BajaNomad

Bringing a Baja-built ATV trailer back North, forsee problems?

DawnPatrol - 11-21-2013 at 11:28 PM

A friend in San Quintin is building me a flatbed trailer for me that will serve as both a car carrier and/or ATV carrier.
All he has into it is around $300 for the frame & axles. I have supplied US parts like the tires, rims, spindles, bearings, lights, disc brake kit, etc...

When I come north (Tecate gate) do I declare the $300 value ? I will have a receipt. I will also show the receipts for the US parts if need be.

I will have a CA DMV temporary operating permit to be able to take it to the DMV to get inspected and issued a VIN# & CA plates.

Forsee any problems?

Doing it this way is savings big bucks.....

Thanks in advance. been a long time lurker of the board, just registered. Been all over baja many many times....

Bob and Susan - 11-22-2013 at 06:03 AM

you really need to talk to someone at the border FIRST!!!

there could be a bond $$$
you may need DOT verification
lights and brakes

just for the border

the border people have way different rules and the ca dmv

the calif dmv people will want sales taxes
if you have receipts that showed you paid calif sales tax you are good to go

otherwise prepare for punishment

55steve - 11-22-2013 at 08:42 AM

Amato Boats in Ensenada makes boats & trailers that are regularly sold to people in the U.S. - perhaps they would have the answer.

jimgrms - 11-22-2013 at 08:52 AM

Borrow a trailer plate from a friend in ca ,and put it on the new trailer and bring it back, then tell the dmv you built it in ca

Trailer

captkw - 11-22-2013 at 09:45 AM

I dont have a perfect answer for you..That said I have crossed with a boat on a trailer many,,many times and they always inspect boat and trailer&papers... and you will need fenders on that trailer or the CHP will stop you for good reason.....please follow up with a report on how it works out...Thanx...:cool:

DawnPatrol - 11-22-2013 at 11:44 AM

Thanks for the replies... I am going down to the Customs office in downtown SD on Monday to see what decalration forms I will need.

I will keep the forum posted

Alan from El Cajon

sancho - 11-22-2013 at 12:35 PM

Slightly off, that reminds me of an Old Snowbird who
had a panga built in Baja Sur, he towed a trailer
down from Idaho. At the US border coming back he was
asked if there is anything to declare, said no. Back in
Idaho he presented a pic of the panga, said he built
it, got it registered

ca dmv

captkw - 11-22-2013 at 12:47 PM

Be assured ca DMV will demand to inspect a trailer before they will reg it !! That much I can tell ya !!

durrelllrobert - 11-22-2013 at 02:05 PM

Here are the applicable CA requirements in case you don't have them:
www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/spcnsreg.htm‎

And here is a company in North Park that will come to your house to verify that the trailer meets the requirements and they will even take care of all the DMV paperwork to get you a title, registration and plates:

www.dmvsandiego.net/‎

When we built the '35 Studebaker I use as my avatar we had no title, registration or plates and the body had been sitting in a backyard in Temecula since the 50s. Furthermore we had used a burned out '71 Corvette (salvage title) as the donor car for the engine, running gear and suspension. The guy came to the house, inspected it, looked at the salvage title and bill of sale and got us a title as a home built vehicle since it didn't look like a Corvette. Don't remember the cost.

BajaParrothead - 11-22-2013 at 07:57 PM

DMV will not apply a VIN to a trailer with a GVWR of 7500 lbs or greater. Make an appointment with the VIN Officer at the El Cajon CHP office. He will apply the metallic blue assigned VIN for a special construction trailer (home made). He will not care where it was built, makes no difference as long as the lights are in compliance, wheels are covered, chains are in compliance and the brakes are working. DMV will just ask you for the cost of construction. No receipts necessary since you will be signing a declaration under penalty of perjury. As for the border, your temporary moving permit from DMV should be sufficient. The whole thing should be pretty straight forward.

DawnPatrol - 11-22-2013 at 08:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaParrothead
DMV will not apply a VIN to a trailer with a GVWR of 7500 lbs or greater. Make an appointment with the VIN Officer at the El Cajon CHP office. He will apply the metallic blue assigned VIN for a special construction trailer (home made). He will not care where it was built, makes no difference as long as the lights are in compliance, wheels are covered, chains are in compliance and the brakes are working. DMV will just ask you for the cost of construction. No receipts necessary since you will be signing a declaration under penalty of perjury. As for the border, your temporary moving permit from DMV should be sufficient. The whole thing should be pretty straight forward.


Have any guess as to what GVW would be for a dual axle, 14' x 7.5' flatbed would be?

Yes I have the DMV permit in hand and have paid the fees for the temp. moving permit. I understand I will show all receipts or sign a statement.

