mountainsounds
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Post by mountainsounds on Jan 6, 2016 14:58:44 GMT -8
Another Ham saved! The excellent VTT forum members get an "assist" for this one! Many hours at the DMV today and hundreds of dollars later, we have learned (the hard way) the value of a currently registered trailer (this one not reg. since 2012...ouch!). However, originally classified as a coach trailer, we got it re-classified as a camper, under 16', and thus we will have "perminant trailer" plates (in Ca this means you only pay reg fees every three years). Worth the effort! Congrats. Been following that thread and love the shape. As a fellow Californian, and tips for registering as a camper under 16'? $75 a year for rotten plywood is killing us. Tuneafish got the PTI plates today. He had to take the trailer to the DMV so they could verify the length and the VIN. The registration will be $10 for five years. Yay!! If you live in CA and your trailer is under 16 feet, you should get PTI status. If you have a YOM or specialty license plate, I have read in the DMV paperwork that you can keep those plates and still get PTI. We will work on that once we find a YOM plate for the Starfire. Since we won't be on the road with the trailer for at least a year (maybe two), it's not a priority. We'll probably need to bring the DMV paperwork to the DMV because I've heard of folks having difficulty getting PTI on YOM to work. Most DMV employees are not familiar with the regulations covering trailers. So, we'll see if we can get PTI on a YOM plate. If you are/have been successful with this, please share your experience.
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 6, 2016 15:01:33 GMT -8
Congrats. Been following that thread and love the shape. As a fellow Californian, and tips for registering as a camper under 16'? $75 a year for rotten plywood is killing us. Tuneafish got the PTI plates today. He had to take the trailer to the DMV so they could verify the length and the VIN. The registration will be $10 for five years. Yay!! If you live in CA and your trailer is under 16 feet, you should get PTI status. If you have a YOM or specialty license plate, I have read in the DMV paperwork that you can keep those plates and still get PTI. We will work on that once we find a YOM plate for the Starfire. But since we won't be on the road with the trailer for at least a year (maybe two), it's not a priority. We'll probably need to bring the DMV paperwork to the DMV because I've heard of folks having difficulty getting that to work. Most DMV employees are not familiar with the regulations covering trailers. So, we'll see if we can get PTI on a YOM plate. If you are/have been successful with this, please share your experience. I called a local private DMV "facilitator", but she wouldn't even come out until the trailer is put back together.... So we pay $75/month for a checkerboard tiled flatbed. This is actually what got us kicked back into build mode... We would rather spend $3000 to avoid paying California another $75
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mountainsounds
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Post by mountainsounds on Jan 6, 2016 15:30:31 GMT -8
I called a local private DMV "facilitator", but she wouldn't even come out until the trailer is put back together.... So we pay $75/month for a checkerboard tiled flatbed. This is actually what got us kicked back into build mode... We would rather spend $3000 to avoid paying California another $75 I'm not sure how this works, but other small trailers, not just camper trailers, qualify for PTI. If you were using your trailer chassis for hauling gear, if it is under 16 ft, it would qualify for PTI. But, I'm not sure how it works if the classification changes to camper trailer at a later date. See what I mean. I would take the chassis to the DMV and ask them directly. They have been really helpful. I'm surprised how easy it was.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 6, 2016 15:33:38 GMT -8
Tuneafish got the PTI plates today. He had to take the trailer to the DMV so they could verify the length and the VIN. The registration will be $10 for five years. Yay!! If you live in CA and your trailer is under 16 feet, you should get PTI status. If you have a YOM or specialty license plate, I have read in the DMV paperwork that you can keep those plates and still get PTI. We will work on that once we find a YOM plate for the Starfire. But since we won't be on the road with the trailer for at least a year (maybe two), it's not a priority. We'll probably need to bring the DMV paperwork to the DMV because I've heard of folks having difficulty getting that to work. Most DMV employees are not familiar with the regulations covering trailers. So, we'll see if we can get PTI on a YOM plate. If you are/have been successful with this, please share your experience. I called a local private DMV "facilitator", but she wouldn't even come out until the trailer is put back together.... So we pay $75/month for a checkerboard tiled flatbed. This is actually what got us kicked back into build mode... We would rather spend $3000 to avoid paying California another $75 OK here again the DMV and many of the private inspectors also don't know what the heck they are doing. The box on the chassis is NOT what is registered or it would have a VIN on the box. The CHASSIS is what is registered and is what has the VIN on it. You can take just the chassis with the new floor on it to the DMV and get it registered because it has the VIN stamped on it. I have had to fight with these people on just about every trailer I register. But I always win in the end because I know what I'm talking about. The people at the counter at the DMV only get two weeks worth of training before they are turned loose on the general public. You can research all this yourself on the California DMV website. It's all there in black and white. Then once you find what you want just print it out and take it with you. The trailer box has nothing at all to do with registration.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 6, 2016 15:35:16 GMT -8
