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Posts: 183
| Technically boat trailers in WI dont need to be registered or have a license plate if theyre 3500 lbs or less loaded. Anybody have any problems at the canada border with an unregistered trailer below 3500 lbs or otherwise? Looking at bringing one of two boats this year. One is a 16' aluminum, the other is a 20 year old 18' fiberglass that might be over the limit ;). Neither ever registered. Obviously never had problems in WI. Do the border agents know the rule and will not bother any WI boats, or know it too well and be able to identify a heavier boat? |
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Location: Contrarian Island | never had an issue going since 2011 with either my Ranger 690 or last year my 620VS.. no problems...
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| I have crossed at St. Francis 6 times in the past two years and have never been questioned regarding my boat or trailer other than if I was going to leave it in Canada |
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Posts: 572
Location: Germantown, WI | I have crossed 15-20 times the last 10 year with 2 different boats. One I have a plate and tags for/ yet they have never been put on the trailer….sit I’m a shelf in my office
They have never even asked me
Edited by dward 3/8/2024 10:30 PM
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Posts: 355
Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | Getting in with no plates not your issue given they know what states have what.
Getting stopped by police with no trailer registration is where you would have issues. Every trailer must be registered in Canada to be on the road and must meet Transport Canada specifications for lights, reflectors, etc.
Doubt will cost you much to register (and thus have proof of ownership) down your way.
Edited by Angling Oracle 3/9/2024 10:20 AM
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Posts: 183
| Angling Oracle - 3/9/2024 10:18 AM
Getting in with no plates not your issue given they know what states have what.
Getting stopped by police with no trailer registration is where you would have issues. Every trailer must be registered in Canada to be on the road and must meet Transport Canada specifications for lights, reflectors, etc.
Doubt will cost you much to register (and thus have proof of ownership) down your way.
Good to know. Odds one of the 20 cars we see from Baudette to Morson would be a cop is almost zero but not quite. I do have the trailer title as proof of ownership and could bring a photocopy. |
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Location: E. Tenn | My biggest problem on my last trip was getting pulled over by some NW Chicago suburb cop, on the way home to TN, who tried to challenge me on registration requirements for both my truck and trailer.. after pulling up the appropriate requirements for my state of residence he tried to argue, and eventually went away pi**ed, but he went away..
Edited by miket55 3/9/2024 10:34 PM
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Posts: 399
Location: WI | A slight correction: any trailer over 3000lbs total weight needs to be registered in WI to legally be used on a public road. But with that said: I've crossed several times with my under 3000lb boat & trailer & nobody has ever said anything. You can register at the lowest registration weight if you'd feel safer when traveling. |
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Posts: 355
Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | Emptynet - 3/11/2024 9:38 AM
A slight correction: any trailer over 3000lbs total weight needs to be registered in WI to legally be used on a public road. But with that said: I've crossed several times with my under 3000lb boat & trailer & nobody has ever said anything. You can register at the lowest registration weight if you'd feel safer when traveling.
Police in Canada do not care what the laws of Wisconsin are, they enforce Canadian laws and if going to Ontario, whatever addition regulations they have there.
If you are stopped by the police and the VIN of the trailer (if it has one) does not match you as an owner (because it is not registered), then how do you think the rest of your day/trip is going to turn out? You may get really lucky (on your way and same advice I'm giving you now), you may get pretty lucky (a fine and on your way) or you may get really unlucky.
I see it is $15 to register a trailer in Wisconsin.
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Location: Delavan, WI | I need to clarify something, you are issued a title for the trailer in Wisconsin as proof of ownership, what they are talking about as far as registration is a license plate with a sticker for which you pay an annual fee |
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Posts: 183
| muskymartin67 - 3/12/2024 5:32 AM
I need to clarify something, you are issued a title for the trailer in Wisconsin as proof of ownership, what they are talking about as far as registration is a license plate with a sticker for which you pay an annual fee
Correct. Ive got that trailer title. No license plate and probably 90% of boats I see in WI dont have plates on the trailers. They've got registration stickers on the boat which is done through the DNR, but nobody registers trailers which is through the DOT. Based on the first 3 responses it sounds like its a non issue to take it across the border especially given how far Im traveling.
Edited by Vilas15 3/13/2024 10:51 AM
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Location: Selkirk, Manitoba | Vilas15 - 3/13/2024 10:49 AM
muskymartin67 - 3/12/2024 5:32 AM
Based on the first 3 responses it sounds like its a non issue to take it across the border especially given how far Im traveling.
The first three responses were getting across with no plate, not being unregistered.
A little across the border is like being a little pregnant. |
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Canada border crossing with WI unregistered trailer