I am just curious when I arrive at Tecate gate should I also declare the 600-700 dollars it cost me to have the frame built?

I think a driver over to the tecate customs gate is in order next week. Its not too far from my house...

Thanks again for the input

Hola senior

captkw - 11-22-2013 at 08:31 PM

Since trailers repair is a part of what I do for a Living,,I can say with confidence that at least in the USA,, the axles are sold as rated and then you have the tires as rated and brakes on trailers is sorta a grey area not to mention the controllers and springs are also over rated !! SO..........make your run and ???? I guess my point is...ya don't know till you get there !!...pregunta ?? why don't more trailers have shocks ???

[Edited on 11-23-2013 by captkw]

BajaParrothead - 11-23-2013 at 10:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
I bought a trailer made in Bahia de Los Angeles. Told the border guy what I did, showed him the receipt and then went to the CHP on PCH in San Diego for a VIN and then registration.

It was pretty simple and not a problem... that was 7 years ago, though, and things may be a bit stickier now.


That is pretty much still the process. It's not very difficult at all.

BajaParrothead - 11-23-2013 at 10:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DawnPatrol
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaParrothead
DMV will not apply a VIN to a trailer with a GVWR of 7500 lbs or greater. Make an appointment with the VIN Officer at the El Cajon CHP office. He will apply the metallic blue assigned VIN for a special construction trailer (home made). He will not care where it was built, makes no difference as long as the lights are in compliance, wheels are covered, chains are in compliance and the brakes are working. DMV will just ask you for the cost of construction. No receipts necessary since you will be signing a declaration under penalty of perjury. As for the border, your temporary moving permit from DMV should be sufficient. The whole thing should be pretty straight forward.


Have any guess as to what GVW would be for a dual axle, 14' x 7.5' flatbed would be?

Yes I have the DMV permit in hand and have paid the fees for the temp. moving permit. I understand I will show all receipts or sign a statement.

I am just curious when I arrive at Tecate gate should I also declare the 600-700 dollars it cost me to have the frame built?

I think a driver over to the tecate customs gate is in order next week. Its not too far from my house...

Thanks again for the input


Check your tires, and as CAPTKW suggested, those axles should be rated as well. For a car hauler, they're generally rated between 7500 and 10000. Just don't declare it over 10,000 Lbs. It then requires a commercial class A license, weather it's loaded or not.

Your tires are probably in the area of 2200 lbs each, so you'd be safe in declaring it to be an 8800 lb trailer, as long as the axles and springs are equivalent.

DawnPatrol - 11-23-2013 at 11:12 AM

You have hit the nail on the head, the tires are 2200 rated each
3500 lb axles.....

Bob and Susan - 11-23-2013 at 12:59 PM

don't haul a car on that thing...too small

the atv will be fine

I haul water everyday...tires are the weakest link
you got lucky with 2200 lbs
most tires are 17-1800

you probably have 1750lb springs...too small
I had to upgrade for the weight

Trailer tires

captkw - 11-23-2013 at 01:16 PM

I could write a book about how many times someone has brought a trailer (w/boat) to me and now after many years in the biz..I look at the tires first!!...that sometimes are a few weeks new!! and have to tell the folks that those tires are WRONG!!!..but,But The guy stammers-!! Goodyear/firestone/joeblows tire just charged me good money for them !! been a uphill battle all my life.....A TRAILER TIRE WILL SAY "ST" on the sidewall..and nothing else will do..sorry...(Fact)..they are made different then regular tires and "ST" stands for " special Trailer " DUH!! sometimes I think I'am the only one in this biz that reads a book. when you see this issue over a 1000 times,, makes me wonder...don't listen to blow joe manager at a tire shop...get "ST" tires for your trailer.. BIAS PLY OR RADS just match to the tow car/truck......simple..but Sooo overlooked...

[Edited on 11-23-2013 by captkw]

DawnPatrol - 11-23-2013 at 06:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
I could write a book about how many times someone has brought a trailer (w/boat) to me and now after many years in the biz..I look at the tires first!!...that sometimes are a few weeks new!! and have to tell the folks that those tires are WRONG!!!..but,But The guy stammers-!! Goodyear/firestone/joeblows tire just charged me good money for them !! been a uphill battle all my life.....A TRAILER TIRE WILL SAY "ST" on the sidewall..and nothing else will do..sorry...(Fact)..they are made different then regular tires and "ST" stands for " special Trailer " DUH!! sometimes I think I'am the only one in this biz that reads a book. when you see this issue over a 1000 times,, makes me wonder...don't listen to blow joe manager at a tire shop...get "ST" tires for your trailer.. BIAS PLY OR RADS just match to the tow car/truck......simple..but Sooo overlooked...

thanks for both of the above. I guess this is turning into a trailer info session- which is great.

