Trailer Licensing/Insurance/Catering Questions

[jmeds75]

Sorry for the multiple topic/long post, but I have a few business/catering questions-I would be really interested in your feedback if you have any experience with the following (especially in Oakland Co)...I hope these are questions other people have as well...

Secreatary of State Question
I went to the SOS today at lunch-they said I need a bill of sale and certified weight (from a place in Detroit) to get a permanent trailer license. Does a mobile cooker (DPP Fat 50) require a license plate in MI?

Trailer Insurance Question
Also, I think I am confusing the heck out of my insurance agent (Allstate). Just wondering if your homeowner's/auto insurance covers a mobile cooker trailer in a collision? Do you have replacement and liability coverage in case of an accident?

Liability Insurance for Catering/Vending Questions
Can you give me a ballpark on what you pay in liability insurance per year? Do you pay a per event fee or can you pay one fee for the whole year? Can you recommend any insurance companies for catering?

On Site Catering Questions
If I understand correctly, I can cater onsite with a mobile cooker for private events such as parties, events, etc if I do all the cooking on-site? Do I also need a temp food license and Serv Safe Certification to do this? I am under the impression that I would need liability insurance to cover myself, but that I would not need other licenses or certification if I am cooking onsite.

Off-Site Catering
I am under the impression that if I want to offer off-site catering, that I would have to have one of the following: 1) a mobile kitchen or 2) work out of a commissary/licensed kitchen. I believe in this situation I would have to either have the mobile kitchen licensed or work under the license of the commissary (anyone do this currently?) I am also under the impression that in this case I would need a Serv Safe Ceritification and Liability Insurance. I don't really know the specifics on pickup versus delivery-any insight on this would be helpful also...

[Capt Dan]

The only answer I can help you with is the trailer plate one. Yes you do need a trailer plate for tow behind cooker in Michigan.

[sfisch]

Sent two of my officers to alternative vehicle school just last week, they specifically asked the question about a tow behind bbq cooker and were told you DO NOT have to have it plated.
What they didn't ask was if it was just the cooker on wheels or a trailer with a cooker. I'm pretty sure a cooker on a trailer has to be plated, a cooker set up like a tow behind cement mixer does not.
Bubba and MIke should be able to give you good answers on the catering questions.

Scott

[michiana mark]

I ask the same question of the SOS this week. I got the answer that you don't have to plate the cooker, put you do need to plate the trailer its built on. ???????????????????????????????/:confused:

[Bbq Bubba]

The only answer I can help you with is the trailer plate one. Yes you do need a trailer plate for tow behind cooker in Michigan.

You got a plate on your Lang??? I think you got ripped bro....

Mike has never plated any of his Langs.

[Bbq Bubba]

Sorry for the multiple topic/long post, but I have a few business/catering questions-I would be really interested in your feedback if you have any experience with the following (especially in Oakland Co)...I hope these are questions other people have as well...

Secreatary of State Question
I went to the SOS today at lunch-they said I need a bill of sale and certified weight (from a place in Detroit) to get a permanent trailer license. Does a mobile cooker (DPP Fat 50) require a license plate in MI?

A mobile pit is NOT a trailer in their eyes.

Trailer Insurance Question
Also, I think I am confusing the heck out of my insurance agent (Allstate). Just wondering if your homeowner's/auto insurance covers a mobile cooker trailer in a collision? Do you have replacement and liability coverage in case of an accident?

Liability Insurance for Catering/Vending Questions
Can you give me a ballpark on what you pay in liability insurance per year? Do you pay a per event fee or can you pay one fee for the whole year? Can you recommend any insurance companies for catering?

$300 a year for a million in liability. I wouldn't go anything less.
Shop around your area and try to work with someone local.

On Site Catering Questions
If I understand correctly, I can cater onsite with a mobile cooker for private events such as parties, events, etc if I do all the cooking on-site? Do I also need a temp food license and Serv Safe Certification to do this? I am under the impression that I would need liability insurance to cover myself, but that I would not need other licenses or certification if I am cooking onsite.

Depends, private parties we forego the permit but if your going to do anykind of vending, you'll need HD permits.

