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ElCaminoManT's avatar
ElCaminoManT
Explorer
Dec 26, 2018

California registration cost question

Anyone know how California figures out registration fees for RVs? Specifically differences between a motorhome and a trailer (5er). Is it based on age? Value (new or current)? Motorized or trailer? Looking at either a new 5th wheel or a used (02-06) diesel pusher and trying to understand what I’m in for with either of the options we’re looking at.

Thanks!
  • thank you for the replies

    it looks like it is primarily based on current value and they would be basically the same whichever direction i went since the budget is 50-70k for either option. what i wasn't sure of at first was where a moho was classified but i see on the registration card from the super c i just sold it was still considered an 'auto' with body style indicating 'MH'
  • yeah not looking forward to this increase which is partly why I'm asking about this stuff so I'm not nearly as taken aback when i get the renewal on whatever we buy.

    I've had my duramax since new and will have it for many more years whether we end up with a 5er or with a pusher so i do not count that part of the registration into this decision. I'm looking specifically at the RV itself.
  • How do you know that California counties “levy” anything on vehicle registration fees, Cferguson? You are guessing and you guessed wrong.
  • There is a base registration fee, plus a tax based on value. Plus a pickup will pay a weight fee because they are all commercial, with a few excpetions. What I'm not sure about is whether a DP would pay weight fees. But I think a DP annuals would be less than a trailer + truck, assuming equal values.

    CA just had big increases. It costs too damned much.
  • It will be very high. We have a 2010 Ford F-250 diesel we used to pull our 5th wheel and the registration is still over $150/year.
  • That's got to be on your county's government online page. I'm sure theres something for the state, but the final cost will have to include whatever your county levies too, so that's a good place to start. If you cant find it online, call them when they come back to work and ask where the website info is.