relocating Lic Plate to tool box?

[Big Chudungus]

I'm carrying a Cargo Box on a hitch mounted Cargo Tray and its covering about 1/2 of my Lic Plate if viewed from level of LP (but can still pretty much read if you are fairly close at standard police car eye level).

So I'm thinking of putting the LP on a lighted LP holder on the back of the Cargo Box but some FUDs are freaking out saying that is illegal because it "not on the car". Box is screwed to the tray from inside box to prevent theft. Like I said, sounds like Fuddy Duddies. I'm thinking anything sorta attached to the car IS "the car". I sorta plan on running some wires to the box anyways for lid-light and charging USB stuff, and ground illumination etc so LP Holder with lights is 2/3 done.

I'm also considering a 4" riser that would have the box pretty much completely covering the LP from rear view.

Seems 1/2 the cars in ghetto areas are now running around with NO plates and word is there is some big police stand down on that, but maybe that is only in those areas.

Is it OK to put a lighted LP holder on a box on a tray stuck on a tow hitch?

PS-I'm really digging my rear tray mounted cargo box. The hitch attachments mean is about 13" clear between rear bumper and tray which I wasn't planning on be it means I can stand between rear hatch and box and access both spaces like a narrow galley kitchen, and the box is nice bench seat.

[P5Ret]

According to 5200 (b) CVC it "shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle". Extending the same logic you are using that "anything sorta attached to the car IS "the car"" a trailer wouldn't need plates because it's attached to the tow vehicle so part of the tow vehicle.

So yeah to be completely legal it should be attached to the truck. Are you going to get cited for it, probably not, but stranger things have happened.

5200. (a) When two license plates are issued by the department for use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear.
(b) When only one license plate is issued for use upon a vehicle, it shall be attached to the rear thereof, unless the license plate is issued for use upon a truck tractor, in which case the license plate shall be displayed in accordance with Section 4850.5.

[G-forceJunkie]

I've seen plenty of cars with wheelchair/mobility scooter mounts on the back and the plate is relocated to the rear of the mount. As long as it is visable from the rear, and properly lighted for night use, your good to go.

[Big Chudungus]

According to 5200 (b) CVC it "shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle". Extending the same logic you are using that "anything sorta attached to the car IS "the car"" a trailer wouldn't need plates because it's attached to the tow vehicle so part of the tow vehicle.

I'm thinking trailers got their whole other set of laws and pretty sure they are considered a type of vehicle in their own right with their own LPs, reg, etc.

my use of 'sorta attached' means in fixed XYZ 3rd space of the vehicle frame and body. its really just a custom rear bumper.

as long as "LP attached to car" ain't like how the USPS has 40,000pgs of regs for what makes a stardard residential mailbox met specs I think I'm OK.

But I also want to attach a bike carrier to end of cargo tray and that would partly block LP so I guess I'll install LP holder offset on the box. Gonna be about 5' of stuff hanging off the tow hitch but not much weight. Just one regular bike but mostly for hanging clothes and support small table top when sitting on box.

[Big Chudungus]

I've seen plenty of cars with wheelchair/mobility scooter mounts on the back and the plate is relocated to the rear of the mount. As long as it is visable from the rear, and properly lighted for night use, your good to go.

makes sense

[WOODY2]

If you happen to drive by a CHP office stop and ask?

[esy]

I’d say if the box is relatively permanent like a tire carrier, wheelchair holder, etc., I think you’re good.

[P5Ret]

I'm thinking trailers got their whole other set of laws and pretty sure they are considered a type of vehicle in their own right with their own LPs, reg, etc.

my use of 'sorta attached' means in fixed XYZ 3rd space of the vehicle frame and body. its really just a custom rear bumper.

as long as "LP attached to car" ain't like how the USPS has 40,000pgs of regs for what makes a stardard residential mailbox met specs I think I'm OK.

But I also want to attach a bike carrier to end of cargo tray and that would partly block LP so I guess I'll install LP holder offset on the box. Gonna be about 5' of stuff hanging off the tow hitch but not much weight. Just one regular bike but mostly for hanging clothes and support small table top when sitting on box.

Clearly you don't get it. The comparison was "anything sorta attached becomes part of the vehicle" which is clearly not accurate.

I can pretty much tell you that anything attached to the hitch isn't going to magically become part of the vehicle, it becomes cargo. Just like installing a lockbox in a vehicle didn't turn it into a utility compartment, like many people suggested.

Having worked traffic for a few years I'm certain the chances of getting cited are probably real slim. I'd also suggest you read CVC 5201 to make sure how you are planning to mount isn't cause for PC for a stop.

[pacrat]

I believe "P5" has a valid point on this. I'm not LE, so not advice, just a logical citizen's opinion.

Having the LP screwed/bolted to the carrier. Makes it part of the carrier. But since the carrier is attached to the vehicle with a removable "hitch pin". It can/should be considered an attachment or cargo. That is after all, how trailers are attached.

If carrier is "bolted/screwed" directly to vehicle. It could be logically considered part of the vehicle.

[Boboso]

I'm carrying a Cargo Box on a hitch mounted Cargo Tray and its covering about 1/2 of my Lic Plate if viewed from level of LP (but can still pretty much read if you are fairly close at standard police car eye level).

So I'm thinking of putting the LP on a lighted LP holder on the back of the Cargo Box but some FUDs are freaking out saying that is illegal because it "not on the car". Box is screwed to the tray from inside box to prevent theft. Like I said, sounds like Fuddy Duddies. I'm thinking anything sorta attached to the car IS "the car". I sorta plan on running some wires to the box anyways for lid-light and charging USB stuff, and ground illumination etc so LP Holder with lights is 2/3 done.

I'm also considering a 4" riser that would have the box pretty much completely covering the LP from rear view.



Seems 1/2 the cars in ghetto areas are now running around with NO plates and word is there is some big police stand down on that, but maybe that is only in those areas.

Is it OK to put a lighted LP holder on a box on a tray stuck on a tow hitch?

PS-I'm really digging my rear tray mounted cargo box. The hitch attachments mean is about 13" clear between rear bumper and tray which I wasn't planning on be it means I can stand between rear hatch and box and access both spaces like a narrow galley kitchen, and the box is nice bench seat.

Can you post a photo (obscure the license plate). If the plate is obscured in such a way that the officer, or electronic readers (toll roads/license plate readers can't capture it) can't read it, you could find yourself getting stopped. It's fix it ticket territory, but still a violation.


https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/f...ectionNum=5201.

[Sass25479]

Where ever you mount it it needs a license plate light or you will cited for that . Otherwise, as long as it’s mounted securely on the back without an obstructed view, you’re good to go.

[Big Chudungus]

I believe "P5" has a valid point on this. I'm not LE, so not advice, just a logical citizen's opinion.

Having the LP screwed/bolted to the carrier. Makes it part of the carrier. But since the carrier is attached to the vehicle with a removable "hitch pin". It can/should be considered an attachment or cargo. That is after all, how trailers are attached.

If carrier is "bolted/screwed" directly to vehicle. It could be logically considered part of the vehicle.

Its got anti-rattle U-bolts so requires at least a wrench to remove, and the box is screwed from inside the box to the cargo tray.

I think I'm gonna relocate LP to rear hatch but higher and off to the side so when I add bike carrier racks to rear of cargo tray LP will be full viz from the rear, and I'll just run factory LP wires another 12" to some lighted LP holder.

Now trying to think of something nifty to put at old LP location.

[G-forceJunkie]

Now trying to think of something nifty to put at old LP location.

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