Off-Site Catering
I am under the impression that if I want to offer off-site catering, that I would have to have one of the following: 1) a mobile kitchen or 2) work out of a commissary/licensed kitchen. I believe in this situation I would have to either have the mobile kitchen licensed or work under the license of the commissary (anyone do this currently?) I am also under the impression that in this case I would need a Serv Safe Ceritification and Liability Insurance. I don't really know the specifics on pickup versus delivery-any insight on this would be helpful also...

Your correct.
I work out of a mobile "kitchen" therefor i can cook anywhere in the state, including my backyard, as long as i'm using the trailer.
Serve Safe is not required unless your a restaurant owner. (per my HD)

[michiana mark]

You got a plate on your Lang??? I think you got ripped bro....

Mike has never plated any of his Langs.

No plate, just ask the question when I was at the SOS. Yup, you need a plate. I'll plead ignorance if I get stopped, hopefully the officer will like bbq.

[spydermike72]

When I went to the SOS, they told me that they cant give me a plate since it doesnt have a title ???

[jmeds75]

I don't think the clerk behind the counter at the SOS really knew what to do-she asked me if I had a title-I said no, she said I would need a bill of sale (which I have) and a certified weight to get a license...I didn'y get a good feeling from her if she thought it really needed a license plate-she just told me the process to get a plate...

[jim]

In regards to the plate...

I have spoken to a number of SOS folks, and even state police and the folks at the border (for going over to Ontario for comps), and they all told me the same...no plate needed. I did pursue this further with SOS, and the question becomes fuzzy once you use it for commercial purposes. But in general, from what I was told, it is a bbq on wheels, not a trailer with a bbq attached.

[crossczek]

I was told that it, in and of itself, does not haul anything. Therefore is not a "Trailer".
It is a piece of equipment on wheels, like a cement mixer, log splitter, ect.
If the cooker is removable (not permanently fixed), then it has the ability to haul other things and needs a plate.
That being said, I got mine plated, even though I was told (and I knew) I didn't have to.
I didn't want to be on the side of the road debating the law with an officer.
I tried that once...once.

[michiana mark]

In regards to the plate...

I have spoken to a number of SOS folks, and even state police and the folks at the border (for going over to Ontario for comps), and they all told me the same...no plate needed. I did pursue this further with SOS, and the question becomes fuzzy once you use it for commercial purposes. But in general, from what I was told, it is a bbq on wheels, not a trailer with a bbq attached.


I'll run with this.:D

[jmeds75]

Seems like I could at least have a pretty good line of reasoning based on the info here to get out of a ticket if I got one...I asked a cop this morning at the coffee shop and he didn't know-referred me to the SOS...Seems like if the cops don't know the rules, they are probably not going to stop you on it...

[Capt Dan]

Well I talked to the folks at the SOS and they told me I needed one for the Lang 60. I asked them about the cement mixer/log splitter idea, they said, nope, not the same, so I ended up getting a plate because they said I had to have one. I woulda loved to save that money for something else believe me.

[JustSmoke2]

Don't know if your a Vet or not. But in the state of michigan you can get license bystepping local government. So in the case of limited licenses for the area you can back door thru by using your vet status. Hot dog vender in Port Huron kinda ignored what the city had sent hm about getting a vendors license so didn't show for the council meeting lost out but his lawyer found the being a vet he didn't need there permission and is now selling his hot dogs. Johhnny Dog I think his name is.

[jmeds75]

I bit the bullet yesterday as well-got the rig's weight certified, brought in my hand written Bill of Sale, and now have a plate/registration...

[Bbq Bubba]

Ever notice there's no place to hang a plate on a smoker???

[bbqbull]

Ever notice there's no place to hang a plate on a smoker???

Mine came with a bracket for my plate.

[jmeds75]

Hey Bubba-Are you coming up to Auburn Hills as a competitor? I want to check out your mobile kitchen!! One of these days I will make it to 26 & Gratiot to get some brisket from you.

I know I probably would never get pulled over/questioned about it-seems like there are good arguments on both sides of the table-and sure I would have loved to spend the money somewhere else. I guess I just fell on the side of caution on this one. When I bought the pit, the guy showed me where DPP had installed a bracket for the license plate-just under the left tail light...

[tmogg]

i bought a plate for my lang 84d. just to be safe. some times after a catering event, or after a competition, i may have consumed an adult beverage or so.... never enough to be drunk, but dont need the extra "situation" to happen when an nice officer doesnt know if it should have a plate or not and wants to pull me over to discuss............

