Massachusetts trailer registration - Holy crap

J

Jdr01930

New Member
Jun 26, 2010
115
Gloucester, MA
Boat Info
2010 Sundeck 220
Engines
5.0 MPI EC Mercruiser w/ Bravo III
Just got the renewal for my trailer registration. Didn't really notice it when I bought the boat as there was so much other stuff going on with sales tax, registration, title, etc etc.

$160/year - they got it rated as 8000 gross weight, $20 per ton.
I think trailer with 22' sundeck is more like 6000lb, but they probably go by what the trailer can handle, not by actual boat I'm guessing.

Anyway to get relief or prorating considering it will only be used twice a year and probably 10 miles total (besides letting it lapse and take chances driving on expired plates)?

This is for Massachusetts.

Yeah I know, gotta pay to play - doesn't hurt to ask though...
 
IN Michigan you buy the plate only once, and it good until you destroy the trailer or sell it.
 
go to the registry ( i know, pain in the ass already) and just have them lower the weight. my last trailer was rated for up to 8000 lbs and was new when i registered it so i had a certificateof origin instead of a title. they had to go by the certificate. when i renewed it and i saw that same rediculous charge i went in and told them the trailer and the boat together was 4000 they changed it right there and lowered it to like $80. stll high for something i used twice a year but better than 160.
 
Never hurts to ask questions. Take it to a scale and have it weighed. If it is less than what they are taxing you on provide the documentation and question the difference. In Virginia we pay personal property tax on our vehicles. I take pictures of every dent and ding as well as providing mileage numbers and I got a substantial reduction on my tax bill.
 
Meant to follow up on this - I went to the registry back in November and got it changed no problem.
When I said the rig didn't way 8000 lb, the lady said, "No problem. How much do you want it to weigh?". Lol.
She was very helpful and I was outa there in 5 minutes. (no additional paper work or official weighing needed)

She said the dealers' runners tend to have no idea how much the boats they are running for weigh, so they just fill in the trailers max.
 
Yea, Michigan finally did something right - I paid $75.00 for a lifetime plate. :thumbsup:

LK
 
$76.25 in Indiana for 16,000 lb. per year.
 
Jdr01930 said:
Meant to follow up on this - I went to the registry back in November and got it changed no problem.
When I said the rig didn't way 8000 lb, the lady said, "No problem. How much do you want it to weigh?". Lol.
She was very helpful and I was outa there in 5 minutes. (no additional paper work or official weighing needed)

She said the dealers' runners tend to have no idea how much the boats they are running for weigh, so they just fill in the trailers max.
Click to expand...

Massachusetts uses the same process for recreational trailers as they do for commercial. The trailer registration is based on gross weight carried by the trailer (trailer tare + cargo weight). The owner can register the trailer for any gross weight up to the rated gross weight. The registered gross weight then becomes the maximum that the trailer and boat can weigh legally. If you were to put a heavier boat on the trailer and get caught at a weigh in, you could get a ticket for being over weight even if you were below the rated gross for the vehicle.

This process allows truckers whose impact on bridges and roadways is lower, to pay lower fees that are ostensibly collected to pay for road wear and tear.

Henry
 
I pay $20 something a year for 12,500lbs, Mike.
 
In GA, I pay $14 per year. $12 for the tag, $1.14 ad-valorum and $1 mailing fee.
 
That is expensive. But many factors like gas tax, tolls etc. go into that. I just paid $80 for the 2012 season which is expensive for being on the road 2 days of the year.
 
I agree ,Illinois is getting bad , now we have to have the trailers inspected if its over 5000 pounds , I havent ever registered a trailer , since I only use it a few times a year , and if I do bring the boat to the big pond , I drive 5 min north into cheese land where plates are not required and cut across to Kenosha
 
Any trailer here, doesn't matter what the weight is, cost $120. Thats for as long as I own the trailer, not yearly.
 
fasttoys7619 said:
I agree ,Illinois is getting bad , now we have to have the trailers inspected if its over 5000 pounds , I havent ever registered a trailer , since I only use it a few times a year , and if I do bring the boat to the big pond , I drive 5 min north into cheese land where plates are not required and cut across to Kenosha
Click to expand...
You must have a small boat because registration and plates are required for trailers with gross weight over 3,000# in WI.
 
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