Community Forums

UKGuy · 04-25-2014, 12:02 PM

When a MH is advertised, is the year mentioned typically the model year (MY) or the actual year? Obviously there is a period - typ. June-Dec when it is the same. The reason I ask is because of the huge potential discrepancy between MY and actual. And, does it make any difference to used prices. I'm assuming it is generally the MY of the coach (and condition obviously) that determines its value.

Interested in hearing peoples thoughts and experiences.

87Rockwood · 04-25-2014, 12:08 PM

Model year but chassis may be 1 to 5 years older. Typical is 1 year older for the chassis.

Cousin Ed · 04-25-2014, 12:12 PM

We have a model year 2010 but it has a 2011 Chassis and is titled and insured as an 11. Hope it works well $$$$ for us when it comes time to sell!

aauummm · 04-25-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cousin Ed

We have a model year 2010 but it has a 2011 Chassis and is titled and insured as an 11. Hope it works well $$$$ for us when it comes time to sell!

Ours is a 2010 model that was built on a 2011 chassis. It is titled and insured as a 2010 model. The WIT Club has a service tip on motorhome split model years. Look for the tip under the year 2009.

Service: Service Tips

hydro45640 · 04-25-2014, 12:30 PM

The actual year of the vehicle can be derived by looking at the 10th digit of the vehicle identification number. This ID is somewhere near the front of the vehicle usually in the dash near the drivers side windshield so that law enforcement can view it. This must match the title vin exactly.
You can translate the digit by using the attached website.
VIN-to-Year Chart - ALLDATA Support
This is what dealers rely on for trading purposes.

Gary RVRoamer · 04-25-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

The actual year of the vehicle can be derived by looking at the 10th digit of the vehicle identification number.

That will only tell you the year of the chassis, which is often not the year of the finished vehicle when it is built in two stages by different manufacturers (as nearly all motorhomes are). By federal law, the year of the vehicle is assigned by the final manufacturer, regardless of the chassis VIN, and is specified in the OEM Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin. That year is the one that must go on the title, though motor vehicle clerks have been known to get it wrong (as apparently happened to Cousin Ed's coach). If they tell you at the DMC they MUST use the Vin year, make them go get their supervisor - or his supervisor's supervisor) until you find somebody who understands vehicle title law. All 50 states have agreed to this.

AFChap · 04-26-2014, 08:17 AM

My 03 has on 02 chassis, and the coach builld date is 5/02. It was one of the first of the model year, and served as a dealer show coach July 02-Jul 03 when we bought it. I have seen several "twins" over the years and none are identical to mine ...ceiling vents & light fixtures in different locations, etc. And although it is the same paint scheme, a close inspection reveals the paint is not quite the same.

Old Radios · 04-26-2014, 09:33 AM

Ours is registered as a 2006 and the box was built in 2006. It's built on a 2005 Ford chassis.

Capt Steve · 04-27-2014, 12:28 PM

They have to build the chassis before they can put the coach on it. Our 2012 is built upon a 2011 E-350 chassis which rolled off the Ford assembly line in the summer of 2011. The finished coach rolled out of the Nexus factory in the fall of 2011 as a 2012 and that is how it is registered.

frankdamp · 04-27-2014, 01:19 PM

Vehicle "years" are different from "calendar" years also. Steve's info shows that a vehicle that was completed in the autumn of 2011 is officially a 2012. I don't remember if UK and European vehicle manufacturers use the same "offset"

BTW, where in Lancs., Andy? We're from Leyland. We emigrated in 1968 for me to go work at Boeing and have been in the US ever since. I retired in 1998 and we moved to Anacortes in 1999.

TXiceman · 04-27-2014, 04:05 PM

As you see, the chassis may will denote the year of chassis manufacturer. The coach is what is registered in most cases and is designated as the year it was manufactured.

So a chassis could be designated as a 2010, delivered to the manufacturer and then set for a month or two and the coach is built as a 2011. A few states go by the chassis dates and not the coach.

It is really nothing to worry about in my opinion.

Ken

UKGuy · 04-28-2014, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

Vehicle "years" are different from "calendar" years also. Steve's info shows that a vehicle that was completed in the autumn of 2011 is officially a 2012. I don't remember if UK and European vehicle manufacturers use the same "offset"

BTW, where in Lancs., Andy? We're from Leyland. We emigrated in 1968 for me to go work at Boeing and have been in the US ever since. I retired in 1998 and we moved to Anacortes in 1999.

Leyland has changed a bit since then! We are just up the road in Walmer Bridge. Originally from Staffordshire though.

Hoping to get a coach in the next year or so and spend as much time in the US as a tourist visa will allow.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-01-2014, 02:21 PM

In any case, the advertised year should be the year that is shown on the vehicle title (or the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin if it has never been titled). Anything else is false advertising and ought to be reported to the state attorneys office. The title is the governing document.