gregb Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I have a situation where I might be needing temporary housing that can be easily moved a few times a year. After looking at some local options, I realized that a trailer (caravan for those of you who have never moved beyond the queen's English) would be a much less expensive and more luxurious option, assuming I purchased it in the states and shipped it here. I know importing cars is out of the question, but does anyone have knowledge or experience about importing a non motorized vehicle? Would it likely be subject to the same type of corruption applied to standard vehicles? What are the official import duties? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deke Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I think you would be better off getting a shipping container and having it modified. This is a project that I've had in the back of my mind for some time now and, if I sign the contract in Chiang Mai next week that I hope to sign, I'm going to do it. The USA type mobile homes are certainly much better designed but I think a modified container is the way to go in Thailand. If you'd like to go this route, let me know. Maybe we can find some fabrication shop that will give us a quantity discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barty Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 (edited) About 4 - 5 years ago I purchased a trailer mounted vacuum system from the States. It was imported easily enough but it took over a year to get it registered. I cannot remember all of the details but there was a never ending trail of documents needed. Two things that I do remember about the import was that we needed to tell the customs department that the trailer was going to be registered when it was imported as it comes under a different tax bracket. We actually had to go back to customs and pay more tax and submit the receipt to the relevant authority. The other thing was that because the unit was made to US specs the overall width was to wide. We ended up cutting a few inches off the mud guards to get it to spec. But at the end of the day we imported a trailer, got it registered and we are using it almost every day without issues, so it can be done. Edited November 22, 2009 by Barty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampasailor Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 About 4 - 5 years ago I purchased a trailer mounted vacuum system from the States. It was imported easily enough but it took over a year to get it registered. I cannot remember all of the details but there was a never ending trail of documents needed. Two things that I do remember about the import was that we needed to tell the customs department that the trailer was going to be registered when it was imported as it comes under a different tax bracket. We actually had to go back to customs and pay more tax and submit the receipt to the relevant authority. The other thing was that because the unit was made to US specs the overall width was to wide. We ended up cutting a few inches off the mud guards to get it to spec. But at the end of the day we imported a trailer, got it registered and we are using it almost every day without issues, so it can be done. I have never seen a trailer of any sort in Thailand on the road, not a camper, boat trailer, motorcycle trailer, utility trailer etc. Maybe I am blind? Is there a problem with trailers on the road in Thailand? You can register, licence and operate a trailer ok? Maybe U-Haul is here and I am blind? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgodber Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I know that there is a company in Bangkok that manufacures Motor homes. I saw the one Above out here in the Sa Kaeo area. You can do a google and find the company. I forget now but in the past I found the company. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raro Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 I would also opt for the shipping container. A used one costs about 2 to 3000 USD, depending on size and condition it is in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barty Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 I have never seen a trailer of any sort in Thailand on the road, not a camper, boat trailer, motorcycle trailer, utility trailer etc. Maybe I am blind? Is there a problem with trailers on the road in Thailand? You can register, licence and operate a trailer ok? Maybe U-Haul is here and I am blind? You can register and operate trailers in Thailand. I have done done it and we are still operating the trailer more or less every day without any problems with the police. I cannot comment on U-Haul but I do not think that they are in Thailand. Barty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangRon Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Siam Motor Home Co Ltd Thailand a joint ventureship with Vantech Japan build the Terra and Vega campers you see around Thailand. Visited factor back in Ampur Muang Chonburi province back in 2007, (K. Somsak was GM); back then focus was on Terra project, basically modifying Toyota Vigo trucks into campers, mostly for export, some small volume local Thai market. They had many different truck modification development projects going on, mobile offices, ambulance, a few different size mobile home type projects. Believe the Terra was selling for about 3mil thb. Uploaded some pics brochures from way back. Siam_Terra.pdf Siam_JB.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katabeachbum Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I have never seen a trailer of any sort in Thailand on the road, not a camper, boat trailer, motorcycle trailer, utility trailer etc. Maybe I am blind? Is there a problem with trailers on the road in Thailand? You can register, licence and operate a trailer ok? Maybe U-Haul is here and I am blind? You can register and operate trailers in Thailand. I have done done it and we are still operating the trailer more or less every day without any problems with the police. I cannot comment on U-Haul but I do not think that they are in Thailand. Barty Subway uses pickup with a trailer for all their supplies. Both have coolers. Trailer is imported and registered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpraim1 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 This Thai guy imports trailers from the US, 0818332296 his name is K. Too . He speaks good english and sure he can sort you through the needs to do to get one here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangRon Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Another local Thai option versus importing. Motor Expo at Impact over weekend had a miniature simple CarryBoy Camper for 1.45 mil thb. CarryBoy has a sizeable range of plain fiberglass trailers. Check out http://trailer.carryboy.com/ Myself would view their products as cheap and low quality, though very reasonably priced stuff. They have very beautiful sales staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angiud Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Do you mean 1.45 mil baht including Toyota Vgo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 The OP refers to a trailer as a "non motorized vehicle" thus I suspect he refers to a mobile home? This being the case I need much time to think through the concept that Americans now need to import such things to Thailand, it's a frightening prospect that we may soon have farang trailer parks in the making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangRon Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Do you mean 1.45 mil baht including Toyota Vgo? Yes. 1,450,000 baht .Camper complete with vehicle, ready to roll. Moto expo was advertizing a variety of 2 to 5 year payment plans also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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