M715 - registered and licensed, no problem there.
M274 - off road, no title, no problem.
M116 - Trailer which Mule is on. I have three trailers and only had one registration and
license. Big problem.
82 Chevy PU-4wd - Just towed it home, waiting to finish 'cash + trade' deal. No
title, no registration, no plate. Big problem.
PU Bed trailer, matches PU. Remember, only one plate for 3 trailers.
68 Blue Bird Bus/RV - title only, too expensive to license when not using. 32' long
problem.
88 Trooper II - Wife's rig. No problem
82 Chevy Van - Trusty driver. Registration and plate. No problem.
16' Tandem trailer. The One plate problem.
82 Honda 500XL Dirt bike - title only but OK if on trailer. (?)
So I was cited for no plates on two trailers, the 82 Chevy PU and the bus. He wanted
to write up the Mule and the Honda and noted the OD paint on the trailer. The auction
markings were still on the gen trailer and he remarked about 'proper paperwork' for it.
I had 30 days after which big time fines and late penalties.
I took all of my paperwork, titles and registrations to the local Motor Vehicle Division
and asked to talk to the 'Boss.' She got me off the hook by issueing a plate for the
Bus but no registration with an affadavit stating it would not be driven without proper
rigistration. I 'loaned' a trailer to a friend for a few months to get it out of the
yard and went through the inspection BS to get a legal paper and plate for the
'homemade' PU bed trailer. My 715 is Desert Tan anyway, so I painted the gen trailer and
covered it and the Mule up with a tarp. The Honda I put in the PU bed trailer and tarped
it. I then took pictures of everything from the best angle and talked to all of my
neighbors; all of us close by get along fine. (It turned out a real estate agent had
called the zoning office in the first place. There is a house for sale 4 doors down.)
I then went to the zoning office with EVERYTHING and laid it all out on the desk, one at
a time. I informed him that I was now in compliance, except for the 82 Chevy PU, and
explained what the deal was.
I ended up not paying anything for the citation. In two months, I had paper and plates
on the Pickup and all is legal. Mostly. Arizona requires insurance on registered
vehicles, which I don't keep on the bus and another vehicle. Therefore, I drive one of
them illegally. I don't lose any sleep over that.
I spent hundreds of dollars to get paper and plates. Nothing is really changed, all of
the vehicles are still here. The house down the street sold to a guy who seems to
collect Jeeps and Blazers and boats.
I think we all have seen private homes looking like a junkyard. Zoning laws were passed
to crack down on folks who 'can't help' but gather trucks
However, a man's castle is his to do with what he wants. These statements should strike
a few nerves. Somewhere in between, there has to be a happy medium, I hope. I try to
keep my stuff neat and clean, not with off-frame painting, hoods up, wheels off. I also
talk to my neighbors and find out their feelings. Many times a problem is averted just
because I knocked on a door and talked.
I know this has been long winded, sorry. Who can turn down a free or 'real good deal' on
another MV?? But where do you put it? In one more year, I am moving to a larger place
in the country, my vehicles not being the main reason, but certainily a big
consideration. Anybody else have any horror stories or better yet, good endings?
Submitted,
Dave Decker
Flagstaff, AZ.
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