Here's the dilema. I have an 86 toyota 4x4, 35's, no smog system, that I want to flat tow to the desert. Besides the logistics of flat towing (IE: disconnecting the drive shafts, proper sized tow vehicle, etc.) what do I need to legally flat tow this thing to the desert? Again, it doesn't have a smog system in it anymore. It is currently a "registered vehicle" in that I still have the title and I still have the plates. I would only need to pay some back reg fees on it (less than a year).

Thanks for the help.

To legally flat tow that vehicle, you're going to have to get the registration paid up.

To legally tow with wheels on the ground, you need a moving permit, or a temporary tag... to get either, you'll need to pay back registration.

Randii

I'm not worried about paying back registration. I'm willing to do that. I seem to remember that the last time I registered it, they required a smog cert after 90 days, or else the reg. lapsed. At the time, I only needed it to work for 90 days, and then I was going to green sticker it. I never ended up green stickering it, because I didn't have a trailer to haul it out in. I still don't have a trailer, and am looking for other ways to get it out now.

My main concern is with the smog. Does it need to be smogged to be flat towed? BTW, this is for california if that makes a difference. Thanks again for the help.

if you need to have a valid plate on it to flat tow it,then youll have to do whatever it takes to pass any inspections necessary to obtain the plate,in order to be 100% politically correct.

bottom line is that youll need to check with the government agencies in your state to figure out the laws. most states do require the vehicle to be liscensed and insured when towed with wheels on the ground.

back when i flat towed my grand wagoneer,i never bothered to pay for a plate for it every year,i simply swapped on the plate from my DD xj.

its not really correct,but you could always swap a valid plate from something else onto it,or just tow it with the exp plate. chances are good that as long as everything else is up to par that you wont get hassled,so make sure everything needed to make it roll and steer is in good shape,carry those spare parts with you,make sure youve got safety chains and lights,and drive like youre towing a 4000# trailer with no brakes. if you look like an accident waiting to happen, are driving 10 mph over the speedlimit,go sliding thru a redlight with brakes locked up on t e tow rig,or one of your wheels falls off in heavy traffic,then yeah,youre prolly gonna get into trouble.

Cullen, you're required to have a street legal registration to tow it wheels down. That means smog it. Or green sticker it, tell them you lost the plate and put it on the rig. Then hope no cops notice it. Plenty of expired registrations in CA. BTW, they didn't ticket my 4Runner when I flat towed in the HOV lane.

What Todd said. I have flat towed my jeep ONCE from San bernardino to my house in the mountains with a plate that did not belong to the vehicle. Got lucky, and didn't get pulled over, but I won't risk it again. Its got to be completely street legal to flat tow, which as you can see, means a smog. Might be cheaper to buy a trailer than to replace all the smog equipment and get it smogged :laughing:- Thats why I ended up green stickering my jeep, because my trailer cost me about $500 to rebuild, and in order for the jeep to pass smog, the last thing to do would have been to replace the entire exhaust, AND rebuild the motor.. THAT would have been more than $500 :laughing: I tried everything, short of replacing the muffler (it was only 2 years old.)
Scott

back when i flat towed my grand wagoneer,i never bothered to pay for a plate for it every year,i simply swapped on the plate from my DD xj.
its not really correct,but you could always swap a valid plate from something else onto it...
Running without a valid plate may be looked at as an oversight... swapping the wrong plate on is fraud. An oversight may net you a ticket -- with fraud, they may tow and impound. I've not wanted to take that chance... YMMV.

...chances are good that as long as everything else is up to par that you wont get hassled...
We're probably saying the same thing -- you take your chances -- but I'm also suggesting that folks be aware of the consequences. It may cost big.

Randii

Running without a valid plate may be looked at as an oversight... swapping the wrong plate on is fraud. An oversight may net you a ticket -- with fraud, they may tow and impound. I've not wanted to take that chance... YMMV.


We're probably saying the same thing -- you take your chances -- but I'm also suggesting that folks be aware of the consequences. It may cost big.

Randii


absolutely. i didnt mean to imply that swapping the plate was legal,or without possible consequences. i took the chance because i felt that a plate with a valid sticker was better than no plate,but if i was ever followed and that plate ran, tickets could result.

Is there any way to register the Toy as a trailer, (then green sticker it for when you get to your destination)? If you could, then you wouldn't need your smog or insurance.

As for the wrong plate thing, here in Colorado at least, the fines for an expired or no plates aren't too bad (assuming you have valid insurance). Fictitious plates, however, is a whole 'nother game.

Pete

Ca transplant .......

I thought green stickerd dune buggies could be flat towed??