Moving a license plate.

[D9C9]

I need to move my license plate from its normal spot to maybe the left side of the bumper Which I have I think a fiberglass one. I'm not sure what's behind it (I'm sure there are a couple of wires for the tail lights). I'm sure I will need to mount a light for the license plate as well, any ideas?

Sorry I know there are a bunch of threads kind of like the but most of them are very old some from 2015.

 

[Sunseeker16]

Why do you have to move it?

 

[D9C9]

Yes I do. =-)

Why do you have to move it?

Yes I forgot to mention that I normally have an EBike on a rack with a cover when I travel. So you can't see it when I drive.

 

[Sunseeker16]

I wouldn't worry about it. Thats just me.

 

[kenandterry]

I know my fibreglass bumper is different style than yours (see photo) but mine is hollow from up underneath, and I can clearly see the rear of the in-bumper light. Is yours closed up behind? Can you see the wiring harness to access the
trailer hitch harness? Then use toggle bolts to secure the actual plate.

 

[DocP]

Here's what I use. It uses velcro straps to secure to the bike rack (or bike frame), and has 2 built-in LED lights. The 12v power comes from the hitch wiring on the back of my motorhome. When I'm traveling with my bikes on the rack, I just unscrew the license plate from the motorhome and mount it on this Thule license plate bracket.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R7V8F31?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Oaklevel]

I wouldn't worry about it. Thats just me.

Covering the rear plate with a bike or other will earn you a ticket real fast in Virginia ! Don't ask me how I know....

 

[TitanMike]

Covering the rear plate with a bike or other will earn you a ticket real fast in Virginia ! Don't ask me how I know....

No license plate lite can also get one a roadside conversation with an officer too. Unless one never drives after dark.

 

[D9C9]

I want to attach it in the fiberglass bumper using some sort of screws probably a self tapping metal screw maybe with a hollow door anchor. There is someone in my Thousand Trails park that put theirs right into the back wall of the House. I don't want to do that.
Ken and Terry I'll have to get under there tomorrow or so and check it out I'm pretty sure it's hollow I was thinking there might be a steel or aluminium bumper inside.

 

[jimmarako]

Covering the rear plate with a bike or other will earn you a ticket real fast in Virginia ! Don't ask me how I know....

Considering the 10's of thousands of travelers with bike racks, luggage carriers, scooters, and everything else hanging off the back of their mini van or SUV that travel the interstates from May 1st -> Oct 1st you must have bumped into the one bored local cop. I mean almost all cars/truck/SUV now have plates in the center of the car. Do they stop every soccer mom taking the kids out for a bike ride?

Jim M.

 

[GolfingDave]

I like the idea of mounting the plate on the rack. You can get a four pin connector to add on for easy on off if not taking the bike rack.

I also think adding more lights if possible to your rack does not hurt for visibilty to the folks behind you. I want them to notice the lights and not be looking at the bike and cargo rack.



P.S. My license plate is easily visible behind me even with the racks.

 

[Chuck_S]

Rather than cobble your camper just clip the tag on the bike frame. Or modify the bike rack so the tag can be seen thru it.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1762967281/bike-rack-license-plate-holder-with?gpla=1&gao=1&

-- Chuck

 

[Oaklevel]

Considering the 10's of thousands of travelers with bike racks, luggage carriers, scooters, and everything else hanging off the back of their mini van or SUV that travel the interstates from May 1st -> Oct 1st you must have bumped into the one bored local cop. I mean almost all cars/truck/SUV now have plates in the center of the car. Do they stop every soccer mom taking the kids out for a bike ride?

Jim M.

State Trooper........A covered plate I have found out is a big deal and a great way to stop a vehicle on the interstate............. It is not rare to be stopped for a covered plate, It often leads to a drug bust for a trooper. I81 for one is a huge route for drug trafficking.

Secondary offence but a frame cover over a plate is can also buy a ticket...... A covered plate.............

