Bike rack or cargo carrier

We were talking about using a bike rack or cargo carrier fitted into the hitch on the rear of the MH.  The license plate then would not be able to be seen.  This is probably a stupid question but would this be an issue with law enforcement while traveling around the country??  I'm from New York State so we have to have plates on the front and rear of our vehicles.

We have a Swagman bike rack on the hitch. It partially obstructs the plate on the rear when the bikes are on it.

We've never been pulled over so who knows if it is problem.

I have buddy who is a state trooper.  I asked him that same question once.  He said the license plate is supposed to be kept visible. He said they don't pay much attention to that because most of us mh drivers obey the law and drive slow....  lol  He told me I was supposed keep the snow off my plate and registration sticker too!!   I have a habit of backing my truck into the snow bank when I am plowing and covering my license plate with snow. lol.

David 0:)

When towing my Jeep Liberty, the view of the RV plate is blocked.  I am more concerned about my tow vehicle's license plate not being lit up at night.  I guess I'll continue to risk getting ticketed until my first one.  Then maybe do something about it.

When at the DMV a state trooper told me you should abide by all laws.          Then he said they usually don't stop RVer's and LOOK for problems. If you're in an accident you best have a toad brake, insurance and on and on.

As I mentioned, I installed a TOAD-Charge powered directly from the PC's house battery, which is fused and relayed so the house battery doesn't come on line unless the PC's ignition is in the Run position.

When traveling at night I turn on the Edge's parking lights, which illuminates everything but the headlights.

When traveling at night I turn on the Edge's parking lights, which illuminates everything but the headlights.

Great tip, we never travel at night, but if we ever do I will turn on the parking lights.

Thanks, Bob

We also do not travel at night if we can avoid it and only rarely find ourselves too far from a CG to make it by early evening.

The big trailer hitch connector at the back of your PC, controls a tow brake, turn signal, brake, and tail lights.  You can purchase a basic wiring kit fairly cheap, maybe $80 at Walmart, which includes most or all of what you'll need to do those basics.   With additional blocking diodes, the voltage coming from the RV gets isolated from the tow vehicle electrical system.  That is a safeguard.  At a minimum you really must have tail lights, brake lights, and turn signal lights.  Simply turning on the parking lights to tow your vehicle at night leaves out the brake and turn signals.  What about the day time?  No turn signals and no brake lights is no good.  In an emergency without them, I would turn on the tow vehicle flashers.

Ron, you are right, I forgot that I have rear tail lights on the toad when I turn on the RV lights - haven't driven at night yet.  However, turning on the toad parking lights would also light up the front and side running lights and license plate light for more visibility of the toad.  Will have to check it out some night while hooked up to see if it makes much difference.

Bob

Perhaps I should have included more info.

My Edge has a custom light bar having brake, turn and running lights.
The Even Brake illuminates the Edge's brake lights when it actuates.

I only use the Edge parking lights to illuminate the running lights (tail & side markers).

I believe it is really hard to have too many lights and have added some to the sides of the 2551.

There are far too many idjits out there who are either blind, stupid, inattentive or all of the above (even with our Alpine we had some near misses - how do you not see 60 feet of bus & TOAD?).