Coach Model Year vs. Chassis Model Year?

[hohenwald48]

My motorhome is a 2007 on a 2006 F-53. I bought it used and a couple of owners back someone registered it as a 2006. I suppose because they didn't want to argue with the DMV about it or they just didn't know any better.

It's clearly a 2007 model based on the paint scheme. I've been told most motorhome maunfacturer's change the paint/decal scheme every year. Anybody know if that's true.

When I bought it and went to the DMV here in TN they wanted to register it as a 2006 based on the previous title and VIN. I didn't want to argue with them about it either so it's registered as a 2006 instead of a 2007. I don't really care since I don't plan on getting rid of it until it's scrap metal anyway.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The state DMV clerks are prone to that "chassis year overrides" opinion, but they are incorrect when a "partially completed vehicle" like a motorhome is involved. If the issue is escalated to a supervisor (maybe a couple levels up), eventually somebody who knows the federal law will get it sorted out.

The DMV clerks are used to dealing with passengers cars and titles that may erroneously claim a different year. They would be right about that, but the same logic is not apply when the vehicle is assembled on a separately built chassis.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Our 2008 is on a 2007 chassis. Firstly registered in Ontario, so it's a 2007 on the registration. BC uses the model year of coach, so if it would have been first registered here, it would have been a 2008.
Happy Glamping.

[hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by Unplanned

Our 2008 is on a 2007 chassis. Firstly registered in Ontario, so it's a 2007 on the registration. BC uses the model year of coach, so if it would have been first registered here, it would have been a 2008.
Happy Glamping.

I suspect there's a way to fix it but you have to decide if it's worth the fight. My motorhome is an orphan (National RV) so I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm just glad I don't care. I did use the "one year older" excuse to help negotiate a better price when I bought it.

[MoCoTom]

I will add just one thing to this conversation and that is to do your homework on the particular MH you are interested in purchasing. One example would be, in 2006 Workhorse chassis went to the six speed Allison trans but most 2006 MH would be on the 2005 WH chassis and therefore equipped with a five speed Allison. It would be a major disappointment if you purchased expecting your 2006 MH to have the six speed. Same thing with the Ford chassis in 2016.

[StevL]

The reason I asked I just noticed my 2017 coach is registered as a 2016. I was thinking about leaving it as a 16 since it lowers my property tax. When the day comes to sell it then I’ll get it straight. “I never noticed that”


Steve

[Horizon170]

Originally Posted by ThomB

My chassis is 2008 and the coach is 2010.

So is mine. 2008 Sprinter/Freightliner with a Coachmen 2010 RV.
I have no problem with that.
Marvin

[terryl]

I purchased my Fleetwood Fiesta from a private party as a 2004. According to Carfax, it has been titled as a 2004 since day one when it was sold new in CA. It eventually ended up in AZ through various owners.

Well into my first year of ownership, I had occasion to call Fleetwood for some wiring schematics. When I gave them both the VIN and FIN #, they informed me that it is a 2005, even though the owner's manual with the vehicle is for a 2004. Sure enough, when they referred me to their various pages of vehicle information glued to the inside the wardrobe door, it was listed as a 2005. Looks like it was registered incorrectly, and it never got changed.

Fleetwood's tag on the outside of the vehicle shows a manufacturer's date of May, 2004, which seems a little early to be classifying it as a 2005 IMO, but I guess they can call it whatever they want.

[Mr_D]

You won't run into split year problems with some CC's as they produced their own semi-monocoque chassis.