possible to cross the border in wife's dad's car?

[JaJo08 0]

Okay, so in exploring our moving options (Edmonton to Denver), we've come to the conclusion that wife cannot downsize(she's getting some antique pieces from her mom) and we don't want to spend 2K on Uhaul truck. ABF upack was still around $1400 on nonpeak day for terminal to terminal move too and that's only for 6 linear feet of space.

So was wondering about this option. If my wife's dad (or one of her other family members or friends) lent his big truck to us and we used that to tow the biggest Uhaul trailer possible down (6'X12') I think this would work, this trailer only costs about $400. Her car couldn't tow the trailer as its only 150hp but I did consider it! Question is, is this possible? Can we bring a borrowed vehicle across the border when first landing in the US with her? The thought is, then my wifes dad or whomever lent us the vehicle would fly down a short time after and get it once we got here and then drive it back to Canada. Then she would fly back home in the next six months sometime and drive her car down across the border at a later date or perhaps we would bring it with us the first time maybe? I'm just curious about the whole "borrowed" vehicle thing that isn't intending to stay in the states. Is this mad? Is this even possible? What do we need in order to do so? I just feel so cheated by the moving companies having to pay those outrageous amounts!

thanks again!

[ashenflowers 5]

This is exactly what we did. We borrowed my parent's vehicle (which was actually jointly in the name of my dad and my sister in law, and my sister in law wasn't even in Canada anymore either... lol) so that I could move my stuff. It was much bigger than my car so it fit more, which I was leaving behind for my parents anyway. I didn't bring anything either, though my dad did make a phone call to the insurance company just to make sure we didn't have to do anything with them (I wasn't listed on the insurance, but since it was temporary, they didn't seem to mind??). At my POE they asked me if I was importing the car, and I explained that I wasn't, because we're just borrowing it and my parents are coming down to pick it up. Which they did when they flew down to attend our wedding, and then drove the vehicle back to Canada. It was absolutely fine.

It shouldn't be a problem, but it might be a good idea to bring along a letter of permission or something, in case you get someone at POE that isn't as understanding.

[JlovesA 109]

I drive across the border in my mom's car (she has a different last name than me) and they've never questioned it.

[JaJo08 0]

Sounds good! I assume then when she flies back up though to get her car, that this won't be a problem, or do we need to bring it with her when we cross that first time?