Registering in Another State

janieg · Joined: 02 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

Hi all. We are new to the list. We are in the process of buying a new 38' Landmark. My question is this: we are residents of Arizona. We are buying the rig in Reno, Nevada. We are NOT ever going to tow it. We will be keeping the rig in an RV park in California and using it 5 months of the year. We do have a PO box mailing address in California where the rig is kept. Do we have to register it in Arizona? (I think we do). But to register it, do we have to take it to Arizona? Sorry to be so dumb but we are in a quandary and the dealership in Nevada doesn't know what to do with it (for sure). Anyone been in this situation before? Please give us your expertise. We are more than willing to pay sales tax and registration in AZ where our home address is, but are they going to make us take it there? This rig is 2009 and brand new.

Thanks

J & t

Motor31 · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:12 am Post subject:

Hi there,

We are AZ residents also. If you want to keep the rig n CA, you do not need to take it to AZ first. You can register it in AZ without the trip by taking the paperwork to MVD. The dealer should be able to help you with that. Keeping it in CA would also allow you to register it there depending on the residency laws in that state since you have a PO box to use as an address. I don't know if that would be less expensive or not because AZ has rather high registration fees (taxes).

Will you be storing it in the same RV park that you are staying in or are you SKPs with an owned site there where it will be "permanently"?

Your other option is to do an LLC in Montana, save the sales tax on the purchase and get a permanent license plate so you don't have to renew the plate every year. It will definitely be cheaper than registering in AZ as long as you are keeping the rig for more than a couple years.
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elh3946 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1650 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

If the rig is going to be permanently in place at a California RV park, then you'll most likely have to register it in California...and the insurance for the rig will also have to be based on California rates.

Another wrinkle in this scenario is sales tax: will you have to pay California sales tax since the rig is being purchased "to be used" in the state of California.

I would highly recommend that you contact the California Board of Equalization to discuss this matter with them and find out EXACTLY what the California requirements are for a non-resident who is purchasing an RV to be used exclusively in California. Believe me when I say that you do not want to cross swords with the powers-that-be in California!

jrf · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 250

Here are the websites for California's B of E and DMV:

www.boe.ca.gov

www.dmv.ca.gov

Adrienne · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

Elh is correct. If the RV spends more than 180 days per year in CA, it must be registered in CA. Check with the websites given to be sure.
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Motor31 · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:50 am Post subject:

If you plan on never towing it anyhow, would a park model be a better choice for you?
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

oldgasser · Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 32 Location: Arizona

If you are never going to tow it, why do you want to register it at all? Apply for a title only and complete an affidavit that it will not be used on the highway. They may want to charge you a personal property tax, but it will be much cheaper than the motor vehicle tax charged with MVD registration.
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Old Gasser

elh3946 · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1650 Location: Sioux Falls, SD

JoeMel · Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Location: On the road

I have seen many rigs without registration plates in many states. Don't remember where except that here in NY where we are staying, most of the "seasonals" who never move their rigs, do not register them.

Joe and Mel
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2 people and 2 cats
2001 Casita 17SD
Full timing since 2005

Ag2000CO · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 187 Location: MD

Oldgasser has the right idea.

I just bought an old trailer in CA and towed to back to MD. You can get a "one time" permit to tow the trailer from point A to point B, into or out of CA. They also have an affidavit where you say the trailer has not, is not, will not, travel on or be parked on any public roadway in CA. With this you do not have to register. I suggest you do get a title so you can sell it later. (With just a bill of sale in a title state it is a PITA!)

Check California Department of Motor Vehicals