 

[jimmarako]

State Trooper........A covered plate I have found out is a big deal and a great way to stop a vehicle on the interstate............. It is not rare to be stopped for a covered plate, It often leads to a drug bust for a trooper. I81 for one is a huge route for drug trafficking.

Secondary offence but a frame cover over a plate is can also buy a ticket...... A covered plate.............

I get what you're saying. But lets be honest... cops know who to pull over. Some might call it profiling. A soccer mom in a mini van with three crying kids or a middle age couple in an RV with bikes hanging off the back are very low value targets. Two young guys in an old person Buick who "don't look like they belong here" are going to attract all the attention.

 

[Oaklevel]

I get what you're saying. But lets be honest... cops know who to pull over. Some might call it profiling. A soccer mom in a mini van with three crying kids or a middle age couple in an RV with bikes hanging off the back are very low value targets. Two young guys in an old person Buick who "don't look like they belong here" are going to attract all the attention.

Now that's funny.............. ....... the "crooks" think that too................ Soccer Mom's with kids are the mules carrying the drugs in the mini van............

 

[TitanMike]

Now that's funny.............. ....... the "crooks" think that too................ Soccer Mom's with kids are the mules carrying the drugs in the mini van............

True that.

Several years ago here in WA they busted a drug smuggling "ring" that was using motorhomes driven by senior citizens.

 

[jimmoore13]

With all the frivolity about cops and cops' discretionary behaviors, perhaps the answers were somewhat lost.

Your current plate's location has power to the license plate light. Perhaps remove the fixture, splice in a parallel line out to a socket to feed a "remote" license plate light.

Next, carefully examine the lines of sight for viewing a plate when you're fully loaded with bikes and cover. The location you indicated might work...or not...depending on your bikes and cover. You should be able to use an aftermarket bracket for a boat trailer screwed to the rear cap pretty much anywhere.

You could dress the wire with some wire mold to avoid the hassle of loose wire floating about.

Also bear in mind that your taillight circuit (not brake light) is what powers the license plate light, so you could remove the tail light and pick-off power from the taillight on either side. By choosing an LED light license plate bracket, the slight additional load on the circuit should cause no overloads.
Don't forget that you must ground the fixture.

If you mount the plate bracket to the fiberglass rear cap, it would be a good idea to use some fiberglass adhesive on the threads of the screws to help them stay put.

 

[kenandterry]

I like the idea of mounting the plate on the rack. You can get a four pin connector to add on for easy on off if not taking the bike rack.

I also think adding more lights if possible to your rack does not hurt for visibilty to the folks behind you. I want them to notice the lights and not be looking at the bike and cargo rack.

View attachment 305164

P.S. My license plate is easily visible behind me even with the racks.

When I relocated my license plate (with a light) to the rear of my cargo box, I added lights at eye level for most vehicles to become my version of high mount brake lights, along with the factory running lights it came with. Visibility is always key. The OP really only wanted relocation ideas for the license plate.

 

[phalexander]

I need to move my license plate from its normal spot to maybe the left side of the bumper Which I have I think a fiberglass one. I'm not sure what's behind it (I'm sure there are a couple of wires for the tail lights). I'm sure I will need to mount a light for the license plate as well, any ideas?

Sorry I know there are a bunch of threads kind of like the but most of them are very old some from 2015.
View attachment 305151

I just did that very thing for the same reason. I bought a bracket with a light on Amazon for about $10. I was able to pull a pair of wires from underneath and spliced them into the original plate light. The new bracket was attached to the fiberglass bumper with two stainless screws. Easy peasy. I just put a generic “adventure” plate where the original was. It looks and works great. I also put a high mounted brake light above my bikes because I was afraid the originals would be hard to see. That was more difficult but I’m very pleased.

 

[GolfingDave]

The OP really only wanted relocation ideas for the license plate.

I realize that. I just threw it out there since he most likely has to wire in the light if he moves the bracket. If he is handy and did not think about extra lighting I figure it doesn't hurt to throw the idea out there. Do any wiring all at once.

I see things that people have just thrown in for extra info(that usually does not hurt) and have done the ideas myself.