Registering in California

I would very much appreaciate an update. I think I will try AAA first. I also want a personlized plate, I wonder if I will be able to pull that off as well!

Thanks all,

Randy & Michelle

 

Well, I went to the DMV today. They did inspect the raindrop. I filled out the wrong paperwork though. They didn't care about the permanent trailer application at all. She only wanted this filled outhttp://apps.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg343.pdf

I have to go back though because she wouldn't accept the signature I forged for my husband.

 

Thanks a lot for the link to the form. Sounds like DMV definitely wants to see them. I wonder if AAA would be any easier? I'll start practicing Michelle's signature

Randy

 

Our CA customers always say that AAA is easier. They are definitely more helpful (plus, they do not look at the trailer since it is not required).

Michelle brings up a good point. If you have us put both you and your spouses name on the paperwork you will both have to be present at the DMV. If you don't want it both person's names let us know at time of order that you want it shown on the paperwork as "or" not "and". We will automatically put "and" between you names if not specified.

In other words (I am going to use Randy as my subject, who better right?) If the paper work says Randy G and Michelle G then you both have to go to the DMV (like Russ and Mechelle did). If the paperwork says Randy G or Michelle G then only one of you have to go to the DMV. Does this make sense?

Cary

P.S. If you have been sent your final invoice for your trailer it is too late to change the names on your paperwork.

 

Of course there is risk here...if you make your wife mad and you have to sleep in the dog house, you have the trailer...but if you make her really mad, then she just might sell the dog house without your signature and then you have no place to sleep.

Moral of the story, don't make your wife mad. LOL

 

It probably all depends on who helps you, she didn't care that Russ wasn't there, she only cared that I was trying to pull one over on her. Our paperwork from Camp Inn is titled Mechele and Russ but the DMV is titling it "OR". She wrote on my paperwork that all I need is Russ' signature, not Russ himself. She even said I could bring the paperwork back and drop it at the front desk but if I do they mail me my license plates. If I make an appointment to return the paperwork they will hand me my plates on the spot. I return tomorrow, without Russ, so I'll let you know.

 

Thanks for the additional information!

 

Well, I did not have a happy visit with the DMV today. After returning the paperwork they tried giving me regular plates. I told the clerk I was supposed to have the Permanent Trailer plates and that I had verified this with the clerk and inspector who helped me last week. I was very clear last week and both people helping assured me that was what I would get. The clerk and his boss both told me I was wrong and were quite condescending, even telling me that I was "imagining" that other trailers like mine had PTI. They were quite rude, talking super slowly as if I was a child. The boss then went to look it up to "show me I am wrong" only to return and tell me that I am right...if my trailer is what I say it is. Of course the inspector who helped me is out today and he didn't write the length of the trailer down on his report. I left without any plates and a promise that they will call me tomorrow after speaking with the inspector. I am not a happy camper.

 

This sounds painful!! Hope it works out tomorrow for you.

 

Wow, 30 minutes making arguments to AAA was a pleasant afternoon compared to what you are going through

I had a copy of the statutes and a copy of the Camp-Inn owners manual with me. The owners manual contains a chart of all the specifications for the teardrop. They finally took a Xerox of the spec page, took the original MSO and handed me the permanent plates.

Sorry to hear about your ongoing ordeal.

 

I should have gone to AAA! I tried showing him the Camp Inn site with the specs, he wouldn't even look at it. He wouldn't take any information on the trailer from any source other than from their inspector. I really think he didn't like that I refused the plate and challenged him on the PTI policy, and then he had to admit I was right. He kept telling me in a very slow manner that I have a coach trailer for camping, not a trailer for hauling. I told him I understood that but that my trailer was under 16 feet, which falls under a camp trailer and PTI status. He kept saying "it doesn't matter how long it is!" Then he comes back and tells me it has to be under 16 feet (as if I didn't know that) and that he couldn't trust what I was saying. I was suspicious from the very beginning when she didn't want my PTI form, that's why I questioned her and everyone I saw after. I can see now they were just totally dismissing me and going through the motions. It's no wonder they have signs up saying it's a criminal offense to threaten a government employee.

 

Ughh, sounds like a nightmare. I hate to even ask about personlized plates! AAA for sure.

 

Randy, Sorry but DMVSUX is already taken.

 

Randy, You should check out the website below

http://www.nicksteardrop.com/dmv.htm

According to him it is possible to get a personalized plate and get a PTI sticker for it. The website has all the information you need but as it states, you will need to be persistent.

 

Lol @ DMVSUX!

They made me return with my trailer today. The inspector inspected it again and I got my Perm Trailer plate. Woohoo! He still didn't fill his paperwork out right but he was there to correct it. No apology for being so rude to me, but I didn't actually expect one. Now to get out and camp, good thing I live in CA where the sun is still shining!

 

DMVSUX, darn, I wanted that one! LOL! Thanks for the link Mike & Kay. Going to try hard to get a personlized permanent trailer plate. Grateful for all the great information shared in this thread. Round about to weeks to go on the build. Oh the waiting is the hardest part!

Randy & Michelle

 

I ordered a custom plate about 3 months before our trailer was due to be delivered. I told my DMV guy about it and and he disappeared for 5 minutes and came back with it. I wrote him a check for the fees and he handed me the plate and a PTI sticker.I am sorry you guys had such a hassle. My experience other than waiting in line for the inspection, was pretty easy.

 

Did you use the "Special Interest License Plate Application" form?

 

I used the on line request tool.
DMV Plate Order

By the way, a special plate has an annual renewal fee, where the "Permanent" trailer registration gets renewed every five years. It is not clear if I will get a yearly bill and what it will look like. I'll let you know a year from now.

 

Success! I went with TNI CMPR (TNY was taken). How about you?