Registering a Trailer or Camper: RV Paperwork is Important
08-27-2015
Author: in Finance
By Justin Stoltzfus
Even if you’re buying a pull-along trailer or camper that’s passively towed by a truck, SUV or other vehicle, you need to look carefully at the paperwork requirements for these types of vehicles. In many states, titling and registration rules are critical for staying on the good side of the law.
Timeframe for RV Titling and Registration Paperwork
In many states, there is a deadline of 30 days from purchase for new owners to complete critical paperwork. You may need a properly signed title and a bill of sale to register your camper with the DMV.
States set up these titling and registration rules partly for insurance reasons, and to make sure that campers and other vehicles are roadworthy and in good condition. There may not be an annual inspection process for these vehicles, but at a traffic stop, police will want to see proper documentation, if registration is a requirement in that state. One issue is weight -- some of these campers even have requirements for additional brake systems beyond what is on the towing vehicle. Another issue is whether or not a trailer or camper is free from defects and problems that would contribute to accidents on the road.
Problems with Camper Paperwork
In some cases, it's really difficult for buyers to comply with this state law. In many private party sales, trailers and campers are sold “as is.” The seller may not have a title or any paperwork to offer the buyer. That makes it pretty difficult to go in and register the vehicle later. In a lot of these informal sales, it doesn't occur to either the buyer or the seller that they really need to be titling and registering a vehicle that doesn't have an engine. Still, this can be important down the road. When you put money into the camper, you want to make sure that it will be useful to you, and that you won't have to end up parking it because of legal issues.
So the first rule of thumb is to always get the important paperwork from the seller. If possible, have the seller come down to a notary shop to finalize the deal, the same way they would with a used car or truck. Then set a timeline and make sure to visit the DMV to get everything signed, sealed and delivered for a happier time on the road.
Keeping Paperwork on File
It can also be hard to hold onto these papers after you have them. Again, because a camper may not have a dedicated inspection process attached to it, you might not be asked by mechanics to provide these papers if you bring a pull-along into the shop.
One solution is to keep the camper paperwork in a dedicated folder right next to the bigger files for your cars and trucks.
Having the right documentation can help you with insurance issues and even help out in some legal situations. Make sure you have what you need to be confident about taking your next trip.
Even if you’re buying a pull-along trailer or camper that’s passively towed by a truck, SUV or other vehicle, you need to look carefully at the paperwork requirements for these types of vehicles. In many states, titling and registration rules are critical for staying on the good side of the law.
Timeframe for RV Titling and Registration Paperwork
In many states, there is a deadline of 30 days from purchase for new owners to complete critical paperwork. You may need a properly signed title and a bill of sale to register your camper with the DMV.
States set up these titling and registration rules partly for insurance reasons, and to make sure that campers and other vehicles are roadworthy and in good condition. There may not be an annual inspection process for these vehicles, but at a traffic stop, police will want to see proper documentation, if registration is a requirement in that state. One issue is weight -- some of these campers even have requirements for additional brake systems beyond what is on the towing vehicle. Another issue is whether or not a trailer or camper is free from defects and problems that would contribute to accidents on the road.
Problems with Camper Paperwork
In some cases, it's really difficult for buyers to comply with this state law. In many private party sales, trailers and campers are sold “as is.” The seller may not have a title or any paperwork to offer the buyer. That makes it pretty difficult to go in and register the vehicle later. In a lot of these informal sales, it doesn't occur to either the buyer or the seller that they really need to be titling and registering a vehicle that doesn't have an engine. Still, this can be important down the road. When you put money into the camper, you want to make sure that it will be useful to you, and that you won't have to end up parking it because of legal issues.
So the first rule of thumb is to always get the important paperwork from the seller. If possible, have the seller come down to a notary shop to finalize the deal, the same way they would with a used car or truck. Then set a timeline and make sure to visit the DMV to get everything signed, sealed and delivered for a happier time on the road.
Keeping Paperwork on File
It can also be hard to hold onto these papers after you have them. Again, because a camper may not have a dedicated inspection process attached to it, you might not be asked by mechanics to provide these papers if you bring a pull-along into the shop.
One solution is to keep the camper paperwork in a dedicated folder right next to the bigger files for your cars and trucks.
Having the right documentation can help you with insurance issues and even help out in some legal situations. Make sure you have what you need to be confident about taking your next trip.
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