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PrivatePilot's avatar
PrivatePilot
Explorer
Jul 12, 2021

Ontario: Motorhome yellow sticker exemption?

I’m having a debate with somebody online elsewhere right now with regards to their ability to use a full on class 8 tractor for recreational purposes completely exempt of all CVOR/daily inspections/annual inspections (yellow sticker) because they claim to be using the “Motorhome” exemption.

Now, I know such exemptions exist for true motorhomes, however I was pretty sure that there was wording specifically with the MTO that required anything claiming to be exempt to have static plumbing systems including a toilet with a holding tank, etc to be considered eligible.

I know this fellow is using it for recreational purposes (so he claims), but it appears to be a pretty standard class 8 tractor to me. And I drive these for a living, I know they don’t have bathroom facilities that would meet the standards of being an “RV”.

All that being said, after 30 or 45 minutes of searching on the MTO websites and elsewhere I can’t seem to find any details on these exemptions any longer.

Can someone who’s been able to find them please provide me some hard factual links (preferably from the MTO) that I can provide this unfortunately misled fellow.
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Nov 24, 2022
    It must be done in steps, and pictures won’t cut it, you need to put the vehicle itself in front of them so they can verify that the converted truck and the VIN match up. I borrowed a buddy’s service (dealer) plate for the inspection trip, etc. then certified it after it was an RV.

    While it’s not strictly required, the other item that will make your life easier is the fifth wheel, get rid of it!! If you plan on towing a fiver you will want an air cushion hitch anyway. Both MTO & DOT (everywhere you travel) will give you the stink eye if the truck still has a ‘commercial’ fifth wheel hitch on it.

    Feel free to ask if there’s something else you’re unsure of.
  • lee_worsdell's avatar
    lee_worsdell
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2022
    Hi iam searching for the same info. i just came across this from 2021. Iam looking at a western star to convert to rv. So if i have 4 of those items and can take the registration to the mto show them the pics of these items they ask for. Then have it registered .then take it for a saftey or do i need that first. its a little confusing some times. Thanks Lee
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Jul 12, 2021
    PrivatePilot wrote:
    Indeed. The core of my question however is….what’s the requirement for the “conversion” to be considered legit?


    My apologies, I misunderstood your post.

    It seems he might not be misled though.

    The requirement for a 'vehicle type' is in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatuions. It defines a "motor home" as follows;

    "motor home means a multi-purpose passenger vehicle that is designed to provide temporary residential accommodations, as evidenced by the presence of at least four of the following:

    (a) cooking facilities,
    (b) a refrigerator or ice box,
    (c) a self-contained toilet,
    (d) a heating or air-conditioning system that can function independently of the vehicle engine,
    (e) a potable water supply system that includes a faucet and sink, and,
    (f) a separate 110- to 125-V electric power supply or an LP gas supply;"


    So basically it's a multiple choice at the converter's pleasure. Pick any four off the list and you're good to go.
  • PrivatePilot's avatar
    PrivatePilot
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2021
    Indeed. The core of my question however is….what’s the requirement for the “conversion” to be considered legit?
  • JaxDad's avatar
    JaxDad
    Explorer III
    Jul 12, 2021
    It can absolutely be done, and pretty easily too.

    Once the tractor has been properly equipped you take it to the MTO for inspection and they give you a form to take to Service Ontario, they then ‘convert’ the vehicle type from “com” to “pas” (at the top of your ownership) and they issue a new set of blue & white plates.

    We have a converted Volvo 670 at the farm that was so converted, we use it as our primary horse hauler.


    Blue skies brother!
  • PrivatePilot's avatar
    PrivatePilot
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2021
    “Reclassified” is fine.

    If they’re actually legal as such, whether they think they are or not, may be very much otherwise.

    There was very specific requirements for such. You can’t just take a commercial truck and decide you’re a Motorhome one day and do away with all the requirements.
  • Pipeman's avatar
    Pipeman
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2021
    There are many tractors that have been reclassified as motorhomes. Go to this page and you can ask all the questions you want. There are a few people from Ontario on this site also. https://www.rvnetwork.com/forum/32-hdt/

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