I'd be curious to get some input on state some of you register your RV in (if not your homestead state) and why. I know there are some that have much better taxes, tag fees, etc.We were just hit with a $198 tag fee four our Class A gasser bounder... Not that it is horrible but it just got me curious.

Honestly?Your home state.Registering -your- RV in an state other then your home state is seriously frowned upon by most states. Example, Washington fines you twice the money you "saved".If you don't like the tax structure in your home state, vote to change it (either at the ballot box, or with your feet)$198 is nothing, less then setting up a LLC in Montana to "own" the rig.

Did I read this right? You are complaining about $198 tag fee? Seems like a bargain.

I take it you are in Dallas,TX. If so then you really can't do any better

Oregon used to be a great state to "Live" in with a RV. But recently (well in 2006 when I registered my RV here) the prices went way up. There was a charge for the RV length, to be paid one time the first time that the RV is registered in Oregon. So if the RV was owned by a prior owner in Oregon, it only has to be paid once. Mine was not, so I had to pay something like $20 per foot (31' or $620? Maybe it was only $10 per foot). Anyway you also pay about $100 per 2 years. Washington State used to be really expensive, but a bunch of them got together, and decided who runs the state, us or them. They passed a constitutional amendment to limit registration fees to only $65 per year, unless the VOTERS decided to raise it. So that might be a state worth looking into.I have heard from some members of the Escapees club, and they have their mail forwarded to their "Home Base" in Livingston Texas. However they also need to bring the RV back to Texas every two years for inspection, and have to renew their drivers license near their birthday in Texas as well. That can be a pain if you are wanting to spend the rest of the summer in Alaska, and then realize that your tags expire in August, while you are 5,000 miles away! And you need to have a Texas company inspect the brakes, frame, emissions, ect.I don't think that Washington requires frame and brake inspections like some eastern states. Nevada is also a great state worth looking at. There are many companies that will serve as your mail forwarding company, and you can put your drivers license address there. I don't think they have income tax, but might have sales tax. Oregon and I thing one other state do not have sales tax. Something to consider if you will be replacing a $300,000 motorhome.BTW Back when California registration fees where very unreasonable, my buddy bought a $275,000 COuntry Coach. His first year fee was 2% of the purchase price, and the additional fees that all vehicle owners pay, like $65 more, and some other tiny fees like $2 for call boxes along the freeways. Total was something like $5,700 for the year.DOn't complain to loud, it is not the most expensive place to register. Fred.

Best state to register a Class A RV in? | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2014
msmith1199 wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Registration fees are actually one of the rare places that NY State is pretty reasonable. All non-commercial passenger vehicles (includes motorhomes) over 6951 lbs pay $70 per year.

But then do they charge you personal property tax on the RV? I have a friend who recently bought a boat in California. He was surprised that the registration fee on the boat was so low in this state. I think it's $15 every two years. He didn't realize he was going to get a tax bill from the County Tax Assessor charging personal property taxes on it until I told him.

No, NY does not levy personal property taxes. Some downstate cities or counties do add on a vehicle use tax, but it's not actually a registration fee even though it's collected as a part of the registration process. The tax is typically $15/year as I recall. A few counties also charge a $25/year commuter transportation district fee. For most of us registered in NY though, that $70/year is all we pay.
Big_Blue
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014
Maine is not the State of Benefit or Fair Taxation. The annual excise tax is based upon the original MSRP. Purchase price or current market value is irrelevant. The is a six year reduction schedule in place as an archaic vestige of the attempt of fairness.

A friend of mine recently restored a deluxe 1992 RV worth $400k back in its day. He bought it for $25k, but is taxed at the original MSRP. This is unfair. It should be taxed at the current market value. Businesses are allowed to write down the value of property for tax purposes, why is the same taxation fairness not extended to citizens.

Fortunately, Maine has a true citizen legislature. I have been in contact with several current, former and potential legislatures on this issue. Several have agreed in principal to address this unfair practice with during the next legislative session.

I have had success in the past with suggesting tweaks that modernize state laws. This will be my next project.
Sooner_Schooner
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
just bought our Oklahoma tag for our 2008 Tuscany for $84, yes I was so pleased it was so inexpensive. Yes, we are Oklahoma residents.
mustang652
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
crasster wrote:
.....We were just hit with a $198 tag fee four our Class A gasser bounder.....

Oh how I wish I had got stuck for $198. In '09 we tried a move back to Texas, and the registration on our new to us '04 Allegro Bay 37DB after the Texas VA Disability exemption was $56. The move did not work for us, so regretfully we moved back and had to register it here in Nevada. The bill after the $600 dollar VA Clark County Disability Exemption was $700. The estimate I was given on next years registration on the '17 Itasca before the VA exemption is $2000 and I'm sure that there are more stories here on the site that are worse than mine.
trx680
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
mci7 wrote:
Virginia is about the worst state due to personnel property tax. Tax on a 2001 Foretravel over $5,000.00 Tax per year.
Dave M

I was just about to chime in on VIRGINIA.
Here where I'm at the personal property tax is $4.90/$100 .... yes, 4.9% of the assessed value!!!!
So a $200,000 motorhome will cost you $9800/year. Of course the value drops each year so does the tax.
Also have to pay registration fee each year to DMV ... about $50 or so.
And a city/county sticker fee ....varies, $10-$30

When you have to pay up $10,000 a year just to own something it makes you think of ways around it.
$198.... if we were that lucky here in Va.
mci7
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
Virginia is about the worst state due to personnel property tax. Tax on a 2001 Foretravel over $5,000.00 Tax per year.
Dave M
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2014
mowermech wrote:
"...(2oldman)try to skirt taxes by doing illegal acts."

Sorry, I disagree!
IF you KNOW the applicable laws, and OBEY those laws, and DOCUMENT your compliance with the laws, you have NOT done anything ILLEGAL!
I guess you agree with me then.
mowermech
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
"...try to skirt taxes by doing illegal acts."

Sorry, I disagree!
IF you KNOW the applicable laws, and OBEY those laws, and DOCUMENT your compliance with the laws, you have NOT done anything ILLEGAL!
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2014
Effy wrote:
If you can't pay don't play. This topic irritates me each time it comes up. Except for full timing this really shouldn't be a question.
Me too. I'll give this OP the benefit of the doubt as he's "just curious", but many actually do try to skirt taxes by doing illegal acts.

Definition of an RVer: Someone who spends $100,000 on a motorhome and drives 100 miles to get a night of free camping.
chloe_s_ranch
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
Some one mentioned Nevada as a place less expensive for a full timer to register their Rv in. Our bill for our one year old Sightseer just came in the mail--a little over $1300! No income tax, but very high personal property taxes on autos and RVs.