Californians only

[davem]

After looking at my yearly big bucks registration renewal for my PU I found out that in California "tent trailers" can be registered as "Permanent Trailer Identification" (or "PTI").  The fee for this is $20 every 5 years. I just got back from the DMV desk at the local Auto Club office where I quickly got my registration changed.  You will need to tow your PU there so they can inspect it and verify the VIN.  Also, you'll give them your Pink Slip and you'll get a new one in the mail.  You'll turn over the old license plate and they'll give you a new one labeled "California Permanent Trailer" - doesn't even have space for stickers.  Every PU owner should be doing this.  If the DMV clerk has any questions about this, ask them to look in their binder - it has several pages of pictures of what qualifies for PTI and what doesn't. One of the pictures is of a two axle PU. (sorry, regular "coach" trailers don't qualify)

You can go to the California DMV website and enter "PTI" in the Search for more info.

[Gracy]

At least they give us PTI! hahahaha everything else is through the roof!!!!!! :eyecrazy:

[oreo57]

We've had our PTI plate for a couple of years, when they started it you had a choice of a PTI sticker for the old plate or a new PTI plate.

[davem]

I'm just amazed that I never knew about this before.  I was grousing to someone at work about the $170 for the renewal and he said I should be registering this as PTI.  Definitely a couple of 6-packs going to a coworker tomorrow!!

[waterdoctor]

The guy I bought my PUP from a couple years ago, told me about the PTI thing. I couldn't believe it, but went to DMV and sure enough :-()
On another note, did you know that if you own a pickup (I have a Dodge Ram 1500) it is considered a commercial vehicle if it doesn't have the bed covered? That was really news to me!!!! :yikes: I can save over $100/yr on registration by sticking a camper shell or otherwise covering the bed, then go to DMV and they'll reclassify your rig. I just got my renewal and for commercial it's $341 for my '07. I've got to get a shell!!! My fees will go down by about $125 (that is unless Arnie gets his way :swear: )
Only in Calif. I must be :screwy: to stay here.

[oreo57]

Kind of a catch 22, not registered as commercial than NO commercial plates and not legal to haul stuff in. ( some where in CVC 9400)

[austinado16]

PTI is the only way to fly for any trailer you've got.  Boat trailers, utility trailers, car tow dollies, car haulers, and of course, camp trailers.  And if you're going to purchase one, you'll be given the choice to have a title mailed to you or not.  They call it "paperless title."  If you choose to have the title, it's $18 more.  If you don't have the title, it's no big deal if you ever sell it.  You just give the new buyer a bill of sale and that's it.

Use caution when trying to get your pickup registered as a non-comercial.  They're wise to that game and if the CHP catches you hauling or maybe even towing (I'm not sure on that last part) you'll get spanked hard.

[boncrab]

When did all of this occur, because when we first registered our trailer it was a PTI if it was under 16' long, tip of tongue to bumper.

Has this changed, we had to register ours because we were measured at 17'?

How long is your trailer?

Bonnie

[austinado16]

Yep, the DMV website does state that 16' is the magic number......tip of tongue to rear bumper.

So when you fill out the paperwork, you're camper needs to be listed as a 15 footer, eh?

[boncrab]

So when you fill out the paperwork, you're camper needs to be listed as a 15 footer, eh?

Yeah, I wish... like you said the first time you register you have to take it down to DMV, especially if you bought it out of state.

[wavery]

We did a big long thread on PTI plates a couple years ago. That thread (and many others) has gone missing :swear:. It was very in depth and informative.

Bottom line is.......ALL tent trailers (regardless of length) qualify for PTI and "Camping trailers" 16' and under qualify.

The trick is looking up the actual DMV code and taking it with you. There are very few DMV employees that have ever heard of this or can understand the rule when they read it. If you don't have PTI plates on your PU now, don't expect it to be easy to obtain them.

[aw738]

$25 for 5 years isn't too bad. We get 3 years for what I remember as being $26. This is not considered a permenant tag though. We still get a new date decal to appy to the plate. Our permenant tag for trailers doesn't have a date decal. I'm not sure how it is there but across the river in Ohio your tags expire in the month of your birthday. If you have mutiple vehicles they all expire at the same time.

 Oh and thank your legislature for us now having $20 gas cans. :banghead: