Forum Discussion

adamis's avatar
adamis
Nomad II
Jun 01, 2021

Need to Haul Cargo with a Truck registered as an RV (CA)

My camper spends 99.99% of the time on my truck so to save on registration fees, I had the truck registered as an RV. However I have an upcoming trip that I need to use the bed of the truck to haul an ATV and luggage for. Since the truck is registered as an RV, I believe the rules are you can't haul anything in the bed. I know I could just take the risk of a ticket and haul it anyway. I am not an aggressive driver and I doubt I would be of much interest to any state troopers.

That being said, I was wondering if there is a temporary permit that I could get to avoid the worry all together. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? I would try calling the CA DMV but who are we kidding, it is the CA DMV, the epidemy of Govt bureaucracy and navigating that phone tree and hold times I think I would rather just take the risk of a ticket.

Thoughts...

47 Replies

  • Here is your answer, about 1/2 down the page it is pretty clear

    https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/vehicle-industry-registration-procedures-manual-2/commercial-vehicles/pickup-with-a-camper-attached/
  • Know anyone with a set of comm truck tags you can "borrow" until you reach the Commiefornia state line?
  • California never ceases to amaze with craziness.

    You may not like it but if you want the answer, it's calling the state DMV.
  • What if the risk is more than just a ticket? Like being towed, past registration as a non RV with penalities, etc.
  • It is a money issue. If you "haul" stuff then your truck registered as an RV...isn't part of an RV.
  • I don't know CA rules, but you state "I believe the rules are...". I'd make sure what the rules are. Looke them up. I'm sure CA has it on their website.


    I don't always like the rules, but I always try to "know the rules and play by the rules."