Chassis build versus motorhome build

we had this problem with both our former class c and now our windsong class a as well. it irks me that you think you are getting one year and sold another but apparently more common than i realized. at least i know we aren't the only one out there who is not sure how to answer the question, "what year is it?"

Like others said, you'll have to escalate through the chain of command at the DMV with this one. It's perfectly normal for the chassis to be older than the MH - they take a while to build and often cross model years.

I have some experience selling reconstructed vehicles and after a couple of NY transactions I would simply not do business there anymore. I get that they're trying to avoid fraud and/or laundering of stolen vehicles but they've gotten to the point where they're punishing people with legitimate transactions. How are you supposed to got back to 1997-1998 and clean up the paperwork (which is legitimate and correct to begin with)? I hate reading stuff like this.

On the registration should I show it's a 1998 motorhome or should I say it's a 1997? The former got me into trouble because it does not match the title.

This is very common for a manufacturer who buys the chassis and then builds a house on the chassis--they buy the chassis in bulk. If you can't make the clerk understand this, go to his and as far up the chain as you need. The year of your vehicle should be the year it was completed as a vehicle.

I had to educate the FL DMV about this very same issue. I have a 2004 and had it registered as such in AZ. Here in FL they tried to register it as a 2003 because of the chassis VIN came up as such.
It was a quick call to the manufacturer (Thor) to get a "Certificate of Origin" which informed DMV what they should have already known.
It's easy to get that cert if the manufacturer is still in business, but so many are not and that makes the problem much more difficult to sort.

It's a 1998 motor home
The Calif title and registration, with the vin# , should be all that is required
The dmv clerk does not know their job as well as they should
Use another dmv office our try to speak with the supervisor

Thanks. Unfortunately, it's a time costly problem. I waited two hours for this advice and now I'm caught between the rock and the hard place because they will not register.

It is normal for the chassis to be one year older and it is what happens when you run in to someone at the DMV that does not know their job.