Community Forums

Superburban · 06-17-2018, 10:43 PM

The law says the final manufacturer (body builder in the motor homes), has the authority to designate the final model year. There can be many reasons why the builder would not want to use a newer date. The big one I can think of is emissions. If a MH builder had a bunch of chassis that were built in 2006, and he built the final MH in 2007, he could chose 2006, or 2007. The chassis already met the emissions for 2006, but if he chose to use 2007, he would have to do a ton of engine and exhaust work, to get the rig to meet 2007 emissions. I'm sure there are also many other reasons why the older date may be beneficial. Even for the buyer.

In states that base the registration cost by the age, starting out with a MH that is already a year old, can save some money in the long run.

UFO Pilot · 06-17-2018, 11:04 PM

My MH was built in 2007 on a 2007 chassis. I bought it in 2007. It is a 2008 model and is registered as a 2008. No different than buying a 2008 car in September of 2007.

sbleiweiss · 06-18-2018, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avfordguy

The CHASSIS vin can be found on the brake booster support to the left of the brake booster it is stamped on the bracket

I thought the chassis vin was the first several numerals of the overall vin.

hohenwald48 · 06-19-2018, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avfordguy

The CHASSIS vin can be found on the brake booster support to the left of the brake booster it is stamped on the bracket

That's fine and I think the chassis VIN is not difficult to locate. However, where is the completed motorhome VIN that is supposed to determine the year shown on the title?

sbleiweiss · 06-20-2018, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

That's fine and I think the chassis VIN is not difficult to locate. However, where is the completed motorhome VIN that is supposed to determine the year shown on the title?

I don't know if it is on the vehicle like with cars (maybe the placard next to the drivers seat?) but it is on all of your paperwork that came with the MH, including the title you would have gotten from the seller in a used purchase.

hohenwald48 · 06-20-2018, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbleiweiss

.. . .but it is on all of your paperwork that came with the MH, including the title you would have gotten from the seller in a used purchase.

No it's not. As I stated, it's not on any paperwork I've found and it's not on the title. Only the chassis VIN is listed on any paperwork and on the title. And the chassis is a 2006. That's why my 2007 motorhome is titled as a 2006. I was hoping someone could tell me where the manufacturer of the motorhome (not chassis) would likely place the completed vehicle VIN.

Gordon Dewald · 06-20-2018, 02:10 PM

Our incomplete manufacturer sticker and the WGO serial number sticker are on the wall beside the drivers seat.

Superburban · 06-20-2018, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

No it's not. As I stated, it's not on any paperwork I've found and it's not on the title. Only the chassis VIN is listed on any paperwork and on the title. And the chassis is a 2006. That's why my 2007 motorhome is titled as a 2006. I was hoping someone could tell me where the manufacturer of the motorhome (not chassis) would likely place the completed vehicle VIN.

The manufacturer does not issue another VIN, the chassis VIN is carried through. The manufacturer can designate what the final year is. So you have a VIN saying one year, and the manufacturer via the MCO saying another. The original DMV clerk would have had to enter the year from the MCO.

Remember, the final manufacturer can designate the year.

In your case, I think 2007 was the new diesel emissions, and your 2006 chassis would not likely meet them.

UFO Pilot · 06-20-2018, 03:50 PM

As I posted before, chassis built in 2007, MH bought in 2007, MH is 2008 model year.

Winnebago assigned this serial number on mine 10M91J25XXXX

Chassis VIN 5B4MGF7G2XXXXXXXX

My RV is registered with the VIN as a 2008

Superburban · 06-20-2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

As I posted before, chassis built in 2007, MH bought in 2007, MH is 2008 model year.

Winnebago assigned this number on mine 10M91J25XXXX

Chassis VIN 5B4MGF7G2XXXXXXXX

My RV is registered with the VIN as a 2008

Ok, I stand corrected, some manufacturers do assign a new VIN. Now how about answering hohenwald48's question as to where the MH VIN can be found, since you are the first to see one.

My sisters 97 bago uses the chassis VIN.

UFO Pilot · 06-20-2018, 04:18 PM

The number Winnebago provides is not a VIN. It is just the number Winnebago uses to identify the house portion of the RV. They call it the serial number. That number is not used for registration purposes, at least not in California.

Winnebago has a placard on the wall by the drivers seat and a decal outside by the entry door with the info. I don't know where other manufacturers post their labels.

Gordon Dewald · 06-21-2018, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

As I posted before, chassis built in 2007, MH bought in 2007, MH is 2008 model year.

Winnebago assigned this serial number on mine 10M91J25XXXX

Chassis VIN 5B4MGF7G2XXXXXXXX

My RV is registered with the VIN as a 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

The number Winnebago provides is not a VIN. It is just the number Winnebago uses to identify the house portion of the RV. They call it the serial number. That number is not used for registration purposes, at least not in California.

Winnebago has a placard on the wall by the drivers seat and a decal outside by the entry door with the info. I don't know where other manufacturers post their labels.

Found this is true. WGO issues and uses the serial number for their records to identify the parts in your particular coach. CS will ask for the serial number when you talk to them about parts or any questions you might ask.

We had an issue for a short time with our insurance company as they use the VIN to identify the year. At least the agent we were in contact with. The registration was correct but the insurance listed a year earlier.

Both the registration and insurance card showed the same VIN but different years. Not sure how that would have played out if stopped by the police but the issue was rectified and now both documents are the same.

Here is a link to the identification system WGO uses.

https://winnebagoind.com/resources/m..._Motorhome.pdf

terryl · 07-11-2018, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

No it's not. As I stated, it's not on any paperwork I've found and it's not on the title. Only the chassis VIN is listed on any paperwork and on the title. And the chassis is a 2006. That's why my 2007 motorhome is titled as a 2006. I was hoping someone could tell me where the manufacturer of the motorhome (not chassis) would likely place the completed vehicle VIN.

I purchased my 2004 Fleetwood Fiesta Class A from a seller who listed it as a 2004. The title also showed it as a 2004. The Ford owner's manual and Fleetwood owner's manual that came with it both show it as a 2004. When I called Fleetwood to get a wiring diagram, they asked for the FIN #. When I gave it to them, they told me it was a 2005. I debated that with them for awhile, but they insisted that it was incorrectly titled in CA, where it was first sold.

Inside my wardrobe closet are two placards from Fleetwood that cover everything from various weight ratings to color of fabrics, trim, and graphics. On both of these placards, it is listed as a 2005. The Federal Certification Tag next to the driver's seat only lists a vehicle manufacturing date of 2004, not a completion date by Fleetwood.

So, I guess I bought a 2005 for the price of a 2004, 7 years ago, but with 93,000 miles on the odometer now, that probably retails out to a $63.00 difference if I was selling it, but I am not.