I found a camper I want in BC. I live in Washington State. Canada doesn't license or title campers. They are considered to be an accessory (makes sense to me). When I spoke with CDN and US Customs they wanted a bill of sale and a title with my name on it. This isn't possible because it doesn't have a title. Anyone do this recently? The exchange rate is favorable.Thanks, Aaron

For our park model (classified and licensed as a RV) that was manufactured in Oregon and licensed in Washington, we were issued a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin vs. a title. It was/is a new vehicle so no title had been issued yet by any authority (it's in the mail from the state).Perhaps a MCO is available for the camper that you want. I did not see if the camper was new or used.

Get the bill of sale, go back to WA, get a title, go back and pick up the camper. Talk to a licensing agency here in WA and they can help you out. Might have to do the "affidavit of title" just as though the title had been lost. The agency can help you out. Also possible you can just load up and drive right through without question....

It's a common problem.. We picked ours up in AZ; no titles. With a bill of sale, they issue a registration which reflects 'application for title' (after running the VIN which of course, needs to show clear). Takes three years, and then the state will issue a title. It's easy, and no problem....unless..... you want to sell it within that three years.I've had to do this with numerous trailers, etc, over the years.

Getting through customs is the part I'm most concerned with. The state will issue me the registration because they want the money. I'm not wild about the 3 year wait on the title but what can I do about it? Nothing. So I'll wait 3 years. The border is a whole different situation. If they decide to impound the camper then that's what they'll do. No one can tell border patrol what to do, not even the court. Best policy is to have everything that they want when you arrive. When I called them, both the US and CDN customs said that they need a title with my name on it. Impossible. I'm not the first person to do this so I must not have talked to the right people or I didn't make myself clear.

I have been to Canada two times with my TC, which is not licensed. When coming back from Canada, I was not ask for any paperwork relating to my TC. I could have bought my TC in Canada for all they knew, but they did not ask.It is my understanding TC Registration in Washington state is required. I would ask Washington state DMV what is required other than a bill of sale.Wayne

Buying a camper in Canada | Good Sam Community

noteven
Explorer III
Dec 06, 2014
deltabravo wrote:
Dbl-A-Ron wrote:
...I will have to wait 3 years to get a title though. ...

Leave it to the state of Washington to have an idiotic provision such as that.

... just in case it sprouts a set a wheels after a 3 day rain...:E ?
deltabravo
Nomad
Dec 05, 2014
Dbl-A-Ron wrote:
...I will have to wait 3 years to get a title though. ...

Leave it to the state of Washington to have an idiotic provision such as that.
speedymike
Explorer
Dec 05, 2014
Dbl-A-Ron wrote:
Success! I finally was able to convince our Dept of Licensing to call the BC Dept of Licensing. They now believe that campers in BC are NOT registered OR titled and that their computer is wrong. All I need is the Bill of Sale and the importation documents from Customs. Here's the rub, the State will register the camper with an "ownership in doubt" title. They give you a license plate but you have to wait 3 years for a title. UFFDA
Congrat.!!!!!!!
Dbl-A-Ron
Explorer
Dec 05, 2014
It's a used camper. BC does not register or title campers. The entire issue was largely semantic. When you say camper to the Washington State DMV they look at their computer which lumps trailers and campers together. The nice folks at the DOL in BC provided documentation which I took down to our local office. Then they made a phone call and have changed their opinion. I will have to wait 3 years to get a title though. They issue a registration right away. If for some reason I needed to sell it though I think I'd just be out of luck unless I sold it to someone in BC.
bcbouy
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014
interesting stories,but are of no use to a person in washington,importing from bc,not ontario or alberta.as far as i know campers are not registered in bc.is it a new camper or pre owned?
sonuvabug
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014
hedge wrote:
Photomike wrote:
hedge wrote:
I tried to register my camper in AB but it was not possible because it didn't have a serial number that fit their pattern. I bought mine new so I got the BOS and a NIVIS but was stymied by the VIN number.

I could go through a process to get a VIN assigned but it's not cheap, nearly $500.

I wanted to do it so that I could get a plate issued so that I don't have to swap plates.