Congrats. Been following that thread and love the shape. As a fellow Californian, and tips for registering as a camper under 16'? $75 a year for rotten plywood is killing us. Tuneafish got the PTI plates today. He had to take the trailer to the DMV so they could verify the length and the VIN. The registration will be $10 for five years. Yay!! If you live in CA and your trailer is under 16 feet, you should get PTI status. If you have a YOM or specialty license plate, I have read in the DMV paperwork that you can keep those plates and still get PTI. We will work on that once we find a YOM plate for the Starfire. Since we won't be on the road with the trailer for at least a year (maybe two), it's not a priority. We'll probably need to bring the DMV paperwork to the DMV because I've heard of folks having difficulty getting PTI on YOM to work. Most DMV employees are not familiar with the regulations covering trailers. So, we'll see if we can get PTI on a YOM plate. If you are/have been successful with this, please share your experience. Michelle all you need is a Statement Of Facts saying that you wish to keep the original plates for notstalgic and financial reasons and they will give you a sticker instead of a plate. The sticker says PTI on it. You put that where the normal sticker goes on the plate. Simple. I have one of those on a Yellow On Black plate that I use for moving my unregistered trailers around...
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 6, 2016 16:03:50 GMT -8
Tuneafish got the PTI plates today. He had to take the trailer to the DMV so they could verify the length and the VIN. The registration will be $10 for five years. Yay!! If you live in CA and your trailer is under 16 feet, you should get PTI status. If you have a YOM or specialty license plate, I have read in the DMV paperwork that you can keep those plates and still get PTI. We will work on that once we find a YOM plate for the Starfire. Since we won't be on the road with the trailer for at least a year (maybe two), it's not a priority. We'll probably need to bring the DMV paperwork to the DMV because I've heard of folks having difficulty getting PTI on YOM to work. Most DMV employees are not familiar with the regulations covering trailers. So, we'll see if we can get PTI on a YOM plate. If you are/have been successful with this, please share your experience. Michelle all you need is a Statement Of Facts saying that you wish to keep the original plates for notstalgic and financial reasons and they will give you a sticker instead of a plate. The sticker says PTI on it. You put that where the normal sticker goes on the plate. Simple. I have one of those on a Yellow On Black plate that I use for moving my unregistered trailers around... I read through the DMV section and you are right about the PTI sticker. I can also see why the "facilitator" at least could refuse to do the PTI registration without the "box" installed, as there is no way to know the final trailer length is less than 16 feet without it. Sorry for messing up your thread mountainsounds. This is a pretty important topic for Californians, so if you want to reclaim this thread for your Starfire, maybe vikx could move just the relevant posts to a new "California Permanent Trailer Registration" thread? www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/c56ac861-453d-48c5-afbe-fedbf2bdc76c/ch14_permanent_trailer_id.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 6, 2016 18:04:17 GMT -8
Michelle all you need is a Statement Of Facts saying that you wish to keep the original plates for notstalgic and financial reasons and they will give you a sticker instead of a plate. The sticker says PTI on it. You put that where the normal sticker goes on the plate. Simple. I have one of those on a Yellow On Black plate that I use for moving my unregistered trailers around... I read through the DMV section and you are right about the PTI sticker. I can also see why the "facilitator" at least could refuse to do the PTI registration without the "box" installed, as there is no way to know the final trailer length is less than 16 feet without it. Sorry for messing up your thread mountainsounds . This is a pretty important topic for Californians, so if you want to reclaim this thread for your Starfire, maybe vikx could move just the relevant posts to a new "California Permanent Trailer Registration" thread? www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/c56ac861-453d-48c5-afbe-fedbf2bdc76c/ch14_permanent_trailer_id.pdf?MOD=AJPERESThe trailer is measured from bumper to tongue. Put a dang bumper on there so you will have a place to mount your spare tire and you're there. All Kenskills with Zeiman chassis' have bumpers and the vin is assigned at the chassis factory. Don't bother with a "facilitator" who won't help you. You can actually do this at the DMV. I use an outside source only because it's easy and I don't have to go to the DMV but when there's a problem, I just bite the bullet and head for the DMV. Many times I have had to ask for the manager to come out when the person at the desk can't seem to get things right. They shudder when they see me LOL... OK let's give his thread back to Mountainsounds.
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mountainsounds
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Post by mountainsounds on Jan 7, 2016 14:00:22 GMT -8
Thanks for splitting this off on it's own thread.
