New York Trailering Rules

[1001WordsPhoto]

I have a New Holland SubCompact tractor with a front bucket. I want to trailer it and drive it across town on local roads, no highways. I have a pickup truck and a trailer that are current in registrations and inspections and can handle the load. I am a private citizen moving equipment for noncommercial use. If I am not driving the tractor on the local roads, do I need any plates or permits? Thanks for the help.

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome:

 

[jel1988]

Welcome

 

[aczlan]

If you are hauling a subcompact on a trailer, you don't really have to worry about anything but making sure its well tied down and the truck/trailer can handle the load...

Aaron Z

 

[JJZ 109]

As long as your tow vehicle and trailer are registered and you're within the weigh limits you should be fine.
I remember many years ago there being "special commercial" plates that I used to see on tractors or other various equipment that would be driven on a public road, but I haven't seen that type of plate in years. Many of us NY residents have registered our trailers in Maine. In my case the fee went from $75 per year in NY to $99 for 5 years in Maine.

 

[My Hoe]

As long as your tow vehicle and trailer are registered and you're within the weigh limits you should be fine.
I remember many years ago there being "special commercial" plates that I used to see on tractors or other various equipment that would be driven on a public road, but I haven't seen that type of plate in years. Many of us NY residents have registered our trailers in Maine. In my case the fee went from $75 per year in NY to $99 for 5 years in Maine.

Hey JJZ,

DO tell me how this is legal! I am SO tired of New York State's "nannyism" (other than re: environmental and social issues) that I resent paying their (near highest) taxes.

Does one have to own property in Maine, to do this? If not, please regale me. I'm "all ears," as my dear, departed Grandpa was wont to say.

Fascinated.

My Hoe

 

[aczlan]

See: How To | Maine Trailer Registration for one that several members on here use

Aaron Z

 

[radioman]

I have a New Holland SubCompact tractor with a front bucket. I want to trailer it and drive it across town on local roads, no highways. I have a pickup truck and a trailer that are current in registrations and inspections and can handle the load. I am a private citizen moving equipment for noncommercial use. If I am not driving the tractor on the local roads, do I need any plates or permits? Thanks for the help.

I am not sure what you are asking here? Normally you should not need any special plates or permits just for moving your tractor around in NYS as long the trailer is rated for the combined weight of tractor/implements/equipments and weight of trailer. If your truck is rated to tow the trailer max weight, and you have tractor tied down properly with straps or chains ( I prefer chains). Also as long what ever is attached to tractor doesnt stick out wider then 9.5 ft and 4 ft past trailer - its legal. When tieing down tractor - pretend you are moving it commercially- 4 separate chains on tractor in X fashion and strap/chain on FEL and additional straps/chains on each implement. All hooks of straps/chains always looped inside of a pocket or frame and back up and hooked upright so the weight of hook is hooked upright so it less likely to fall off and the chain/strap is inside of strap/pocket prevents it flapping around dangerously if it comes unhooked. Do it this way will not get a closer look from local DOT but they dont seems to bother private owners anyway.

 

[radioman]

almost forgot -- in NYS - if towing more then 3500 lbs- gotta have brakes on trailer. Also if you have tandem axles then both axles must have brakes as per NYS.

 

[1001WordsPhoto]

Thank you all for the input. My trailer is a dual axle with brakes at each wheel, and is rated to care about double the tractor weight. Come spring time, I will be moving this back and forth to get yard work done at my family properties. Thank for the help.

Does anyone know if I can drive the tractor on the local roads? I need to install the triangle reflector and test all the lights, but do I need a plate for that? I can't find a tractor registration in the NYS DMV that isn't for "farm equipment". It would be easier if I owned a farm.

Again, thanks for the welcome and the help.

 

[radioman]

look here.. Slow Moving Vehicles

and easier understanding http://www.safeny.ny.gov/media/SMV-broc4-09.pdf

p Tractors
p Self-propelled farm equipment
p Road construction and
maintenance machinery
p Animal-powered vehicles
NYS law requires vehicles that travel 25 mph
or less to have a Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem:
• Placed in the middle of the back end
• Located two to six feet above the road
• Kept clean and replace when faded
p Each piece of agricultural equipment,
whether self-propelled or used in
combination, shall separately display a
slow-moving vehicle emblem
p It is illegal to put SMV emblems on stationary objects – such as mailboxes
or driveway posts

So basically stated is since a subcompact normally doesnt go over 25 mph, and you have newer model so it SHOULD have the required lights and SMV on the back, you should be fine on the road no matter what at any given time.

