FYI Title Transfer of HDT converted MH in CA

[CrazyCooter]

Just made it home from the rally and there was a nice present from the state.....The title for the Pete!

 

Spoke to many of you at the rally about the complications, or should I say impossibility, of a "New Conversion". We were holding our breath in anticipation for the title to show up in the mail for the previously converted, CA titled Peterbilt MH we purchased two weeks ago.

 

Well nothing is guaranteed here in the land of fruits and nuts anymore, but at least we now know one pre emission truck has made it through ownership transfer!

 

Tracie and I had a lot of fun on the trip this weekend testing the new setup and meeting so many cool people who share our passion for these giants.

 

Let the fun continue!

[Chad Heiser]

Congratulations! I didn't think you would have an issue transferring an in state motorhome tiltled HDT. If we could only get that one sentence in the DMV manual changed/removed to get new conversions going again here. The next question is transferring an out of state conversion to CA. I don't want the dream to die for those wannabes in the state.m look forward to seeing you and your DW again we had a great time visiting and getting to know you.

[CrazyCooter]

So did you get to the bottom of why the conversion can't be processed now?

 

Good times this weekend for sure! More visits in the future!

[jtr]

Great news!

[Chad Heiser]

So did you get to the bottom of why the conversion can't be processed now?

Good times this weekend for sure! More visits in the future!

Yes, I couldn't remember if you were around for that conversation or not. It is a long story, but basically it comes down to one sentence in the DMV manual that comes from the administrative code. The background for why it was added to the administrative code is the story part. This sentence has been around for a while, but the DMV person that Brakken uses finally saw it and stopped doing conversions for them. It doesn't mean that another DMV won't do them, but nobody has tried on their own in a while. The sentence is in conflict with the vehicle code and is probably unenforceable, but someone may have to take on the DMV at some point to get it removed.

[CrazyCooter]

Gotta love this legal stuff.......Sounds like a job for Jim!

[Buscrusher]

The next question is transferring an out of state conversion to CA. I don't want the dream to die for those wannabes in the state.

So...no specifics yet on whether or not a HDT already titled as a motorhome could be titled the same in CA... That could shoot my plans right in the foot if that can't be done. I'm in WA right now, but have sights set on Redding as a retirement destination. I was hoping to get the rig all put together first and then move...

(Would you be interested in selling me yours when you upgrade?? LOVE me some T2000!)

[CrazyCooter]

Might be easier to title one in WA and bring it in as a MH already.

 

Redding? I like it here, but anyone who can swing it seems to be looking to leave CA.

[Buscrusher]

Might be easier to title one in WA and bring it in as a MH already.

 

Redding? I like it here, but anyone who can swing it seems to be looking to leave CA.

Yeah, I get it...DW has a ton of family in CA, and she called Redding Home for 25 years or so. I'm hoping to hear of someone else making the switch into CA before we actually do get down there.

[Chad Heiser]

I brought my T2000 in as an already registered motorhome in Texas. I had no problems with the transfer to California, but I did it through Brakken before their DMV contact found the sentence in the DMV manual that is now preventing them from doing any further conversions.

[Pappy Yokum]

I brought my T2000 in as an already registered motorhome in Texas. I had no problems with the transfer to California, but I did it through Brakken before their DMV contact found the sentence in the DMV manual that is now preventing them from doing any further conversions.

 

 

For most/all of us in CA, - "we" know (usually from personal experience) that any two DMV offices can have 180 degree "official" opinions from each other.

 

The first negative - sometimes verified by a supervisor - ("Can't be done, mission impossible"), turns out to be a "slam dunk" at another office.

 

Would you care to elaborate on the specific wording found by Braken's DMV contact?

 

Reason for asking - is their "contact" may be shooting from the hip.

 

Over the years there have been successful ("pre-Bracken") CA registrations documented here, as well as one poster who contacted everyone he could find in CA "officialdom" to get his HDT registered - with *zero* success.

 

Of course, sometimes furnishing a previously rendered interpetation to the "powers-that-be", results in the

easy way out - - by simply agreeing with whatever was said by the folks further down the feed chain.

 

Also, Bracken (understandably) may not want to rattle any cages, which could cause friction in their working relationship with "whomever" at the DMV. - for what is/was certainly a very small percentage of their business.

 

PY

 

 

On edit: Typo corrected - the spelling on (my) original post of "Backen" - should have been "Bracken" - for Bracken Tax and License services in CA.

[Chad Heiser]

 

Would you care to elaborate on the specific wording found by Braken's DMV contact?

 

 

Here is the link to the chapter in the DMV handbook that is currently preventing housecar/motorhome conversions of HDT's in California. Follow the link and look at two particular sections - Truck Tractor (CVC 655) and Housecars or Motorhomes (CVC 260, 362).

 

The handbook shows under the definition of Truck Tractor:

 

Note: Truck tractors must always be registered as commercial vehicles, even if they have living quarters.

• The living quarters are secondary or incidental to the primary function of the vehicle, which is still drawing other vehicles.
• Truck tractors with living quarters cannot be registered as housecars.

 

The handbook shows under commercial vehicle exclusions under the definition of a Housecar or Motorhome:

 

Note: Truck tractors as defined in CVC §655 that have been:

• Initially manufactured.
• Modified by a second stage manufacturer.
• Otherwise altered to include living quarters,

are considered commercial vehicles under CVC §260, unless the living quarters permanently prevent the truck tractor from towing or drawing other vehicles.

[Chad Heiser]

Given the above information, people so far are still able to register previously converted California HDT's without any problem (at least Tony was able to). This wording has been in the DMV handbook for some time and as stated previously was recently discovered by the clerk that Brakken Tax and License had previously been using to do their conversions. This has stopped Brakken from being able to do any further conversions.

 

This does not mean that some other DMV with an unknowing clerk won't process the new conversion of an HDT to housecar.

 

The remaining unanswered question is whether the DMV will process the registration of a converted HDT to motorhome from some other state. It worked for me previously, but I went through Brakken and their friendly clerk at DMV before the above rules were "discovered".

[Pappy Yokum]

Thanks for the excellent info.

 

Probably should be in the Guide for state by state registrations.

 

Unfortunate turn of events, and .......

 

anyone considering/attempting to register in CA -whether a transfer or a "first time MH"- should have a *Plan B* at the ready.

 

.

[Mark and Dale Bruss]

Added to Resource Guide.