- Joined
- Jan 13, 2007
- Threads
- 507
- Messages
- 4,652
- Location
- Fraser Valley, British Columbia
- Website
- www.ajae.ca
Bad day of epic proportions
- Thread starter Antarctican
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #22
Nooooooooooo! So the plan was to leave Thu morning, so I called to find out what the status was. Has a new US Statement of Compliance now. Then just discovered that Socal Teardrop Trailers changed their minds and won't be issuing a US VIN. So now our last chance is the company in Wisconsin. So far they said yes they will do it on Monday, so I have to drive there to pick it up.So, I need a new plan B. Let's talk about how this might work if I were to bring it in as parts. Phil, I called Sealand RV and they told me, sorry we can't help you. We can't issue CA vins.
The way I see it, when I bring it to the border and they see this:
Does anyone believe that they won't notice how new it is, and how all the parts happen to appear to be from the same trailer? And oh by the way, that's not the SOC/VIN grinder marks, just a scrape from a tree. I cannot see how I would get this past CB5A. Huge gamble, wouldn't you all agree?
OK, I'm confused?? I can bring an import in from Japan, Australia, France, Germany maybe even SA... get it inspected and drive it. and MoT won't issue a regi for a trailer, this seems absurd. Can you not apply to ICBC for a VIN? Can they not give you a permit to bring it into BC then get it inspected? Can you not put it on a trailer and bring it across, after all, you will be paying the government their share. Then apply to ICBC for a VIN, if the trailer meets the safety standards required (which look quite loose) you should be good to go. Any motor vehicle inspection agent should be able/ required to inspect it. I can't see how you couldn't bring it across on a trailer, just tell them you won't drive it until it gets inspected. I'm not positive, but I'm guessing I could bring a parts truck up on a flatdeck, with only a bill of sale (no regi). If I tried to register it I'd have to apply for a new VIN. Just throwing ideas around...
It's from South Africa. MOT and ICBC probably think it is RHD.
Sorry I can't add anything constructive.
Goood luck with this.
Sorry I can't add anything constructive.
Goood luck with this.
His problem isn't ICBC or the BC Ministry of Transportation. It is Transport Canada and they give direction to Canada Customs on what is permissible to import or not. The province has the right to say what can be on our roads or not.
The OP has to get a company in the US to work with him. I can't believe that there is no trailer builder who would take do it for some easy money. He could take a chance at the border and try to sneak it in and then try to get it registered as a U-built. But if you get caught at the border, you could have the whole trailer confiscated. By far, the safest route is to get the statement of compliance in the US and US VINs.
The OP has to get a company in the US to work with him. I can't believe that there is no trailer builder who would take do it for some easy money. He could take a chance at the border and try to sneak it in and then try to get it registered as a U-built. But if you get caught at the border, you could have the whole trailer confiscated. By far, the safest route is to get the statement of compliance in the US and US VINs.
Too bad you couldn't find a VIN tag from some crap trailer and stick it on, who's to say you didn't build it up yourself or someone else?
Considering they ask about vehicle repairs and mods, look at tires, etc when you hit the border in a 4wd, I'd be really suprised if they didn't notice a shiney new 2 ton box being towed home with slapped on tags. I sure wouldn't have the balls to try anything shadey with that much cash invested and the power customs has. If you can get a legit US company to sort out paperwork then great, otherwise, its just a tent trailer 
.
.
- Thread starter
- #28
It now has a US SOC & a US VIN, showing brand spankin' new. Expected to pass all inspections. The only hitch I anticipate is the VIN is being given tomorrow, and I pick it up Monday so hopefully it is in the system when I do a RIV.CA vin check.
there is no "hopeful" smilie so I'm using this to express my feelings toward transp0rt can:
there is no "hopeful" smilie so I'm using this to express my feelings toward transp0rt can:
there is no "hopeful" smilie so I'm using this to express my feelings toward transp0rt can:
Don't get mad at TC. They are only doing what their political masters tell them. Who in turn are only doing what their financial masters (industry) tell them...
"Don't give the consumer any chance to make decisions on things we don't want to sell to them or don't sell to them."
Finger's crossed for ya Pete
X2! Good luck.
Yeah, it's a sweet trailer. Good luck.
- Thread starter
- #34
Well I made it across the border with no issues at all. I have 45 days to get an inspection at Crappy Tire. Going to take it camping at Tofino this week before I get it inspected.
Glad it came across with no issues. I didn't know that the RIV also applied to trailers.
I too would like to have a look at it. Perhaps we can have an Abby coffee time, down at the Timmy's by Costco? Greg is the shift worker, so maybe work around when is a good time for him.
I too would like to have a look at it. Perhaps we can have an Abby coffee time, down at the Timmy's by Costco? Greg is the shift worker, so maybe work around when is a good time for him.
- Thread starter
- #36
Sure, I can also bring it out to next meeting if anyone wants a gander. Today though another issue: I apparently have 45 days to have it inspected, but didn't realize that I can't drive it anywhere other than directly to an inspection location, else it voids my towing vehicle insurance. Planning to go to Tofino tomorrow with it, so have to get it inspected today. Will be back on the 10th so can do a coffee after I return. Unfortunately FJ is in the shop until noon, but crappy tire says come on down any time today. With my luck, the trailer will not pass inspection.....
Smart Care Auto Centre is also RIV certified, just in case you find yourself in a fix:
2454 West Railway Street
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 2E4
Phone #: (604) 504-1501
I don't have any experience with them doing an inspection. I only asked them about doing a OOP inspection on my wife's Safari. They wanted $260 plus they said I had to change all light bulbs which would be an additional charge. I got another recommendation for a provincial inspection facility and spent $140 including the cost of installing the BC VIN. For the RIV, you only got them and Canadian Tire
2454 West Railway Street
Abbotsford, BC
V2S 2E4
Phone #: (604) 504-1501
I don't have any experience with them doing an inspection. I only asked them about doing a OOP inspection on my wife's Safari. They wanted $260 plus they said I had to change all light bulbs which would be an additional charge. I got another recommendation for a provincial inspection facility and spent $140 including the cost of installing the BC VIN. For the RIV, you only got them and Canadian Tire
- Thread starter
- #38
Yes in fact I went to them first, trailer was okay'd, then a total of 4 hours later in BCAA to get insurance and plates, finally George Bailey is now a Canadian Citizen. Thank god its over.
congrats..... 
I was thinking you should have gone with U-Built reggi even before all the red tape.
I was thinking you should have gone with U-Built reggi even before all the red tape.
'gratz.
So...how much you want to sell it for now?
So...how much you want to sell it for now?