I got Load Range D, 8ply, ST Radials

As far as holding a vehicle, I would occasionally put a Jeep Wrangler on the trailer @ 3300 GWV. My ATV is 1200
Thats why I did a dual axle for the occasional time I may do the Wrangler

I will check on the trailer springs they are putting on

I guess I should also state that I am towing with 2006 Ford 2500 SuperDuty Diesel

Thanks for all discussion

[Edited on 11-23-2013 by captkw]


[Edited on 11-24-2013 by DawnPatrol]

[Edited on 11-24-2013 by DawnPatrol]

Bob and Susan - 11-23-2013 at 06:31 PM

the springs are only one part...the hubs and bearings are the other part

edit: oh yea the jeep is heavier than that...after gas...extra gas....oil water ans stuff

[Edited on 11-24-2013 by Bob and Susan]

DawnPatrol - 11-23-2013 at 06:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
the springs are only one part...the hubs and bearings are the other part

edit: oh yea the jeep is heavier than that...after gas...extra gas....oil water ans stuff

[Edited on 11-24-2013 by Bob and Susan]


Bob, I mis-typed the GVW of the Jeep is 3300 but I get what you are saying.

Trailers & tire's

captkw - 11-24-2013 at 10:06 AM

One last mention....its a good thing to get your trailer tires balanced....but for some unknown reason most folks don't ???? and lets not open the subject about shock's !!:spingrin:

bajaguy - 11-24-2013 at 01:00 PM

And don't forget to check the alignment

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
One last mention....its a good thing to get your trailer tires balanced....but for some unknown reason most folks don't ???? and lets not open the subject about shock's !!:spingrin:

BajaDixon - 11-24-2013 at 01:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
One last mention....its a good thing to get your trailer tires balanced....but for some unknown reason most folks don't ???? and lets not open the subject about shock's !!:spingrin:



Please do open the subject of shocks on trailers. I number among the uninitiated. I've been pulling trailers around for 30 years and am about to have another one built in Baja.

Maderita - 11-24-2013 at 09:10 PM

BajaDixon,
I installed off-road shocks on a utility trailer and on a horse trailer.
If you want discussion and details, suggest starting another thread, such as, "Adding shocks on trailers?"

DawnPatrol - 12-11-2013 at 08:31 PM

OK, got the trailer back over the border with zero problems.
Note: This may not be a typical result....

Brought the 14' dual axle flatbed trailer back over through the Tecate border crossing.
Being a Wednesday around 1Pm there was only 3 cars in front of us.

Had my Mexican receipt for the building of the trailer frame. Had all my proof of the American-bought parts that we had taken down to install on the frame (tires/wheels/bearings/spindles, etc. Also had the DMV one day moving permit for the unregistered, no-VIN# trailer

The customs guy asked what were we declaring. I said I had the trailer built in San Quintin. I told him I had the DMV temporary move permit. He kind of looked at it, never asked anything else about receipts, value of the trailer and/or parts, which I had been kind of expecting... but nada

So over the border we went....

Now it gets a little interesting. I decided to drive right to the CHP in El Cajon because they had said they were the only ones who issued VIN #'s.... Because I didn't have a DMV 124 form (whatever that is) he said that I had to go to the DMV to get one, but he had a two week wait on VIN inspections because they only do it twice a week (even though a girl there said just bring it in??-- pretty dumb). So n ow I'm bouncing between the CHP and DMV office...

I went back to the DMV and was a little upset that they did not give me the infamous 124 form when I got the move permits because I needed one because the CHP told me they were the only ones who issue VIN's... They asked a supervisor and they said what kind of a trailer was it? I said just a utility trailer for off road ATV's... they said that THEY can do them!!

So in other words I don't think the two agencies really have there acts together completely. I told the CHP that it was a utility trailer but they seem to think they are the only ones who issue VIN's....

Oh well, got the license plate and VIN at the DMV. Also what I though was weird was that when they looked at the trailer at the DMV they never even checked to see if the trailer lights worked, if it had a safety chain, license light, turn signals, etc....

Its all good now.... after a couple of stiff Bloody Mary's......

:)

woody with a view - 12-11-2013 at 08:39 PM

good job closing out this thread. it's always nice to see the final outcome.

Neal Johns - 12-12-2013 at 02:18 PM

I agree with Woody, great bunch of posts about bringing a trailer back across the border.

durrelllrobert - 12-12-2013 at 04:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
I bought a trailer made in Bahia de Los Angeles. Told the border guy what I did, showed him the receipt and then went to the CHP on PCH in San Diego for a VIN and then registration.

It was pretty simple and not a problem... that was 7 years ago, though, and things may be a bit stickier now.


Yea, Homeland Security is just as worried about terrorist trailers being snuck into the US as they are about old ladies coming in from Canada.