Pennsylvania Inspection Question

[dpgllg]

I am considering storing my 5th wheel at Willowtree RV Resort in Myrtle Beach. I live in and the 5th wheel is registered in Pennsylvania. My inspection and registration is due in July.

My question is when I want to bring it home after the inspection runs out what issues will I face? I fully intend to have the unit checked by a professional tech prior to bringing it back to insure it's safe but need to understand the law and what my options might be. The registration is not an issue as I can put the new stickers on before I pull it home.

Thanks!

Dave

[Tom_N]

dpgllg wrote:

Tom N wrote:
I'm also in SW PA and spend up to 6 months out of PA.

Your inspection is meaningless out of PA.

If your sticker expires while your out of PA the state of PA gives you 30 days to have your vehicle inspected AFTER you return to PA.

BTW, I stored at Willow Tree a few years ago for the month of Dec and all went well. Very secure and you park it yourself in their gravel covered storage area.

-Tom

We have stayed there about 4 or 5 times and really like it there. The drawback is always the time and gas to get to and from. Using my truck and towing it takes about 12 to 13 hours one way and currently it would be about $275 in gas. Driving my car I could make it in about ten and gas would cost about $100. The savings in gas alone would pay a good portion of my stay! I currently pay $50 a month to store it and the monthly rate at Willowtree is $43.

Willowtree does not let you park it yourself. They will have it on your site and return it to storage for $7.50 each way. The women I spoke to told me they currently have a special 50% off the tow.

The only ones allowed in the storage lot are motorhome owners as Willowtree will not drive the motorhomes. Anytime anyone is on the storage lot they must be accompanied by a staff member. Which is just fine by me. She told me the lot has been graded to drain is fenced in and locked.

I stored in Dec of 2005 and have a motorhome so I parked it myself. Willowtree was new and the new section had not been built. I paid $30 for the month of Dec. I picked the mh up after Christmas and drove to FL. I did winterize for Dec. I was afraid of freeze damage.

-Tom

[thgoodman]

Beware. Don't take it through the District of Columbia. They require a current inspection sticker from your state of residence. Don't know if any other states have similar requirements.

[dpgllg]

Tom N wrote:
I'm also in SW PA and spend up to 6 months out of PA.

Your inspection is meaningless out of PA.

If your sticker expires while your out of PA the state of PA gives you 30 days to have your vehicle inspected AFTER you return to PA.

BTW, I stored at Willow Tree a few years ago for the month of Dec and all went well. Very secure and you park it yourself in their gravel covered storage area.

-Tom

We have stayed there about 4 or 5 times and really like it there. The drawback is always the time and gas to get to and from. Using my truck and towing it takes about 12 to 13 hours one way and currently it would be about $275 in gas. Driving my car I could make it in about ten and gas would cost about $100. The savings in gas alone would pay a good portion of my stay! I currently pay $50 a month to store it and the monthly rate at Willowtree is $43.

Willowtree does not let you park it yourself. They will have it on your site and return it to storage for $7.50 each way. The women I spoke to told me they currently have a special 50% off the tow.

The only ones allowed in the storage lot are motorhome owners as Willowtree will not drive the motorhomes. Anytime anyone is on the storage lot they must be accompanied by a staff member. Which is just fine by me. She told me the lot has been graded to drain is fenced in and locked.

[mikhen]

And if you take it to a dealer for inspection, you get ripped off. Best to find a local garage for inspection.

[ljr]

dpgllg wrote:
After digging further online I found my answer

A vehicle subject to inspection, which has been outside this Commonwealth continuously for 30 days or more and which, at the time of reentering this Commonwealth, does not bear a currently valid certificate of inspection, is not required to be inspected until 10 days after reentering this Commonwealth.

Thanks!

I frequently return from snowbirding with an expired inspection sticker.

I called PennDOT awhile back and asked the same question. They told me to have some receipts with me so, in case I'm stopped I can prove the 30 days. I've never been stopped.

[JJBIRISH]

For a complete list of the rejection criteria for recreational, semi- and
utility trailers, please reference Section 175.130 of Subchapter G of the
Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Regulations…

click

what the garage tech’s safety inspection sheet might look like in PA…


Inspection Check List
Inspector number ______________ ( inspect and initial each line)

1. CHECK FOR CURRENT REGISTRATION _______________
2.VIN NUMBER – MATCH REGISTRATION AND WORK ORDER _______________
3. LICENSE PLATE MATCHES REGISTRATION AND WORK ORDER _______________
4.MARKER LIGHTS_______________
5.LICENSE PLATE LIGHT_______________
6.LEFT TURN SIGNAL_______________
7.RIGHT TURN SIGNAL_______________
8.BACK UP LIGHTS_______________
9.LEFT SIDE BRAKESWORKING_______________ IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT_______________
10. RIGHT SIDE BRAKESWORKING_______________ IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT_______________
11. CHECK COUPLER_______________
12. CHECK SAFETY CHAINS_______________
13. BREAKAWAY SWITCH _______________
14. BREAKAWAY CABLE_______________
15.JACK MUST WORK _______________
16.VISUAL INSPECTION UNDERNEATH TRAILER (NOTHING HANGING – CHECK FRAME)_______________ 17.TIRESWEIGHT CAPACITY COMPARED TO REGISTRATION _______________ RADIAL OR BIAS TIRES ON SAME AXLE _______________
18. CHECK THAT BRAKE LINERS ARE NOT PEELING FROM SHOE_______ ______
19. MEASURE BRAKE SHOES_______ ______
20. CHECK THAT BRAKE MAGNETS MOVE FREELY AND IS NOT SCORED _______ ______
21. CHECK DRUM - MAKE SURE IT IS NOT SCORED_______ ______
22.CHECK WHEEL SEALS _______ ______
23.CHECK THAT SPRINGS ARE ON SHOES PROPERLY_______ ______
SUSPENSION
24.CHECK SPRINGS AND SHACKLES AND EQUALIZERS FOR WEAR _______ ______
25. MEASURE TIRES_______ ______

WORK ORDER # ____________________

[Tom_N]

I'm also in SW PA and spend up to 6 months out of PA.

Your inspection is meaningless out of PA.

If your sticker expires while your out of PA the state of PA gives you 30 days to have your vehicle inspected AFTER you return to PA.

BTW, I stored at Willow Tree a few years ago for the month of Dec and all went well. Very secure and you park it yourself in their gravel covered storage area.

-Tom

[Stefonius]

In PA you can register the trailer permanently for about the same price as registering it annually for 5 years. You get a "PT" (Permanent Trailer) license plate and never have to remind yourself to re-register again.

[gmcsmoke]

trailer inspections are safety; brakes, if equipped, lights and chains/tires.

[WyoTraveler]

In all those east coast states do you have a full inspecion on trailers and 5vers? What do they check? In CA it is just smog on engines nothing else. Of course in WY no inspections. Seems like a PITA.

[dpgllg]

After digging further online I found my answer

A vehicle subject to inspection, which has been outside this Commonwealth continuously for 30 days or more and which, at the time of reentering this Commonwealth, does not bear a currently valid certificate of inspection, is not required to be inspected until 10 days after reentering this Commonwealth.

Thanks!