We'll get the PTI sticker on an old plate at some point, but our trailer didn't come with an old plate. Since we wanted to get the trailer registered in our name asap (10 days from sale) we'll deal with getting an old plate and a PTI sticker at some point.
I agree with Larry's comments, if you read up on the rules, you will likely know more than the person working at the DMV. And sometimes you have the added frustration in interacting with unpleasant/unhappy employees who treat you poorly, as Tuneafish did yesterday. But he got it done and now we can rebuild our trailer with peace of mind that the trailer is ours and we have the PTI to save some $ over the long run.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 7, 2016 18:28:11 GMT -8
Speaking of old plates. A lot of people selling and flipping these old trailers are calling Black Plates with Yellow Letters ORIGINAL plates in California. Well not always true. On the back of all of those plates, which we call "yellow on black" is the number 63 in one corner. That is when the yellow on black plates were issued. Anything previous to that was Black on Yellow. Black characters on a Yellow background. So the "original" plates were turned in for the new ones. After Black on Yellow came Yellow on Blue. And now it's Blue on White.... So if your trailer is older than a 63, you want to make sure you get Black lettering on Yellow background for your new vintage plate. Yellow on Black is 1963 and newer.
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 7, 2016 18:31:38 GMT -8
Speaking of old plates. A lot of people selling and flipping these old trailers are calling Black Plates with Yellow Letters ORIGINAL plates in California. Well not always true. On the back of all of those plates, which we call "yellow on black" is the number 63 in one corner. That is when the yellow on black plates were issued. Anything previous to that was Black on Yellow. Black characters on a Yellow background. So the "original" plates were turned in for the new ones. After Black on Yellow came Yellow on Blue. And now it's Blue on White.... So if your trailer is older than a 63, you want to make sure you get Black lettering on Yellow background for your new vintage plate. Yellow on Black is 1963 and newer. And now, you can pay $50 a year to get new yellow on black again... Lol, California. www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/legacyplates/indexSpeaking of plates... Is it legal to repaint them yourself?...I have yellow on black from '65
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 7, 2016 20:03:00 GMT -8
Speaking of old plates. A lot of people selling and flipping these old trailers are calling Black Plates with Yellow Letters ORIGINAL plates in California. Well not always true. On the back of all of those plates, which we call "yellow on black" is the number 63 in one corner. That is when the yellow on black plates were issued. Anything previous to that was Black on Yellow. Black characters on a Yellow background. So the "original" plates were turned in for the new ones. After Black on Yellow came Yellow on Blue. And now it's Blue on White.... So if your trailer is older than a 63, you want to make sure you get Black lettering on Yellow background for your new vintage plate. Yellow on Black is 1963 and newer. And now, you can pay $50 a year to get new yellow on black again... Lol, California. www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/legacyplates/indexSpeaking of plates... Is it legal to repaint them yourself?...I have yellow on black from '65 You know I was wondering that myself a few days ago and tried to run a search on that question. Came up with nothing. I don't really see why it would matter. The sequence of letters and numbers are all that is important. That and the state of course.
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 7, 2016 20:04:03 GMT -8
You know I was wondering that myself a few days ago and tried to run a search on that question. Came up with nothing. I don't really see why it would matter. The sequence of letters and numbers are all that is important. That and the state of course. Car guys do it, so can we
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 7, 2016 20:06:13 GMT -8
The real oldies that preceded the Black on Yellow was Black on Yellow with TLR on the left.
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mountainsounds
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Post by mountainsounds on Jan 7, 2016 20:58:01 GMT -8
I understand the black on yellow plates were issued from 1951 to 1955. From '52-55 you needed to have a year tag to add to the bottom right side of the plate. Since our new trailer is a 1955 this is the plate (and tag) we need for the YOM.
Now, what's the deal with the old TRL plates vs the single plates that are available online for trailers? It would be cool to have a TRL plate. What type of trailers did these plates go on? Camper trailers? Or only commercial trailers?
Did 1950 trailer plates have specific letter number combinations that were different than car plates?
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 7, 2016 21:17:46 GMT -8
I understand the black on yellow plates were issued from 1951 to 1955. From '52-55 you needed to have a year tag to add to the bottom right side of the plate. Since our new trailer is a 1955 this is the plate (and tag) we need for the YOM. Now, what's the deal with the old TRL plates vs the single plates that are available online for trailers? It would be cool to have a TRL plate. What type of trailers did these plates go on? Camper trailers? Or only commercial trailers? Did 1950 trailer plates have specific letter number combinations that were different than car plates? We have come to the end of my knowledge. Maybe someone else knows. All I know is that all the trailers that I have seen with TLR on them were pretty old. Where is Bill when we need him? BILL!
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