DMV Registration

[popupmom]

Hello all, I've got a silly question about registering your pop-up. I live in California and have owned my camper for almost 20 years. I was telling my neighbor (also a pop up owner) about the fee for my registration. She was shocked. She pays $10 for 5 years as a PTI. I pay $130 per YEAR because they have it listed on the registration as a coach trailer. I just called the DMV and they said I would need to have a VIN verification done at the DMV office or AAA. I just did a quick search on a VIN verification website and it has it listed as a camper trailer which should be considered PTI and therefore the much lower registration fee. What is your camper registered as? California may be different than other states.

 

[Susan Premo]

Mine is considered homemade, it's an aliner??? They didn't know what to call it.

 

[Oldspurs]

Mine is listed as a Travel Trailer here in Texas. We are required to get new registration every year. Do not remember what our cost is, papers are in the TV.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

Out 2003 Aliner Scout is less than 16 ft so its a Permanent Plate, cost us $39 one-time fee here in Oakland, California.

 

[Johneliot]

I’m in California and my tent trailer has a PTI. Go to the definitions section and see if you meet the qualifications for a PTI plate.

Chapter 14: Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) - California DMV

14.000 Introduction 14.005 Definitions 14.010 Maintenance Service Fee or PNO Every Five Years 14.015 Original Registrations 14.020 Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Certification (REG 4017) Form 14.025 Title Options 14.030 Trailers Excluded 14.035 Transfers

www.dmv.ca.gov

 

[msferry]

I have a 93 Coleman pioneer arcadia with a 10 foot box. Mine is registered with a PTI and I pay $10 every five years to register it.

 

[Lug_Nut]

Looking at the site link in post #5 I see that 16 feet or less, tip of tongue to rear most extended portion, is needed to be eligible for a PTI.
"... does not exceed 16 feet in overall length from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer body and 96 inches in width. Where a trailer telescopes for travel, the size shall apply to the trailer as fully extended."
Depending on the model you have the fully opened length may put you over the 16 foot limit.

 

[darthRudolph]

Mine is PTI. But it’s old and I bought it that way.

The kicker seems to be that California considers tent trailers to not be coaches. Though the verbiage also says something like “if it telescopes for travel” they want the extended length. But it’s not extended for travel…

The upshot is take it in and have the VIN verified to be a tent trailer. Call it a tent trailer every time you refer to it. If the friendly DMV clerk doesn’t go for it, thank them for their time, and leave. Try another clerk on another day.

Or, if you do have AAA, go there, let them handle it.

Also see https://www.popupportal.com/threads/dmv-registration-body-type-pti-for-pups-in-calif.129836/

 

[Grandpa Don]

Hello all, I've got a silly question about registering your pop-up. I live in California and have owned my camper for almost 20 years. I was telling my neighbor (also a pop up owner) about the fee for my registration. She was shocked. She pays $10 for 5 years as a PTI. I pay $130 per YEAR because they have it listed on the registration as a coach trailer. I just called the DMV and they said I would need to have a VIN verification done at the DMV office or AAA. I just did a quick search on a VIN verification website and it has it listed as a camper trailer which should be considered PTI and therefore the much lower registration fee. What is your camper registered as? California may be different than other states.

I got lucky when I purchased my Viking camper in California. The previous owner had a PTI registration on it. So I also just pay $10.00 every five years. They say that the fee is just to let them now that you still have an active camper on their books.

 

[Johneliot]

If the box on your tent trailer is 12’ or less, I don’t think the tongue is 4’ long, so you should be OK. I would take the Vin to AAA, tell them it’s a tent trailer, tell them it’s registered incorrectly and can they make it right so it has a PTI. If they can’t do it then make an appointment at the DMV and have them correct it. Nothing to lose!

 

[J Starsky]

In Minnesota, we have a Recreational Trailer License Plate Class. All due in February. They don't sell you a sticker that's worth a darn in the cold, BTW... You pay be the weight of vehicle, bigger units paying more in small increments. So, that's how they know to charge a bit more for my TT than the PUP. All pretty reasonable, except mid winter expiration.

 

[popupmom]

I got lucky when I purchased my Viking camper in California. The previous owner had a PTI registration on it. So I also just pay $10.00 every five years. They say that the fee is just to let them now that you still have an active camper on their books.

Thank you. I figured we were being overcharged. I don't want to have to hook it up and haul it to the office to get the vin verified but if I have to.....I wonder if they'll return the fees that I've been overpaying.

 

[popupmom]

Thank you. I'll be heading there next week. They shouldn't have to have the camper as long as they have the VIN number on my registration. It already shows as a camper trailer which should be a PTI. Appreciate your help.

If the box on your tent trailer is 12’ or less, I don’t think the tongue is 4’ long, so you should be OK. I would take the Vin to AAA, tell them it’s a tent trailer, tell them it’s registered incorrectly and can they make it right so it has a PTI. If they can’t do it then make an appointment at the DMV and have them correct it. Nothing to lose!

 

[popupmom]

In Minnesota, we have a Recreational Trailer License Plate Class. All due in February. They don't sell you a sticker that's worth a darn in the cold, BTW... You pay be the weight of vehicle, bigger units paying more in small increments. So, that's how they know to charge a bit more for my TT than the PUP. All pretty reasonable, except mid winter expiration.

Thanks. I bet winter camping would be a rough one!!! I grew up in the snow but I'm a little thin blooded now after being away for over 30 years.

 

[Johneliot]

.....I wonder if they'll return the fees that I've been overpaying

hahaha! Good one! It’s the government, they taketh but they don’t returneth! You could ask but they’ll probably tell you you should’ve caught it sooner. But again, nothing to lose by asking.🏕

 

[Grandpa Don]

Thank you. I figured we were being overcharged. I don't want to have to hook it up and haul it to the office to get the vin verified but if I have to.....I wonder if they'll return the fees that I've been overpaying.

It's not likely you will get anything back. I think all you will have to do is take the current registration to the DMV office and not the whole camper.

 

[Lug_Nut]

...... “if it telescopes for travel” they want the extended length. But it’s not extended for travel…

"Telescopes" is a verb that is used to describe lengthening AND shortening. The pop-up bunks telescope inward to make the trailer shorter for travel.

 

[craig heaton]

In Ohio mine is registered as a "house vehicle". Doesn't matter if it's a 44 foot TT or an 8 foot pop up, to the BMV it's all the same

 

[J Starsky]

Thanks. I bet winter camping would be a rough one!!! I grew up in the snow but I'm a little thin blooded now after being away for over 30 years.

There's a lot of folks that do it, for sure! I don't think a PUP will open safely in this temp range, but the folks that own Ice House Campers get some use out of them!

 

[MNTCamper]

I just reregistered my Pup in MN also and it does have a sticker and tabs and renews each Feb as noted. I think it is $13 or $15 / year.
I do have another utility trailer 5' x 10' and as long as the GVW is under 3500 I think, it has permanent license on it and I never have to renew that - very easy.