Buying a camper in Canada

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

Yep, did that. They want port of entry Docs from the CDN customs and stamped and signed US customs Docs, bill of sale, title or WA state patrol inspection. The state patrol inspection is what takes 3 years. You must wait to see if anyone reports it stolen before the state will issue the title. When I get to the Canadian border I must declare what I'm doing or I won't get my paper work stamped and signed. I don't think Canada cares really but the US Customs requires that I have that when I go inside to get things stamped and signed by them. The part I'm worried about is what the customs agent will do when I don't have a title.

Is it possible to have it delivered to WA some other way?

Has anyone ever been stopped at the border with a TC and asked to prove it was theirs? I've not been up there with a camper, but as lax as the border is I'd be surprised.

Seems there must be an easier way. Have wondered myself. But I think you can get a temporary title via affidavit. That is what happens if you have lost a title and need one.

Does Washington state class campers as RV's?

I've run into something like this in reverse - bought a camper in Arizona and took it back to Canada. The hardest part was convincing Canadian Customs that I didn't have to go through the RV line with all the associated hoops of importing an RV. In Ontario a camper is just cargo and can be included in your purchase exemption for tax payment. All I needed was a bill of sale.