Class A with tag axle - beware of $1000. fine in AZ!

dodge guy wrote:
So a gas class A that may have a GVWR of over 26k lbs or has a tag axle pays less than a DP would to travel on the same road?! HMMM? Makes no sense, from a common sense way of thinking!

Without knowing anything at all about the fuel tax structure in Arizona, I'd guess that only road-diesel fuel has this multi-tier tax structure. It may be that everybody using plain gasoline pays the same tax (likely as high as the highest charged for diesel); and that if an exemption exists for ag equipment or something the farmer gets it via some refund process.

dodge guy wrote:
So a gas class A that may have a GVWR of over 26k lbs or has a tag axle pays less than a DP would to travel on the same road?! HMMM? Makes no sense, from a common sense way of thinking!

taxes never make sense, except to the folks that collect it. To them, I am sure it is very sensible.
One could argue heavier vehicles should pay more tax, since they wear down the roads quicker.

So a gas class A that may have a GVWR of over 26k lbs or has a tag axle pays less than a DP would to travel on the same road?! HMMM? Makes no sense, from a common sense way of thinking!

I spoke with a representative from the Arizona Motor Carriers Services Division this morning. He assured me that we are reading their law correctly.

1. If you are fueling a motor home that weighs 26,000 # GVW or more then you have to pay the higher tax.
2. If you are fueling a motor home that has more than two axles, you have to pay the higher tax.
3. If you are either one of the above, then you have to refuel at a pump that has the higher tax sticker on it. He said it's your responsibility to ensure the sticker on the pump shows the higher tax.
4. It does not matter that you are a recreational vehicle ONLY. You must pay the higher tax.

He was very knowledgeable and apologetic but firm in his discussion about what's exempt and what's not. It doesn't appear there's any grey area. He said it best, fill up outside Arizona or use the truck pumps....looks like another tax grab sticking it to the RVing community....Dennis

Just buy your fuel before you enter, or just stay out of Arizona. I have just a couple of states that I really avoid now Arizona and California.

If you don't want me it's a clear message -- I'll just stay out with the RV.

Simple.

Old-Biscuit wrote:

DSDP Don wrote:
I like getting the info from the horse's mouth and sent an email to the AZ DOT. Typically, privately owned RV's are exempt.

If this turns out to be something they intend to prosecute, maybe FMCA can step in.

I do question how this works at the stations with an RV pump. The fuel is the same price as the car pumps, at least at the Pilot near Lake Havasu.

ADOT Fuel Tax info.......LINK Don't see anything exempting RVs.

The only thing I see is "passenger carrying vehicle weighing more than 26k lbs" that is a tour bus of some type. I don`t see anything that says and "Recreational Vehicle"! sounds like AZ is not interpreting the law for what it was originally written for, but for revenue purposes only.

DSDP Don wrote:
I like getting the info from the horse's mouth and sent an email to the AZ DOT. Typically, privately owned RV's are exempt.

If this turns out to be something they intend to prosecute, maybe FMCA can step in.

I do question how this works at the stations with an RV pump. The fuel is the same price as the car pumps, at least at the Pilot near Lake Havasu.

ADOT Fuel Tax info.......LINK Don't see anything exempting RVs.

I like getting the info from the horse's mouth and sent an email to the AZ DOT. Typically, privately owned RV's are exempt.

If this turns out to be something they intend to prosecute, maybe FMCA can step in.

I do question how this works at the stations with an RV pump. The fuel is the same price as the car pumps, at least at the Pilot near Lake Havasu.

If Washington State DOT finds out this law there will be 2 States with this law.

dogvetia wrote:
well for what its worth, we fueled in Indiana with our motorhome on a truck island and was charged 28 cents a gallon above the posted price since we did not have a DOT number. Most likely the truckers are able to get a little better deal while the motoring public pays a bit more. Not complaining but just did not understand so obviously this is the last time I fuel in Indiana with a MH. Did not try to get into a car island but they may have similar rules. Any input from Indiana residents? tom

Indiana taxes "the motoring public" by the gallon at the pump and "the truckers" by miles driven in the state. It is not a better deal, and Indiana is not the only state that taxes this way. Thus you will find different prices at truck pumps vs out front in many states, and find yourself paying the out front price on fuel bought at the truck pumps if you don't have commercial carrier documentation.

The purpose of collecting taxes by miles drive rather than fuel purchased is so truckers with huge tanks can't avoid the road tax simply by driving through without buying fuel. Actually, you can do this with your car if it has enough range and you know the tax structures. I like to get through Illinois without buying fuel, but can seldom do it (nine gallon tank).