Court rules: big rig not RV in Ca.(2nd article)

[DieselDan]

Like Geof says - Once you have a MH designation from a conversion-friendly state, you are grandfathered wherever you go. Just take your MH paperwork into your home state's DMV and they would recognize and register it as a MH - no questions asked. The problem is the initial registration in a conversion friendly jurisdiction. One must think creatively to do this in some cases.

I just picked up the recently revised SOP #T-270 for Alaska DMV. Good thing I titled my Volvo 770 conversion last September. While the required (permanently installed) life support systems have not changed, two notes have been inserted which state:

1. Regular Sleeper Cabs - Cannot be converted to motorhomes.

2. A truck-tractor pulling a commercial trailer cannot be classed as a motorhome. The trailer can be classed as a travel trailer.

This raises several interesting questions: What is a "regular sleeper cab?" and what is not? Apparently truck tractors pulling non-commercial trailers can be classed as motorhomes. Apparently commercial trailers can be classed as travel trailers.

I fully intend to pull my 44' (formerly commercial - now non-commercial) step deck Landoll sliding axle trailer behind my Volvo 77o motorhome. I plan to treat it just like any other private cargo trailer.

I have posted more discussion on this topic at the Escapees MDT forum, here, if interested in reading more.

http://escapees.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x...6776#773106776

[stim8r]

The idea of grandfathering a motorhome from another state has been tried. I have a friend that did it this way and it worked for about 8 months. The state recinded all toterhome and like registrations back to truck registration.

While I agree that it would be possible to set up a trust or other enity in another motorhome friendly state. How long until the other states do the same and recind those registrations? From the sounds of posts here and elsewhere it appears that more and more states all going in that direction.

[DSjockey]

Exactly my concern, to spend all that $$$ then get a letter in the mail...I kind of have the feeling that this is the way this is moving, they want some $$$, looking at doing a streight GVW registration but then will need a CDL...

[madbrit]

Don't try the grandfathered thing in Arizona. They have been known to inspect the vehicle for more than just the Vin#, such as compliance for use. Having a motorhome title in one State will not guarantee you getting it here, especially if the temporary conversion consists of a Coleman gas grill and a mattress on the floor.

What they told me was that the CDL did not come into it as long as the vehicle did not weigh or its GVWR was not stated as being over the 26,000 lbs. unless it's a motorhome, when there is no max weight. The only thing they were interested in was whether the vehicle could still carry a load. For example, a rear load area with a roll up door or a 5th wheel style hitch. If the vehicle is not like this, then it comes under all the old regulations that pertain to a motorhome. If it has the load capabilities, then all they want is the Heavy Use Tax, and unless you are pulling or carrying a load, they don't require a CDL either.

Things are still okay pulling a trailer as long as the trailer does not have a GVWR of over 10,000 lbs as it then alters the GCVWR (combined). At this point it started to get a little more confusing as to whether a CDL was then necessary and since my trailer is under the 10,000 lbs, I didn't look into it further.

That's my info on this subject. It just takes time to research this in the Statutes, and when you find what you think are the correct laws, then let us all know and then print it out and carry a copy with you in your vehicle.

Peter.

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....then some jerk wad state Registration nazi will interpert it form a differant angle and the issue will start all over again....do it right the first time -follow the rules -conform and be nice when confonted.....geof[ this is coming form a guy that was 10 for 10 on the golden rule before he was 21] OY! Maybe that is why I got gray hair......

[Oakland Mike]

I am in the process now of trying to register an out of state truck that was formerly registered as an RV. California will not 'grandfather' it as an RV and it must be inspected. I put a 14ft box on the back and pull a 31ft toyhauler. The thing that worries me is that the box on the back could be used to carry a commercial load, although it will never be used for that purpose. I put polished diamond plate in the back. It is used to haul my racing motorcycles.

Hopefully I can convince the inspectors that this is truly an RV. I will let you know how it goes.

Mike

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

.....So Oakland Mike:....HOw did it GO?...beeen waiting for your results...geof

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

.....So Oakland Mike:....HOw did it GO?...beeen waiting for your results...geof

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

.....So Oakland Mike:....HOw did it GO?...beeen waiting for your results...geof

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

NOW what happened!...'puter hiccups?.....OY! geof

[Oakland Mike]

Well, I haven't had the final yet. When I first went to DMV they started the registration as commercial and told me I had to get a weight ticket to complete the reg process. I did notice it was commercial until after the visit. When I went back, they told me I would have to have it reinspected. they also told me that the CHP could do it and I would not have to bring it to DMV. I went to the CHP and they will not inspect it to make the determination if it is an RV, they will only inspect the VIN.
So now I have to make another appointment to have it inspected at DMV. Will let you know what happens after I get it there.

