HF trailer DMV registration?

[cuyeda]

Another HF trailer question...

When registering the trailer at the DMV (I live in CA), are there differences in the fees paid? Differences meaning, as a flat utility trailer vs. a trailer with a teardrop camper built on the top of it.

[bobhenry]

It's been said here a dozen different ways. Just plate the little utility trailer as soon as you get it towable and then you can haul your lumber home on it to build the tear. This way you don't invite headaches from the good old dmv. This helps to avoid the late fees too.

[TPMcGinty]

Another HF trailer question...

When registering the trailer at the DMV (I live in CA), are there differences in the fees paid? Differences meaning, as a flat utility trailer vs. a trailer with a teardrop camper built on the top of it.

In Minnesota you are supposed to first register it as a utility trailer which gets you a lifetime trailer sticker that doesn't need to be renewed. After you build the camper on it you are supposed to re-register it as a camper which gets you a plate that has to be periodically renewed. Also when you re-register it as a camper you are supposed to present the receipts for the materials you put into the trailer so you can pay the sales taxes on the portions you didn't already pay sales taxes on (like out of state and internet purchases). They also want you to take photos of the finished product from all sides and also the interior. This seems like a pain but that is what they told me when I checked with the licensing bureau. My plan is to finish the trailer with the bare minimum and then re-register it. After that I will add all of the comfort items (stove, TV, DVD player, stereo, generator, heater, etc) so I don't have to pay the taxes on these. I don't know if any of this makes sense.

[cuyeda]

I understand the late fees. You need to register it 30 days after purchase or face the DMV late fees. I learned that lesson recently ($), and still need to take a vintage camper trailer in for inspection. Something about verifying the body style, vin number etc... Based on the inspection my registrations fees could go up. At least that is what the clerk at the DMV told me.

Since this HF frame has never been registered, are there differences with regards to usage: utility, car hauler, enclosed cargo, horse, refrigerated. etc... I other words do I pay higher fees dependent on actual usage of trailer (body style).

[cuyeda]

...snip...In Minnesota you are supposed to first register it as a utility trailer which gets you a lifetime trailer sticker that doesn't need to be renewed. After you build the camper on it you are supposed to re-register it as a camper which gets you a plate that has to be periodically renewed. ...snip

TPMcGinty,
I composed my above post at the same time you were composing your explanation. This entire registration routine seems like a voluntary process of how to pay your DMV more fees. ha ha. ;-)

[jeep_bluetj]

I'll just say what's been said again: Bolt it together, stick the lights on, and drag it to the DMV. (Just the frame, no deck needed) They'll look at the VIN plate from China, and give you a tag.

THEN modify it.

In my case... I modified quite a bit (There's still some HF parts in there... gotta look hard for them though...)

[bobhenry]

I understand the late fees. You need to register it 30 days after purchase or face the DMV late fees. I learned that lesson recently ($), and still need to take a vintage camper trailer in for inspection. Something about verifying the body style, vin number etc... Based on the inspection my registrations fees could go up. At least that is what the clerk at the DMV told me.

Since this HF frame has never been registered, are there differences with regards to usage: utility, car hauler, enclosed cargo, horse, refrigerated. etc... I other words do I pay higher fees dependent on actual usage of trailer (body style).

So if you put a/c in the teardrop is it a camper or a refrigerated trailer

[bobhenry]

I have owned a 65 ford pickup bed trailer for almost 20 years. I plate it every year. That plate is for a "RED homemade trailer". So My 28' flatbed my 5x3 toy tear my 5x10 tear all happen to have red frames. I even sneak it onto the 16' Ritz Camper should I need to move it. I get a lot of mileage out of that $26.00 and only pay yearly excise tax on the one. If it's the wrong type plate I will simply plead ignorance and take my lumps but I have never been pulled over for it. So I quess the new 4x8 non standard trailer and the dual axle boat trailer conversion will have red frames to.

[cuyeda]

I'll just say what's been said again: Bolt it together, stick the lights on, and drag it to the DMV. (Just the frame, no deck needed) They'll look at the VIN plate from China, and give you a tag. THEN modify it.
...snip

Thanks everyone for the replies. I knew this would be the end result, but wanted to familiarize myself with the process. Now I know what I want to do, and what I am suppose to do with regards to registration. If I was familiar with the process during my current registration process with another trailer, I could have saved $$. I need not get into details, but it involved used tax, and late fees. Different circumstance, different trailer.

[elderjay]

I was shocked when I went to DMV with my HF trailer behind my Honda Goldwing. I had a sheet of plywood and two tool boxes mounted on it. Asked me the weight and it was 200lb. The biggest part of the fee was sales tax since it was from out of state. The permanent license is good for 5 years in CA. Now to add.

It was much more expensive when I had the 25' Mallard TT. More comfortable though. Had a family live in it for a year and sold it when they got on their feet. It was still in good shape, they didn't trash it, but those trailers aren't designed for full time living.

[Alphacarina]

I have owned a 65 ford pickup bed trailer for almost 20 years. I plate it every year. That plate is for a "RED homemade trailer". So My 28' flatbed my 5x3 toy tear my 5x10 tear all happen to have red frames. I even sneak it onto the 16' Ritz Camper should I need to move it. I get a lot of mileage out of that $26.00 and only pay yearly excise tax on the one. If it's the wrong type plate I will simply plead ignorance and take my lumps but I have never been pulled over for it. So I quess the new 4x8 non standard trailer and the dual axle boat trailer conversion will have red frames to.

I have one pretty well used plate too

Here in Mississippi we can title and register small trailers . . . . or we can register them without getting a title and just pay for the tag year after year. The local gendarmes aren't too concerned with small trailers . . . . you can figure that out by the fact that most of them either have no license plate at all, or one which expired several years ago. I have NEVER heard of anyone being stopped with a current tag on a trailer and them checking to see if the tag was really for THAT trailer, so like you, I have one tag which shares duty on 4 or 5 different trailers and the $26 I pay is more than most folks bother with

Don

[Dean_A]

Cliff,
Absolutlely take it in as a plain old utility trailer. You'll get a PTI (Permanent Trailer ID) plate that you pay a renewal on every 5 years (fairly cheap). Once it becomes an "RV" it can get a little more complicated. A small teardrop would probably still qualify for the PTI, but you might have to pay higher taxes or something. Haven't looked into it in a while, but if you want to look into it more, here's a good place to start.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/commercial/cvra.htm#declared
Also, you can do a google search for Auto Registration Services in your area if you don't want to hassle with the DMV. They come to your house, and take care of all the paperwork for you. It costs a little more, but it saves you a trip to the DMV.
--Dean

[satch]

Reg. it as a utility, sooo much easier. I made the appt., they took a quick look ( they didn't even check the lights!), I was out with my PTI plates in 40 min. Started rebuilding it as soon as I got home.