 

[JJZ 109]

Hey JJZ,

DO tell me how this is legal! I am SO tired of New York State's "nannyism" (other than re: environmental and social issues) that I resent paying their (near highest) taxes.

Does one have to own property in Maine, to do this? If not, please regale me. I'm "all ears," as my dear, departed Grandpa was wont to say.

Fascinated.

My Hoe

The site that Aaron linked to in his post is the place I use. No need to own property there. Next time you're on in interstate, take note of how many semis have Maine registered trailers. I've registered 3 trailers with them overall. And I'll continue to do so until I get a ticket telling me otherwise. This state becomes more ridiculous by the day. I'm sick of overpaying so that Cuomo can give state prison convicts a college education.

 

[mini14]

I believe any wheeled vehicle over 59cc in engine size must be registered and insured have proper lighting if being driven on public roads

 

[fried1765]

As long as your tow vehicle and trailer are registered and you're within the weigh limits you should be fine.
I remember many years ago there being "special commercial" plates that I used to see on tractors or other various equipment that would be driven on a public road, but I haven't seen that type of plate in years. Many of us NY residents have registered our trailers in Maine. In my case the fee went from $75 per year in NY to $99 for 5 years in Maine.

I don't live in NY (thankfully) but do have two trailers in Ma. (I live in Fl.)

Both my trailers ( a 16' box trailer, and a 20' equipment trailer) are registered in Maine.
It is NOT a requirement to own property in Maine, or have a Maine mailing address.

Check out their website! ....Countrywiderailerregisrations.com
Jennifer is very pleasant to deal with.
Phone number is: 1-207-590-5344

 

[Howling]

Country Wide Trailer Registrations | We make the registration process simple!

 

[JJZ 109]

Wow! Someone dug up a blast from the past. Last post until today from from March 2014.

 

[Btown]

I don't live in NY (thankfully) but do have two trailers in Ma. (I live in Fl.)

Both my trailers ( a 16' box trailer, and a 20' equipment trailer) are registered in Maine.
It is NOT a requirement to own property in Maine, or have a Maine mailing address.

Check out their website! ....Countrywiderailerregisrations.com
Jennifer is very pleasant to deal with.
Phone number is: 1-207-590-5344

There are some issues with registering a trailer with Maine tags and living in Massachusetts. I’m not going to get into specifics, just beware if you get stopped by the right police officer it could cost you big $$$.

 

[fried1765]

There are some issues with registering a trailer with Maine tags and living in Massachusetts. I知 not going to get into specifics, just beware if you get stopped by the right police officer it could cost you big $$$.

I do not see the problem!
My permanent residence is not in Massachusetts, and I do not have a Massachusetts drivers license.
I have a seasonal Massachusetts residence, and do have two vehicles seasonally registered there.
My equipment trailer is registered in Maine.
I just sold my box trailer last week.

 

[Btown]

I do not see the problem!
My permanent residence is not in Massachusetts, and I do not have a Massachusetts drivers license.
I have a seasonal Massachusetts residence, and do have two vehicles seasonally registered there.
My equipment trailer is registered in Maine.
I just sold my box trailer last week.

One issue with Maine registered trailers is they do not associate a weight rating for trailers. Maine places that on the tow vehicle. Towing a Maine registered trailer with a Massachusetts registered vehicle with anything on the trailer it is overweight. Just ask anyone from Maine. They have to register their pickup trucks for a combined weight that they think they will not exceed. The DOT police up there weighs them all the time. Massachusetts registered trailers you register it for a certain weight rating.

 

[aczlan]

One issue with Maine registered trailers is they do not associate a weight rating for trailers. Maine places that on the tow vehicle. Towing a Maine registered trailer with a Massachusetts registered vehicle with anything on the trailer it is overweight. Just ask anyone from Maine. They have to register their pickup trucks for a combined weight that they think they will not exceed. The DOT police up there weighs them all the time. Massachusetts registered trailers you register it for a certain weight rating.

Same with NY.

Aaron Z