Do Campers Have Titles? 3 Easy Ways to Find Yours

If you are just getting your new camper, then I’m sure you’re wondering if campers have titles? Since campers can be of different types and some fall between a moving vehicle and a sort of trail-on, it can be confusing to determine whether they need titles like all other motor vehicles. I’m here to settle all your confusion!

Campers do need a title, but it varies from state to state. If you have an RV, it will usually require all the regular documents any other motor vehicles need. You can get yours from your local DMV. Keep it with you whenever you are using your camper.

However, this is not true for all 50 states and all types of campers. Truck campers for instance don’t need titles in most states, as they are considered as cargo. But in approximately 10 different states, you would need titles for all types of camper. So, it’s honestly best to just get that title no matter which state you’re in.

Do You Need a Title for Your Camper?

Depending on this classification, their legal requirements change across different states. Most states will require you to have a title for your RV camper. However, this can vary from state to state and also on how you use your camper. Due to the weird territory that campers sometimes fall in, they can be considered cargo rather than actual recreational vehicles.

You will find different requirements for different states and these requirements will be ensured based on the age of your camper and also whether you permanently mount it on your truck or RV or take it out occasionally. These requirements also vary if you use your camper on its own. Even outside the US, the legal requirements vary a lot.

So, it’s best to check with your local DMV, no matter which state or country you live in. If you’re in the US, there’s also a very helpful guide available on the RV Industry Association website.

Texas, for instance, doesn’t require you to get a title for your camper unless it weighs over 4000 pounds. You only have to register it by showing proof of purchase and a registration receipt.

In certain states, you might even need to have a safety inspection done every year. And in Missouri, you will have to contact the DMV first and provide them all the details of your camper, to get information about how to get a title, and whether you’ll need it at all.

However, I would suggest that you get the title of your camper, no matter where you are and what the state requires you to do. This leaves out all the hassle of finding out which states they require one in, and it will also help with getting insurance.

And let’s not forget, your RV will probably be moving across states. So even if you might not need one in your state, you might require it in another. It’s best to just have one on hand, so it’s much more convenient to move.

Checking the Title of Your Camper

Do Campers Have Titles?

When you buy a new camper, the first thing you should do is check whether it already has a title. Verifying things like titles, registration numbers, and VINs ensures that your camper isn’t stolen or illegal.

Step 1: Check VIN

Your camper will usually come with a Vehicle Identification Number or VIN. This VIN is sort of like your camper’s ID card. It can be used to track its title.

Check for it on your camper, it might be placed near the front of the frame, or on the sides. If you can’t find the VIN, then it might be a little more difficult to track the title.

Step 2: Visit Your Local DMV

You can then go on to set up an appointment with the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV in your state. People there will check your camper for you and inspect to see if any titles exist.

If they find any titles with your camper’s VIN, they will begin the verification process. The VIN inspector will need to match your camper’s VIN to the VIN listed on its title.

Step 3: Get a Title Verification Certificate

Once the numbers match exactly, the VIN officer will sign a verification form. You will have to pay a fee for this verification process. It’s usually less than 10 USD but it can vary from state to state.

Once you have your title verified (if it exists), you’re good to go. You should bring this certificate with you whenever you use your camper.

If you own a truck camper then you might not have a title or a registration number. You will probably find a Certificate of Origin for them though. You can use this to check whether the title exists. Then the procedure is pretty much the same as RV campers.

How Do You Get a Title for Your Camper?

In case your camper didn’t come with a title, you can get one from the DMV just as easily. The process is just like getting a title for any other vehicle. You get a form from the DMV and fill it out with proper details. Send it back in with payment details, and you’re done!

You can find relevant forms on your local DMV website. If you’re old school, you can even go and pick it up yourself from the office. You’ll probably need general information like name, address, contact, driver’s license number, etc.

Along with the form, you might have to provide some additional documents proving your purchase of the camper. The requirements might slightly differ from state to state, but they usually want a bill of sale and manufacturer’s certificate of origin. It’s still best to check what documents they’re asking for yourself.

Once you’ve gotten all of that, send the form along with the documents to your local DMV branch. You can also submit it in person. Remember you will need to pay a fee for all of this as well, which will be mentioned on the forms.

Can You Transfer Your Camper Title?

Yes, you can transfer your camper title pretty easily. Whether you’re the one getting the transferred title or selling your camper to someone else, transferring the title is a pretty standard procedure. It will vary slightly from state to state, so you should check your local DMV website.

You will probably need to provide certain documents verifying the purchase/sale, identifying the vehicle (Registration number, certificate of origin, VIN, etc.), and proving that the camper is legitimate. Once you have these documents you can just fill out a form at your local DMV and get the title transferred.

Chances are you won’t be able to find a specific form meant for title transfer. So you and the seller (or purchaser) will have to fill out your state’s vehicle registration and certificate of title form together. You will also need to provide your identification and pay all the relevant processing fees.

The process is pretty similar to getting a new title. Though, the exact requirements and procedure can vary from state to state. It might also vary depending on what type of camper you have, its weight, its age, and how you use it.

Conclusion

I hope your question of do campers have titles has now been answered. While it’s best to check the legal requirements of your state with the local DMV, you should just get the title of your camper regardless. This makes insurance and even reselling much easier and saves you the hassle of checking every state you visit.

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Stephanie Lynne