying its impossible or even hard to do, getting it into the US or even getting it licensed and on the road. How ever with any vehicle if anything happens out of the ordinary (You loose a wheel or have an accident) Your trailer was not ment to be on US roads and forget about insurance coving you or any others involved, not to mention possible law suits could there from a resulting injury.

forgive me if im wrong but this is partially what i got from the conversation

mike

What are the laws for homebuilts in the US? In Ontario, there are no requirements, no safety inspection. You can staple a shoe box to a roller skate, and get a plate. As for liability... I don't know for sure. I once did EXTENSIVE legal research related to liability for accidents involving modified cars... there has never been a case that I could find. It's never even been in court.

Anyway, my main point is... it's frustrating that we have all these rules for an item just because it was manufactured, when homebuilts don't. The same goes for homebuilt cars and motorcycles.

 

[Martyn]

I believe Martyn is not saying its impossible or even hard to do, getting it into the US or even getting it licensed and on the road. How ever with any vehicle if anything happens out of the ordinary (You loose a wheel or have an accident) Your trailer was not ment to be on US roads and forget about insurance coving you or any others involved, not to mention possible law suits could there from a resulting injury.

forgive me if im wrong but this is partially what i got from the conversation

mike

One of the Rover sites mentions non US spec Land Rovers being involved in accidents and the insurance claims being denied as a VIN search showed the vehicle not to be in compliance with US standards.

The thing about insurance is we all hate to pay it, but when we need it we expect to be covered.

On the issue of military trailers, it's my understanding that being owned and made specifically for the military they don't have a VIN, only a description tag. When they are registered for civilian use they are treated like a homebuild and issued a VIN by the local DMV.

 

[RedRocker]

In Texas you go to the DMV, tell them you have a homemade trailer and what weight it's rated for, pay the money and get the plate. :ylsmoke:

 

[Robert Bills]

I once did EXTENSIVE legal research related to liability for accidents involving modified cars... there has never been a case that I could find. It's never even been in court.

There have been plenty of lawsuits concerning accidents involving modified cars. I have been involved in several as an attorney. The typical case relates to whether or not modifications were done negligently and then whether the "negligent" modifications were a cause of any damage/injury. These cases usually turn on "garden variety" negligence law and are typically not product liability cases because they involve one car and a private owner, not a business enterprise placing allegedly defective products in the stream of commerce. That being said, in the case of a poorly engineered aftermarket brake, steering or suspension system it would certainly be a possibility that a plaintiff's lawyer (or defense attorney looking for someone to indemnify his client) would name an aftermarket parts manufacturer or distributor as a defendant (or cross-defendant) in order to tag another insurance policy as an additional source for settlement funds.

Typical legal research leads to published appellate cases, not cases in trial courts. Since 90% of all cases settle before trial, a small percentage of cases that do go to trial are appealed. and very few appellate opinions are published (to be published must usually involve a novel question of law or case of first impression), finding cases concerning accidents involving modified cars won't be easy. Sometimes the only way to find these cases is through trade journals and case summary/verdict report subscription services for trial lawyers.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Thanks for that input. Keep in mind however, I am speaking about Canadian law, which has a few differences. Biggest one being we are much less likely to litigate in the first place. In my particular case, I was looking for cases involving 3rd party damages which had been denied by the owner's insurance company, due to modifications "voiding" the insurance policy. These would necessarily end up in trial, as the sums involved would be more than a typical person could afford to pay, and the 3rd party would be demanding compensation.

 

[Martyn]

My post regarding insurance claims being denied was based on the fact the vehicle was not legally imported into the country, and or didn't meet that countries safety standards. Or the vehicle had been imported legally and had not been brought into compliance with that countries safety standards.

It appears that the Conqueror trailers imported into the USA did not meet US standards, exemplified by the non-compliant lights, and incorrect VIN's. In the worst case scenario if an owner of one of these trailers gets into an accident their insurance coverage may be denied.

From a manufacturers point of view I'd like to keep the standard for manufacturing and importing as high as possible, so that customers can feel assured that they are getting a sound product.

It's reflect badly on our industry when a customer asks if we build our trailers in compliance with current regulations and laws, and if we have compliant VIN's. It would indicate that others do not.

AT goes a step beyond required regulations, we have all of our trailers independently certified by the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers. All of our trailers carry the NATM certification label.

 

[WMac]

I got a PM from a Fellow forum member that owns one of the Canquerors and had this to say

[I]"The only label on it was the original manufacturers label with the serial number. This was not a valid VIN number as the check digit, digit number 9, was a letter M instead of the required 0-9 or X. The serial number or WMI as it is known had to be re-calculated by Mega according to a formula. The new VIN was then submitted to me on a new Manufacturers Certificate". [/I]

If thats so, then it should be updating the taillights( if DMV even looks at them) and submit the New MSO.

 

[mtnbike28]

Mega?

WMac,

Are you saying you contacted Mega and they agreed to send you a new MSO? With a correct VIN? I am having tons of trouble registering my trailer in New York... I have already replaced all my lights, upgraded bolts and am ready to camp, if I can get it registered. If you have a contact, please share! Thanks

 

[Martyn]

I got a PM from a Fellow forum member that owns one of the Canquerors and had this to say

The only label on it was the original manufacturers label with the serial number. This was not a valid VIN number as the check digit, digit number 9, was a letter M instead of the required 0-9 or X. The serial number or WMI as it is known had to be re-calculated by Mega according to a formula. The new VIN was then submitted to me on a new Manufacturers Certificate.

If thats so, then it should be updating the taillights( if DMV even looks at them) and submit the New MSO.

I have a home made Excel program for checking the VIN numbers and supplying the check digit number.

I'd be happy to either put your VIN into the program to work out what the check number should be or to send you the program.

 

[WMac]

WMac,

Are you saying you contacted Mega and they agreed to send you a new MSO? With a correct VIN? I am having tons of trouble registering my trailer in New York... I have already replaced all my lights, upgraded bolts and am ready to camp, if I can get it registered. If you have a contact, please share! Thanks

No Read the thread again, I didnt contact them, a fellow member her did for his trailer that was imported to Canada from the US, It is encouraging, if they would do so for Canada, whay wouldnt they do it for the US.

Its my understanding that the original it missing a 9th digit, Mega simply asked for the "original VIN" and recalced it.

I pasted his PM as he sent it to me. so my understanding is that Mega Manufacturing " Re Issued a new MSO"

 

[mtnbike28]

thanks

sorry I miss-read what you said! Good luck.