Which FBRV's Qualify For Ca's PTI Plates?

[Joseph Domingos]

Hey Guys,
I was talking with some friends the other day, singing the virtues of our WONDERFUL fiberglass RVs, and it suddenly hit me, do ALL FBRV's qualify for the PTI plate in Ca? I know my Compact II does, but what about the 16ft rigs? Or the fifth wheel Scamps? Where does Ca draw the line? From what I've seen on the DMV website, and heard from folks, it seems that the PTI rules are a little vague and can be interpreted differently. So Im just wondering what people have experienced, as far as what FBRVs do and do not qualify. Heck, if a fifth wheel Scamp qualifys, that might even motivate ME to get one! hehe Thanks! Joe

[Robert Brummett]

Not being from the PRC, I have no idea what a PTI plate is. What is it?

[Chester Taje]

Me neither

[Gina D.]

PTI = Permanent Trailer Identification

It means that your registration is for 5 years (Not Permanent, as the name might imply) and is a minimal fee. Instead of having a tag that has a year date on it, it simply says "PTI".

any Trailer, camping or no (I beleive) 16 feet or under qualifies.

I had one with my pop ups and my Burro 13, but my Burro 17 has a yearly higher registration fee and regular tags, just like a car.

They send the last registered owner a renewal form to up the PTI for another 5 years. The tag is good for the 5 years, regardless of how many owners there are during that time. For example, if you buy a trailer 2 years into the PTI, you do not have to pay the registration fee until the next 3 years are up.

At least, thats what happened with my trailers.. YOUR california DMV may vary.. as they all seem to do

To answer which ones DON'T quality..

17 foot Casitas
17 1/2 foot Burros
17 foot Bigfoots
5th wheel Scamps and Bigfoots
The Jury is out on Fiberstreams, we have members with both PTIs and yearly tags. As mentioned above, the DMV you go to often misinterprets.

I am sure I have missed a couple, but for the most part, only a small handful of FGRVs do NOT qualify.

[Adrian W]

I checked on Google: permanent trailer identification (PTI)
What trailers are subject to Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI)?

All trailers except park trailers and trailer coaches are subject to PTI.

NOTE: A camp trailer or fifth-wheel trailer (depending upon maximum length, width, or size) can be registered as a trailer coach, or camp trailer. Camp trailers are subject to PTI, but trailer coaches are subject to annual registration and excluded from PTI.



However, I have no idea what it means. I am not sure what PRC means as well?

[Chester Taje]

Thats cool--As far as I know mines permanent also here In Alberta.I like that.

[Gina D.]

DMV can't figure out what a Camping Trailer vs. trailer coach is either.

Camp Trailer
242. A "camp trailer" is a vehicle designed to be used on a highway, capable of human habitation for camping or recreational purposes, that does not exceed 16 feet in overall length from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer body and does not exceed 96 inches in width and includes any tent trailer. Where a trailer telescopes for travel, the size shall apply to the trailer as fully extended. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a camp trailer shall not be deemed to be a trailer coach.

Added Ch. 1536, Stats. 1971. Operative May 3, 1972.

Trailer Coach
635. A "trailer coach" is a vehicle, other than a motor vehicle, designed for human habitation or human occupancy for industrial, professional, or commercial purposes, for carrying property on its own structure, and for being drawn by a motor vehicle. A "park trailer," as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, is a trailer coach

Amended Ch. 272, Stats. 1993. Effective August 2, 1993.
Amended Sec. 3, Ch. 566, Stats. 2000. Effective January 1, 2001.

Now, I sometimes live in my trailer for work purposes.. what do I have? My registration says camping trailer, but it's over 16 feet.

Is the rearmost part of the body the frame, or the coach? Pretty ambiguos.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Interesting.. camp trailer includes all tent trailers, but tent trailers are counted as extended length, so if that exceeds 16 feet, are they included, or not?
The DMV may not know what it means, but the good thing is, if one DMV office says your trailer is not a camp trailer, another one will. Just don't tell them your name or VIN until they agree it is a camp trailer. (Btw, when I called the DMV, the person I talked to told me mine was eligible for PTI even though I didn't ask.)

Bobbie

[Frederick L. Simson]

I am not sure what [b]PRC means as well?

the [b]People's [b]Republic of [b]California, (a Blue State) also known as the [b]Left Coast.

[Frederick L. Simson]

check out: PTI registration in California

[Joseph Domingos]

Wow guys, thanks for all the replies, have definitely cleared a few things up. Bummer on it not covering the 5th wheel Scamps. If it had, I'd be buying one ASAP! hehe But still, 16ft or less gives you a LOT of flexibility...
So Fred, is your Fiber Stream PTI'd?

[Frederick L. Simson]

So Fred, is your Fiber Stream PTI'd?

Yep.

[Gina D.]

I wouldn't rule out a trailer because of the PTI.

My 17 was 94 bones for the year, and, like cars, each year, it gets cheaper.

[Bobbie Mayer]

I wouldn't rule out a trailer because of the PTI.

My 17 was 94 bones for the year, and, like cars, each year, it gets cheaper.

And you don't have to get it smogged, so renewing a trailer license is relatively painless.

Bobbie

[Harvey Craft]

I don't understand all of the reasoning behind it but my Bigfoot 5th wheel has a PTI tag on it.

It is still registered in CA. With my Colo. Address on it.

Harv.

[Joseph Domingos]

Well how long is your Bigfoot Harvey? Maybe it's some slide through thing like that... If not, I'm totally jealous! hehe

[BobB]

We all know someone who got a PTI for a new Casita 17 by telling the DMV person he didn't know how long it was. That was a little white lie, of course.

[Alf S.]

Hi: Up here on the North Shore Ontario requires the Buyer to pay Provincial Sales Tax on the purchase price(They wouldn't want too miss out on the revenue) when transfering the Tag( Ownership) and buy the Licence Plate which is then permenant...without annual fee...till the next transfer of ownership!!! Last owner keeps the plate to use on another Trailer!!! No safety certificate or inspections required. Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie