buying a travel trailer in another state - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Sherri · RV-Dreams Community Member

buying a travel trailer in another state

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Sherry,

That may depend. We currently live in CA. We are domiciled in SD but do not have our SD licenses yet. We just bought our 5er in Michigan. If we were paying cash, it would not (so they say) have been a problem with having it registered in SD and paying SD taxes. We have a loan until our house sells. They fussed when they saw our CA drivers license. Once they saw our SD address in Box Elder, they definitely said no. The loan people are very aware of domicile addresses and they say there is no way they can prevent you from getting a loan, then just taking off without paying. They'd never be able to find you. That's the reason they told us anyway.

We just bought our truck yesterday with cash. The truck is in IL. No problem registering it in SD with our domicile address.

So, if you want to save as much as possible and you are paying cash, I'd get your DL in the state you are domiciling in first. That way, you'll have the best chance. Even if you're getting a loan, you'll still have better luck.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherri, you can license it wherever you want as long as your finance company agrees. Even though you live in CA, if you do not bring the RV into this state for either one or two years (and get caught) you are not bound to register it here. Many finance companies will not agree to registering as a Montana LLC in case that's what you are thinking.

Who are you buying from? I just purchased mine in Ohio. I did register it in CA because I had no choice. My truck will be registered in a Montana LLC.

Sherri · RV-Dreams Community Member

thanks for your response,

So, after they title it in Ohio, what you are saying (don't worry, I won't quote you) is that I can keep it titled in Ohio and not have to register it here in CA. I am moving there in 2 months and really don't want to have to pay twice. I know that I will never bring it here. The trailer will stay in Ohio for a bout six months, then on to Florida.

Thanks

Sherri

Sherri · RV-Dreams Community Member

I am purchasing from Camping World

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherri - if you are financing it, the loan company will require that it be titled in the state where you have your driver's license. This is one of the ramifications of the Patriot Act, you have to prove your residency to qualify for a loan.

Sherri · RV-Dreams Community Member

thank you cry

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

No matter where you decide/or are able to register it, you have 30 days to do it. So if you were paying cash and were already domiciled it probably wouldn't be a problem. If you were getting a loan, I'd make sure to have your domicile set up and a drivers license from that state. If this involves your time and money to fly there to do (as was our case) then it might not be worth all the trouble. No matter where you register it, if you move you can usually fill out a form and recoup some of the registration money for the months you won't be there. I'm sure this will require you to provide some proof that you are now "living" in another state.

Keep in mind, the loan companies may not take your domiciled address even if you do all the above.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

I bought mine from the camping world too, Sirpilla RV Akron, OH. Then had it shipped to CA.

I don't know about any patriots or their acts but I know that the credit union didn't care where it was titled. Ohio issues a title upon sale, then the state you finally register it in will issue a new title. I had the ohio title and turned it over to the republik when I registered. If I were in your shoes, leave it registered in Ohio and slow roll anyone that tries to make you register it in this half baked state. Ohio didn't mind either. They like your money too. Kalifornicate just likes more of your money, lots more of your money. If I had your plan, that hot place way down south would freeze over before I adulterated the appearance of my RV with a CA tag. Sigh.

Sherri · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks, I, too, bought mine from Sirpillas of Akron. This is where I grew up and this is where my father bought all of his many rv's so I figured they couldn't be all that bad. They do have some good prices.

I would have to agree with you, Cali surely does want all of your money and I surely don't want to give it to them. Sadly, I just renewed my driver's license and car registration with Cali but am moving to Ohio in June. Going there in may. I am transferring with my job and will be required to get an Ohio driver's license so I think I will just leave it titled in Ohio. Upon getting the driver's license, I suppose the registration must follow so maybe I will just write it up as a loss as opposed to giving Cali the steep registration fees.

Thanks again.

Sherri