From what I know you will not be able to do as you want to as the vehicle plate has to show in Alberta. All you would be doing is getting a trailer plate in addition to the vehicle plate. I would really check this out as you may be opening yourself up for a lot of problems.

That was exactly what I wanted to do, I was hoping to just keep the trailer plate on the camper and leave the truck plate on the truck. I have forgotten to swap them a time or two and end up with no plate at all (woops). The registries would have gave me the trailer plate with the SIN, not sure how it would have turned out if i was stopped.

I also tried getting vanity plates as you get two of them, but you only get 1 sticker. I recently had a discussion about this with a cop (he pulled me over for something else) and he said that he couldn't tell me this was 'OK' but in reality it likely wouldn't be an issue if stopped. At least with the visible plate they could identify the vehicle.

It sure seems like they want to make it difficult for you when you're trying to comply.

This may help. In Ontario, you need plates on front and back of all vehicles. Pick-up trucks are required to have the renewal sticker on the front license plate as many times the rear bumper plate area is obscured by tailgates, trailer equipment etc.

I had personalized plates on my Class C RV which I transferred to my TC carrying pick-up truck. One personalized plate was badly rusted and I wanted to replace it with exactly the same plate name. I kept the good plate (non-rusted one) as a back up just in case I needed it in the future (replace a lost, rusted or stolen plate).

I went into our MTO (DOT) office to have a new set made in the same personalized name. I surrendered the one rusty plate in to them. When they asked where was the second plate was (the good one) I said I was keeping it in case I ever needed a replacement again. They said OK.

So, I received a brand new set of personalized plates for the truck and I had the 1 plate left over from the original set which I now use on my TC. Of course they all match and so far, so good. ~ Bugjr ~
noteven
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2014
Photomike wrote:
hedge wrote:
I tried to register my camper in AB but it was not possible because it didn't have a serial number that fit their pattern. I bought mine new so I got the BOS and a NIVIS but was stymied by the VIN number.

I could go through a process to get a VIN assigned but it's not cheap, nearly $500.

I wanted to do it so that I could get a plate issued so that I don't have to swap plates.

From what I know you will not be able to do as you want to as the vehicle plate has to show in Alberta. All you would be doing is getting a trailer plate in addition to the vehicle plate. I would really check this out as you may be opening yourself up for a lot of problems.

hedge are you trying to get a license plate issued for a truck camper, complete with no wheels?
hedge
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014
Photomike wrote:
hedge wrote:
I tried to register my camper in AB but it was not possible because it didn't have a serial number that fit their pattern. I bought mine new so I got the BOS and a NIVIS but was stymied by the VIN number.

I could go through a process to get a VIN assigned but it's not cheap, nearly $500.

I wanted to do it so that I could get a plate issued so that I don't have to swap plates.

From what I know you will not be able to do as you want to as the vehicle plate has to show in Alberta. All you would be doing is getting a trailer plate in addition to the vehicle plate. I would really check this out as you may be opening yourself up for a lot of problems.

That was exactly what I wanted to do, I was hoping to just keep the trailer plate on the camper and leave the truck plate on the truck. I have forgotten to swap them a time or two and end up with no plate at all (woops). The registries would have gave me the trailer plate with the SIN, not sure how it would have turned out if i was stopped.

I also tried getting vanity plates as you get two of them, but you only get 1 sticker. I recently had a discussion about this with a cop (he pulled me over for something else) and he said that he couldn't tell me this was 'OK' but in reality it likely wouldn't be an issue if stopped. At least with the visible plate they could identify the vehicle.

It sure seems like they want to make it difficult for you when you're trying to comply.
Reality_Check
Nomad II
Dec 04, 2014
Dbl-A-Ron wrote:
.... Here's the rub, the State will register the camper with an "ownership in doubt" title. They give you a license plate but you have to wait 3 years for a title. UFFDA

Who'd a thought...

I've been following this thread with bewilderment; sort of like everyone's talking and no one's listening. Makes good entertainment.

Go get git it done... I think you have the answer; again.

This post to be followed with more advice and astonishing facts of the internet.
homefor2
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014
Isn't it amazing how far some government departments have their heads shoved up where the sun does not shine. A private business with competition would be bankrupt within a week if they were that stupid.