Indiana trailer tag question

[jeffsw6]

I thought that Indiana had 10K trailer tags available, but it turns out I am wrong. For my new 10K GVWR trailer I will need to choose either 9K or 12K plates. The cost difference is not much but I don't want to be forced to get a DOT number if I can avoid it.

Technically, will I need a DOT# and inspection for a 12K tag?

Practically, will every bored cop in the world stop me and maybe cite me for having a 12K tag with no DOT number even though the trailer is title/VIN'd for 10K?

The BMV guy I called on the phone was not very knowledgeable about this and I did not think to ask to be connected to someone who deals with motor carriers.

Trailer is a 8.5x20 plus V-nose box with 7'6 inside height and ramp door, and basically looks like any racing trailer. I can put 9K tags on it and be fine on my weight for now; the trailer mfr's options were 7000# or 10400# and 7000# was not enough. But if 12K tags don't create extra complications then I will go ahead and pay for them. I am in no danger of exceeding 26K combined, my tow vehicle is a Suburban.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Get the 9k tags. Reason is the 12k is a dead giveaway your Suburban is overloaded.

When you get a heavier rig go to 12k. If its for personal use in Indiana you can go any weight without dot concern.

Chris

 

[jeffsw6]

Good point, thanks!

Hopefully I will get a larger truck soon. This trailer isn't going to see much highway use, but doing 55 to 70 MPH on I-75 / I-64 / I-65 today, I don't think the trans was in 4th gear for more than a mile here and there. 19 MPG on the way down, 7.4 MPG on the way home.

The Gatormade product seems nice but other posters who have commented that they mess up on little details that shouldn't be missed, I have to agree with them. For the price I paid I am honestly very pleased; it is not perfect but it's close enough that I do not regret paying $7800 instead of $14000!

The two problems I noticed, first, several lug nuts were not torqued down. I don't know if it's totally obvious that people should check them on a new vehicle before leaving the mfr/dealer or not. I re-checked at a fuel stop about 100mi later and they were fine but I was glad I did not leave my tire iron at home, and glad I checked before I hooked up.

Second was not safety-related at all but it was really obvious that someone in the factory did a half-*** job! I got an electric tongue jack and the wiring for it is crap, I am going to re-do it next week. The ground wire was just stripped bare and twisted together with nothing covering/holding it; no connector, no electrical tape, nothing. I asked the salesman to just put some e-tape on it for the trip home since I already had decided to re-do it myself later.

Anyway, so far I would definitely buy another trailer from them, but I might bring my own electrical tape with me next time! The amount of inventory they have at the factory is staggering, too; they are nearly out of room to store more trailers. So I bet if you need something they sell you can get it really cheap right now.

Will post some pictures tomorrow.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can not wait to see it. I have been to the factory also on my way to Lake Cumberland. Nice place. If they would fix all the little issues they could put the other trailer manufactures out of business on price alone.

7.4 mpg is pretty bad. You did not even have the trailer loaded yet. I think a new truck will be coming sooner than later.

What gears does you Suburban have? Also, what year and motor. My co-pilot has a 05 Yukon XL and it has the 5.3L with 4.10 gears. He pulls a 8,000# camper and it gets right at 8 mpg. Thats just what they get.


Chris

 

[jeffsw6]

What gears does you Suburban have? Also, what year and motor. My co-pilot has a 05 Yukon XL and it has the 5.3L with 4.10 gears. He pulls a 8,000# camper and it gets right at 8 mpg. Thats just what they get.

I have the 05 1/2 ton 4x4 with 5.3 and the default 3.42:1 axles. At the time I bought it I did not think I would be towing so much.

I can't really complain about the 8 MPG but I see a 7.3 PSD or a Duramax in my future. Every time I make a trip where the truck is in 2nd gear on the highway a lot, I wonder how long it will be until my transmission fails, frequent fluid changes or not!