[michiana mark]

Ever notice there's no place to hang a plate on a smoker???


Hum, the Lang 60D that I have has a place for a plate on it. Right on the tool box. Also the Gator Predator had a license plate holder. Open thine eyes to the wonderment around thee.:)

[spydermike72]

Hum, the Lang 60D that I have has a place for a plate on it. Right on the tool box. Also the Gator Predator had a license plate holder. Open thine eyes to the wonderment around thee.:)

The previous owner of the aforementioned Lang had a plate on it, but that was after he had to talk the SOS into giving him one....

[Bbq Bubba]

Hum, the Lang 60D that I have has a place for a plate on it. Right on the tool box. Also the Gator Predator had a license plate holder. Open thine eyes to the wonderment around thee.:)

Bite me.....

[michiana mark]

Bite me.....

Where, when, and how deep?:p

[Bbq Bubba]

Where, when, and how deep?:p

At the rate your going, it'll have to be Silverlake. :rolleyes:

[spydermike72]

At the rate your going, it'll have to be Silverlake. :rolleyes:

I will have to give you guys some "alone" time then...

[michiana mark]

At the rate your going, it'll have to be Silverlake. :rolleyes:


I may have to drive over and take care of it in person.

[michiana mark]

I will have to give you guys some "alone" time then...

I doubt it, but we'll probably need someone to go to the liqour store for us though. First fifth's on me.:cool:

[spydermike72]

I doubt it, but we'll probably need someone to go to the liqour store for us though. First fifth's on me.:cool:

That is what Bruce is for :D

[michiana mark]

That is what Bruce is for :D

Hate to nix the ole boy outta a job.:D

[Big Bears BBQ]

I know this is an old post but when I got my Lang 60D I also checked if I needed a plate for my cooker. I checked with my Traffic Unit they couldn't find anything on it if I needed one. I then checked with Weight Master out of the State Police he said no. I then checked with SOS even showed them a pic of it and they said I did not need a plate for the Lang. I then asked if I could put a plate on any ways just to make sure and they said no again I didn't need it................

[BruceB]

Did you ask them to put that in writing?:D

[sfisch]

Big Bear
yeah our CVSA people said its no different than pulling a cement mixer or stump grinder, its a piece of work equipment, not a trailer.

Scott

[bbqbull]

When I inquired about a bbq pit at our Sec. of State, they quoted me right out of their book.......if its just a bbq pit its considered the same as a cement mixer ect.
If I strap on a lawn chair to my bbq pit it is then considered a trailer thus needing a licence plate.
I confirmed that with 2 Michigan State Troopers that I know.

[Big Bears BBQ]

I also checked to see if I needed a plate if I was towing it in Ohio or Indiana and they also said no. Now if I bought the smoker then bolted it on a trailer then yes you need a plate. maybe its the size and weight, sounds crazy.

[BruceB]

I don't have a dog in this fight so I'll play devil's advocate. Using Bull's explanation about the lawn chair...so if you have storage bin on the pit and you load it with wood, a cooler, pans, etc. does it then become a trailer requiring a plate or is it still just a cement mixer?

[Extreme]

I had a motor carrier pull me over earlier this year and along with suggesting that I look into getting a plate I also needed to put my name and number on the side of my van. She reasoned that since I pulled the pit with it, it was a commercial vehicle since bbq was my business.

I checked with my local sos and they said it was an "impliment" just like the cement mixer, and all the farmers wagons plows etc. and none was needed.
but they were more than willing to sell me a plate for peace of mind. I declined.

Also never put a name on my van. I am such a bad man:cool:

Just be thankfull we are not pulling donut wagons:p
Troy

[sfisch]

A phone call can change that Troy!!

Scott

[bbqbull]

Yep!

Thats the States take on it, as well as my trooper buddies.

[tmogg]

plate,,,,no plate........ i spent the 70+... what ever dollars and its done. no need to debate the subject with law peoples on the side of the road. its a one time fee plate. cheap insurance!

[Big Bears BBQ]

Bruce, I'm saying no..................

[Bbq Bubba]

I don't have a dog in this fight so I'll play devil's advocate. Using Bull's explanation about the lawn chair...so if you have storage bin on the pit and you load it with wood, a cooler, pans, etc. does it then become a trailer requiring a plate or is it still just a cement mixer?


Its still a cement mixer packed with chit. :cool: