would be nice if it was just a permanent trailer tag
5th wheel registration question
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Tuned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 4
5th wheel registration question
So we just got our new 2015 road warrior 5th'er. Went to register it and tags was 498.00. Then she asked me to bring it in for VIN verification. I told her it was my understanding NEW never registration, out side of California (bought it in Dallas tx) does not require vin verify. Long story short, she came back, gave me refund for the registration, and issued a PERMANENT TRAILER PLATE. She said I only need to pay $10 every 5 years. I personally think she made a mistake. Cause my 2000 Aljo I pay almost 100 bucks per year.
What does the PERMANENT TRAILER PLATE really mean?
What does the PERMANENT TRAILER PLATE really mean?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Yes, she made a mistake. Fifthwheel campers are not eligible for the PTI program.
Here is the DMV page for PTI information:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1..._hdbk/ch14/toc
And this page of that document covers the fifthwheel exclusion
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1...bk/ch14/ch14_3
The question for you now, is do you want to get it corrected and pay the higher fee. If they find the error a few years down the road, when you go to sell it for example, they may come back and make you pay the fees for 5 years, which I believe is the limit. Even though it is totally their fault. I've been through that with CA property taxes. I had to pay, but no penalties were added. They even spread it out over a few years. If you keep the trailer long enough, it might be worth it to just keep it.
If I could legally register my fiver as a PTI, I would be all over that. But not so.
Oh, and congrats on the new fiver. That thing must be huge!
Here is the DMV page for PTI information:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1..._hdbk/ch14/toc
And this page of that document covers the fifthwheel exclusion
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1...bk/ch14/ch14_3
The question for you now, is do you want to get it corrected and pay the higher fee. If they find the error a few years down the road, when you go to sell it for example, they may come back and make you pay the fees for 5 years, which I believe is the limit. Even though it is totally their fault. I've been through that with CA property taxes. I had to pay, but no penalties were added. They even spread it out over a few years. If you keep the trailer long enough, it might be worth it to just keep it.
If I could legally register my fiver as a PTI, I would be all over that. But not so.
Oh, and congrats on the new fiver. That thing must be huge!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Just re-read what Bill posted in Post #3 above.
There ARE fees, and they are due annually just like a truck.
The gal at the DMV made a mistake, and it will catch up eventually, and then there will be back-fees galore.
I'd call it to their attention now, and it'll be easier in the long run.
State GONNA' get theirs! You KNOW that!
Pop
There ARE fees, and they are due annually just like a truck.
The gal at the DMV made a mistake, and it will catch up eventually, and then there will be back-fees galore.
I'd call it to their attention now, and it'll be easier in the long run.
State GONNA' get theirs! You KNOW that!
Pop
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,158
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From: Paramount, Ca
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Hotshot
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
Yeah that would be nice. But no. CA is very expensive for trailer tags, unless you quality for the PTI.
Some states don't require trailer registration at all. Your towing vehicle registration covers whatever you are towing. Some other states only register them when bought/sold, and no annual renewal required. And then most states just have a token fee to cover the annual renewal.
But we've got nice weather!
Some states don't require trailer registration at all. Your towing vehicle registration covers whatever you are towing. Some other states only register them when bought/sold, and no annual renewal required. And then most states just have a token fee to cover the annual renewal.
But we've got nice weather!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cal Desert
I just got done paying for my rig which is registered in WA. It is a 2007 33ft Hitchhiker. I paid $41.75. I would consider you register it out of state but if you don't want to do that, then go back and point out their incompetence at DMV and redo the thing. I do have dual residences.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 28
From: Portal, AZ
I just got done paying for my rig which is registered in WA. It is a 2007 33ft Hitchhiker. I paid $41.75. I would consider you register it out of state but if you don't want to do that, then go back and point out their incompetence at DMV and redo the thing. I do have dual residences.
sorry but its sorta relevanthow does the Dual Residency work?
I'm looking at buying some land in NV and would love to have Dual residency if I do. I need the CA residency for my son while he goes to college.
I was going to PM you but this could be helpful to other members.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,536
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No such thing. Just depends on where you spend the most time.
IMO, no guarantee this won't cause trouble, but for vehicle registration, as long as you have an address in NV, go ahead. Now if you are only there two weeks a year, maybe not, but if you come and go regularly, go ahead.
For taxes and in-state tuition, you gotta be CA.
I moved to NM for a while and had to file a partial year return in NM for two years, along with the CA return.
Of course with a CA DL and a NV registration, you will always have an open can of worms on display. Peace of mind has it costs.
ymmv
IMO, no guarantee this won't cause trouble, but for vehicle registration, as long as you have an address in NV, go ahead. Now if you are only there two weeks a year, maybe not, but if you come and go regularly, go ahead.
For taxes and in-state tuition, you gotta be CA.
I moved to NM for a while and had to file a partial year return in NM for two years, along with the CA return.
Of course with a CA DL and a NV registration, you will always have an open can of worms on display. Peace of mind has it costs.
ymmv
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cal Desert
sorry but its sorta relevanthow does the Dual Residency work?
I'm looking at buying some land in NV and would love to have Dual residency if I do. I need the CA residency for my son while he goes to college.
I was going to PM you but this could be helpful to other members.
