I don't know if SD is like ND or not, but my ND RV plates (or House Car - as it said on my title) are exactly the same as car plates... they just cost less.
In ND, the person keeps the plates when the vehicle is sold and now those plates are on my new Toyota Sienna.
I think first you have to pick a state and then research which is cheapest. Obviously you don't have a homeowners association to worry about.
Thanks all. Life is indeed a risk. SD does seem to be the cheapest for many rving reasons, seemingly seconded by TX and FL, according to the folks in the fulltiming forum. (Oh I probably forgot a state or two...but SD seems to B most friendly to rvers). Guess I should ask there.
Seeking The Dream:
If I ever find it...I'll let ya know.
A lot of states are now assessing large fines for people trying to beat the sales tax by registering in one state, and living in another. I believe, even if your full timing, you will need an address in the state your RV is registered in, and all your mail sent to that state, which will then have to be forwarded to you. There is a lot of information on this in the archives, probably under the "General RVing" forum, I suggest you do some reading.
Depends on where you register it, what categories are available, what taxes and restrictions and insurance reguirements apply to each category. "Van" may or may not be a category. "Motorhome" may or may not be a category. "Recreational Vehicle" may or may not be a category.
For example, Oklahoma doesn't have a "motorhome" category, we can register as a passenger car or a commercial vehicle (if we otherwise qualify to register commercial). We don't have a "recreational vehicle" category for on the road licensing, but we do have "travel trailer" which does not have financial responsibility requirements. Some residents may license through tribal governments, and each tribe has its own rules.
Back when we had property taxes on personal vehicles, everybody tried to be either "commercial vehicle" or "farm truck" to duck the taxes. In other states, "commercial vehicle" could be much more expensive.
I suggest you try to license as a standard passenger vehicle, if you can, when you decide where to license. OTOH, there could be major tax or insurance advantages in other categories.
CrusinSusan wrote: Thanks all. Life is indeed a risk. SD does seem to be the cheapest for many rving reasons, seemingly seconded by TX and FL, according to the folks in the fulltiming forum. (Oh I probably forgot a state or two...but SD seems to B most friendly to rvers). Guess I should ask there.
Where you choose to base yourself, for full timing, depends a whole lot on which taxes you will be subject to, which taxes the state collects. Most of the states popular for full timing are states without an income tax. Some people choose a state that lets them duck a one-time sales tax or excise tax on a vehicle purchase, then pay out more in other taxes and fees, over time. Florida, with no income tax, for example, can be a problem for insurance costs and for people with large intangible assets. You need to work with a financial advisor who understands your situation and the laws of your candidate states.
Perhaps someone else in VA can correct me. I do not own an RV just yet. But I've read that RV's in VA are hit with property tax to the tune 3.6% of the purchase price EVERY YEAR. This value does not depreciate over time. Although it MIGHT be less expensive to register an RV in VA vs. a passenger vehicle (I didn't check), I'll bet the owner's pocketbook would come out far ahead if the van was registered as a passenger vehicle.
Check with your insurance agent on coverage for the "van" versus "motorhome" descriptions. And shop around if their answer isn't to your satisfaction. Some "van" coverages don't include all the equipment and appliances that make your unit a B, they just cover the basic van chassis.
Chirpnchicks wrote: I think I have mentioned this before... my RT RS is registered as a passenger vehicle in the great state of NC.
Handbasket (thanks again) gave me the tip and my tenacious wife did the rest.
Jay
What was the advice? I'm about to have one registered in Arizona. It's a '98 Roadtrek on a '97 Chassis.
Bob, I think you may have a hard time getting the 200 registered as a van, since it never was a van. Remember the 200 is built on a cut-away chassis, so technically it's a Class C.
Offline
