With RVs and recreational vehicles, there are always new rules and state laws to learn about. Knowing which regulations apply to you and whether your RV needs registration is essential if you don’t want to violate the law.
Granted, learning about the laws of recreational vehicles isn’t easy, especially with an unconventional vehicle like a truck camper. That’s what we’re here for, though!
A truck camper is an RV, but it has a slightly different design concept. In truck campers, the RV rests inside the truck’s bed. You may think no house can fit into the bed of a truck, but some trucks accommodate bathrooms and small kitchens just fine, aside from a bed for sleeping.
Let’s see whether you need titles and registration for your truck camper.
Do Truck Campers Have Titles?
Truck campers are pretty small, but many people get them because they offer a lot of advantages. For one, they’re easy to park anywhere because of their small size. On top of that, they can tow other vehicles, they don’t cost a lot, and they’re pretty easy to store.
This brings us to our main question: do truck campers have titles?
Well, it depends on the state and the classification of your camper. Although truck campers are considered recreational vehicles, they’re often classified as cargo vehicles because of their design. This means they have different legalities and requirements.
Some states don’t require truck campers to have titles, but some states need it. So depending on the state you live in, you may need to have a title for your truck camper. The law may also vary according to whether the RV is permanently mounted to the truck. And it may differ according to the age of your truck camper.
Luckily for you, there aren’t many states that require titles; they’re about ten states at most. However, they won’t only require titles, but they’ll also need you to have a license plate, registration, insurance, and VIN. So you’ll need to have the whole package.
A List of the States That Require Titles for Truck Campers
There are precisely ten states that require your truck camper to be titled. If you live in any of them or intend to pay a visit soon, it’d be wise to get your truck camper registered and titled.
It’s also worth noting that some countries have different laws altogether. If you intend to move across the borders with your truck camper, you’ll need to check the laws of the country you’re going to.
Here’s a roundup of the states that require a title for truck campers:
- Indiana
- Montana
- Ohio
- Idaho
- Michigan
- Washington
- Kentucky
- Oregon
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
How to Get a Title for Your Truck Camper?
Sometimes, when you purchase a truck camper from someone, it’ll already have a title. In that case, the ownership will pass on to you, and your vehicle will automatically have a title.
The chances of that happening are pretty slim, though, because most truck campers in the US don’t have titles.
In that case, the only way to get a title is through the DMV of your state. You’ll need a certificate of origin from the manufacturer, and the DMV will likely require the VIN if you have it.
After that, the rest is easy. You’ll only need to fill out a form and pay the necessary fees.
Do Truck Campers Have Vehicle Identification Numbers?
Vehicle Identification Numbers, or VINs in short, are required by the law for most vehicles. Not only that, but they must also contain all the information about the car, including the model, year, place of origin, and manufacturer.
The VIN is commonly used to track the history of vehicles. It shows any accidents or damage that the car has been through. If you don’t know how it is displayed, it’s more often than not a sticker on the RV or car.
As previously mentioned, truck campers are often classified as cargo, so a VIN isn’t needed in most cases. Instead, some truck campers have an ownership number and a serial number.
Both numbers can be valid alternatives for a VIN when registering the truck camper. However, you’ll only need to use them if you live in a state that requires the registration of cargo vehicles.
If you do need to get a VIN for your truck camper for any reason, you’ll have to do it through the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state, or DMV in short. To get a VIN, you’ll likely get an appointment for inspecting your vehicle, and you’ll need to fill an application. And of course, there will be some fees to pay.
Do Truck Campers Have Registration?
Truck campers only need registration in some states. For example, if you live in a state that classifies your truck camper as a cargo vehicle, you won’t need to register it. However, if the state considers it a recreational vehicle, you’ll need a registration.
In this case, you’ll have to pay a visit to your state’s DMV and get registration for your truck camper.
You can get a one-time registration for your truck camper, and you can have it renewed annually—depending on the purpose of the registration. In both cases, you’ll pay some fees to get the registration, and you’ll need some documents.
At the DMV, they’ll ask for proof of sale, and they may ask for the vehicle’s VIN. Some states also require proof of insurance coverage.
A List of the States That Require Registration for Truck Campers
Unfortunately, the states that require registration aren’t the same as the states that require titles. This would’ve made things easier, but it’s not the case. Here’s a list of the states that count truck campers as recreational vehicles and require registration for them.
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
- Idaho
- Mississippi
- Indiana
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Utah
- Oregon
To Wrap Up
To wrap up the article, truck campers may and may not need titles. Again, it depends on the state you’re living in. States that classify truck campers as cargo vehicles don’t require titles, and in most cases, they don’t require VINs or registrations either.
On the other hand, if your state counts truck campers as recreational vehicles, you’ll need titles.
It’s not a complex task to get a title for your camper, anyway. You just need to visit your local DMV with the required documents and pay the fees.