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....if it doesn't work call Gov. AH-nold...he will take care of it!....keep us posted ....I think your on to something here that will hepl others on this forum.....'pecially in California....geof

[onezman]

I have three customers who live in CA. All three were able to license and register the 610 Volvo conversion they bought from me as motorhome. It can be done.

Larry

[jts]

i bought a 95 fld and stretched it and added a 28 box with all the motorhome goodies. had to have it inspected, show pictures inside and out and also show all reciepts for all major items (not that they probally cared if you stole anything or not) but if you didn't pay tax on any of the items when you bought them they wanted 6% sales tax even on all the stuff you buy out of state and had shipped to you.
also had to supply a nice discription of how it was built. 6 weeks later my 52,000 gvw motorhome title arrived and the registration is $81 i noticed in the pa manual that they would not approve the title transfer if it still had a fifth wheel hitch or cargo area. if you buy new and the unit comes titled as a motorhome i don't how they would ever know. last year we tried to have a friends unit done in ohio and the said that once it had been registered as a truck it couldn't be changed although if you send to a place like showhauler i think you get a totally new title and vin# what does your tile say warpath is the vin # the same as the original truck vin# just curious mine is considered modified and retains the original vin#
i haul a 32 car trailer with my 38'motorhome and have no cdl the pa cdl manual says rec vehicles are exempt but it doesn'y say anything about pulling a trailer although my license says anything over 10,001 you need one. i know of several racers pulling car trailers over 10k with pickup trucks have been stopped and parked because the driver did not have a cdl i plan to get cdl just in case. but will not be stopping at the weight stations it's a big grey area if and when i get pulled over it's purely 100% recreation and show don't ever say you race (cars bicycles or anything ) cause if you can win a trophy or ribbon thats a monotary prize then your a commercial vehicle there's always that prick cop just trying to make somebodys life miserable

[stim8r]

The police around here actualy setup at the entarance to the pit gate at the local race track and check for cdl's. I've spoken with the DOT officer and their approach is, that if you race and recieve any monetary award.....YOUR COMMERCIAL! I also agree with you that if the trailer is over 10,000 pounds you need a cdl in Pa. The big question is, does that include RV trailers? LOcal DOT thinks that it does.

Too damn many people trying to interpret laws wrote by lawyers. Imagine that.

[stim8r]

The sad part is that in Pa. if you bought a diesel pusher motorhome that weighed forty thousand pounds and pulled your racecar trailer, nobody would even bat an eye at you.

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....jts...your buddy that was trying to register in Ohio was mistaken-there had to be another issue involved-an ODOT E
nforcement Officer is working with me[and his son] on my conversion Volvo....it took less than 1/2 hour to do the paperwork and it cost $8.00....Ohio is one of the more cooperative states [why, I don't know....GOV. TAFT is a neighbor maybe?....That didn't help at all.] I have the same Vin# and it just says 98/Volvo/MH on the Registration #09505-Y....I'M looking at the origional as I type so I make no mistake.....If the cargo area is an issue just put a water tank on it when/if you have it inspected....That was a suggestion form You Know Who...geof

[madbrit]

The only way your race car rig is commercial in respect of monetary winnings is if you register your race car as a business and it becomes a taxable or tax write-offable business. Winning a prize, money or trophy is no different to driving your car to a Casino and winning either a jackpot or as little as 5 cents on the slots.

Arizona told me that as long as I don't carry goods for reward, in otherwords I can carry anything of mine I like as long as I am not selling it or have sold it and am delivering it, and I am perfectly legal. But I will have to pay the Heavy Use Tax if the 5th wheel or load space was still there.

I can also down grade the GVWR of the truck to fit any relevant weight groups I wish to fit into. BUT, best I don't get caught weighing more than I declared. So if there is an issue over towing vehicle weight and trailer combined weight, I could have the vehicle registered as no more than 26,000 lbs GVWR, if that would help.

Some States don't even put the weight on the title or registration once it becomes an RV as it no longer matters.

Maybe one can just register oneself as a company and build one's own RV and then issue a new vin# for a remanufacturered vehicle just like Show Hauler does.

Peter.

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....Ohio is only worried about the fifth wheel hitch issue-without air lines the hitch issue becomes a moot point. If they check anything it's going to be the air brakes/lites and general condition of the vehicle....DOT Enforcement doesn't site the driver-Just the company-they will call state Police if necessary or suspect anything unusal....but as long is you don't get into a pizzing match with the DOT-E you are going to be on your way in a few minuites....geof

[jts]

i just got pulled over this week end coming threw ohio i was just following traffic when we came by several police cars on the side of the road and they waved us in. nothing was said about a cdl. he just said i thinks your rig is a little over 4 tons and the speedlimit is 55 not 65 like the cars. he politely wrote me my ticket 67 in a 55 and sent me on my way.