California Registration of an LMTV

[flyfishtrailer]

So I recently purchaed a M1078 and have been looking at all my options for titling and registering in california. Using some searches and reading through the DMV links to get an idea. I read through the exempt vehicles and found this page (link attached) and it says the following

• Pick-up trucks with a GVWR of 19,500 lbs or less with a pick-up bed used exclusively for personal, non-commercial, or non-governmental use.

Would an M1078 not fit here?


Excluded Diesel Vehicle Reporting | TruckStop (ca.gov)

 

[98G]

GVWR is > 19,500

https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/m1078.htm

 

[flyfishtrailer]

GVWR is > 19,500

https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/m1078.htm

So i guess I am a little confused, the payload weight gets factored into that then?

 

[98G]

So i guess I am a little confused, the payload weight gets factored into that then?

GVW = What it weighs

GVWR = What it can weigh, fully loaded.

 

[flyfishtrailer]

Ok...makes sense now...and sucks!

 

[GeneralDisorder]

There is effectively no way to register in CA. These guys are your best bet:

Dirt Legal - Register Any Vehicle Nationwide

Register your vehicle for street legal use nationwide with Dirt Legal. Reliable way to save money and avoid the DMV.

www.dirtlegal.com

 

[serpico760]

There is effectively no way to register in CA. These guys are your best bet:

Dirt Legal - Register Any Vehicle Nationwide

Register your vehicle for street legal use nationwide with Dirt Legal. Reliable way to save money and avoid the DMV.

www.dirtlegal.com

A friend of a friend has an m1078 registered in California. I haven't asked him how he did it yet. I'll see if I can get a hold of him and figure out what he did. The other issue that unless it's classified as an RV which you can't do unless there's a permanent habitat with a few minimum habitation features such as a sleeping area and a cooking area and a separate air conditioner, the CA EPA will require you put an engine that's much newer than the one that's in there unless you have a very new truck.

 

[serpico760]

A friend of a friend has an m1078 registered in California. I haven't asked him how he did it yet. I'll see if I can get a hold of him and figure out what he did. The other issue that unless it's classified as an RV which you can't do unless there's a permanent habitat with a few minimum habitation features such as a sleeping area and a cooking area and a separate air conditioner, the CA EPA will require you put an engine that's much newer than the one that's in there unless you have a very new truck.

CARB Exemptions for some Diesel Pickups & Motorhomes - DES

Important information to help navigate some complex & confusing CARB exemptions for certain late-model diesel pickups and motorhomes. DES is here to help.

dieselemissionsservice.com

 

[flyfishtrailer]

What a nightmare this once fine state has created! Looks like the only real option short of out of state titling is to mount a box and get the right person to call it an RV

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Just get Utah plates and be done with that stupid state. Oregon has complications for me due to my truck being a BAE truck so I have Utah plates. Screw them if they don't want my money.

 

[serpico760]

What a nightmare this once fine state has created! Looks like the only real option short of out of state titling is to mount a box and get the right person to call it an RV

Contact Dave Anderson at RV Globe Trekker they're not cheap but those boxes are very nice and you can get a zero torsion subframe to mount it on! Unless you can find a nice s280 shelter to mount in the back and go the Sean Filner route.

Globe Trekker INC, DIY Overland Expedition Solutions | cabover

Overland Expedition DIY Campers, Cabovers, Zero Torsion subframe, storage boxes, doors and windows for off road off grid nature camping enthusiats

www.rvglobetrekker.com

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUTG4CMV-SQ94rUEHfwmM-OkAITK6OBog

 

[Third From Texas]

Step 1) Rent a Uhaul
Step 2) Move from CA
Step 3) Enjoy your newfound freedom

 

[serpico760]

A friend of a friend has an m1078 registered in California. I haven't asked him how he did it yet. I'll see if I can get a hold of him and figure out what he did. The other issue that unless it's classified as an RV which you can't do unless there's a permanent habitat with a few minimum habitation features such as a sleeping area and a cooking area and a separate air conditioner, the CA EPA will require you put an engine that's much newer than the one that's in there unless you have a very new truck.

Here is a portion of his registration card it is a 2003 model so he wouldn't have an issue with CARB for a couple of years

 

[G744]

Reminds me of the story here in AZ about a guy with a $600K motorhome, and his refusal to register it in AZ.

The state wanted many thousands in fees, based on the purchase price. At the time, A Northwestern state charged some $25 for motorhome registration, so he had it done there.

