Trucks & Trailers - Buying trailer out of state

Hi,

I am getting ready to buy a small utility trailer in AZ to help me move back to FL. Anyone know the smart way to to this with registration and what not?

Will I be charged sales tax in AZ and then have FL try to charge me tax again if I don't register it in AZ but wait until I get to FL to register it?

AZ has permament trailer plates. If I buy the trailer in AZ can I get a permament plate in AZ and be done with it? My official address is in FL.

If I get a perm plate in AZ do I have to ever do anything for it in FL? This may be the smartest way to go but I don't know what the AZ DMV is going to do when I register the trailer and show my FL driver's license.

Anyone have an idea?

U-Haul it.....cheaper & easier. Those cheap trailers are headaches on long road trips.

You should be able to buy the trailer and not have to pay sales tax for either AZ or FL at the dealer. I doubt that AZ has reciprocal sales tax agreements with FL, so if they charge you, it might be a hassle registering the trailer in FL using your Bill of Sale as the proof of tax.

Also, AZ doesn't know your tax rate for state, county, city that you live in.

I would call FLA DMV and ask their opinion.

If you pay the sales tax in AZ, you will not pay it again in FL. They are reciprocal.

Or,buy it in AZ, get a 30 day temp tag, and register it when you get to. FL.

Or, rent a U Haul.

Pathery is right, you pay sales tax one time, you chose where. Just make sure you get a receipt of taxes paid to show the Florida DMV. You might possibly have to pay some sales tax if the rate you paid in AZ is less than in FL.
If your buying the trailer from a dealer, they probaly can't let you have it without collecting the AZ taxes.
I think your "lifetime" AZ registration expires when your no longer a resident. If your official address is FL, I doubt AZ will allow you to register it there anyways.

If it was me, I would tow it without registration to FL.

You might possibly have to pay some sales tax if the rate you paid in AZ is less than in FL.
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Have the AZ dealer charge the minimum FLA tax, because if you overpay, what are the chances that you'd ever see a refund?

I thought about the Uhaul and was going to go that route. When I first looked the smallest trailer was about $200 for the week. I went to book and it went up to over $300 for the week. I could use a smaller trailer anyhow and they are $650 at Lowes so I am halfway there with a Uhaul trailer and have nothing to show for it after a week.

Another benefit to the buying the trailer idea is I can load my motorcycle on it instead of messing with getting it in the back of the truck. The U haul trailer is enclosed which while good for keeping stuff dry, means the motorcycle has to go in the back of the truck.

I am not excited about towing any trailer 1500 miles, even a rental or a new one, just because I have had trailer issues in the past. Of course all those were trailers that have been in salt water. I ride around with an impact wrench, greased hub, tools etc just beacuse I have experience with trailer woes.

The U haul trailer is enclosed which while good for keeping stuff dry, means the motorcycle has to go in the back of the truck. Why can't you tie-down your bike in an enclosed trailer??? U-Haul trailers have plenty of tie-down points. Does the U-Haul rental contract have a prohibition against motorcycles in enclosed trailers?

Tipsy

For their smallest trailer the door is only like 3 feet high and the bike is taller than that. A bigger trailer is $400+ to rent.

I should mention that I am not moving all that much stuff so I don't need much more room. Everything fit in the tuck on the way out and I have since added a bed, a folding table, and a TV. I thought about just selling TV and bed but I need another bed anyhow.

Looks like my best option would be to just get the trailer and drive home sans tag and talk to every bored cop in Louisiana. I don't know which will be easier, trying to explain to Lowes that I shouldn't pay tax because I am taking the trailer out of state to be registered to explaining to FL DMV that I already paid sales tax in AZ and don't need to pay it again in FL...

With a new traler, this should not be an issue.
You buy the trailer, pay the taxes and get a temp tag.
When you get home you go to the DMV with your bill of sale, which shows that taxes you already paid, and the certificate of origin.
Fill out the forms, pay the fees and any additional tax, get your tags and be on your way....

There is a listing out there of what each state's tax rates are and which states have reciprocal agreements.

I bought my trailer from Owens & Sons in Florida.
Paid Florida sales tax and got a non-resident temp tag from Owens.
Hauled the boat and dropped it off at the repair shop for the work it needed. Made arrangements with the repair guy to have it delivered to a relative nearby when the work was done, and flew home to Pennsylvania.

When I got home, I went to the tag agency, paid the fees (no additional tax required because Pa & Fl sales tax are the same percentage) and walked out with a Pa Temp tag.
By the time a was ready to bring the boat north 3 months later, I had my Pa Sticker and registration card in hand.

Flew to Florida, screwed my Pa tag to the trailer and hauled her home. Easy peasy.

The only time any of this should be a hassle is if you are buying a used trailer with no title....in which case you need your head examined.