michelle_east_county
Advanced Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2020
- Messages
- 97
(Note to moderators: This might make a good new topic under "Campers")
Every state is different and, surprisingly, California still does not require a title or registration of truck campers. Some lenders and insurers do, and there's lots of confusion over what a truck camper actually is.
As I understand it, if one buys something in another state that is titled (like a vehicle) in their state of residence, they can title it in their home state and get a credit for certain taxes and fees paid in the state purchased if not collected and transferred to home state by seller. Colorado apparently has a 2.9% sales tax, plus county taxes in some areas, less than the 6% here in California, plus about another 1.25% local taxes, more in some areas. Departments of Motor Vehicles seem used to handling this for vehicles, as they must be titled and registered. In California, truck campers, if registered, are handled through the Department of Housing and Community Development, which primarily handles mobile homes. Online forms and instructions are hard to find; HQ telephone contact had me fill out online request that resulted in an automated reply with portions of their website, and local offices are closed due to COVID. Catch-22.
Bottom line? It appears that when a serial or other unique number (there is no VIN) is issued to me before I pick up the unit I'll apply for insurance with GEICO, as my current carrier, Automobile Club of Southern California (like some others), can't seem to comprehend, let alone cover, a truck camper. As for title and registration, there is no need unless insurance demands it. And, that apparently eliminates need for paying additional use tax beyond sales tax paid in Colorado.
And, a note on the truck: My selecting one with unladen weight below about 8,000 lbs (can't recall exact language), GVWR below 11,500 lbs (11,400 selected), and retaining the pickup bed was critical in this state for avoiding more fees and licensing hassles. Below 10,000 GVWR, bed retention would be less of an issue there, but closer to being overloaded.
Comments?
Every state is different and, surprisingly, California still does not require a title or registration of truck campers. Some lenders and insurers do, and there's lots of confusion over what a truck camper actually is.
As I understand it, if one buys something in another state that is titled (like a vehicle) in their state of residence, they can title it in their home state and get a credit for certain taxes and fees paid in the state purchased if not collected and transferred to home state by seller. Colorado apparently has a 2.9% sales tax, plus county taxes in some areas, less than the 6% here in California, plus about another 1.25% local taxes, more in some areas. Departments of Motor Vehicles seem used to handling this for vehicles, as they must be titled and registered. In California, truck campers, if registered, are handled through the Department of Housing and Community Development, which primarily handles mobile homes. Online forms and instructions are hard to find; HQ telephone contact had me fill out online request that resulted in an automated reply with portions of their website, and local offices are closed due to COVID. Catch-22.
Bottom line? It appears that when a serial or other unique number (there is no VIN) is issued to me before I pick up the unit I'll apply for insurance with GEICO, as my current carrier, Automobile Club of Southern California (like some others), can't seem to comprehend, let alone cover, a truck camper. As for title and registration, there is no need unless insurance demands it. And, that apparently eliminates need for paying additional use tax beyond sales tax paid in Colorado.
And, a note on the truck: My selecting one with unladen weight below about 8,000 lbs (can't recall exact language), GVWR below 11,500 lbs (11,400 selected), and retaining the pickup bed was critical in this state for avoiding more fees and licensing hassles. Below 10,000 GVWR, bed retention would be less of an issue there, but closer to being overloaded.
Comments?