This led to his being given a ticket for failure to register in AZ, as it was seen to be driven in AZ frequently since he lived here.

On his day in court, he was given a $411 fine, and told to get it done in AZ. He paid the fine and went on his way.

Sometime later he was ticketed for not having it registered here. Again he paid the fine and told this judge this was a lot cheaper than going the AZ route.

Apparently, the court decided the resultant $ was more valuable than prosecution.

It's all about economics.

DG

 

[Third From Texas]

"RV/Mobile office for my LLC in <insert_good_state_here>"

Legal in all 50.

Just sayin'

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Knock on wood I haven't had any interest from road pirates on Oregon with my Utah plates. The reality is that I can just claim it's an RV and well..... the whole purpose is to travel with it. I just claim I have a business in Utah and that's where it's registered.

Keep your truck looking military and it's very unlikely you will have any "imperial entanglements". I drove from Houston to Portland and was followed and waved at by many a road pirate and had no plates or tags. They honestly just don't care to bother. There are many more easy targets than a big Army truck travelling 50 mph in the slow lane.

 

[G744]

This^...

I've spent many a mile in Cali in my 5-ton, usually making the long trek from Phoenix to Modesto for the MVCC rally there a few years back. No plate showing, but it was on the truck.

Anytime I saw a cop in my mirrors, it was just waiting for an opportunity to pass "that hulking slowpoke".

I talked to a MV owner cop and he told me they never want to be involved with active military vehicles while on the job, as jurisdiction is federal and they have to pass it on to MP's.

IOW, no revenue gained via tickets and is a waste of time.

Active MV's don't stop at scales, either. Dead giveaway you're not active.

So get a BDU shirt and cap, drive on. Always keep your insurance up and current registration on board just in case.

DG

 

[B-Dog]

I'm admittingly ignorant in the subject but it's my understanding that registering your vehicle to a business subjects you to DOT regulations. A 'company vehicle' with a high GWVR could be a much larger ordeal than you might think. You might expect: CDL required, DOT registration ($300), stops at entry points, DOT inspections, daily pre & post trip inspection reports and maintaining a driver log. I doubt the 10+ year tires are going to pass in an inspection.

Please let me know if I'm wrong. There would be many benefits to registering your truck to a company, liability being the first on my list.

 

[Mullaney]

I'm admittingly ignorant in the subject but it's my understanding that registering your vehicle to a business subjects you to DOT regulations. A 'company vehicle' with a high GWVR could be a much larger ordeal than you might think. You might expect: CDL required, DOT registration ($300), stops at entry points, DOT inspections, daily pre & post trip inspection reports and maintaining a driver log. I doubt the 10+ year tires are going to pass in an inspection.

Please let me know if I'm wrong. There would be many benefits to registering your truck to a company, liability being the first on my list.

.
Insurance companies tend to want to put you onto a "commercial policy" because of weight on the bigger trucks. The "key" to DOT inspections and that other part of owning a truck is the way it is "plated". If it is in the name of your company, then DOT rules apply. If it is in your name and if you are hauling (on the bigger stuff) your personal materials or vehicles then DOT isn't interested in you as a general rule.

So, there are two different kinds of commercial. One for insurance, One for title or registration or plate depending on how it is talked about.

ABSOLUTELY the CYA factor when the vehicle is registered to an LLC. And yes, the insurance companies do that regularly. The "new kid on the block" selling insurance will have his or her mind blown - but if you can find an old guy who has been around the block a few times - they know how to work their system and how to make it work.

I personally have a company with real honest to goodness commercial vehicles on a commercial policy. I have a second policy that is my green toys. The difference in money saved - even though both are commercial is significant. It is a game. Just have to learn how to play it...

 

[Third From Texas]

I'm admittingly ignorant in the subject but it's my understanding that registering your vehicle to a business subjects you to DOT regulations. A 'company vehicle' with a high GWVR could be a much larger ordeal than you might think. You might expect: CDL required, DOT registration ($300), stops at entry points, DOT inspections, daily pre & post trip inspection reports and maintaining a driver log. I doubt the 10+ year tires are going to pass in an inspection.

Please let me know if I'm wrong. There would be many benefits to registering your truck to a company, liability being the first on my list.

Depends on the registration type. An company car or RV/mobile office, no (I know this to be fact, at least in the states I've dealt it). A large truck, quite possibly would fall under DOT.