Recreational Trailer license

[fishingalex]

So last year I got a trailer tag for my fishhouse on wheels since that rule was going to be enforced. They gave me a decal to put behind the hitch like the boat trailer. This year I bought an ice castle and the dealership filled out the form. Today I got a license plate in the mail that says Recreational Trailer on it. What's up with that? I was expecting another decal. Do I still need to get a shelter tag in addition? The license plate has tabs that I will have to renew each year. Is that good enough? I'm a little confused.

[Hafnutz]

It's based on the trailer weight. If the trailer weighs under 3,000# you can put the permanent one-time registration on it. The weight should be printed on the the vin tag which should be on the tongue or side of the frame. If it's over 3,000# in MN it will also be required to have trailer brakes. How often these things are checked is another story.

[fishingalex]

Do I still need the shelter tag if I leave it on the ice?

[Phred52]

Yes you do, If it will be spending ANY time on the ice, overnight, unattended. Now, you own a "Toy Hauler" (MNDOT)/ Fishing shelter (MNDNR). With the popularity of the dropdowns, our 'illustrious' MNDOT realized they were missing out on an untapped goldmine! Now it costs you 'to get it there' (besides the gas tax) and it costs you "to use it" , once you're there!! Just keep sending your envelopes and cards in with your cash donations, and the various State Agencies will figure out MORE ways to relieve you of ANY excess you may have!! It's about time they "trim the FAT from the top", or maybe, more appropriately, "Cut the head off the snake"! Phred52

[ac777]

Also, if it is used for sleeping it it must be registered as a camper ie. recreational vehicle. Thats probably why.

[walleyeRyummy]

if you decide to use your fish house as a camper in the summer and sleep over night in it, you will get a ticket if you get caught and you do not have the recreation trailer plate.....i got the "rt" plate instead of the lifetime sticker because i want the option to camp in it but also because doing the math of the annual plate stickers cost vs the lifetime sticker, it would take 6-7 years to start saving $$ with the lifetime sticker...

phred has it correct...you get to share with the dmv and the dnr

[timjones]

When I bought my ice castle the dealer told me I had the option of getting the lifetime sticker or the RV plate. The way he explained it was if I was only using it for ice fishing then all I needed was the lifetime. If I ever intended on using it for summer camping, or deer camp or any other type of recreation, then I needed the RV plate. You also need the fishing license for it if you ever leave it unattended between midnight and one hour before sunrise.

[minnbowhunter]

I licenced my Ice Castle last year and got the perm. sticker, my brother licenced his wheelhouse and got the plate. We both went back and double checked with the licencing folks and were both told that we had what we needed. The woman where I went called the state to make sure and they said that the perm. sticker was fine. The paper copy I got back says nothing about a fishhouse, just that it is a licenced trailer. I talked to one of the cops in town that I know pretty well and he told me as long as it's licenced I'm good to go anytime of the year. Who knows whats right for sure, I sure don't.